Addiction Counseling: Substance Abuse Videos Review

Running Head: ADDICTION COUNSELLING 1
Addiction counseling
Student’s Name
Institution
Professor

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Addiction counseling
Addiction refers to the state of depending on something particularly a substance or an activity
that alters the normal function of the brain to the point that it cannot function without. In
Australia, many people are abusing drugs particularly; alcohol, marijuana and tobacco. The
following is a review of substance abuse videos illustrating the history of the drug and how it
leads into addiction.
Intervention Nichole, Alcohol (Documentary)
History and popularity of alcohol
In Australia today, alcohol has become an important element of culture. Its consumption
dates back to 1830 when the consumption capacity per individual in the country was 5.8 liters
annually. After WWII, the county’s per capita alcohol consumption increased to a level high of
13.1 liters. According to Bachtell (2015), heavy consumption of alcohol culture in Australia was
as a result of colonization. The two drinking practices are, ‘work and bust,’ Refers to the practice
of prolonged drinking after a period of prolonged hard work. ‘Shouting is another drinking
practice where one member of the group shouts ordering some drinks for all members. In the
recent past, ‘work and bust’ has gained momentum. It is experienced on mad Monday at the end
of a football league.
How it is taken
Alcohol is universally taken by drinking. In other parts of the world, people take alcohol
through inhaling. The common practice in Australia though is drinking. Immediately after
alcohol is sipped, it is absorbed into the body. It has immediate side effect due to its fast
absorption and the stimulant characteristic it possesses.

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Short term and medium term effects
The most notable side effects are; nausea and vomiting, poor bodily coordination, “she
was staggering as if there is no one behind them,” intervention Nicole, alcohol2 impaired motor
skills and personal judgment, depression and slurred speech. Prolonged consumption of alcohol
poses a harmful life-long risk.
Long term effects
The lifelong risks that are as a result of alcohol consumption include; malnutrition and
dietary deficiency, liver cirrhosis, brain damage, stomach ulcers, suicidal behavior, memory
problems and the possibility of weight gain and obesity, (Compton et al. 2007). According to the
video, people who consume alcohol more frequently for a considerable length of time are bound
to experience the above harm.
Effects on social life
Alcohol consumption highly affects one's work performance in the following ways;
absenteeism, as illustrated in the video, it is known that alcohol-dependent employees are always
on the sick leave or tender in absenteeism frequently, (Fry et al. 2015). This will take a toll on
the relationship between spouses and between parents and children. Economically, alcohol drains
families and people finances as they have to buy it. Other financial problems can be
unemployment, missed employment opportunities, (Kankaanpää et al. 2016).
Withdrawal effect of alcohol
Withdrawals due to alcohol consumption occur in two forms, mild and serious. Mild
withdrawal is where a person narrows his company to a few people who mostly are the drinking

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mates. Serious withdrawal arrives when one retreats to solitude. Both states of withdrawal can be
environmentally addressed. The mechanisms used are supportive society, quiet place and being
in contact with the loved ones.
Mental effect of alcohol
Consumption of alcohol leads to reduction in the levels of serotonin in the brain. This is a
chemical that regulate mood swings.
Contribution of the environment to alcohol drinking
Elaborations from the video, (intervention Nicole) show that environment plays a major
part in the way people consume alcohol. People from a community in which people drink a lot
tend to start drinking at some point in their lives, (Bachtell et al. 2015). Addiction to alcohol is as
a result of continued intake of alcohol making the brain not being able to function well without
it. Nicole is addicted to alcohol, “give me another drink,” nicole1. This means that she had been
drinking earlier.
Nicole has resolved to use counseling as away to help her overcome alcoholism. She has
joined a group of people with the same problem as hers and are determined to overcome it.
Marijuana: A Second Class Addiction
History and popularity of marijuana
Britain colonized Australia majorly for the purpose of growing marijuana in the 1770s.
This cannabis was majorly used for medical purposes. The perfect climatic condition in Australia
makes it perfect to grow cannabis. Aussies are in the top ten list in consumption of marijuana.
Lately, the government has legalized marijuana to be used for medical purposes. In the early