• Module 1 - Attitudes
  • Introduction
  • The Function of Attitudes
  • Opportunites for Discussion
    • Ambivalence
    • Faith Tradition
    • Youth Experiences
    • Case Study
    • Final Reflection
• Module 2 - Awareness
  • Introduction
  • General Awareness Information
  • Salient Features
  • Stages of Alcoholism
  • Physiological Impact
  • Other Options
  • Handouts
• Module 3 - Assimilation
  • Introduction
  • Roles of Religious Leaders
  • Codependency
  • Class Activity
  • Case Study
  • Handouts
• Module 4 - Action
  • Introduction
  • General Considerations
  • "The Twelve Steps" Information
  • Factors
  • Phases
  • Additional Possibilities
  • Handouts

MODULE II: Awareness

Physiological Impact of Alcoholism

 

Competency 1 - Be aware of the:
Generally accepted definition of alcohol and other drug dependence
Societal stigma attached to alcohol and other drug dependence

Competency 2 - Be knowledgeable about the:
Signs of alcohol and other drug dependence
Characteristics of withdrawal
Effects on the individual and the family (household)
Characteristics of the stages of recovery

Competency 3 - Be aware that possible indicators of the disease may include,
among others:
Marital conflict, Family violence (physical, emotional and verbal), Suicide, Hospitalization, or Encounters with the criminal justice system

Competency 4 - Understand that addiction erodes and blocks religious and spiritual development; and be able to effectively communicate the importance of spirituality and the practice of religion in recovery, using the scripture/sacred writings, traditions and rituals of the faith community

If further in-depth information about the physiological effects of alcoholism as it relates to major organs of the body is desired, the following information can be shared. This is important information because the deleterious effects of alcoholism and other addictions may be misdiagnosed. Alcoholism and addiction are often the unseen, unspoken and undiagnosed reasons for medical problems. Briefly noted below is the impact that alcoholism has on major body organs.

1. Brain – Initially it should be known that the consumption of any amount of alcohol impairs brain function to some degree and destroys brain cells. As the brain is increasingly affected by alcohol, the following symptoms may occur.

• Depth perception decreases, there may be loss of peripheral vision.
  
  
• Inhibitions are lost because the first part of the brain to be affected is the frontal cortex where the mechanisms of inhibition are located.
  
  
• There may be a false and inflated sense of well-being.
  
  
• The loss of equilibrium occurs.
  
  
• With chronic drinking, organic brain syndrome may occur which severely impairs the ability of the person to think and reason.

2. Gastrointestinal system – The digestive system does not function properly.

• Mucous membranes can be irritated, the dilation of blood vessels increases blood flow and hemorrhaging can occur
  creating, for example, esophageal verices, or the rupture of blood vessels in the throat. These ruptures may also occur in the gastrointestinal system. Alcoholics have been known to die as a result of unabated hemorrhaging.
  
  
• Stomach ulcers are common and chronic drinking exacerbates the irritation in the whole system.
  
  
• Alcohol prevents the absorption of food into the bloodstream.
  
  
• Deficiencies in vitamins and nutrition affect the whole body.

3. Pancreas – This organ is irritated by the alcohol, and alcoholics often suffer from pancreatitis, or the total shutdown of the pancreas and its functions. Diabetes is an obvious result.

4. Liver – The liver metabolizes the alcohol and everything else that is ingested. Alcoholic hepatitis, jaundice and, the malady that kills many alcoholics, cirrhosis of the liver are often the result of alcoholism. The liver has the remarkable capacity to restore itself to normal functioning once the drinking stops, but it too has limited tolerance and regenerative powers.

5. Heart – The tissue can be destroyed and the muscle itself placed under great duress. The efficiency of the heart is compromised by increasing fatty tissue, rise in blood pressure, and scar tissue or adhesions which may form where the heart has been damaged, this increases the risk of heart enlargement and heart attacks.

6. Genitor-urinary system – This system can be damaged resulting in nephritis, or diseased kidneys that eventually shut down.

• There is loss of important body protein and cystitis may develop in the bladder.
  
  
• Sexual dysfunction and impotence in men is very common.
  
  
• Decreases in testosterone may eventually result in sterility.
  
  
• Males in advanced stages of alcoholism often develop female characteristics with enlarged breasts.

It is evident that addiction is a physiological illness with biological, psychological, social, and spiritual consequences as noted in the General Awareness tab of this module. While the person doing ministry is not a physician or diagnostician, familiarity with the signs and symptoms as well as the impact of alcoholism on the spiritual, social, emotional and physical level is imperative. (Knowledge of the early signs is vital.) When counseling with people, other presenting problems are usually articulated first. The parishioner may voice the pain of marital conflict. In other instances the presence of violence (physical, emotional, and verbal) are evident. It frequently happens that the alcoholic will attempt suicide, have to be hospitalized with ailments outlined above or as noted previously, may be arrested and/or incarcerated for behavior related to alcohol use. Addiction creates a variety of problems that affect the totality of life.

 

Module Home • Introduction • General Awareness Information • Salient Features Concerning Alcoholism • Stages of Alcoholism
Physiological Impact of Alcoholism • Other Options to Exercise in Conjunction with this Module

 

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