Health Concern Alcohol Addiction

ALCOHOL ADDICTION AS A HEALTH ISSUE

Alcohol Addiction as a Health Issue

Alcohol addiction happens to be a major global issue. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (2016), alcohol addiction led to the death of about 88,000 people in the United States in 2014. In addition the economic impact of alcohol addiction per year happens to be approximately $249 billion. Further, alcohol addiction is associated with a wide range of social concerns and health problems which are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; property crimes, injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, sexual assault and rape, neonatal abstinence syndrome, mental disorders, breast cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - US; Office of the Surgeon General, 2016). To reduce the burden that is associated with alcohol addiction, it would be prudent to prevent the said addiction early before treatment interventions can be put in place. Prevention interventions in alcohol addiction are important in public health given that they help prevent progression of alcohol use and also delay the use of alcohol (i.e. among young persons). In this essay, I will include prevention interventions that are aimed at reducing the cost and disease burden related to alcohol addiction using a health promotion program.

While coming up with a health promotion program for alcohol addiction, a person’s behavior changes at various levels. The socio-ecological model includes the said levels which create sustainable solutions to societies and individuals who are at risk. Essentially, the socio-ecological model includes five levels, i. e. individual level, interpersonal level, community level, organizational level, and policy or enabling environment (McKenzie et al, 2013). The factors that should be considered in a health promotion program at the individual level are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; economic status, sexual orientation, education level, and age. At this level, the behavior of a person is affected by factors such as beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge. Essentially, individual level is related to issues of self-concept and personal skill (Vantamay, 2009). If a person believes that alcohol addiction has negative health impact on them, then they will change their behavior. However, the reverse is true if the same individual has the belief that alcohol addiction does not have any negative effects on their health. Therefore, it would be prudent to increase the individuals’ knowledge about the negative impact of alcohol addiction. This can be done through education campaigns whereby persons will be educated on the said negative health effects (Vantamay, 2009). Education will also help increase belief in self-efficacy. Training can also be provided to individuals so as to teach them on self-protective and refusal skills.

Interpersonal level involves factors that influence a person’s behavior such as close social networks, peers, and family members (Vantamay, 2009). According to the author, having family members or close friends that drink alcohol is likely to influence a person’s behavior towards drinking. Therefore, prevention interventions at the interpersonal level should account for this. For instance, communication between peers can be fostered so as to change the social norms related with alcohol use. Peers can also be educated on the risks associated with alcohol. In a family setting, close relationships can be supported while encouraging parents to put in place rules at home, i.e. ‘a no-alcohol use in the house’ kind of policy. Further, parents can be encouraged to act as role models to their children (Vantamay, 2009). Community level includes the community setting or the environment in which a person lives, the lining conditions, and the neighborhoods (Vantamay, 2009). When alcohol is easily accessible in the community, then the individuals in the said community are likely to drink more. Therefore, prevention interventions at this level will include measures that will reduce accessibility. For instance, the concentration and number of outlets that offer alcohol should be limited while removing alcohol distributors that have no concern for the wellbeing of the community. In addition, community leaders should be encouraged to participate in health promotion programs so as to provide a healthy environment. Moreover, the number of hours or days that alcohol is sold in the community should be limited (Vantamay, 2009).

The organizational level, which is also referred to as the institutional level, includes influences from universities, schools, and workplaces on behavior (Vantamay, 2009). Easier access to alcohol within the said institution increases alcohol consumption. In addition, if the seniors within an institution consume alcohol, then the other members within the institution are likely to consume alcohol. Therefore, restricting the accessibility of alcohol within the said institutions will prevent alcohol consumption. Further, anti-alcohol campaigns can be supported within institutions. Alcohol sale and use within institutions can also be banned (Vantamay, 2009). At the policy or societal level, activities which are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; disease control and prevention, social campaigns, regulations, laws, and policies influence an individual’s behavior. At this level, lower exposure to alcohol advertisements and anti-alcohol campaign decreases alcohol consumption (Vantamay, 2009). Thus, anti-alcohol campaigns can be promoted and alcohol advertisements limited. In addition, restrictions which are inclusive of limiting distribution, restricting drinking areas, and increasing prices and taxes on alcohol should be put in place.

To address alcohol addiction, it would also be prudent to build or organize the community. Through community organizing, the communities can identify goals or problems and then come up with strategies to meet the set goals. To gain entry into a community, organizers require awareness and sensitivity about the culture of the community (McKenzie et al, 2013). There are various ways through which an organizer can be aware, sensitive, and humble with regard to the culture of the community. In this case, the organizer needs to know the root-cause of the problem, i.e. with regard to where the problem originates from. This would come in handy in efforts to come up with meaningful interventions. Various stakeholders could also be roped in to help rein in this particular concern. Also, in seeking to solve the problem, clear goals and priorities need to be set. It should also be noted that as McKenzie et al. (2013) indicate, to get more insights about the problem and derive even more effective interventions, alternative solutions for the problem can be examined in terms of cost, short and long-term effects, approval by the community, and the outcomes.