Question

why is the patient's history of alcoholism significant? what referrals would you provide to support his choice to discontinue using alcohol?

Answer 1

ALCOHOLISM :

Alcoholism is defined as consumption of alcohol results in physical, mental, and social health problems. It is otherwise known as Alcohol use disorder.

Alcoholism is a major social issue where the person losses his/ her mental stability and makes mistakes that cannot be rectified further. Alcoholism has became a trend to flaunt their social status in the society and in front of others as a lifestyle adaptations. Many of the teenagers are being addicted to this alcohol where their lives are destroying in the claws of alcohol abuse. Some of the people wants to come out of alcohol addiction for their family and children, but most of the people are still going deeper into addiction. Alcohol creates a rift in society and many families are ruined due to this habit. It is important to collect detail history of patients which will provide an idea on behavioral changes of patient during alcoholism. Important history of patient in alcoholism include :

* Personal history of patient

*Relation between family and society

* Relationship between friends

* Either he/she is a moderate alcoholic or daily alcoholic

* Job premises where patient is working

* Occupation of the patient

* Work overloads and pressures on patient

* History of alcohol frequency in a day

All the above history should be significant for providing accurate treatment for patients. Patient wants to discontinue alcoholism as a nurse it is our responsibility to support patients decision and provide needed referrals for a better life of patient.Nurses responsibility is to help patients to overcome from the habit of alcoholism by providing treatment and other nursing process to discontinue alcohol. The methods of treatments are :

1. Detoxification of patient from alcohol

2. Drug therapy

3. Administer vitamin supplementation to regain body's metabolic functioning to normal

4. Checking of vital signs regularly to find out any sudden drop outs are present during detoxification process

5. Motivational therapy and support regarding importance of discontinuing alcohol habit

6. Encourage patients to participate in relaxation and diversional therapies

7. Psychological support to modify life style and behavior of patient

REFERRALS TO DISCONTINUE USING ALCOHOL :

Referral system means shifting patient from one hospital or center to another center. It is important to make referral system to patients who are unable to come out of alcoholism or those who want try to discontinue the habit of alcohol. Referrals can be made to alcohol deaddiction centers when the condition of patient is worsening day by day. If the patient is not interested in referral system, motivate them about the health status and disadvantages of alcohol withdrawal syndrome symptoms. After the referral has done follow up of patient condition is important, in some cases patients may skip for referrals either willingly or unwillingly. Hence to prevent complications alcohol withdrawn syndrome deaddiction from alcohol to patients is important factor.