Defining Concepts of the Use of Alcohol and Alcohol Dependence: the Aspect of Social Inclusion
Journal Title: KultŁ«ra ir visuomenė. SocialiniŁ³ tyrimŁ³ Ł¾urnalas - Year 2014, Vol 5, Issue 2
Abstract
The harmful use of alcohol is an important social problem, especially in Europe. Focusing on the definitions and tools of evaluating the use of alcohol and alcohol dependence, the article asks when the use of alcohol can be characterised as harmful and when alcohol dependence begins. It also attempts to include social dimension into these definitions and to evaluate the assessment tools for the use of alcohol and alcohol dependence. The author related the definitions of the use of alcohol (heavy drinking, harmful use, hazardous use, problem drinking and excessive drinking, alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse) to such aspects of social context as the role of social integration and social harm due to the use of alcohol. The use of alcohol is often debated by drawing the binary combinations such as low risk vs. high risk drinking, problem vs. non–problem drinking, healthy vs. unhealthy drinking. The demarcation line between these opposites is rather unclear. While the use of alcohol is defined by qualitative methods based on the quantity of the alcohol used, the evaluation methods of the use of alcohol and alcohol dependence are associated with biomedical perspective that focuses on the person’s psychophysical health and almost omits social dimension. Therefore, it becomes difficult to evaluate the dynamics of alcohol dependence with its causes and social consequences. The author argues that definitions of the use of alcohol and alcohol dependence should include social dimension that would enable us to move beyond the opposites and to identify social and cultural norms that promote or limit the use of alcohol. Social dimension also allows us to identify the consequences of drinking, particularly its harmful impact on a family, primary social ties and broader society. Thus, social parameters should be included in the evaluation of diagnostic tools for the use of alcohol and alcohol dependence.
Authors and Affiliations
Ilona Tamutienė
Keywords
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- EP ID EP94850
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.7220/2335-8777.5.2.8
- Views 157
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