What Do You Think The Documentary Means Before Watching

Before You Watch The Documentary What Do You Think It Means To Be

Before You Watch The Documentary What Do You Think It Means To Be

1. BEFORE you watch the documentary: What do you think it means to be a risky drinker? – write at least 4 sentences.

2. According to the film, 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. is a binge drinker. According to the NIAAA, binge drinking is defined as “a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08 g/dL. This typically occurs after 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men—in about 2 hours.” What are some of the consequences of binge drinking that the film shows, and how does this kind of drinking affect the quality of their life?

3. What are some examples from the film of the impact of risky drinking on family?

4. According to the film, about 80% of people with an alcohol use disorder will relapse within the first year of sobriety. Does that surprise you? Why/Why not?

5. According to Dr. George Koob, Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “One of the most important things about excessive drinking is that it changes your brain” so that you have “no brake on impulsive behavior and stress-like responding.” This promotes a vicious cycle where people can end up drinking to fix the problem that drinking caused. What are some examples of this in the film? Do you think you could recognize the behavior of someone who was in this cycle?

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding what it means to be a risky drinker requires examining both personal behaviors and the broader health implications associated with alcohol consumption. Risky drinking involves consuming alcohol in a manner that poses potential health hazards, including binge drinking, heavy episodic drinking, and habitual overconsumption. It often reflects a pattern of drinking that increases the chance of accidents, injuries, or chronic health conditions, and may be driven by psychological, social, or environmental factors. Recognizing risky drinking is essential for both health awareness and intervention, as it often initiates a cycle of dependence and adverse effects on one's physical and mental well-being.

The documentary underscores the alarming prevalence of binge drinking in the United States, with statistics indicating that one in four adults engage in this behavior. Binge drinking entails consuming a quantity of alcohol that elevates blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 g/dL, typically achieved by women after four drinks and men after five drinks within about two hours. The consequences of such behavior are grave, including impaired judgment, accidents, injuries, and increased risk of alcohol poisoning. Additionally, binge drinking can lead to long-term health problems such as liver disease, cardiovascular issues, and neurological damage. The film vividly illustrates how these patterns of excessive drinking diminish quality of life by impairing personal relationships, decreasing productivity, and increasing healthcare costs.

The impact of risky drinking on families emerges as a poignant theme within the documentary. Examples include instances where alcohol abuse leads to strained marriages, broken relationships, and the neglect of children. Family members often endure emotional distress, financial hardship, and a sense of helplessness as they witness loved ones struggle with addiction. The film highlights stories of parents losing custody of their children, spouses experiencing betrayal, and children growing up in unstable environments due to a family member's alcohol abuse. These narratives underscore the profound ripple effects of risky drinking beyond the individual, affecting the emotional and social fabric of entire families.

The statistics presented in the documentary concerning relapse rates are sobering: approximately 80% of individuals with alcohol use disorder relapse within the first year of sobriety. This high relapse rate conveys the chronic and relapsing nature of alcohol addiction, which surprises many viewers initially. It reflects the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors that make sustained recovery challenging. The brain's adaptations to alcohol create cravings and withdrawal symptoms that can persist long after cessation, making relapse an expected part of the recovery process. Recognizing this reality encourages a compassionate view of relapse as part of the recovery journey rather than a failure.

Dr. George Koob emphasizes that excessive drinking leads to significant changes in brain chemistry, notably impairing the brain's ability to regulate impulsive behavior and stress responses. This neurological alteration fosters a vicious cycle, where individuals may drink to alleviate the negative emotions or stress caused or worsened by their drinking. The film provides examples of this cycle, such as protagonists turning to alcohol during stressful periods or after relapses, only to find their problems exacerbated. Recognizing these behaviors requires awareness of signs like impulsivity, emotional instability, and compulsive drinking. This understanding can help in identifying individuals trapped in this destructive cycle and underscores the importance of targeted interventions.

References

  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2020). Drinking Levels Defined. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/drinking-levels-defined
  • Rehm, J., Shield, K. D. (2019). Global burden of alcohol use disorders and alcohol liver disease. Gastroenterology, 156(2), 368–376.
  • Koob, G. F., & Le Moal, M. (2008). Addiction and the Brain Disease Model. Science & Practice Perspectives, 4(1), 1–8.
  • Saitz, R. (2014). Clinical practice. Unhealthy alcohol use. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(23), 2349–2358.
  • McCarthy, A. L. (2010). The impact of alcohol on family life. Subst Abuse, 5(1), 15–23.
  • Sher, K. J., & Wood, P. K. (2010). Personality and Alcohol Use: Overview and Recommendations. Journal of Research in Personality, 44(3), 299–310.
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Is Drug Addiction a Disease? https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/science-of-addiction
  • Volkow, N. D., & Morales, M. (2015). The Brain on Drugs: From Reward to Addiction. Cell, 162(4), 712–725.
  • Hingson, R. W., Zha, W., & Kolody, B. (2017). Binge Drinking and Alcohol-Related Problems in College Students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 78(3), 413–418.
  • APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2024). Addiction. American Psychological Association. https://dictionary.apa.org/addiction

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