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ALCOHOLISM IN DEAF WOMEN.   Term Paper ID:22468 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Special problems & needs of women & disabled related to alcohol, biology, stigmatization, access to treatment resources.... More...

10 Pages / 2250 Words 11 sources, 37 Citations, APA Format $40.00 Return to List of Papers

Paper Abstract: Special problems & needs of women & disabled related to alcohol, biology, stigmatization, access to treatment resources. Paper Introduction: Alcoholism in Deaf Women Alcohol usage is extremely common in the United States. Its abuse, however, is also the cause of considerable social harm. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease resulting from persistent and excessive drinking. In addition to health problems, alcoholic behavior can result in familial, vocational, and legal difficulties. In recent years, the problem of alcoholism among the disabled has received increasing attention. More specifically, hearing-impaired women may be particularly vulnerable to the drug's adverse effects. Tyas & Rush (1993) define a handicapped person as "anyone with a physical or mental disability that limits substantially one or more of such major life activities as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, working, or learning" (Tyas & Rush, 1993, pp. Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. 1 3-113). In addition, the law also mandates that thelevel of services be as "'equitable' and 'effective' as that available tothe general population" (Whitehouse et al., 1991, pp. This ultimately results inmore alcohol being absorbed into women's circulation. Unfortunately, there is a relative paucity of data concerning thebenefits of different types of addiction service. 38 -387)described deaf people as being unruly, impulsive, nonempathic, andnoninsightful. Comparedto men, women alcoholics suffer from a higher incidence of alcoholichepatitis. 1 3-113). Such views--which may be especially prevalent in the deafcommunity--can cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment. National Academy of Sciences, Committee of the Institute of Medicine,Division of Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine. Lastly, there are also relatively few aftercare services available tothe hearing-impaired. Second, amongthese behaviors, there is a strong stigmatization against drunkenness.Consequently, deaf persons may try harder to hide their drinking. Since alcohol dilutes in water, lower body water contentresults in higher blood alcohol levels among women given the same doses ofethanol as men. Unfortunately though, the extent to which various agencies adhere tothe Rehabilitation Act's mandate remains questionable. Women also appear to suffer more ill effects from alcoholism thanmen. 275-281). Considering the mores generallyheld by the deaf community, hearing-impaired women may face furtherobstacles to treatment. 9 7-912). Its abuse,however, is also the cause of considerable social harm. At present though, the relative contributions of decreased body waterand increased gastrointestinal absorption towards the development ofalcohol intoxication in women remain unclear. Patterns of drinkingamong the deaf. K.; Milhorn, H. C. Isaacs, M.; Buckley, G., & Martin, D. Such groups typicallyprotest, "We have been fighting to rid the hearing community of thestereotype 'deaf and dumb'; we don't want to spend the next hundred yearstrying to erase another devastating slur, 'deaf and drunk'" (Isaacs et al.,1979, pp. Hospital and Community Psychiatry,42, 38 -389. Magilvy, J. Hence, this subculture may maintainbehaviors which are distinct from the greater population. 9 7-912). In recent years, the problemof alcoholism among the disabled has received increasing attention. Rainer and associates (cited in Steinberg, 1991, pp. This lack of aftercare can have a considerable impact onthose hearing-impaired patients that are able to receive treatment: Oneprogram working with deaf substance abusers reported a 1 percent relapserate (Whitehouse et al., 1991, pp. 65-9 )reported that 57 percent of students within one school for the deaf wereactively using alcohol. Clearly, there hasbeen a disproportionate lack of attention with regard to prevention,outreach, and development of specialized treatment resources for thehearing-impaired (Whitehouse et al., 1991, pp. 344-349). Regardless ofthe age of onset though, hearing loss can have a "significant impact on allother areas of life, compounding other age-related physiological,psychological, and socioenvironmental problems" (Magilvy, 1985, pp. Rasing, E. are equipped with Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD).TDD technology essentially consists of a keyboard and modem which thusenables deaf persons to communicate over the telephone. 9 7-912). One main issue associated with the provision of addiction services tothe disabled involves the relative merits of general versus specializedprograms. The report identified eight majorpopulation subgroups including both the multidisabled and women. The needsof deaf substance abusers in Illinois. Furthermore, amongcertain disabled populations, this abuse may merit increased therapeuticfocus. (1991). A comparative look. American Family Physician, 44, 9 7-913. One national survey conducted in 1989 identified over 46, hearing-impaired children (Steinberg, 1991, pp. Quality of life of hearing-impaired older women. Such needs might be best addressed by health professionals whoare intimately familiar with both the deaf community and its culture. 315-325). 1 3-113). 73-74) observed that women have lower levels of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase. Inaddition, a recent publication by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuseand Alcoholism elaborated on the needs of special populations which"research suggests may be particularly underserved by alcoholism treatmentprograms" (NAS, 199 , pp. (1995, March). The stigmatization against drunkenness within the deaf community haseven, in some cases, impeded the development of rehabilitation programs.The possibility of alcoholism among the hearing-impaired has occasionallymet massive denial by the organized deaf community. The treatment of disabled personswith alcohol and drug problems: Results of a survey of addiction services. In fact, someresearchers believe that problem drinking in special population groups ismultidimensional. The career status of deafwomen. In fact, using data collected bythe National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the NationalInstitute on Drug Abuse, McCrone (cited in Steinberg, 1991, pp. Obviously, a considerable amount of alcohol abuse occurs among thedisabled. For one, there is a tendency within the deafcommunity to be closed to outsiders. Withincreased liver damage, women may also suffer from lower albumin levels,longer prothrombin times, and higher gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels.Alcohol abuse in women has also been correlated with dysmenorrhea, heavymenstrual flow, premenstrual discomfort, amenorrhea, luteal phasedysfunction, anovulation, and early menopause (Gearhart, 1991, pp. 399-4 4). In addition to health problems, alcoholic behavior can result infamilial, vocational, and legal difficulties. Gearhart, J. Morespecifically, hearing-impaired women may be particularly vulnerable to thedrug's adverse effects. J., & Duker, P. Diesenhaus (cited in NAS, 199 , pp. Although federal statutes require thatmental health care be accessible to the disabled, deaf women remainunderserved. 362-369).Compared to the hearing population, deaf adults are generally less welleducated, more often underemployed, and typically have lower incomes.Moreover, such tendencies may be most prevalent among deaf women. Thisestimate, therefore, makes deafness the nation's single most chronicphysical disability. Alcohol and polysubstance abuse amongwomen. They view alcoholism as a unitary disease processanalogous to cancer or diabetes; the occurrence and manifestation ofsymptoms then, might be unique to each individual. Hence, just as there areheavy drinkers among the hearing population, so must there also bealcoholics among the hearing-impaired. Only in recent decades have the problems of hearing-impairedsubstance abusers been recognized. The International Journal ofthe Addictions, 26, 65-9 . 1 3-113) concluded that the rate of alcoholism among hearing-impaired personsis at least equivalent to that of the hearing population. The recovering deaf alcoholic needs community-basedresidential programs, vocational rehabilitation, and access to aftercarefacilities. In the general population, the effects of this abuse amongwomen are considerable. Although no reliable data existon the number of deaf persons in the United States, the hearing-impairedmay comprise as much as 9 percent of the general population. (1991). Regardless ofthe underlying physiological mechanisms, however, the particularly damagingeffects of alcohol abuse among women are well documented. Some researchers also believe that alcoholic women are more likelythan alcoholic men to drink in response to environmental stress (Gearhart,1991, pp. Although thedisabled are often grouped together, persons with different disabilitiesmay require their own therapies. Similarly,Isaacs, Buckley, & Martin (1979) found that normally functioning deafpersons have drinking patterns similar to those of a comparable hearingpopulation (Isaacs et al., 1979, pp. Moreover, the most severe form of alcoholic hepatitis, centralsclerosing hyaline necrosis, is also more common among women. Perhaps, it is moreaccurate, however, to characterize deaf people as a heterogenous populationwhich has been subject to various, and sometimes inappropriate,generalizations. Despitesuch consideration though, the number of programs presently tailored toeach type of disability generally reflects the relative importance of thedisability with regard to any given institution's client population (Tyas &Rush, 1993, pp. Over the past several decades, variouspopulation subgroups have been identified as special populations for thepurposes of planning and evaluating the national system of treatment foralcohol problems. Society traditionally considersalcoholism less acceptable in women than in men: Many persons actuallyassociate female alcohol abuse with sexual promiscuity (El-Guebaly, 1995,pp. It might also be noted that some of the heaviestdrinking thus far observed has occurred exclusively within the deafculture; Locke & Johnson (cited in Moore & Polsgrove, 1991, pp. Washington, D.C.: NationalAcademy Press. Unfortunately though, themental health service needs of the deaf community remain underserved.Whitehouse et al. 463-476). It is estimated that thefemale to male ratio of alcoholic individuals is approximately 1:2.However, alcoholism rehabilitation programs report a "female:maleproportion of admissions of 1:4" (El-Guebaly, 1995, pp. Magilvy (1985) noted that women experiencing a highdegree of hearing handicap generally have a lower perception of quality oflife (Magilvy, 1985, pp. At present, only sparseprevalence data exist (Moore & Polsgrove, 1991, pp. Furthermore, even when resources are available, deaf people may haveonly a restricted knowledge of them. Alcoholism in Deaf Women Alcohol usage is extremely common in the United States. (1985, May-June). Unfortunately though, few alcoholism rehabilitation agencies inthe U.S. Obviously, the problems associated with the provision of treatmentservices to the hearing-impaired are only compounded for hearing-impairedwomen. Such influences might potentiallyaffect the drinking patterns of deaf women. Indeed, it isimplicated in a third of suicides, half of traffic fatalities, a fourth ofaccidental deaths, and thousands of birth defects and divorces. 65-9 ). Revue Canadienne de Psychiatrie,4 , 73-79. Alcoholism is achronic, progressive disease resulting from persistent and excessivedrinking. Over thelast several years, the literature on deaf adults has referred to "'double-stereotyping', a 'double handicap', 'double-pronged stereotyping', 'double-jeopardy', and the 'double whammy' experienced by deaf women" (MacLeod-Gallinger, 1992, pp. Despite the fact that their relative effectiveness has yet to beconfirmed, considerable resources continue to be allocated towards thedevelopment of specialized treatment services. Nursing Research, 34, 14 -144. Apparently, within the deaf community,women suffer from a dual stereotyping which consists of the following: (1)external stereotyping based on deafness; and (2) internal stereotypingbased on more traditional perceptions of appropriate sex roles within thedeaf community. 74-77). In addition, fewfacilities employ personnel who can communicate in American Sign Language(Whitehouse et al., 1991, pp. As a whole, the deaf community refers to all those people who employa common language, American Sign Language. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 6, 463-476. In addition, hormonalalterations and genetic vulnerability may also be involved. Such stressors may include, for example, the recentloss of a loved one, a family crisis, an unrewarding marriage, economicstress, or depression. Additionally, Frazza (cited in El-Guebaly, 1995, pp. (1991,September). In fact, among women, gastric alcohol dehydrogenase metabolizes only about25 percent as much alcohol as it does in men. 399-4 4) concluded that "the evidence is notavailable to resolve the ongoing disagreement between those who believethat it is important to provide culturally specialized treatment programsusing staff who share the cultural background (and language, whenappropriate) of the individuals being treated and those who believetreatment should focus on the alcohol problem itself" (NAS, 199 , pp. (1993, May). Issues in providing mental healthservices to hearing-impaired persons. 65-9 ). 463-476). 14 -143). American Journal of Drug andAlcohol Abuse, 17, 1 3-113.----------------------- 6 As with most disabled groups, the prevalence of substance abusewithin the hearing-impaired population is difficult to determine precisely. G.; Beebe, D. 38 -387)estimated in 1982 that there were approximately 73, deaf alcoholics inthe United States. Whitehouse, A.; Sherman, R. (1979) and Boros (cited in Moore & Polsgrove, 1991, pp.65-9 ) hypothesized that there are two fundamental problems faced by thedeaf alcohol abuser. Moreover, the U.S. One group in particular which may be adversely affected by alcoholabuse consists of hearing-impaired women. E., & Kozlowski, K. Tyas, S., & Rush, B. 344-349). Isaacs & Berman (cited in Whitehouse, Sherman, & Kozlowski, 1991, pp. MacLeod-Gallinger, J.E. Similarly, Altshuler (cited in Steinberg, 1991, pp. In addition, women whodrink heavily also appear to be more sensitive to liver disease,gynecologic disorders, obstetric complications, and brain damage. Whether depression or low self-esteem within this populationcontributes to substance abuse remains unknown. Membership within thiscommunity depends less on the individual's degree of hearing loss, and moreon their identification with deaf culture. (1979). 1 3-113). This limitedresearch, however, does suggest that substance abuse among the disabled isat least as prevalent as in the general population. 38 -387) also noted increased impulsive behavior among the hearing-impaired.In fact, the researcher hypothesized that audition might actually benecessary for the internalized control of rage. Likewise, the prevalence of prelingual--i.e., thatwhich occurs before three years of age--deafness is also difficult todetermine. 275-281). For instance, suicide and alcohol-related accidents are more commonamong female alcoholics than among male alcoholics. In addition to their biologic vulnerability, women's general drinkingpatterns are different from those of men. (199 ). with additional servicesfor the hearing-impaired. Reasonsgiven for the underrepresentation of women in formal treatment include thegreater stigma attached to alcoholic women, the associated stigma ofperceived sexual promiscuity, the lack of child care facilities, and thelack of specialized treatment facilities. Within the deaf community, women may be the most severely affected byalcohol abuse. Tyas & Rush (1993) define a handicapped person as "anyone with aphysical or mental disability that limits substantially one or more of suchmajor life activities as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, working, orlearning" (Tyas & Rush, 1993, pp. For example, alcoholism is the third leading causeof death for women between the ages of 35 and 55 years. (1992, October). Such stereotyping may have significant implications withregard to deaf women's substance abuse behaviors. Alcoholism in women. Isaacs et al. Broadening thebase of treatment for alcohol problems. 73-74). Even among the general population, a disproportionately smallnumber of women seek treatment for alcohol abuse. Consequently,women may make more of an attempt to conceal their drinking. Several studies have observedthat hearing-impaired persons as a group may have difficulty "acquiringappropriate social behaviors" (Rasing & Duker, 1993, pp. For instance, there are not many AlcoholicsAnonymous meetings conducted in sign language or interpreted on anyconsistent basis. Disabilities, developmentalhandicaps, and substance misuse: A review. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Acquisition andgeneralization of social behaviors in language-disabled deaf children.American Annals of the Deaf, 138, 362-369. American Annals of the Deaf, 137, 315-325. Yet another, more complex possibilityfor such addiction services may consist of incorporating specializedservices into general addiction programs (Tyas & Rush, 1993, pp. According to Section 5 4 of theFederal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all jobs, education, and servicesprovided by agencies and institutions that receive federal funding must beaccessible to disabled people. 38 -387). (1991) noted that there are less than 1 residentialchemical dependency treatment programs in the U.S. government is obligated to provide serviceswhich are responsive to this population. 14 -143). References El-Guebaly, N. Suchactions not only "suppress these individuals' awareness of drinkingproblems" they also make the alcoholic "more socially isolated and lessaccessible to treatment" (Moore & Polsgrove, 1991, pp. Steinberg, A. (1993, October). In contrast though, specialized programs may provide moreresources and better staff training. 344-349) offered acomprehensive definition of such populations as "groups that have commonsocial, psychological, or legal characteristics and that have encounteredbarriers in obtaining appropriate treatment" (NAS, 199 , pp. Much of the general informationacquired by deaf adults comes from personal contact with other deafpersons. Moreover, most of the programs that are inexistence merely use sign language interpreters to enable their deafpatients to participate in regular hearing activities. R. T., & Meeks, G. Compared to males, females have a lowertotal body water content (i.e., 51 percent for females versus 65 percentfor males). The community's severe attitudes towards drinking,as well as its traditional outlook on gender roles, might effectivelyrestrict deaf women's access to government-mandated alcohol rehabilitativeservices. Journal of Studies of Alcohol, 54, 275-282. Saxe and colleages(cited in NAS, 199 , pp. K. General programs have the potential to increase treatmentavailability. Inaddition, it has been estimated that alcoholism may decrease an averagewoman's life expectancy by as many as 15 years (Gearhart, 1991, pp. The susceptiblity of thedisabled to alcohol-related problems has been a subject of considerabledebate. (1991, April). One reason for the apparent increased vulnerability of females toalcohol may relate to body water. Moore, D., & Polsgrove, L. 275-281). If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.