TO:
All Psychiatric Nurses
FROM: Casey M. Jones, RPN, Nurse Educator
SUBJECT:
National Alcohol Awareness Month
Next month is National Alcohol Awareness
Month. As we all know, alcoholism is a debilitating disease that affects many
of our patients either first hand or through family members.
I have
invited Dr. Joe Spellini of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
(NIAAA) to speak to us. He will conduct learning workshops on Thursday and
Friday at noon and 7:30 p.m. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Spellini as
a speaker. I feel he has a lot to teach us, so please plan to attend one of
these educational sessions.
The NIAAA has passed along some pertinent
information to me, which I will pass on to you. Please review
(all of this should be familiar).
Alcoholism is characterized by several
specific symptoms:
- Craving
- Loss of control
- Physical dependence
- Tolerance
Alcohol abuse, as we know, can result in the following situations
within a 12-month period:
- Failure to fulfill major responsibilities
- Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous
- Recurring alcohol problems
- Continued drinking despite ongoing relationship problems
- Risky drinking or binge drinking
I also thought it would be helpful to pass on a list of sponsors
so you understand the scope of this workshop. Sponsors include the American
Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and the American Medical Association.
Thanks,
Casey