Sources:
Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, flammable, colorless liquid having a penetrating odour and burning taste. It is one of the products
of the distillation of fermented grains, fruit juices and starches with the help of yeast enzymes. It is the principal constituent
and the intoxicating principle of wines. Modes of Use:
Alcohol is taken in low concentration, as the beer, toddy, and wine and in relatively high concentration as arrack, brandy,
whiskey, rum, gin, vodka etc. Addiction:
Addiction to alcohol is called alcoholism. Alcoholics are found in all society section of society. Alcohol causes intoxication
and thus, acts as a poison. They drinkers begin with small doses, but many of them soon start consuming large doses and
become addicts. By the time they realize that drinking in adversely affecting them, it is too late to give it up. Why People
Take to Drinking:
The drinkers offer one or more of the following reasons for starting drinking.
(i) Social pressure
(ii) Desire for excitement
(iii) Feeling of independence
(iv) Liking of taste
(v) Desire to escape from such realities of life as disappointments and failures and
(vi) The desire to offset the hardships and monotony of daily life.
What happens when Alcohol is consumed?
Alcohol is quickly absorbed in the stomach and upper part of small intestine and reaches all the tissues in minutes. Its
oxidation starts at once and a large amount of heat in produced. Since heat is not needed in the body, it is taken up by the
blood and carried to the skin for dissipation. Since the receptors of heat are located in the skin, the rush of blood to the skin
gives a false impression of warmth in the body. The blood supply of internal organs is greatly reduced resulting in fall of
temperature in them. The energy released by alcohol is not used in any life process. Rather the energy derived from food is
used up in ridding the body of excess heat.
Is Alcohol A Stimulant?
Many people take alcohol for stimulation. Actually, alcohol is a depressant, a substance which dulls the senses. It reduces the
Conclusions
efficiency of every tissue the body. Any feeling of lift a person may claim to feel is a mistaken impression or an attempt to
justify the act in his own min
Drug use and addiction cause a lot of disease and disability in the world. Recent advances in neuroscience may help improve
policies to reduce the harm that the use of tobacco, alcohol and other psychoactive drugs impose on society.
Bibliography
See H. Abadinsky, Drug Abuse (1989); H. T. Milhorn, Jr., Chemical Dependence (1990); D. Baum, Smoke and Mirrors: The
War on Drugs and the Politics of Failure (1996); M. Massing, The Fix (1998); J. Jonnes, Hepcats, Narcs, and Pipe Dreams:
A History of America's Romance with Illegal Drugs (1999); publications of the Drugs & Crime Data Center and
Clearinghouse, the Bureau of Justice Statistics Clearinghouse, and the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug
Information.
❖ NCERT Class 12 Lab Manual
❖ https://en.wikipedia.org
❖ https://www.google.co.in
❖ https://www.scribd.com
❖ https://www.slideshare.com
❖ Class 12 NCERT Textbook
❖ Reference articles from various blogs. Case Study Details
Sam is a 43-year-old married man who was referred to you by his employee assistance program for help with quitting
smoking. He reports to you that he has been trying to quit “cold turkey” without success and has noticed that he has been
smoking even more than his typical pack per day. Sam first started smoking cigarettes when he was in college. At that time,
he considered himself to be a “social smoker” – smoking one or two times per week, when out with friends. He recalls a
distinct shift in his smoking habits when he transitioned to his first full-time job after college, noting that the transition to
“being a full-fledged adult” was difficult for him and he would pick up a cigarette at the end of the work day as a reward or
to relieve stress. Over time, his smoking increased to the point where he felt like he needed to smoke throughout the day. He
worried that if he didn’t have the cigarette his body was expecting he might have symptoms of withdrawal or he might not
be able to manage his stress. He has always been aware of the potential negative health effects of smoking but has told
himself that if he quit smoking “soon” he would be okay. He also believes that smoking has helped him to keep his weight in
check – he struggled to maintain a healthy weight as an adolescent and is convinced that he will “gain a ton of weight” if he
quits smoking. In recent years, as public establishments have become smoke-free, he has become self-conscious about his
smoking habit and actively works to hide it from others, particularly his 4-year-old daughter. He is seeking help with
smoking cessation now because it is negatively impacting his marriage (his wife reminds him daily, “You promised me you
would quit”) and he worries that he won’t be able to keep his habit a secret from his daughter much longer.
Symptoms
Anxiety
Emotion Dysregulation
Substance Abuse
Diagnoses and Related Treatments
1. Smoking
The following treatments have empirical support for individuals with Smoking
Meet Steven. He is a 30-year-old junior marketing executive, he’s single and he shares an apartment with his brother. He
seems to be living a good life. However, Steven was in denial about his drinking problem.
He had a very active social life and could be found at a bar, club or restaurant every night of the week. He enjoyed his social
life but alcohol is always present whenever he goes out. He joked that he looks like an alcoholic because he’s holding a drink
in every photo of himself. In reality, it’s no laughing matter.
Steven met a woman that he liked. She also thinks he’s sweet and they had been seeing each other for a couple of months.
She notices that every time she calls him he is drinking but thinks nothing of it. After all, maybe this man just enjoys a
couple of drinks when he’s out with friends or colleagues. She doesn’t think that drinking every night makes him an
alcoholic. She may also be wrong
Sure! Here's an imagined interview with a person recovering from alcoholism in Rajasthan, written in a way that would
cover a wide range of personal, social, and cultural insights.
---
### **Interview with Arvind Singh: A Journey from Addiction to Redemption**
*Recovering Alcoholic from Rajasthan*
---
**Interviewer:** Arvind, thank you for agreeing to share your story. Could you begin by telling us a little bit about yourself
and your life before you began your journey to recovery?
**Arvind Singh:**
Thank you for having me. My name is Arvind Singh, and I’m from a small village near Udaipur in Rajasthan. Growing up, my
life was similar to that of many other young men in my community. We come from farming families, where life is hard but
simple. However, like many others, I was drawn to alcohol at an early age. It started out as something social, a way to bond
with friends at family gatherings or local celebrations. But, over time, I couldn’t stop. The habit turned into something that
controlled me rather than the other way around.
**Interviewer:**
How did your relationship with alcohol evolve over the years? What was the tipping point that made you realize you
needed help?
**Arvind Singh:**
At first, it didn’t feel like a problem. It was part of the culture—alcohol is present at every festival, every wedding, and every
community gathering. I thought I was just participating in life. But over the years, I started drinking more frequently, and my
drinking wasn’t just confined to special occasions anymore. I’d have a drink in the morning to start the day. The alcohol was
a way to numb everything—the stress of work, family issues, and personal problems that I didn’t know how to deal
with.The turning point for me came when I lost my job. I had been a mechanic at a local auto shop for 12 years. One day, I
showed up to work drunk—again. My boss didn’t say anything at first, but later that day, he called me into his office and
told me that I was no longer needed. That was a blow to my ego, and it forced me to face the reality of my situation. I
couldn’t deny that alcohol had taken over my life. My family was worried, and my friends had stopped calling me. It was
clear that I was on the brink of losing everything.
**Interviewer:**
It must have been incredibly difficult. What did it take for you to finally seek help?
**Arvind Singh:**
Honestly, it wasn’t easy. I was stubborn, and there was a part of me that didn’t want to admit I had a problem. I was in
denial for so long. But my wife, Meera, she was the one who pushed me. She told me, "Arvind, I love you, but I can’t watch
you destroy yourself. You need to get help, or I’ll have to leave."
Those words hit me hard. For the first time, I realized that my addiction wasn’t just hurting me—it was hurting the people I
loved. I agreed to go to a local rehabilitation center. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I had to try. I also found a
support group in Udaipur—other men who had faced similar struggles. Talking to them, hearing their stories, it made me
realize that I wasn’t alone. That gave me strength.
**Interviewer:**
How was your experience at the rehab center? Was it helpful to be surrounded by others who understood your struggles?
**Arvind Singh:**
Yes, absolutely. The first few days were the hardest. The physical withdrawal symptoms were intense—shaking hands,
sweating, irritability. But more than that, it was the emotional withdrawal that really hurt. I had built my entire life around
alcohol, and without it, I felt lost. But being in the rehab center, talking with counselors and other recovering alcoholics, I
learned to understand my addiction. I realized it wasn’t just about drinking; it was about avoiding pain and fear. It was
about escaping my responsibilities.
We had group therapy sessions where we shared our experiences. Some of these men had been through hell—one of them
had lost his wife and kids, another had spent years in and out of prison. But they were all fighting to get their lives back.
Hearing their stories gave me hope.
**Interviewer:**
In your opinion, what are some of the unique challenges faced by people recovering from addiction in Rajasthan or other
parts of rural India?
**Arvind Singh:**
Rajasthan, like many parts of rural India, has a deep-rooted culture of alcohol consumption, especially among men. In rural
areas, alcohol is often seen as a way to deal with stress, whether it’s from farming hardships, family pressures, or the
general difficulties of rural life. It’s part of the social fabric—weddings, festivals, and community events revolve around
drinking.The problem is, there’s a stigma around admitting you have an addiction. In smaller villages, people may see it as a
sign of weakness or as something to be ashamed of. People don't talk about mental health or addiction openly. You feel like
you're being judged constantly, and that prevents many from seeking help.For me, that stigma was hard to overcome. But
when I started talking openly about my addiction, I realized that the more we hide these things, the more they control us. I
started sharing my story with others, and I saw that many people—especially younger men—were dealing with the same
problem in silence. That’s when I decided to become part of the solution. I wanted to help others, to show them that it’s
possible to break free.
**Interviewer:**
Now that you’ve been sober for some time, how has your life changed? How does your family view your recovery?
**Arvind Singh:** Life has completely changed. I’m not just sober; I’m present in my life now. I’ve started a small business
—something I’ve always wanted to do. I sell farm equipment in the village, and it’s been a fulfilling way to contribute to my
community. I don’t feel the need to escape anymore. I’m learning to deal with life’s challenges head-on.
My family has been incredibly supportive. Meera, my wife, has been my rock. She stood by me when I didn’t deserve it. My
children are proud of me now, which is the most important thing. I feel like I’ve earned back their trust, and that is worth
more than anything. It’s not just about staying sober, but about being a better father and husband.
**Interviewer:**
That’s inspiring, Arvind. What message would you have for others who might be struggling with addiction, especially in
rural or conservative areas?
**Arvind Singh:**
I’d say, don’t be afraid to seek help. I know it’s difficult, especially when you feel like you’re the only one going through this,
but you’re not alone. There are places, people, and programs that can help. In Rajasthan, we have to change the way we
look at addiction. It’s not a weakness—it’s a sickness, and it can be treated.
You have to make the decision to change. It won’t be easy, but every small step counts. There’s no shame in admitting you
need help—it’s the bravest thing you can do. If I can do it, anyone can. And remember, it’s never too late to turn your life
around.
**Interviewer:**
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us, Arvind. Your story is truly inspiring, and I’m sure it will help others who
are facing similar struggles.
**Arvind Singh:**
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story. I hope it makes a difference for someone out there.