Al-Anon Interview with Dr. Kenneth Warren

0:00 welcome to first steps down on recovery from on
0:03 family group the discussion in this podcast will focus on current
0:07 alcoholism research and how it involves family members
0:10 affected by someone to alcoholism you with us today
0:14 AC acting director at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
0:18 Alcoholism
0:19 where the and I chip away doctor tenets Warren
0:22 hastily acting director P&I AAA
0:25 since December 2000 8 he is a nationally recognized
0:29 expert on the FX alcohol and pregnancy
0:32 and a long time senior administrator at the end I AAA
0:36 Bani AAA its 12 27 institutes and centers
0:40 that comprise the National Institutes of Health which is a part at the United
0:44 States Department of Health and Human Services
0:47 the an IEEE supports and conducts research
0:51 on the impact alcohol use on human health and well-being
0:54 it is a largest funder alcohol research
0:58 in the world doctor warrant thank you for joining us today
1:01 well thank you for this opportunity doctor warned
1:04 prevalent is alcoholism in the United States our latest epidemiological data
1:10 would indicate that there are approximately
1:13 18 million people who have an alcohol use disorder which is classified as
1:17 either alcohol dependence
1:19 perhaps better known to most people is alcoholism or
1:22 a separate disorder known as alcohol abuse very interesting
1:27 in after nine we say that each problem drinker
1:30 specs at least three to four other people
1:33 DC this as a reasonable estimate yes indeed is not a great number
1:38 study conducted by an IEEE researchers found that one in four children
1:42 grows up in family or home where someone has an issue with alcohol
1:46 therefore you were talking about widespread ramifications
1:50 we continue to support research in alcohol-related harm and its impact on
1:54 society
1:55 it may be helpful to compare this to the way tobacco
1:59 researches broaden our understanding by examining the effects
2:03 secondhand smoke in scientifically we're fine tuning
2:07 how we measure alcohol's impact but the evidence
2:10 for alcohols position affecting fairly
2:14 brought in large numbers individuals at least three to four other people
2:18 is very compelling thank you what can you tell us about current alcoholism
2:23 research
2:24 and what it reveals that we didn't know fifty years ago
2:27 well fifty years ago scientists new little about the genetic basis of
2:32 alcohol dependence or about the nervous system changes that occur
2:36 as a result up prolonged heavy drinking
2:39 society in general proceed alcoholism is a disease of middle age
2:44 there was only one FDA-approved medication
2:48 which is called day so from which could be prescribed at that time
2:52 for the treatment of alcoholism and behavioral approaches especially in
2:56 outpatient settings
2:58 we just beginning to be developed and put into practice
3:01 for the most part treatment was limited to intensive program separated from
3:07 mainstream medicine
3:08 today much has changed researchers have identified genes
3:12 dead increase an individual's risk for becoming alcohol-dependent as well as
3:17 genes
3:18 that protect against alcohol problems the neural basis of alcohol-dependent
3:23 has been clarified
3:25 research has shown that drinking is influenced by
3:28 multiple neurotransmitter systems by neural modulators by hormones
3:33 and by interest cellular networks in addition to die so for
3:37 today we have other medications that are also available for the treatment
3:41 about alcohol dependence including the naltrexone
3:44 and accomplice a today clinicians have a wide range of treatment options that can
3:49 be tailored to patient specific needs in a broad array and drinking problems that
3:53 can't be effectively treated
3:55 by non-specialist when used in conjunction with behavioral therapies
4:00 medications prove a chance for recovery for alcohol dependence
4:04 we now know that several behavioral approaches such as motivational
4:08 enhancement therapy
4:10 cognitive behavioral therapy and twelve-step facilitation
4:14 our respective in treating alcohol dependence offering choices
4:18 for both the patient and the therapist as well today we have screening and
4:22 brief intervention
4:23 which has recently emerged as an effective strategy for addressing
4:28 high-risk drinking it sounds like we've really come a long way
4:31 looking to research to see an IEEE conduct on the specs someone to
4:36 alcoholism
4:37 on family members and friends that's a very good question
4:41 we do indeed support researchers who investigate the
4:44 consequences have harmful drinking for the family members and friends
4:48 someone who has alcoholism the consequences include high levels
4:52 %uh psychological stress from interacting with the alcoholic person
4:56 disruption of family life due to job losses
5:00 and neglected responsibilities financial problems
5:04 and unpredictable and sometimes violent behavior
5:07 in a triple-a has always had a vigorous portfolio on these issues
5:11 for example one of the main research component love
5:14 hours Center granted the Prevention Research Center focuses on alcohol's
5:19 contribution toward child abuse
5:21 and neglect that's fantastic they have long been misconceptions about the
5:26 causes and treatment alcoholism
5:29 ala nine we prefer to alcoholism is a disease
5:33 rather than as a moral failing just naaa classify alcoholism as a disease
5:39 yes indeed it is a disease one that has long been recognized by the American
5:44 Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association
5:49 for the more like other diseases alcoholism can be treated
5:53 we use behavioral as well as from an ecological approaches or a combination
5:56 of them
5:58 yet we know that statement still exist and that many people still think
6:02 alcoholism is not a treatable disease and eat study showed that only one in
6:07 four persons with an alcohol use disorder
6:10 receives treatment we appreciate that Alan on and similar organizations can
6:15 help change
6:16 very damaging misperceptions about alcohol use disorders
6:21 like alan on in a triple-a wants to increase awareness
6:24 that alcoholism is a treatable medical condition
6:29 very good in ala nine a person's alcoholism
6:32 its also refer to as a family to see you because it affects on family and friends
6:38 do you believe this classification to be credible
6:41 well in IEEE doesn't specifically refer to alcoholism is a family disease
6:46 we do recognize that alcohol problems don't just hurt a drinker
6:50 the American Psychiatric Association diagnosis of alcoholism:
6:54 senators on the person with the drinking problem yet it also recognizes
6:59 the potential for serious second-hand sex on the people who are closest to the
7:03 drinkers
7:04 spouses and children that heavy drinkers may face serious problems
7:08 as a result of the family members alcoholism
7:11 these include exposure to psychological reasons physical abuse as well as
7:17 financial problems caused by the drinking that can train
7:20 family relationships as part of the diagnostic process
7:24 clinicians anticipations drinking has interfered
7:28 with their ability to facil major role obligations at home
7:32 at work worried in the school setting clinicians also ask if they have
7:36 continued drinking despite
7:38 persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems
7:42 that it may cause for example arguments with
7:45 their spouse what european city to play and
7:49 for future research on the issue at the FAC a person's
7:52 alcoholism on other this remains an important area of research for in a
7:57 triple A one that is investigated by researchers who seek to better
8:01 understand and measure
8:02 the consequences of alcohol use disorders in addition to our own surveys
8:06 in the researchers who we support
8:08 in IEEE will continue to partner with the substance abuse and mental health
8:12 services administration
8:13 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other organizations that
8:17 are working
8:18 in this important field research we also hope to foster relationships with Alana
8:23 other private nonprofit group on outreach efforts
8:27 that can improve the health all Americans
8:30 thank you for talking to us about current alcoholism research
8:33 and how to involve family members affected by someone to alcoholism
8:37 and thank you everyone for listening to first touchdown on recovery
8:42 your welcome to listen to and hit the on on family group podcast
8:46 at WWW dot Allen on that'll work
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9:01 thank you for listening to first that out on on recovery
9:04 from Alan family group