Alcoholism - Epidemiology
In the field of medical research, epidemiology means finding out the reasons for diseases, and the distribution amongst the social strata, injuries, morbidity, mortality, disability and other reasons for sickness or health. Those who want to study the epidemiology of alcoholism need to study substance abuse, the patterns of the alcoholic use, and the dependence of the patients upon alcohol.
Epidemiology also looks at the course of development of the problem of alcohol within a social population or community. It also looks at how alcohol is affecting the lives of the people within the community, because all of its spreading power. This field also studies the factors that are contributing, as well as the associated with susceptibility or any increased risk towards an alcoholic addiction among the population. Epidemiology of alcohol also includes alcohol abuse, problems related to alcohol consumption and the dependence upon alcohol.
A good epidemiologist would know everything about the description and the definition of the use of alcohol, as well as the problems related with its consumption. He would also know all the characteristics, as well as historical and demographic trends, which reduces or increases consumption of alcohol. He would also know all the effects upon the health of an individual in relationship to the consumption of alcohol.
The more an epidemiologist knows about his subject, the easier it is for him to implement preventive practices and go in for early intervention before alcoholism can develop in an area. He will also know how to analyze any impacts of early intervention upon the community, as well as upon the total population levels. He will also know how to analyze and target populations, which are at risk because of potential alcoholic problems.
