A study on the effect of interpersonal skill intervention on depression among alcoholic patients

Pages: 46-49
Priya Magesh and Priya G. (Department of Counselling Psychology, Madras School of Social Work, Egmore, Chennai)

Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, and often fatal disease. It is a primary disorder and not a symptom of other diseases or emotional problems. The chemistry of alcohol allows it to affect nearly every type of cell in the body, including those in the central nervous system. After prolonged exposure to alcohol, the brain becomes dependent on it. The severity of this disease is influenced by factors such as genetics, psychology, culture, and response to physical pain. Alcohol blocks out emotional pain and is often perceived as a loyal friend when human relationships fail. It is also associated with freedom and with a loss of inhibition that offsets the tedium of daily routines. When the alcoholic tries to quit drinking, the brain seeks to restore what it perceives to be its equilibrium. The brain’s best weapons to achieve this are depression, anxiety, and stress (the emotional equivalents of physical pain), which are produced by brain chemical imbalances. These negative moods continue to tempt alcoholics to return to drinking long after physical withdrawal symptoms have abated. Long-term alcoholism itself may cause chemical changes that produce anxiety and depression. The world health organization estimates that there are 140 million people with alcoholism worldwide. Alcoholism is called a “Dual disease”, since it includes both mental and physical components .Alcoholics are more prone to anxiety and anger. Depression is a generalized mood condition that can occur without an identifiable triggering stimulus for alcoholics. to abuse. Depression Anxiety is most commonly triggered by the stress and guilt in alcoholic’s life style. The common causes for Depression in an alcoholic is the prevention or incompletion of attaining goals and desires, feeling inadequate and disrespected, frustration from past life experiences and a disturbed life style. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Interpersonal skills intervention ass applied to alcoholics with depressed moods. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of interpersonal skills intervention on depression among alcoholics. Accordingly a group of 100 alcoholic patients were selected for baseline assessment. A sample of 60 alcoholics, scoring high on depression were selected for interpersonal skill intervention.30 alcoholics were randomly assigned as experimental group and 30 in to control group. The pre and post training data on depression and the implications of the results for interpersonal skill intervention are discussed.