Everyone knows, the pressures of adolescence, is a time that brings about changes physically, emotionally, and mentally. These changes can be overwhelming. This could lead to risky behavior like drinking and drug usage. Stress and peer pressure are major contributing factors. Teens today are under a lot of pressure to be socially accepted and be part of the “in crowd”. Sadly enough more often than not this means attending parties with friends 2where drugs and alcohol are present. It usually starts out with “just a few drinks” or a little marijuana. That stuff is harmless right? Wrong! Alcohol is the most widely available and deadly of all drugs. Yes, alcohol is a drug. It affects every part of the body, not just your liver and kidneys.

Alcohol affects the Central Nervous System (CNS) and you r brain as well. It is used to “relax” or “wind down”. It also lowers inhibitions which is especially disturbing for teenage girls who would not usually engage in promiscuous sex which leads to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) and unwanted pregnancies. Survey of High School students found that 18% of females and 39% of males say it is acceptable to force sex on a girl if she is high or drunk. Not only is this shocking information, it is morally wrong and socially frowned upon but it is illegal. Does the term rape ring a bell? Strong language, huh? Most experts and media like to soften it by calling it “date rape” or even “drug facilitated sexual assault”. No matter how much one tries to sugar coat it – its rape, plain and simple.

This brings me to another point, which is, trouble with the law. Among the 6 million plus incarcerated in our country, nearly 40% were estimated to have been drinking at the time of the offense. Among violent offenders, 41% were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. These staggering statistics alone should be enough to keep our youth abstinent from drugs and alcohol, sadly enough, its not. But wait, the nightmare doesn’t end there.

Alcohol is deadly and the statistics prove it. Each year approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21, die as a result of underage drinking. This includes 1,900 deaths as a result of drinking and driving, 1,600 from homicides, 300 suicides, and hundreds of others stemming from injuries such as falls, burns and drowning.

So ask yourself what can I do to prevent teen alcohol use and protect our children? Here are a few steps you can take as a responsible parent to, hopefully, prevent these tragedies:
1. Spend time with your kids regularly
2. Listen and talk with your children; try to understand the pressures placed on them by peers and society as a whole and make it safe for them to talk to you about what they are going through.
3. Keep track; know where your children are, what they are doing and who their friends are.
4. Get them involved in after school activities such as sports, volunteer work, etc….
5. Reward them for positive behaviors; positive reinforcement goes a long way with young people
6. Be a role model, don’t use drugs or alcohol to excess—they are your children and they look up to you!
7. Most importantly, be their friend. Let them know that they can talk to you and make sure they feel safe enough to do so when the time comes-and it will come. Be there and be ready for it.

The American Medical Association as well as the American Psychiatric Association has classified alcoholism and drug addiction as treatable diseases, so where do the insurance companies stand? Apparently a comfortable distance from the people suffering as the overwhelming majority of those who failed to receive treatment did so due to either a lack of heath insurance coverage or due to a lack of insurance coverage that provided for treatment. In fact only 25%of addicts and 42% of alcoholics were aided by private insurance despite the well-established characterization of the condition. With the costs associated with treatment being what they are it is necessary for these companies to provide coverage that gives access to treatment options that are tailored the needs of the individual.

As insurance companies are disinclined to provide the services required by those insured or enroll past substance abusers, the situation seems pretty bleak to the majority of those attempting to get help. While there is no overnight solution, there are a few things that can be done to nudge the industry and society in general in a more rational direction. The most pressing issue is the encouragement of congress to mandate that private insurers cover the detoxification and treatment of those with policies struggling with addiction. This is being hotly debated in Congress as the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act. This bill seeks to ensure that the insurance companies behave responsibly in seeing that the insured are provided access to the treatment that they pay for and deserve. You can obtain information about what you can do to help pass this legislation at www.nmha.org or at www.wellstone.org . Congress is extremely close to passing the bill and it is vital that you act as soon as possible as their August recess is approaching and they will likely adjourn in September.

An optimistic outcome of the passing of this legislation is that it might prompt the insurance industry to launch long-term studies into treatment options alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous. While for the past 73 years it has been the backbone of mainstream recovery there has not been a single study that has proven it more effective than no treatment at all. This is not to say that it doesn’t work for anyone, but there are a sizable percentage of patients who find its theory of powerlessness incompatible with their view of addiction. Most people are often unaware that other options exist. There are a variety of centers that approach the problem of addiction with practical, down-to-earth solutions and it would be to the mutual benefit to the insurance companies and the substance abusers to investigate these alternative avenues.

For many coping with addiction the issue isn’t inadequate coverage, it’s a complete lack of it. With the cost of substance abuse treatment rivaling that of treating cancer this is a seemingly impossible obstacle to overcome. The solution to this seems to be the adoption by Congress of Universal Coverage. In this system currently being debated in the presidential campaign every American would have access to affordable health insurance. This would broaden the base of those paying into the insurance system drastically lowering the rates, which have risen close to 5 times the rate of wages over the last decade. The result is that affordable insurance is no longer the privilege of those working for large corporations and the government. The State of Massachusetts has already done exactly that. Every citizen of that state is covered and pays on a sliding scale in accordance with their wages. This shows that it can and does work. Again, the only way to see programs such as this enacted nationally is to get involved. The only thing standing between you and coverage for you and your family is apathy so call your congressmen, speak with your friends, and judge the candidates on their commitment to your future.

While few will be able to reasonably expect that a television show will swoop in and save the day, we can hope for a sort of intervention. This will be the collective intervention of those who recognize and act on the deeply flawed nature of insurance payments for the treatment of addiction. We ask the insurance companies to INSURE so that hopefully, soon, the choice to get treatment will be as simple as deciding to go.

Drug and substance abuse among children, especially teens, is substantial. According to the most recent statistics available, 1.1 million of our youth age 12 to 17 meet the diagnostic criteria for dependence on drugs and approximately 1 million of our American youth are being treated for alcohol dependency. Although these statistics may be startling, there are many things that parents can/should know about the prevention of drug addiction including how to recognize the signs/symptoms of drug/alcohol addiction and what they can do to help their child once a problem has been recognized.

Studies have shown that parents are often the first line of defense in the prevention of drug addiction. Numerous public service commercial announcements advertise parents as “the anti-drug.” Parents need to understand that ignorance is not bliss. Parents need to be well armed with the facts on prevention and treatment.

Parents need to spend quality time with their children and be open to discussions on drugs and alcohol. Parents need to know who their child’s friends are, where they are going, what they are doing, etc. Parents need to make their expectations very clear and establish that they will not tolerate drug use of any kind. If all of these factors are utilized, children will be less likely to use drugs.

It is also important that parents educate themselves about the types of drugs currently available. Although some of the standard drugs (drugs that may have been popular while the parent was a youth) are still around (marijuana, LSD, etc) there are also a number of new drugs that are very popular with today’s youth such as the inhalants (huffing). Conduct research on the Internet or attend a local community meeting regarding substance abuse.

There are three categories of substance abuse:

• Use (the occasional use of drugs without developing tolerance of withdrawal symptoms when not in use).
• Abuse (the continued used of drugs even while knowing that the continued use is creating problems socially, physically or psychologically).
• Dependence in which three of the following factors must be present: the substance is taken in large amounts over longer periods of time; their child has a persistent desire for the substance and has been unable to control their use; child may suffer from repeated periods of intoxication or detoxification; child continues to use even though the substance is causing problems; and the child takes more of the substance in order to relieve any withdrawal symptoms they may be experiencing.

Symptoms of substance abuse include the following:

• Personality changes
• Unusual outbreaks of temper
• Withdrawal from responsibility
• Changes in overall attitude
• Loss of interest in favorite hobbies and pursuits
• Changes in friends
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Increased secretiveness
• Sudden jitteriness, nervousness or aggression
• Deterioration of physical appearance/grooming
• Unusual borrowing from friends, co-workers or parents
• Stealing

It is important for parents to note that different substances lend themselves to different groups of drug addiction symptoms. In all cases however, the most glaring symptom is a radical change in behavior.

If you suspect that your child is abusing drugs, consult with your personal physician or pediatrician. You may also want to discuss the matter with your clergy or spiritual leader, an educational consultant, a therapist or a counselor. These professionals will help you assess the situation and seek the proper addiction treatment for your child.

Once your child has been diagnosed as having a drug addiction, there are a number of treatment options/programs available including:

• Outpatient treatment
• Day Treatment services
• Residential programs

Residential drug rehab and treatment programs may include Therapeutic Residential Boarding Schools or Therapeutic Wilderness Programs. Therapeutic Residential Boarding Schools stress holistic education whereas Therapeutic Wilderness Programs use outdoor therapy to work on issues. Residential Treatment Schools are highly structured environments whose emphasis is on treatment and learning coping skills and independent living techniques. Chemical education and treatment are also provided. To determine which method will be most beneficial to your child, research and discuss your options with a professional.

Alcohol treatment coordinators typically subscribe to two different beliefs – either that alcoholism is a disease or that alcoholism is a choice. The first step of alcohol treatment is admitting that the drinking has gotten out of hand, it is a problem, it’s time to stop now and help is required in order to successfully do so. Alcohol treatment facilities typically require detoxification of some variety. This involves an immediately effective abstinence from all alcohol, with help from counselors and group support meetings. During the detox phase, some alcohol treatment centers administer drugs that mimic the effect of alcohol to help the addict wean off the substance with as few side effects as possible. Other alcohol treatment centers may prefer all-natural approaches to detox, with saunas and massages.

Essentially, the end goal of alcohol treatment is to help the person heal their whole person – mind, soul, body and emotions. Most alcohol addictions have an underlying cause and this will be examined during the treatment process. If the alcohol addiction treatment is successful, the recovering addict will emerge with renewed self-confidence, optimism, purpose and a whole group of supportive friends who are going through the exact same life experience. By no means does recovery conclude when a patient exits the alcohol drug rehab center’s doors. It is instead a lifelong process of exerting willpower to overcome alcohol’s temptation, but alcohol addiction treatment gives a person the tools, confidence and support needed to embark on that journey.

Studies show that those who begin drinking by age 15 are five times more likely to abuse or depend on alcohol as an adult, as opposed to those who begin drinking after age 20.

Overwhelmingly, the percentage of teens abstaining from alcohol is greater than those who drink. About 71 percent of people ages 12 to 20 have not had a drink in one month.

Binge drinking: Consuming five or more drinks at a time. Over 35 percent of adults with an alcohol problem demonstrated symptoms like binge drinking by age 19.

Research shows that traffic-related deaths involving alcohol were at their highest in 2006 than in the previous 14 years. That number, 17,941, was 43 percent of all such deaths.

Increased risk of cancer, obesity, depression, heart and liver disease are just some of the physical afflictions that can be linked to alcohol.

Excessive drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, when vomit aspirates due to a drunk person passing out while lying on their back. This can cause brain damage or even death.

The chances of knowing an abuser of alcohol are great. About 1 in 13 U.S. adults fall into this category, highest among those ages 18 to 29 and lowest among the elderly.

You can help. Patience and encouragement are key in helping loved ones recover from alcoholism. Between one-third and two-thirds of all those who try to recover are successful, once they make the initial decision to refrain from all further alcohol use. However, relapses are common and the recovery process can be very lengthy.

The alcohol in alcoholic drinks is made up of a chemical compound that includes ethanol and grain alcohol. The more general concept of alcohol – in chemistry – would be any organic compound that contains a hydroxyl group. This can also be called hydroxide. Bonded to a carbon atom, in turn bonded to other atoms of hydrogen and carbon, the hydroxide becomes the alcoholic compound in our beers and other liquors.

When it comes to the parts of alcohol that actually make up the chemical compound responsible for the structure, the hydroxyl group of the alcohol is usually bonded to an sp3 hybridized carbon. When it comes to the types of alcohol, there are generally three kinds, which are, primary, secondary and tertiary. These three levels will always make a reference to the various number of carbons in the compound that the C-OH carbon is bonded to.

The most common types of alcohol, which are called Ethanol and methanol, are both primary alcohols. When it comes to secondary alcohols, the most simple of them is called propan-2-ol. The third level, tertiary, also has many simple alcohols. One of the most common is 2-methylpropan-2-ol.

When it comes to the alcohol that is used in alcoholic drinks it is usually a grain alcohol. This is made via the fermentation of either a fruit or a grain with yeast. Ethanol is commonly used in this way, and this creates a compound that has been made and used by humans for thousands of years. Because of the history of grain alcohol, it has become one of the oldest used recreational drugs in the entire world. Because of the properties of the grain or fruit that has been fermented, drinking alcohol will cause a person to become intoxicated.

Alcohol itself might have adverse effects on your liver and kidneys, and might slow down the functions of these organs. Alcohol will also erode the lining of your stomach and your throat, so you will have problems with heartburn and upset stomachs because of alcohol.

Besides for the effects on your body, you will also see negative effects that are visible on your body. People who use alcohol a lot might have bad skin and hair because of the damage that they are causing themselves. They might also have bad breath and teeth because of the excess amounts of alcohol that they are putting into their systems.

When you are using alcohol, it is also easier to gain access to other drugs, and to other things that you might not normally have contact with if you aren’t drinking. Other drugs might be dangerous, and your lack of good judgment while you are using alcohol might lead you to try things that you never have before.

Alcohol is something that can be both beneficial to you when used in moderation, and harmful to you when used in excess. Certain things in alcohol, especially in red wine, can be very good for your health, if you use it once in a while, and never to excess. In certain places, people drink red wine for their health, and as long as they don’t abuse it, they never have any adverse health effects.

However, alcohol can also be very harmful to your health if you use it too much. A person who is using alcohol to an excess might not be sleeping as well as they should be, and will wake up feeling like they are not well rested. Their cells will not be getting enough oxygen, so they will feel sluggish and tired no matter how often they sleep. They might have chronic headaches or muscle aches because of the adverse effect of alcohol on their body.

Does this mean that if you suffer from alcohol addiction that there is no hope for your recovery? Absolutely not! This simply means that instead of relying upon your body’s natural illness-fighting system, you must take several important steps to stop your addiction from progressing into its final, terminal phase. For example:

• Stop drinking! You will need the assistance of a physician who can treat you for potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms; NEVER stop drinking “cold turkey!” You could develop life-threatening grand mal seizures or the psychotic state of delirium tremens (the DTs) that are fatal due to extremely high body temperature.
• Ask your physician to recommend a well-experienced drug counselor for evaluation of your alcohol addiction. Be open and honest with your counselor; no denial or minimizing your symptoms. Your counselor needs to know the absolute truth about your alcohol addiction before he/she can help you. If there is ever a time for total honesty, this is it. Your life depends upon your willingness to stop the denial and tell the truth about your alcohol addiction.
• Discuss your treatment options with your drug counselor, and pay careful attention to his/her recommendations. If your counselor recommends inpatient treatment in a drug rehabilitation center, he/she has good reasons for making this recommendation. Do you need to be removed from your day-to-day life, including your drinking buddies? Is your alcohol addiction so severe that you need continuous medical management to help your body toxify and recover? Or perhaps an intensive outpatient program will work for you. Are you interested in alcohol addiction recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous? You can see how many options are available for you; you, your physician and your drug counselor will find the intervention that best suits your needs.

Recovery from alcohol addiction is not easy, and it is not rapid. It will take time and effort on your part. It took you many years to develop the alcohol addiction; are you willing to spend just as much effort in ending the physical, psychological, social, and occupational as you put into the development of alcohol addiction? If so, help is there for you whenever you’re ready to make that first step.

However, alcohol can also be very harmful to your health if you use it too much. A person who is using alcohol to excess might not be sleeping as well as they should be, and will wake up feeling like they are not well rested. Their cells will not be getting enough oxygen, so they will feel sluggish and tired no matter how often they sleep. They might have chronic headaches or muscle aches because of the adverse effect of alcohol on their bodies.

Alcohol itself might also have adverse affects on your liver and kidneys, and might slow down the functions of these organs. Alcohol might erode the lining of your stomach and your throat, so you will have problems with heartburn and upset stomachs because of alcohol. Besides the effects inside your body, you will also see negative effects that are visible on your body. People who use alcohol a lot might have bad skin and hair because of the damage that they are causing themselves. They might also have bad breath and unhealthy looking teeth as the alcohol erodes the enamel and the lining of the mouth.

Alcohol can also have negative effects on your social life. Someone who is using a lot of alcohol can expect to have many different physical symptoms, of course, and will probably do things to their bodies that they wouldn’t be doing if they weren’t using alcohol. However, something that is often overlooked is the social effects of drinking too much.

Alcohol can also lead to things in your life that you don’t want to happen. For instance, it might make you make bad decisions, and it might mean that you aren’t thinking clearly while you are using it. It might also lead to alcoholism, which is another problem all together because your body becomes dependent on alcohol, and you have a hard time functioning without it.

Also, alcohol has negative effects on other people that you come into contact with while you are using it. It can cause you to make poor judgments, which can lead to drunk driving, fighting with people you care about, or making mistakes when it comes to being sexually active. All of these actions might come from abusing alcohol, but they might affect other people, which makes it even more dangerous.

When you are using alcohol, it is also easier to gain access to other drugs, and to other things that you might not normally have contact with if you aren’t drinking. Other drugs might be dangerous, and your lack of good judgment while you are using alcohol might lead you to try things that you never have before.
However, alcohol in moderation can have little to no serious side effects. This is truly an interesting drug, because if it is used socially and correctly, you might not see any adverse effects. Because of this, you should not use alcohol until you have learned about the negative and positive aspects of it, and until you have made good decisions for yourself and your alcohol use.

Alcohol dependence is a form of addiction; your body undergoes physical changes to adapt itself to the constant presence in your body. Also called alcoholism, this condition produces very serious withdrawal symptoms that can be fatal. Alcohol abuse is not an addiction to alcohol; it involves excessive drinking and then engaging in risky and irresponsible behavior. Try this simple quiz about alcohol abuse:

Over the Past Twelve Months,

• Have you frequently failed to fulfill your major role obligations at work, school or home because of excessive drinking?
• Have you frequently engaged in risky or hazardous behavior after drinking to excess?
• Have you had legal consequences because of excessive drinking?
• Have you continued drinking to excess despite experiencing the three consequences listed above?

Any “yes” answer to these questions could indicate that you have a serious problem with alcohol abuse that will only grow worse if you don’t do something about it. To help you further understand alcohol abuse, ask yourself these questions:
1) How often have you missed school or work because you’re hung over or wake up late? Does your spouse or partner complain about your drinking because it interferes with your relationship and you duties at home? Have you neglected your children because you were drunk or hung over?
2) Does your drinking make you a risk to yourself and others? Do you drink and drive? Do you operate machinery when you’re drunk or hung over? Do you start physical fights when you drink too much? Do you engage in risky sexual behavior when you’re drinking?
3) How many times have you been arrested for DUI? Are you getting a divorce because of your drinking? Have you been arrested for assault, domestic violence, reckless driving, hit and run, or any other legal problem due to your excessive drinking?
4) Do you continue to drink heavily even though you’ve experienced negative consequences, your friends and family have advised you to slow down or stop?

In its way, alcohol abuse is just as dangerous and life-threatening as alcohol dependence. “But it’s only alcohol abuse; I’m not an alcoholic,” you may say. True, but alcohol abuse is not a condition to take lightly. Denial is just as pervasive in alcohol abuse as it is with alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse will catch up with you eventually: how would you feel if, while driving drunk, you injured or killed another person? Alcohol abuse does not always lead to alcoholism, but it certainly can. Since alcohol is a powerfully addictive substance, continuous alcohol abuse may turn the corner, and you will find yourself addicted. This doesn’t have to happen. Alcohol abuse can destroy your life just like addiction can. Ask yourself one last question: how would you like to spend 15 years in prison because you negligently killed someone while you were drunk?

There are things you need to know about the long-term physical effects of alcohol. Chronic drinking takes a terrible toll on your body over time because your body regards alcohol as a poison. Some of these long-term physical effects include:

• Irreversible brain damage, also called “wet brain”
• Irreversible liver damage, also called cirrhosis of the liver
• Delirium Tremens (also called “DTs” a state of psychosis that can be fatal)
• Alcohol gastritis; chronic stomach pain
• Hepatitis, a liver disease that can be fatal
• Myopathy (muscle wasting)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas causing pain, cancer– can be fatal)
• Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency leading to malnutrition)
• Pellegra (niacin deficiency causing skin damage, diarrhea, and suicidal depression)
• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (caused by thiamine deficiency, a B vitamin; results in loss of short-term memory, confusion, uncoordinated movements, nerve damage in arms and legs, chronic tremors)
• Marchiafava-Bignami Disease (causes agitation, confusion, dementia, seizures, coma and death)

Do these conditions, most of them fatal, sound anything like the fun you may have after a drink or two of alcohol? What seems fun today will very likely kill you in a few years, a fact that alcoholics tend to deny, disbelieve or don’t care about. This is the folly of alcohol-induced confused thinking: “It won’t happen to me.” Yet it will. Alcoholism catches up with you sooner or later; this is the reason it is called a chronic, progressive and eventually fatal condition. You may not have any of these nasty physical effects – yet. But no one plays for free. Every time you drink to excesses, the danger and damage to your body increases.

Stop. Think. Understand. Is this dismal future what you want to do with your future? Do you want to end your life strapped to hospital bed, screaming in agony and delirium? You deserve better than this. Suffering and dying this undignified way is not your destiny. Now is the time to turn it all around. Are you ready to accept the truth about the physical effects of long-term alcoholism?

What is “social use,” anyway? We can define it this way: the social use of alcohol is when we are having a good time gathering with our friends at our home, their homes, restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. Social use takes place at casinos, holiday parties, on vacations, anywhere people gather to be with others. Now the question shifts: how much alcohol constitutes social use? Two drinks? Ten drinks?

“Alcoholism” is another term for alcohol addiction and alcohol dependence. Medical and mental health professionals use the term “alcohol dependence,” meaning that the drinker is physically and psychologically addicted to alcohol.

If you drink socially with your friends, does that mean that you’re an alcoholic? No, not necessarily. It depends on how much and how often you drink. If, on special or casual social occasions, you have a drink or two, this isn’t the behavior of an alcoholic. However, if you get staggering, blind drunk when you’re in a social situation, and you do this a lot, this is the behavior of an alcoholic because you don’t know when to stop. It’s amazing how many so-called social occasions alcoholics use to justify chronic, heavy drinking and binge drinking.

Let’s take a look at some of the warning signs that may tell you that your social drinking is actually a form of alcoholism:
Do you plan or attend social gatherings nearly every day?

• At social gatherings, how many drinks do you have?
• Do you become intoxicated at social gatherings?
• Are you sober enough to drive home, or are you driving under the influence?
• Do you bring your own alcohol to social gatherings to be sure you have enough?
• Do you have a drink or two before the social gathering to get a head start?
• Have any of your friends commented or expressed concern about your drinking?
• Do you not attend social gatherings where alcohol isn’t available?
• Do you socialize with others who don’t drink alcohol?

If you are honest in your answers to these questions, it is up to you to determine what, if anything, you need to do about your social drinking behavior. Even if you’re only experiencing one of these warning signs, you could be well on your way to excessive social alcohol use and alcoholism. If your answers to these questions are mostly or all “red flags,” it is time to seek evaluation and help with a substance abuse counselor. Think it over: is your social behavior killing you?

It’s a medical fact that some chemical substances cause addition. These substances include alcohol, tranquilizers, some sleep medications, and opiates for severe pain management. The thing that makes alcohol stand out from the crowd of millions of prescriptions medications is that the body regards it as a toxic poison. To keep you from dying from this poisoning, certain changes occur within your body, particularly in the brain and liver; they adapt themselves to the presence of alcohol in your body to keep you alive. Although, over time, your body eventually succumbs to the toxic effects of alcohol causing death, your brain and liver undergo changes that will keep you alive for a while. Once these physical changes occur, they occur forever. You can’t un-ring this bell, even if you stop drinking alcohol. If you stop drinking, the destructive effects of alcohol will diminish, but just take one drink, and the entire cycle starts all over again. Total alcohol cessation is your only hope to avoid terminal alcohol-related illnesses.

Alcohol is also psychologically addictive. For example, you may be shy and uncertain of yourself in social situations; a few drinks will give you a false sense of security, but does not last for long. On the job, you may be uncertain of your skills or you may experience anxiety when going for a raise or promotion. A couple of drinks before talking with your boss can decrease your feelings of stress and anxiety. Again, these psychological effects of alcohol last only a short time. To keep your psychological and emotional feelings under control, you may find yourself turning more and more often to alcohol as a means of stress management. Bad idea. Using alcohol for stress management will eventually backfire on you; you can’t be intoxicated on the job, at school, or at home parenting your children and maintaining happiness with your spouse.

Here are a few common signs that alcohol, an addictive substance, is having a negative effect on your life:

• Constant drinking to relieve the stress of personal problems
• An increase in your tolerance; needing to drink more to achieve the same effects
• Memory lapses, called “blackouts”
• Secret drinking
• Feeling physical and emotional cravings for alcohol
• Early morning tremors after excessive alcohol use the previous night

Using alcohol, a physically and psychologically addictive drug, will solve your problems on a short-term basis. But when you sober up, those problems are not only still there, but they’ve brought their friends! You cannot solve a problem by creating another problem. In addition, current medical research indicates that your body may be genetically prone to alcohol addiction if your primary relatives also had alcohol problems. Is there such thing as an “alcohol gene” that makes you more prone to alcohol addiction? The research strongly indicates that this is true. Thus, if you are the child of an alcoholic parent, you are genetically more prone to alcohol addiction that others who do not have this DNA pattern.

Alcohol is addictive because (1) the chemical structure of the drug causes irreversible changes in the body, (2) alcohol use results in short-term success, but long-term fatality, and (3) you may be genetically pre-disposed to develop alcoholism if you use the drug to excess. You can avoid these problems by using alcohol minimally or not at all.

• There are many types of alcohol, such as wood alcohol (methanol) and isopropanol, or rubbing alcohol. These are poisonous substances that should NEVER be consumed by people since they are industrial forms of alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is found in a lot of hygiene products like aftershave lotions. In prison, inmates who are desperate to consume alcohol will drink their alcohol-based hygiene products, called “green lizards.” The physical effects of consuming these forms of alcohol can be fatal. According to his wife, Tabitha, America’s best-selling author of all time, Stephen King, overcame a drug and alcohol problem, including drinking mouthwash that contained alcohol. The man’s a billionaire and can buy anything he wants. Go figure.
• Ethyl alcohol, also called ethanol or grain alcohol is the drinkable form of alcohol that we know best. Do you know that ethyl alcohol is also used as a cleaning solvent and as an ingredient in explosives depending upon the “proof?” Perhaps, when you were a teenager or in your early 20’s, you tried the experiment of setting Everclear brand alcohol on fire. It worked, didn’t it? Today you’re putting a toxic chemical into your body that you can actually set afire. Is this working for you?
• Ethyl alcohol is made from the fermentation of sugars, yeast and starches. During the Great Depression in the 1920’s, when Prohibition was the law of the land, people used to make their own alcohol that they called “bathtub gin.” Rather than buying bootleg alcohol at a high price from Al Capone and other gangsters, many people used to make their own alcohol from grains – like slices of bread – and fruits for sugar content, and let it all ferment in their bathtubs until it was drinkable (barely). Moonshiners in the Southern US perfected the art of distilling alcohol. Moonshine is an “absolute” alcohol that is not more than 1% diluted by water. Depending upon the skill of the moonshiner, this form of alcohol was easily fatal to unsuspecting users during Prohibition.
• Yeah, okay. The first miracle that Jesus performed, according to the Bible, was turning water into wine. But the wine of 33 A.D. was far different from the wine of today, which can have a whopping alcohol content of up to 12%. Jesus didn’t do this very well, when you consider the alcohol content of many of today’s wines. Besides, in the days of Jesus, there wasn’t a lot of safe, drinkable water. Just about everyone drank wine instead. Where in the Bible did Jesus approve of drunkenness? He didn’t, so let that argument go; it won’t work with addiction counselors.
• Have you seen the movie trilogy, “Pirates of the Caribbean?” Pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) was certainly fond of rum; it was the drink of the day during pre-colonial days. Everybody, from pirates to the British aristocracy, in the Caribbean drank rum. Unfortunately, in those days rum was an “all or nothing” drink; it was either well-made and drinkable, or ill-made and frequently fatal when used to excess in a very short time. Don’t let Hollywood fool you; real pirates of the Caribbean didn’t have a long life-span if they were too fond of rum alcohol.

Well, there you have it. Some well-known facts about alcohol and some little-known facts as well. You already know by now that alcohol dependence (addiction) is a chronic, progressive, and fatal condition. When you take alcohol into your body, just know what you’re doing.

Alcohol dependence is a form of addiction; your body undergoes physical changes to adapt itself to the constant presence in your body. Also called alcoholism, this condition produces very serious withdrawal symptoms that can be fatal. Alcohol abuse is not an addiction to alcohol; it involves excessive drinking and then engaging in risky and irresponsible behavior.

Try this simple quiz about alcohol abuse:

Over the Past Twelve Months,

• Have you frequently failed to fulfill your major role obligations at work, school or home because of excessive drinking?
• Have you frequently engaged in risky or hazardous behavior after drinking to excess?
• Have you had legal consequences because of excessive drinking?
• Have you continued drinking to excess despite experiencing the three consequences listed above?

Any “yes” answer to these questions could indicate that you have a serious problem with alcohol abuse that will only grow worse if you don’t do something about it. To help you further understand alcohol abuse, ask yourself these questions:
1) How often have you missed school or work because you’re hung over or wake up late? Does your spouse or partner complain about your drinking because it interferes with your relationship and you duties at home? Have you neglected your children because you were drunk or hung over?

2) Does your drinking make you a risk to yourself and others? Do you drink and drive? Do you operate machinery when you’re drunk or hung over? Do you start physical fights when you drink too much? Do you engage in risky sexual behavior when you’re drinking?

3) How many times have you been arrested for DUI? Are you getting a divorce because of your drinking? Have you been arrested for assault, domestic violence, reckless driving, hit and run, or any other legal problem due to your excessive drinking?

4) Do you continue to drink heavily even though you’ve experienced negative consequences, your friends and family have advised you to slow down or stop?

In its way, alcohol abuse is just as dangerous and life-threatening as alcohol dependence. “But it’s only alcohol abuse; I’m not an alcoholic,” you may say. True, but alcohol abuse is not a condition to take lightly. Denial is just as pervasive in alcohol abuse as it is with alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse will catch up with you eventually: how would you feel if, while driving drunk, you injured or killed another person? Alcohol abuse does not always lead to alcoholism, but it certainly can. Since alcohol is a powerfully addictive substance, continuous alcohol abuse may turn the corner, and you will find yourself addicted. This doesn’t have to happen. Alcohol abuse can destroy your life just like addiction can. Ask yourself one last question: how would you like to spend 15 years in prison because you negligently killed someone while you were drunk?

It’s been six weeks since the former drinker has had anything alcoholic to drink. Yeah, he’s keeping track. Seems that during this six weeks, he has been giving a lot of thought to the subject of alcoholism and alcohol addiction treatment and related stuff. So, the question came up as to whether he considered himself an alcoholic and, therefore, now a recovering alcoholic.

He said no, he didn’t consider himself an alcoholic before, and does not consider himself to be one now, nor does he think of himself as being “in recovery” or “recovering” or “having recovered” for that matter. He says he quit drinking, and isn’t going to start again, and that’s basically it in a nutshell.

He did admit that it took a LOT of willpower not to kid himself into thinking that “one little beer won’t hurt”, or “one little mixed drink isn’t going to push me over the edge”. He realizes that no drinking means no drinking.

He says that while he personally didn’t think he needed to go to AA or anything like that, he does know that the fact that increasing his church attendance is what helped HIM. So, he can understand how some people might need the help that an organized alcohol addiction treatment program can offer.

It’s for sure that such a program does have the means to “hold one accountable”, and that sometimes some people find it necessary to hold themselves accountable to another person. And, that’s fine, he said. What’s important is that a person stops drinking, no matter how it is accomplished.

His wife said, “AMEN, BROTHER!”

What makes AA so successful? Is it the one-on-one sponsoring that is available? Is it because it is still, although it has branched out, primarily a program for problem drinkers?

This program concentrated, and still does to a great extent, on one particular addiction—alcohol. It could, therefore, be said that this program was an “exclusive” type, as opposed to a program which treated and treats alcohol AND drug addiction.

AA does tell its members to look to a “higher power” for help in overcoming alcoholism. Does this mean, then, that AA is promoting religion?

Usually, “religion” suggests worshiping a deity or deities. However, someone may not consider his or her “higher power” in that category. If that is the case, then, no, AA is not promoting religion in any shape, size, manner, form, or fashion.

If someone is looking for alcohol addiction treatment, and does feel that AA is pushing religion by mentioning a “higher power”, then that person does not have to go to AA. There are other treatment programs out there. But, if someone is suggesting that AA should be abolished or made to dissolve or drastically change just because of the “higher power” issue, then, can’t someone else construe that as stepping on his or her “freedom of religion” right?

Did anyone ever find the lid to the can of worms that seems to have been opened a lot? Does someone want stir up this particular level of the can of worms?

Different drug addictions may require different methods of treatments. What works for cocaine recovery may not work as a method of alcohol addiction treatment. Group therapy is a common form of treatment for alcoholism. Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous use this type of treatment to help people become “clean and sober”. It has a pretty good success, too, especially when one sticks to it.

Sometimes, though, a person has drunk so much over so long a time that his or her physical health is horrible. Alcohol affects the liver more than any other organ of the body, and while the liver can repair itself, it must be allowed to do so. This means no drinking. Any addiction is hard to beat. Alcohol, however, sometimes seems to take on a “life of its own” so to speak. It is often necessary for a person who is in alcohol treatment to be given medication that will help him or her be more able to control the urge to drink. Antabuse® is a medication that has shown a great deal of success. There are other medications available to treat alcoholism also, which serve the same purpose.

Of course, it goes without saying that a lifestyle change is a necessary component to any successful alcoholism treatment program. One who is trying to get sober cannot go to places where alcohol is served, at least until it is fairly certain that the desire to “join right in” is under control. It’s best, however, not to even be put into a situation where one may be tempted to drink.

The Rehab Adviser has a history of successfully placing those in need in the right alcohol treatment facility, at the right time. If you or one of your loved ones is struggling with alcoholism, and you would like to learn more about treatment options, please call us right any time. We are available day and night, seven days a week.

When alcohol abuse does occur, the person who finds him or herself in this condition has the same opportunities for alcohol addiction treatment as those who abuse any other drugs. And, the facilities that offer the treatment are just as easy to find.

Perhaps the most well known method of alcohol addiction treatment is the programs offered through Alcoholics Anonymous. This organization has many advantages: it is free and requires no membership fees or dues, and it has sister organizations that are geared specifically to family members.

Al-Anon is the program that serves spouses or significant others who live with an alcohol abuser. Al-A-Teen serves older children and adolescents whose lives are affected by the problem of alcohol abuse.

The support offered both to the abuser and family members through these organizations cannot be over-emphasized. The user has a sponsor who is not emotionally involved, and can (and will) tell it like it is. The spouse or significant other meets with those who really know what it is like, because they too are going through the same situation. The older child and teen can meet with others their own ages who really do understand them and know exactly what they are feeling, and what they have gone through.

There are other methods of treatment. Some involve the use of medications, such as Antibuse, which help control the cravings that an alcohol abuser may feel. Other methods involve individual counseling and group counseling, in settings different from those offered by Alcoholics Anonymous.

Some people are able to stop drinking on their own, without treatment. They realize they have a problem, or are about to have a problem, and resolve right then and there to stop drinking. They put down the bottle (or can), and never pick it up again.

To those who see that they will need help to overcome alcoholism or alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction treatment is available. All one has to do is be willing to admit there is a problem, and seek out the treatment options.
Often times, detoxification is necessary before other treatment options can be explored. Detoxification is when the alcohol is gotten out of one’s system safely. This detox process can be accomplished under medical supervision.

Once detoxification has been accomplished, other treatment methods can be used. There are prescription drugs, such as Antabuse® or ReVia®. These drugs help a person to not start back drinking once he or she has stopped.

Individual counseling as well as group counseling is also available. One of the best-known examples of group counseling is Alcoholics Anonymous. Either method is fine, as long as the will to stop drinking and continue to remain alcohol-free is there and is supported by the counselor. Family counseling is often recommended during the course of alcohol addiction treatment. Family members can provide support when it is needed.

Social drinking only occurs when everyone else is drinking. A person might have one or two drinks, and might even get drunk, along with their friends or a group of people. This is social drinking, and even if someone drinks to excess, it is still considered social drinking. Someone stops being a social drinker and becomes an alcoholic when they progress to drinking on their own, or drinking in situations where no one else is drinking.

If everyone else is doing something where no drinking is required, the alcoholic might decide he or she does not want to be a part of that activity. They might be bored by things that don’t involve drinking, and they might suggest that people bring along alcohol to events that are not usually associated with alcohol. An alcoholic might not be able to have any fun without drinking, and if someone complains that they aren’t having fun without alcohol, that is a sign that they have a problem with alcohol abuse.

Social drinking is also usually not binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as having more than three or four drinks at a time, and getting very intoxicated. Often, social drinkers will have a few drinks, but people who are alcoholics will not be able to stop with just a few, and will continue to drink until they are very intoxicated. They will not be able to say no to a drink, and will not be able to realize when they have had too much to drink. The alcohol addiction will create craving and intense desire to consume alcohol.

Social drinkers also do not black out or lose chunks of time when they are drinking. Often, an alcoholic will pass out from too much alcohol in their system. They also might black out while they are drinking. Blacking out or losing chunks of time is a very serious problem, and it is not something that social drinkers experience. If a person experiences moments that they cannot remember, they are probably an alcoholic, and should seek help with their problems.

Social drinkers will also be able to go for long periods of time without drinking. They will not feel the need to drink as alcoholics do, and will not feel like they cannot get through the day without a drink. An alcoholic will feel like they cannot get through the day without drinking, and they will not want to do anything that doesn’t require drinking.

If someone is developing a problem with alcohol, they might become introverted and not want to see their friends or do anything outside of their home. They might have an idea that they are developing a problem with alcohol, but might think that they can control it on their own. In these types of situations, you should encourage someone who has a problem with alcohol to get help. It is only through getting help that a person can really get over their addiction problems, and in the case of alcohol, sooner is much better than later.

Is Social Drinking Alcoholism?

The regular use of alcohol in social settings does not necessarily indicate alcoholism. Alcohol can be a relaxing complement to social affairs. However, should a person begin feeling like they must have the alcohol to function normally, this would indicate a problem. The appropriate amount of alcohol consumption varies by person, depending on many factors: their size; their gender; how recently they ate a meal and how well-accustomed they are to consuming alcohol.

A good rule of thumb is as follows:

• Up to two drinks per day for men
• One drink per day for women and elderly

One drink equals one 12-ounce beer or wine cooler, one five-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.

The following people should never consume alcohol:

• People under age 21
• Women who are pregnant or attempting pregnancy
• People who will be driving or operating machinery shortly thereafter
• People taking certain medications (read the labels for more guidance)
• People with medical conditions that can be made worse by drinking
• Recovering alcoholics

A social drinker must be especially cautious of drinking alcohol and then driving, as many social functions involving alcohol consumption take place away from home. If one is not careful and controlling with their alcohol consumption, it can turn into alcohol abuse. This is different from alcoholism because the drinker is not dependent on the drink, but simply consumes too much too often. Generally, social drinking of alcohol includes at least two people and does not have a negative effect on their health or interactions with each other.

For the last three years in a row I have attended the funerals of those whose lives were ended too abruptly for any comfort. They had their whole futures ahead of them and were entirely too young to die. Parents and siblings were devastated; unable to come to terms with the state of events. These types of circumstances are dreadful and disable closure because they are entirely avoidable. None of them had to die.

The cause of death was addiction and the instrument was bottled poison. Some of us knew of the addiction, and while surprised at the outcome, were not taken unaware. Others did not have a clue and their ignorance was justified. Addiction is not always obvious. Sometimes it is only apparent after it is too late.

When is alcohol rehabilitation necessary? It is necessary when the quality of life is being challenged; when there is danger of physical decay, mental instability, and emotional incapacity. It is necessary in saving the lives of those who have begun to lose hope and have given up. Through alcohol rehabilitation the addict learns that not only is he capable of living a drug free existence, but that quitting alcohol will bring relief and opportunity.

It is never too late to try to recover one’s life. It is never too late to make amends. We need to stop living in the past and learn how to cherish each and every moment. Live today as if it were our last and live it well. There is no room in this philosophy for escapism. To watch life through a fog is a waste of the precious gift that has been given to us.

Alcohol is the cause of death in a variety of circumstances. It not only poisons the body from the inside out, but eats away at the mind as well. For those of us who suffer from depression it can be a catalyst for physical harm. Alcohol in itself is a depressant, and while it numbs the pain for a short while, withdrawal often leaves the user feeling anxious and out of control. The rapid return of the negative emotions can be overwhelming and can lead to thoughts of suicide.

It is a vicious cycle; one that can not be controlled or deterred. We use alcohol to suppress the very emotions that it intensifies, and the relief that it brings is altogether too brief. Alcohol rehabilitation can bring an end to this type of suffering. We can learn healthy ways of dealing and coping with situations that before we simply avoided. Alcohol rehabilitation grants us the ability of forgiving ourselves. It opens the door to the healing process.