Alcoholism

Treating Alcohol Addiction

June 12, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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Overcoming a substance abuse addiction can be a difficult task. For the individual, it can feel impossible. However, for those ready and willing to stop abusing alcohol, there is help available and tactics to follow for success. Recovery always begins with the individual admitting they have a problem so hitting rock bottom is not necessary.

The first tactic is to commit to stop drinking. This cannot occur overnight and is a gradual process. In the beginning stages, denial is one of the most difficult hurdles to overcome. A strategy that commonly assists with surpassing this obstacle is evaluating the costs and benefits of drinking by creating a simple table.

The next strategy is to set specific goals and make the necessary preparations for change. By establishing clear drinking goals the abuser will develop the motivation to fulfill those goals. Also, it is important to write strategies that could assist with making these goals which sets the stage for successful recovery.

The next step toward recovery is to get support which is available in a variety of ways; rehabilitation, therapy, self-help programs and the self-directed treatment approach. It is always essential to be backed by a support group of family, friends, counselors, healthcare providers, those from the faith community or other recovering alcoholics.

The final step is to ensure the selected treatment is being administered safely. With a professional, safety is the utmost importance. However, for those that choose to stop drinking on their own, they may need medical supervision to withdraw from alcohol usage safely. With the majority of alcohol abusers, withdrawal symptoms improve in five days. However, for some it can be life threatening.

Filed Under: Drug Addiction, General, Treatment Tagged With: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse

What is Alcoholism

March 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Alcoholism or alcohol dependence syndrome is the chronic disease. The characteristic of this alcoholism are craving to drink, inability or loss of control to stop drinking, need to drink more, and some physical dependence. The physical dependence includes sweating, anxiety, nausea, shakiness and these symptoms often occur when the alcohol usage is stopped for some period. Most people try to overcome these symptoms by taking alcohol again or by using sedative drug.

The risk factors associated with the alcoholism include stress, genetic disposition, social environment, age, mental health, and ethnic group. Addicting to alcohol for longer period of time causes physiological damages to the brain and changes in the brain chemistry often causes alcohol withdrawal syndrome when the alcohol is not used. The use of alcohol damages almost every organ in the body that mainly includes the brain. Also, alcohol abuse also suffers from psychiatric and medical disorders.

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse differs from each other and alcohol abuse does not have strong cravings for drinking alcohol, physical dependence, or loss of control. Alcohol abuse is accompanied with some pattern such as failure to complete certain tasks at school, work or home, drinking during dangerous situations such as drinking while driving a car, getting involved in the alcohol related problems legally, and drinking due to the problems in the relationship. While alcoholism and alcohol abuse are very different, their symptoms can be common.

The treatment of alcoholism differs according to the severity of the condition. Treatments commonly include detoxification, medications prescribed by doctor, and group or individual counseling. The counseling is very important to identify the problems and the triggering elements to step alcoholism. Involvement of family members help very much for the alcohol addicts to curb the cravings.

Filed Under: Alcoholism, Awareness Tagged With: Alcohol abuse, Alcoholism, Substance dependence

Different Types of Drug Addiction

March 7, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Most people think that drug addiction is confined only to the socio economic groups and mostly it refers to the usage of the illegal drugs. Drug abuse can happen to any people and no one is immune to this illness. Here are different types of drug addiction problems.

First well-known addiction problem is the alcohol addiction. Alcohol is a legal substance for the adults to consume and most of the adults become addictive. Alcohol has serious health consequences and also has drastic effect on mental health as well as personal relationship. Some of the serious health effects are liver damage, cirrhosis, and brain damage. Nicotine addiction is another big problem and the most addictive substance found on the world. Nicotine is linked with smoking and quitting this habit is very difficult. Some of the health consequences of nicotine usage are heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Heroin is also called as brown sugar, exists in various colors and forms. The heroin users soon become physically dependent on this drug soon after its usage. Opiate addiction is another common drug addiction. People with opiate addiction often loss their ability of decision-making and also often run into the risk of having HIV/AIDS because of injecting by means of needles. Methadone is a drug used to treat heroin, but the user become addicted to this drug when used for a prolonged period. Marijuana is an illegal drug and more and more people are becoming marijuana addicts.

Caffeine addiction is very common and some people tend to have coffee most of the time. Withdrawal symptoms of caffeine addiction are also high when the user tries to cut off chocolate or caffeinated drinks. Steroid addiction is very common in body builders and athletes as they use this drug to build their muscles. Steroid addiction is very difficult to recognize and causes numerous health problems.

Filed Under: Drug Addiction, Drugs Tagged With: Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, Substance dependence

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism

February 10, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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Alcoholism is a severe illness and identifying the symptoms of it is the first step in treating the illness. People with this illness often cannot control the cravings for drinking alcohol, even if they are suffering severe alcoholic problems related to health, family, or mental state. The main causes of alcoholism are not clearly known and according to many research alcoholism can occur due to genetic, social, psychological factors. This drug dependence often shows psychological and physical symptoms.

Any person can become alcoholic without the discretion of profession, social class, age, and ethnic group. Accepting and understanding the situation is very important for the treatment and complete recovery. Alcoholism should be treated in the very early stages for best results. Some of the symptoms of alcohol are consuming alcohol excessively, finding out any excuse to drink alcohol, drinking alcohol in the morning to prevent hangover, not accepting the problems of drinking, not having any control over drinking, high tolerance to the alcoholic effects, hiding or keeping alcohol secretly, feeling irritated when someone criticizes about drinking, loneliness and losing interest in the social activities, mood swings violently, aggressive behavior, neglecting the physical appearance, not concentrating on work, solitary drinking, memory loss, and sometimes paranoia along with the urge to suicide.

Other symptoms include irritability, depression, confused, difficulty in thinking, anxiety, and vomiting, abdominal pain, sleeping disorders, nausea, feeling numb in the leg and arms, and red or puffy eyes. Other than this, alcohol even has drastic effects on other parts of the body and mainly it affects liver. Damage to liver affects detoxification an alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes fetal alcohol syndrome. Large consumption of alcohol leads to heart problems and increased blood pressure.

Other health related problems are pancreatic disease, clotting disorders, cardiovascular disease, weak immunity, neurological disorders, high fat content, and low blood sugar. These symptoms differ from one person to another and physical examination should be made to identify the symptoms and treat them with the specific medical treatment. Alcohol is just an illness and it can be completely cured with the help and support of the loved ones.

Filed Under: Alcoholism, Awareness Tagged With: Alcoholism, Heart disease, Symptom

One or Two Drinks Will Not Send Someone to Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers

December 9, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

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Most people that enjoy having a drink once in a while do not end up in a drug rehab facility. In fact, a lot of those out there that enjoy a drink enjoy it socially or on occasion. Just because someone drinks alcohol does not mean that they are an alcoholic.

As the holidays get closer, this is something to remember. Many people who only drink on occasion will be drinking more. The holidays are a time that many people indulge a little more than normal. Between the holiday parties, and the stress that the holidays can produce, the wine, champagne, and other alcoholic drinks tend to flow a little more freely. Just because you see someone taking an extra drink, or drinking at multiple parties does not mean that they have a problem.

In fact, many people who have dealt with alcoholism will completely avoid any alcoholic drinks or even possibly avoid parties and get-togethers where drinking may be present. If a person has gone through alcohol and drug treatment centers, he or she will understand that being around alcohol can be dangerous to recovering. Even many people who are getting over alcoholism who haven’t been to a treatment center understand this.

If you have a friend, co-worker, or family member who is brushing off a drink, don’t try to force him or her into it. These people may have reasons of their own to not be drinking at these parties. Some people just don’t drink alcohol (and never have). Respect their reasons, whatever they are, and let it be. But don’t feel bad if you do decide to have a drink or two. Just be safe heading home! No one wants to hear about an accident because of irresponsible drinking and driving.

Filed Under: Awareness, Drugs, General Tagged With: Addictions, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drink, Driving under the influence, Health, Substance Abuse, United States

Binge Drinking

September 15, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Binge drinking is certainly extremely dangerous. There are a wide range of results that occur from such behavior, with intense consequences.

There is no truly universal description of binge drinking. Normally it involves drinking at least four or five drinks within two hours, for women and men, respectively. Others range in their definitions, such as drinking twice the daily limit (a common definition in the UK).

The effects are disastrous. To begin with, binge drinking accounts for a fair share of traffic accidents and violent behavior, such as suicide.

Cardiac, psychiatric, immune, and other systems are adversely affected by binge drinking. As younger individuals binge drink, the chances of developing alcoholism dramatically increases.

The problem exists to the point of developing substance use disorder, as it relates to alcohol. However, it also extends to other drugs, as many who binge drink also use other psychotropic substances.

The prevalence of binge drinking is quite unfortunate, and shocking to some. Up to one third of adolescents, and one in twenty five women who are pregnant, binge drink. The latter category can easily lead to fetal alcohol syndrome and spectrum disorders.

The prevalence of binge drinking makes for a very dangerous atmosphere. With the dramatic health effects of heavy binge drinking, it is important to be aware of its dangers.

Adolescents are at a particular risk for seeing such effects. Unfortunately many environments for adolescents promote binge drinking, with regards to settings with peers. A respectable number of these individuals are not aware of its dangers, such as increased chances to develop alcoholism, along with other serious dangers.

It is exactly these dangers that are important to make not just young people, but all, aware of. Unfortunately binge drinking has become something that is “normal” in some circles, though the consequences are very serious and drastic.

Take advantage of the literature if you have children or are in a position to inform young people about its dangers. Binge drinking is one act that has a great deal of relevance to many other problems.

Filed Under: Awareness, Drug Addiction Tagged With: Alcoholic beverage, Alcoholism, Binge drinking

The Value of Residential Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

February 21, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Overcoming addiction takes determination and commitment. When an addict decides to take steps toward recovery, it’s important to find the right treatment program for that individual. Various options exist, including support groups, outpatient therapy, and residential drug and alcohol treatment centers. Choosing the right program improves the odds of succeeding and beating a drug or alcohol addiction.

For over 70 years, Alcoholics Anonymous has helped people who struggle with alcohol abuse. The more recent addition of Narcotics Anonymous and faith-based 12-step programs has provided even more support groups for those in need. Often, support groups work well as a follow-up plan to residential drug and alcohol treatment centers.

With an outpatient treatment program, participants usually spend 10 to 12 hours a week in individual and group therapy. Some outpatient centers offer intensive day-treatment sessions. Theses programs help addicts to identify core issues, deal with potential relapse situations, and change coping mechanisms. If you have time constraints and cannot commit to placement in a residential drug and alcohol treatment center, outpatient therapy is a good option.

Generally, people consider full-time rehabilitation for drug and alcohol abuse when they have suffered legal, martial, emotional, financial, and/or physical consequences because of their addictions. Residential drug and alcohol treatment centers offer intensive therapy that can help with detox and recovery from an addiction. The length of inpatient care varies by program, with short-term treatment ranging from five to seven days and long-term treatment lasting 60 to 90 days.

Most residential drug and alcohol treatment centers begin with an overall assessment period followed by detoxification. After that, residents begin a program that usually follows the 12-steps from Alcoholics Anonymous. The program may include activities such as individual therapy, group sessions, exercises, assigned duties, and other tasks. With inpatient therapy, patients receive tools to help them successfully handle their addictions so they can lead productive lives after recovery.

Filed Under: Drug Addiction Tagged With: Addiction, Alcoholism, Health