Alcoholism

Handling a Loved One Who Is in Need of Alcohol Treatment

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To an outsider, it may appear as if the only person who is suffering when someone has an alcohol addiction is the person with the addiction, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. When a person suffers from an alcohol addiction he or she is not the only one to suffer from the addiction; loved ones such as family, friends and co-workers, also suffer with the addict.

While loved ones do not physically go through the alcohol addiction, they are often secondary parties to the addiction. They feel the anger, frustration and troubles that the addict is going through. It is as if the loved one has the addiction without the alcohol. The loved one of the addict is often times going through his or her own internal struggle regarding the addict, the addict’s behaviors and how to handle situations. The most recommended course of action when you or someone you know is in this type of situation is to get the addict into some type of alcohol treatment center. This will allow the addict to get the help that he or she needs both physically and psychologically. It will also help the loved ones around the addict as many treatment centers also offer family counseling.

However, the problem arises that not all alcoholics believe they have a problem and will refuse to go into treatment. If this is the case, the best thing to remember is that you cannot force an addict into treatment until they are ready. That does not mean that just because the addict is not getting treated for the addiction that you have to continue to suffer with emotional turmoil. There are various support groups and counseling facilities that will help those who have loved ones with an alcohol addiction and allow them to learn coping mechanisms and various resources that will help you handle the situation that you are in.

Filed Under: Family Support For Alcoholics Tagged With: Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, Substance dependence

Knowing When to Seek Alcohol Treatment

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It is a sad time for any family, when it is realized that someone in the home needs alcohol treatment. Unfortunately, this happens way too often in the United States. It has become common for those dealing with stress and frustrations to turn to alcohol. Some of these people are able to partake of a drink and not have a problem. Many others, though, are unable to do this. In fact, alcoholism is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

For those in the situation of dealing with alcoholism, it can be hard to admit that it is time to look into alcohol treatment. It can also be difficult for those around the person dealing with the problem to admit it. This is because it is a very hard thing to deal with. Admitting that there is a problem, as we all know, is the first step. But that first step can feel like a never ending fall to some. Many people believe that if you have to seek treatment or help that you are weak or have some sort of personality flaw. This is most definitely not the case. In fact, admitting that there is a problem, and seeking help for that problem is one of the strongest things that a person can do.

Alcoholism should not be treated lightly. It is something that hurts not only those that are dealing with it themselves, but also those around them. Cases of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse rise significantly when alcohol and alcoholism are in play. This is something that can affect everyone around you. If you feel that you have a problem, and may need help, or if you have a loved one that is in this situation, finding help is crucial. There are treatment centers for alcoholism out there that are there to help.

Filed Under: Alternative Alcohol Rehab Tagged With: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Centers and Counseling Services, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, Health, Substance Abuse, United States

Both Sides of the Rehabilitation Process

It is important for you to be aware of both sides of the rehabilitation process when you are dealing with a drug addiction or an alcohol addiction. If you are struggling with addiction, then you are not going to be able to get over the habit until you go through both detoxification and rehabilitation. Knowing what both of these processes entail is the first step to understanding why you must go through both in order to kick your habit, and websites like TheCyn.com can help you figure it out.

First and foremost you have detoxification, which handles and addresses the physical aspect of the addiction. Detoxification entails overcoming the physical hold that the drug has on your body by letting your body push it all out. Once you go through the symptoms of withdrawal and you overcome the effects of the drug, then that is when your recovery can really begin. Once there are no drugs left in your system and you are feeling sober and level headed, then you can start the real recovery process which is what rehabilitation is all about.

The rehabilitation part of your recovery is all about the emotional and mental parts of addiction. It deals with bad habits and good habits, lifestyle changes and learning how to live without the drug or the people that bring the drug into your life. You must learn to kick the drug mentally just as much as physically in order to be successful in your recovery. You cannot have detoxification without rehabilitation, and you cannot have rehabilitation without detoxification. This is why residential and inpatient facilities are ideal for overcoming your addiction, they help you address both the physical and emotional aspects of an addiction once and for all. Sobriety means overcoming both holds that the drug has on your body, not just the physical or just the mental.

Filed Under: Alcohol Rehab Facilities Tagged With: Alcoholism, Drug Rehabilitation, Substance dependence

When does Drinking Become a Problem?

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There has been a joke told among the staff at alcohol treatment centers that was presented as a litmus test for determining whether or not someone was an alcoholic. Follow the person to a bar at happy hour and drop a dead fly on top of his or her beer. If the person is a social drinker the drink will be discarded. If the person is a problem drinker the fly will be flicked out of the beer when no one else is looking. And if the person is an alcoholic he or she will finish the beer and then wring the fly out to get the last drops.

While the joke illustrates the desperation of alcoholics a proper method for determining addiction is the CAGE questionnaire, which was published inthe Journal of the American Medical Association. Answering yes to anyone of the questions indicates that there might be a problem.

C: Have you considered consuming less alcohol?

A: Have peers bothered you by suggesting to reduce your drinking?

G: Have you had negative feelings due to your drinking habits?

E: Have you started the day with a drink?

This simple test of asking people if they have ever had any problems due to drinking identifies the majority of people with an addiction. The problem with the test is getting people to answer it honestly. Denial is the common mechanism used to deflect seeking treatment. People who are truly addicted can come up with endless reasons and justification for the bad consequences of the addiction. Many also look for ways to defect the label of addict.

For people asking themselves the questions the answer is probably already know. The act of admitting the problem and sharing it with friends and family can be an embarrassing hurdle to overcome. There is also the difficult balancing act of admitting the addiction and figure out how to life without substance dependence.

Filed Under: Alcohol Dependence Tagged With: Addictions, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Beer, Health, Substance Abuse, Substance dependence, United States

Pinpointing Addiction

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It seems that it should be easy to pinpoint when drinking or using a drug has become an addiction, but arriving at the point can be difficult. Confusion occurs because observing behaviors is not an exact science. Scientists are attempting to define a change in the way the brain functions as a result of exposure to an addicting substance. Researchers has try to illustrate this problem through the story of the three blind men and the elephant.

One man feels the elephant’s ears and concludes that the creature is broad and thin akin to a leaf. One man feels the elephant’s trunk and believes that he is touching a creature similar to a snake. The final man touches the elephant’s leg and believes that the animal is tall and sturdy like a tree. All three are correct and also wrong. The true nature of the elephant has been lost due to observing only one part of the whole.

Addiction is a condition that has biological, physiological, psychological and behavioral aspects. As a result compulsive use of an addicting substance is only on part of understanding the problem of addiction. In 1972 the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence released a definition of addiction that attempted to include every aspect. The two main components of their definition constitute perhaps the best working definition: loss of control over the use of the substance and continued use despite negative consequences.

Just using substances even to excess is not enough to define addiction. Behavioral clues have to be included for a true diagnosis. This is why it is difficult to diagnosis alcoholism in certain segments of the population. It might be easy to discover a drinking problem when a person has numerous DUI arrests. But for someone show does all their drinking at home and limits their interactions while drinking, a hidden addiction could occur.

Filed Under: General Rehab & Addiction Tagged With: Addiction, Alcoholism, Behavior, Centers and Counseling Services, Health, Substance Abuse, Substance dependence, United States

What Causes Addiction?

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Some people, experts and laymen alike believe that some people may have a genetic predisposition to addiction. Others may vehemently oppose that opinion; instead believing that it is a moral or psychological weakness.

A person’s environment, socio-economic status and other outside influences have been presented as causes of drug addiction. Again, others take exception to this, saying that anyone who wants to or is strong enough can rise above any negative occurrences in their past or present.

So, what actually “sets a person on the path” to drug or alcohol addiction is unclear. It can be any of the things mentioned above, or there may be no clear reason as to why someone became addicted.

Instead of trying to figure out the circumstances that might have caused addiction to occur, it might be better to determine exactly how addiction, both physical and psychological for there are two kinds affects a person. What changes take place that cause physical reactions if alcohol or a drug is withdrawn? For that matter, what happens in the physical brain (not the mind) to make the brain send out signals that alcohol or a drug is needed? What actual psychological reactions take place when a person becomes addicted?

Addiction can occur when the receptors in the brain that receive and record feelings of pleasure are affected by drugs or alcohol. In an effort to retain those feelings, the receptors send out signals that urge the body to repeat the actions that caused the feelings in the first place. In the case of addiction, this means drinking more or taking more drugs. The receptors receiving and sending out signals can be linked to both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction.

It is known that certain drugs, such as crack cocaine or methamphetamine, cause such an immediate, intense high the very first time they are used, that the receptors literally “work overtime” to stimulate the body into trying to imitate that exact same feeling once more. The result is literally an instant addiction, as opposed to one that happens over time.

Filed Under: General Rehab & Addiction Tagged With: Addiction, Alcoholism, Brain, Centers and Counseling Services, Health, Psychology, Substance Abuse, Substance dependence

Effects Of Alcoholism On The Body

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Mild to moderate alcohol consumption may have little, if any, effect on the body. If a person does drink to the point that he begins to feel a “buzz” or feel “a little tipsy,” the decision is often made to stop drinking at that point in order to avoid any problems that may occur with over-consumption of alcohol.

However, some people, for different reasons, continue to drink to the point of intoxication. For some, the aftereffects (the hangover or vomiting that occurs from too much alcohol) are enough to make them decide to never get to that point again, or at least not do it very often. Others, however, continue to increase their alcohol intake, and thus become addicted, a condition sometimes referred to as alcoholism.

True alcoholism (as opposed to binge drinking or occasional drunkenness) will eventually cause long-term effects on the body. These can include such things as illnesses caused by nutritional deficiencies, and brain and organ damage.

Nutritional deficiencies occur because of alcohol’s dual effect on a person. For one thing, the person is so preoccupied with wondering where his next drink will come from and with procuring that next drink, that he gives little, if any, thought to eating. In essence, drinking is more important than food consumption.

Further, alcohol can contain anywhere from 25 to as much as 65 calories, or more, depending on the type of beverage. These, however, are considered “empty” calories. The person does not feel hunger, because his stomach is full of alcohol, but he has taken in no nutrients.

Alcoholism causes organ damage, especially to the liver. The liver is responsible for filtering out the harmful effects of alcohol. As it has to handle larger and larger volumes of alcohol, its filtering effects become diminished. Eventually, the liver actually begins to harden, a condition known as cirrhosis, which eventually leads to liver failure.

Alcoholism also affects the brain. Each time alcohol is consumed, brain cells are killed, and they do not regenerate. Further, excessive consumption can lead to episodes of memory loss, sometimes referred to as “blackouts”.

Filed Under: Alcohol Dependence Tagged With: Alcohol, Alcohol intoxication, Alcoholic beverage, Alcoholism, Binge drinking, Drink, Health, Liver

Complex Definition of Addiction

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Addiction is a complex subject that fails to sit in a single category. Often times it is portrayed in the simple terms of being either a disease or a moral problem.

Compulsory education teaches the value of self-control and sober judgment. Addiction is often portrayed as abnormal and something to be ashamed of. Drinking to excess represents a lack of character or a moral failure. Addicts are portrayed as untrustworthy, unreliable and selfish. Part of this belief systems stems from religious views of alcohol. Some religions teach that alcohol consumption is a violation of a moral code and admitting that a problem exists and repenting is the only way to be absolved of a weakness in character.

Treatment centers take a far less harsh view. Addicts and their families are taught that alcoholism is a complex physical and psychological disorder. Addicts and alcoholics are shown to be sick and in need of treatment and understanding. In the view of science, addiction is a chronic and potentially fatal disorder that can be treated if proper conditions are met. Professionals can use therapeutic techniques to deal with denial and certain medications can ease cravings.

The two position of morality versus disease are divergent and far to simplistic to properly sum up something as complex as addiction. In historical writings this type of analysis can be compared to the singular causation fallacy. Weak historical writing will often credit one single event to causing another. An example would be that the election of Abraham Lincoln as President caused the American Civil War. While this analysis might be true in some respects, the Civil War was the result of thousands of other events tied together. Understanding the causes of addiction require digging deeper than painting broad strokes to describe the epidemic, while understanding that each case of addiction probably has unique causes.

Filed Under: General Rehab & Addiction Tagged With: Abraham Lincoln, Addiction, Alcoholism, Centers and Counseling Services, Health, Substance Abuse, Substance dependence, United States

What Is The 12-Step Program?

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The 12-step program is an addiction support program that encourages participants to move through 12 individual steps. Emphasis is on making sure that each step is fulfilled completely before advancing to the next step. Further, participants are urged not to give up if they relapse into their addiction before completing all 12 steps, but rather starting over.

The original 12-step program was created by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. Those steps, as set out on the official Alcoholics Anonymous website, are explained below and summarized for better understanding.

12 Steps

1. Admitted that one is addicted and powerless over drugs or alcohol

2. Believes that a higher power can help restore their life to normalcy.

3. Made a decision to ask for help from higher power.

4. Evaluated one’s life in terms of morals and values.

5. Admitted to higher power, themselves and their family and friends of their mistakes regarding their drug or alcohol addiction.

6. Ready for change implemented by higher power in terms of character defects.

7. Asked for forgiveness from higher power.

8. Made a list of their mistakes and is willing to ask for forgiveness to family and friends they have wronged.

9. Follows through with asking for forgiveness from loved ones.

10. Continues to take personal inventory of their life and is focused on becoming a productive member of society.

11. Prays and meditates in order to improve one’s spiritual relationship with higher power.

12. Believes in sharing his or her story and helping other alcoholics or addicts heal their lives.

Participation in any 12-step program is always free. Participants use first names and last initials only, and protect each other’s privacy and anonymity. Each person either acts as or is provided with a support person who is available when needed to offer moral support or even help a person resist the temptation to relapse into addiction once again.

Filed Under: Addiction Recovery Tagged With: Addiction, Alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholism, Health, Higher Power, Substance Abuse, Support Groups, Twelve-step program

What is Substance Abuse?

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A simple definition of substance abuse would be using a substance, specifically alcohol or some type of drug, to an extent that would be considered excessive.

Some experts, however, believe that, like anything, “excessive” may be open to interpretation because what is considered excessive for one person may be the minimal amount needed by someone else for the substance to even have any effect. Likewise, even the word “drug” may be considered as having multiple interpretations, as one person, professional or layman either one, may not consider a particular substance as falling under the category of a “drug”.

So, rather than debate the meanings of specific words, perhaps some comparisons could help us in deciding if something falls under the category of substance abuse. Not all readers may agree with the ideas put forth here, and that is fine.

Comparison #1: One to two drinks a few times a week, with little, if any, signs of intoxication, drinking does not interfere with ability to work or function in society-social or moderate drinking. Frequent drinking during a 24-hour period, drinking interferes with ability to work or function in society-substance abuse.

Comparison #2: Use of a prescribed narcotic pain reliever as prescribed or intended-legitimate use. Continuing to take the narcotic pain reliever after pain has been sufficiently alleviated or the cause has been totally eliminated, using illegal or illicit methods to obtain more than has been prescribed-substance abuse.

If you are still not certain if your situation or that of a family member’s constitutes substance abuse, you have a number of options:

*Ask yourself the twelve questions that Alcoholics Anonymous gives as guidelines to determine if you have a drinking problem. You can substitute the words “taken drugs” for drinking and drink.
*Ask a trusted friend or clergyperson-someone who will be honest, but will not betray the confidence – if he or she thinks you have a problem.
*Ask your healthcare professional if you are showing symptoms of substance abuse.

Filed Under: General Rehab & Addiction Tagged With: Addiction, Alcoholic beverage, Alcoholism, Health, Mental health, Organizations, Substance Abuse, United States