What is AA?

November 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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If you, or someone you know, has an alcohol addiction, you may want to consider joining AA. AA stands for Alcoholics Anonymous and is a group of men and women that get together for the sole purpose of getting and staying sober.

With its over 2 million members, AA works to get people to stop drinking by focusing on one day at a time. Alcoholics Anonymous has a 12 steps to recovery program and is also successful due to their group setting. Many people believe that by talking and sharing your experiences with a group, it helps to heal you faster because you realize that there are other people out there going through the same thing as you.

AA was started in 1935 by a stockbroker and a doctor, both of whom were alcoholics at the time. They founded AA in order to help themselves stay sober together, and ended up reaching out to help others that also suffered from alcoholism.

Anyone attending a meeting in AA can expect it to usually start out with a talk from the leader or other speakers for the day. Afterwords, you are then able to listen to others share their stories and invited to speak about your own. Everything about AA is voluntary. They will not try to get information from you and will not try to force you in to anything.

You are free to leave a meeting anytime you want and you are also free to bring a family member to any of the informative meetings that they hold.

This program has been successful for many people and may be the answer many more are looking for. By helping yourself or someone you love, you are taking the big leap in getting the treatment needed.

Try out a meeting if you aren’t sure. Make sure it’s something you can handle before you take the plunge to make yourself healthy again.

Filed Under: Addiction, Alcoholism

Preventing a Hangover

November 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Many people tend to drink too much and experience the effects of a hangover. Some people who like to party though, know exactly what to do beforehand to prevent themselves from getting a hangover the next day. These people tend to know the tricks and tips in order for them to drink more. These people also tend to have a substance abuse problem and may need to get professional help for that.

There are some things you can do to prevent getting a hangover the next day. The main prevention from a hangover is to not drink at all. However, if you do want to drink, make sure you limit yourself. Set a limit for how many drinks you will have for the night and stick to it. Do not let anyone talk you in to drinking more than you planned to, because that’s how hangovers tend to happen.

Drink water while you are drinking alcohol. Water will work to dilute the alcohol going into your system and make the effects less harsh. Try alternating between water and alcohol if you are out and having a good time.

You can even take some of those over-the-counter remedies they have for preventing hangovers. These pills usually require you to take one before you start drinking and a few others throughout the course of the night. They also advise that you drink a full glass of water while you are taking each pill. It may be the water that has the effects on preventing a hangover, so if you want to save some money, stick to just alternating between water and alcohol.

If you or someone you know may have an alcohol problem and are constantly using these methods to prevent hangovers, then you may have a problem. Seek help from a professional or join a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

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What is a Functioning Alcoholic?

November 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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An alcoholic doesn’t always have to be a person that blacks out or even a wino begging for money on the street. A functioning alcoholic is a person that is medically considered an alcoholic yet is still able to function with their daily life.

These types of alcoholics tend to do everything normal just like people who aren’t addicted to alcohol. One of the reasons an alcoholic admits that he has a problem is mainly because of the embarrassing effects alcoholism has on him. However, a functioning alcoholic has a very difficult time admitting addiction because they don’t have bad things going on in their lives due to alcoholism. There aren’t that many events happening or things being effected in their lives because of their drinking problem.

While a functioning alcoholic may think they don’t have a problem because they’ve never blacked out, or even been in trouble with the law, they still do have a problem. A big one. There’s may be worse than others because they are in complete denial and it is often harder to get help for them.

These types of alcoholics have built up a tolerance for alcohol, which is why it becomes harder for then to get drunk. They then need to drink more and more alcohol in order to feel any kinds of effects from it.

A functioning alcoholic may know that they have a problem, but it will be hard for them to stop because their withdrawal symptoms can be severe. They may even experience symptoms a few hours after their last drink, which makes them want to drink more to curb the symptoms.

If you know someone that has an alcohol addiction, get help for them. Stage an intervention, or even talk to them privately and help them to realize that they have a problem that could potentially kill them.

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Filed Under: Addiction, Alcoholism

Living With an Alcoholic

November 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Living with an alcoholic can be quite tough. You have to deal with their ups and downs, mood changes and their drinking rages. You soon learn that an alcoholic tries to hide their addiction from you and you may catch them in numerous lies. Living with an alcoholic can be very difficult, but you don’t have to be there getting abused possibly physically and emotionally every day.

An alcoholic will try to cover up their drinking. They will become skilled at the art of lying. They will tell you they are doing one thing, and later you will find out that they were at the bar all day. A person addicted to alcohol may even try to steal from you in order to support their habit.

You don’t have to live with an alcoholic that isn’t willing to change. They can easily start to bring you down with them. You may want to help them, but if they are unwilling to accept help from you then you need to start looking out for yourself.

Ask them if they are willing to go get treatment. Offer to go with them, as maybe they are afraid to do it alone. Go to some Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with them. Help them realize that there are other people out there with problems just like them.

If they will not do anything to help themselves, then you should leave. It may have gotten to the point where you have low self-esteem because of them. You need to get it back and live your own life again. While it may be the hardest thing you have ever done, getting away from an alcoholic to save your own life could be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself.

If you know someone with a substance abuse problem, try to get them the proper help that they need before it’s too late.

Filed Under: Alcoholism

Health Issues Arise as Baby Boomers Continue to Use Drugs

October 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Pot smoking hippies from the 1960’s have grown into middle-aged Americans across our country, and unfortunately older people between 50 and 59 are continuing to use drugs in the 2000’s.

A survey conducted by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services determined that 8 percent of people between the ages of 50 and 59 used an illicit drug of some sort. The survey said most of them used marijuana, but many use prescription drugs, pain medications, ant-anxiety pills, and sleeping pills. Between 2002 and 2008, the percentage of potheads and pill users in their 50’s grew by over 50 percent.

Rightfully so, researchers are very worried that lifetime drug use by baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) is on the rise, and will complicate the lives and health of many aging Americans. Peter Delaney, Director of the Office of Applied Studies, mentioned that there are so many people in the 50 to 59 age bracket needing substance abuse help that the number of treatment facilities needs to double in the near future.

Delaney said the problem with older users is that drugs cause greater impairment, as people get older. As physiology slows down with age, it takes a lot longer to process drugs through the body. In other words, drugs like marijuana stay in the body’s system for longer periods of time. Also, a mix of marijuana and prescribed pills that lower blood pressure can produce lethal side effects. Unknowing drug users in their 50’s can easily land themselves and extended stay in the hospital for mixing marijuana and pain pills.

The substance abuse administration also queried over 20,000 adults over 50 and found that 5.2 percent of adults in the 50 to 59 age group used marijuana between 2006 and 2008. In addition, 2.9 percent of them took prescription drugs illegally. Lastly, 7.9 percent of these adults said they had taken some type of illicit drug as well.

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The Negative Effects of Methamphetamine

October 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Methamphetamine is a man-made chemical with properties that are very similar to adrenaline. Methamphetamine (commonly referred to as meth) affects the nervous system with a highly addictive stimulant. The common street names for meth are crank, crystal, speed, ice, and glass. For over three decades, meth has been the mostly widely produced controlled substance in the U.S. Unfortunately, many young people in the U.S. are meth users, and the numbers continue to rise. Meth can be manufactured secretly in meth labs throughout the country. Many of these so-called meth labs are found in people’s homes. The fact that it can be made so easily means that it is also easily sold and distributed. Aside from heroin and cocaine, meth is the most dangerous and lethal drug available in our society.

Meth is a powerful stimulant, and it can keep awake for hours at a time. It also decreases the user’s appetite, and increases his/her activity. The effects of meth are much the same as methadrine (or speed), a popular drug of the 1960’s. Younger adults took speed so that they could stay up all night studying for exams in college. Users say that meth gives you a brief, intense sensation when snorted or injected.

When a user does meth, a neurotransmitter called dopamine is released to the pleasure areas of the brain, and he/she experiences an immediate adrenaline rush or feeling of euphoria, as users typically describe it. People who take the drug also say they feel a sense of well being. Just like any other drug, the user needs to take larger doses of it in order to obtain the same high as before. Increased doses and prolonged use of meth produces feelings of irritability, depression, anger, and paranoia. Users also experience delusional thinking and visual impairment. Some even have visual or auditory hallucinations.

Most meth users go without food or sleep for days, injecting meth into their systems every two or three hours in order to stay high. This type of binging occurs until the user runs out of meth, overdoes, or becomes too delirious to continue taking the drug.

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Warning Signs For Teenage Substance Abuse

October 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Being a teenager in today’s society is a lot more stressful than days past. Expectations are very high for adolescents. They’re expected to have excellent grades and keep up with the other kids in sports, school clubs, and other social events. Sometimes the stress becomes unbearable, and teenagers turn to drugs to help deal with it. If you’re concerned that your teen might be using drugs, there are several warning signs to look for in your adolescent’s behavior that could be indicators.

The following are some of the warning signs or indications of substance abuse:

Evidence of drugs or paraphernalia. Teens often feel you’re invading their privacy when you search through their personal belongings, but it never hurts to look for blatant physical signs of drugs or paraphernalia around the house. For example, marijuana smoke has a very strong and distinct odor. It doesn’t smell anything like cigarette smoke at all. If your teen comes home wreaking of marijuana smoke, don’t be afraid to confront him/her with some questions about what they’ve been doing that evening.

Behavioral problems. If your teen suddenly seems disinterested in school and other activities like sports and social events, ask them about it. A major deterrent from drug use of any kind is simple, honest communication with your teen. We’re not recommending that you become nosey or intrusive, but it’s always a good idea to take a genuine interest in your teen’s welfare. Let him/her know that you care about their well-being. A simple question like, “How is school going,” is always a good opening to a good conversation with your son or daughter.

Emotional distance, depression, or fatigue. Young teenagers should be full of vitality and energy. They really shouldn’t act listless or apathetic in any way. After all, they’re young, and have a whole life ahead of them. If your teenage suddenly seems disinterested or depressed, ask them about it. Again, you don’t want to appear nosey, but a little bit of care and interest will go a long way. Sometimes teens just need a little push to get them going in the right direction.

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Teenage Substance Abuse

October 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Teenagers in today’s society are faced with challenges, stress, and confusion. As a result, many teens fall prey to substance abuse in hopes to deal with everyday problems and challenges, only to discover bigger problems by turning to drugs as solution. As a teen, it’s difficult to predict problems that can occur down the road. Younger people are more impetuous, and seek and immediate solution to problems. A small circle of friends at school may use drugs, and those kids say that there’s no harm involved. A vulnerable teenager sees his friends, taking drugs and decides to give it a try. After all, what is there to lose? Well, in the long run, there’s plenty to lose, but no one realizes the true facts of drug abuse until it’s much too late.

Today’s adolescents don’t perceive the problems associated with drug use. To them, it’s a harmless way to alleviate stress and escape from reality. At first, taking drugs is just another way to relax and have fun. They don’t realize the risks and consequences involved. Even though adolescent drug abuse doesn’t necessarily lead to problems later on, drug use at any stage in life has negative consequences. Although drug use at any early age doesn’t necessarily lead to addiction later on, it’s like a game of Russian roulette, no different than holding a gun to your head and pulling the trigger, hoping that the chamber is empty.

For most teens, drug use has consequences, including poor academic performance, deteriorating relationships with loved ones, and a general lack of interest in everything life has to offer. Substance abuse changes behavior in teens. A newly discovered obsession with drugs overshadows all other activities. A teen who was previously involved in sports and other productive activities suddenly becomes apathetic. The captain of the swim team stops showing up to practice due to his/her preoccupation with drugs. Everything valuable and important takes a second seat to drug users. Unfortunately, drugs will eventually take precedence over a teenager’s life.

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Preventing Drug Abuse in the U.S.

October 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Drug abuse in the U.S. has reached epidemic proportions. It’s difficult to determine why, but people abuse substances like alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, an more. The drug problem in the U.S. is a difficult problem to solve, since the people who use drugs don’t want to admit it. Since it’s against the law, the keep it a secret, and as a result, there are more drug users/abusers in our country than anyone realizes. People use drugs for their own personal reasons, whether they just want to get high or maybe even relieve stress, that high (or temporary feeling of euphoria) comes at a cost to the drug user and to society as well.

The toll for drug abuse can range from extended stays in emergency rooms and hospitals or even jail time. It’s a well know fact that the majority of offenders who spend time in jail are alcohol/drug abusers. It’s a growing problem in the U.S., and drastic measures need to be taken in order to stop it. Finding the right treatment to help prevent drug abuse is challenging, however, medical professionals are gaining a better understanding of the problem through knowledge and research. Since drug abuse often starts at an early age, drug education among teens and younger people is a major key to prevention.

According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, the number of illicit drug users in the U.S. is around 13 million. Since the survey was performed several years ago, the number of drug users has grown significantly. The survey also said that 10% of all Americans either use or abuse alcohol, and 25% of them smoke cigarettes. Despite the health hazards and risks of tobacco, people still smoke cigarettes, saying that it gives them pleasure, increased performance, and less depression. People drink alcohol for many reasons. Although most people say they drink it for a “pick me up,” alcohol actually depresses the brain. It lessens your inhibition, slurs speech, and impairs judgment. For the most part, the disadvantages of alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs outweigh the advantages.

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Teenage Alcoholism

September 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Researchers are discovering a wide range of short- and long-term health problems related to alcohol use among adults and teens. In the past, the U.S. government and British medical professionals have conducted several studies conducted on the health effects of both short-term and long-term use of alcohol among adults. For many years, people have known that alcoholism is a major cause of psoriasis of the liver.

More recently, doctors and clinicians are discovering that alcohol use causes liver damage, pancreatitis, cancer, and brain shrinkage. Alcohol use is also the second leading cause of dementia. It’s recently been discovered that individuals who use excessive amounts of alcohol age quicker. Medical professionals are worried about a steady rise in teen alcohol abuse and the negative effects of alcohol.

According to an article in the British Medical Journal (BMA), there is a rise in the proportion of 11 to 15 year olds who drink alcohol. The article also mentioned that teens are drinking more alcohol when they do drink. Adolescence is a time when young people’s bodies change. It’s a process where their hormones change, and their brain continues to develop. During this time, teenagers also find new friends and contacts. Their social lives become a priority. Teenagers often feel the need to fit in with the rest of crowd. As a result, it’s easy for teenagers to start drinking due to peer group pressure. They often make the wrong decision and turn to alcohol.

The U.S. government also released a publication titled Prevention Alert. The publication talked about teenage alcohol abuse and its negative side effects. The U.S government performed a study on the subject of teens and alcohol abuse. In a publication titled Prevention Alert, the government studies mentioned that memory problems were common amongst adolescents who drank excessively. Moreover, government researchers also claimed that teens that started drinking before age 15 were four times more likely to develop alcohol addiction at a later point in life. The study also attributed alcohol abuse to learning impairments that could affect academic achievement.

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