Bill Urell

Alcohol is often mentioned in one breath with drugs, especially when the subject is abuse or addiction. More often, alcohol is referred to as a separate substance and in fact, its abuse is often discussed separately from that of drugs. But can alcohol be considered a drug?

Drug defined

If a textbook definition is used, a drug may be defined as a substance that has an effect on living cells and their function and is also used for medical purposes for the diagnosis, prevention and cure of disorders and diseases. As such, alcohol may not be considered as a drug since it is not used directly to effect a cure. However, it is also a substance that can have similar effects to drugs to disinfect, act as an analgesic, a tranquilizer or rarely, a stimulant.

The link between alcohol and drugs

Alcohol is said to possibly be a contributor to health as some are some drugs, but alcohol, like some drugs can be addictive. When used in moderate amounts, alcohol has been said to improve cardiovascular health. However, health experts discourage non-drinkers to start drinking alcohol for the sole reason of benefiting the heart. They recommend that other methods such as exercising and eating a good diet, should be considered as the first line of defense.

As an addictive substance, alcohol can be as bad as drugs. Alcohol abuse and addiction, often referred in general terms as alcoholism, is a common problem in many communities, able to cut across economic and social barriers. It also produces a physical dependence and when it does, it becomes a chronic disease. The use of too much alcohol, like drugs, can also increase tolerance and produce withdrawal symptoms.

Like drugs, alcoholism can lead to family, health and social problems. It’s not uncommon for alcoholics to destroy family and social relationships, lose their jobs or turn to illegal activities in order to support their habit. It also causes health problems that are potentially life threatening, such as liver cirrhosis and cancer.

The danger of alcohol

Alcohol affects different people in different ways, and for some that may be trouble. Some individuals, for example, are more prone to suffer from the effects of alcohol compared to others who drink the same amount. However, the danger of using alcohol cannot be emphasized enough. The devastating effect of alcoholism on families and society is well documented and recognized.

Alcohol use is also often discouraged in pregnant women, older people, individuals who have heart diseases and hypertension and those who are taking certain medications. Alcohol, like drugs, not only produces physical dependence, it also promotes neurochemical conditioning, where an individual develops a tolerance to the substance, encouraging him to use alcohol in increasing amounts. Alcohol can also change an individual’s perception in its true benefits, allowing a person to think that alcohol is needed in order for them to function socially and emotionally.

Getting help for alcohol addiction or abuse

Once the problem with alcohol addiction or abuse is acknowledged and accepted, the road to recovery may begin. There are plenty of local and national treatment centers and resources that may be tapped for help, either as a source of information or as a means for rehabilitation.

There are several approaches to the treatment of alcoholism, depending on how it is viewed. However, most treatments tend to focus on encouraging people to stop alcohol intake. It is often supplemented by social networking and group supports, along with life training, to effectively help alcoholics from using alcohol again.

Since alcohol, like drugs, often involves a combination of factors that lead to misuse and addiction, these factors are often considered first before a course of treatment is prescribed. It is often more effective in helping in alcohol treatment and in preventing future relapses.

Taylor

J Seymour

You can overcome shopping addiction and dependence with the help of a hypnosis CD. Overcoming urges to buy things at the mall and retail stores is very difficult. However, you can walk by a shop without making a purchase with the help of your subconscious mind. It doesn’t matter if your addictive spending is on objects, clothing or online. You can find help.

Nature of Addictive Purchasing

When you buy things in excess, you may have great feelings of elations for a moment. This feeling is commonly followed by buyer’s remorse, guilt and anxiety. This is especially problematic if your spending habits have lead to financial problems.

Overspending is a serious addiction that requires attention before you do harm to the financial aspects your life. This financial stress can lead to emotional discordance and anxiety. These feelings are aggravated by problems in relationships between you and your loved ones.

Buying Happiness

You are literally buying happiness when you shop in excess. Overspending is closely related to positive feelings in your subconscious mind. This process is a simple stimulus-response experience that works on a very fundamental level.

Your subconscious mind holds on to experiences that are significant and somewhere along the line, you had a very positive buying experience that been adopted into the subconscious. When you want to feel better, you may make purchases to have that same feeling of elation that you did when you made that initial, inspiring purchase.

Overcome Shopping Addiction Hypnosis CD

A viable approach to dealing with this purchasing cycle is to go directly to the subconscious mind to change your responses. This is very difficult to do on a conscious level. In fact, you have probably tried to tell yourself that you shouldn’t spend too much money. You know that you will feel awful after you do but you continue with the behavior anyway.

You continue with the behavior because it is an addiction, just like any addictive experience. You can become dependent on the feelings of elations when you buy things just as an alcoholic becomes dependent on the act of drinking. The core of your addictions is habit and behavior.

Self-hypnosis seeks to retrain the subconscious mind to have different responses to stressful situations. You no longer feel the urge to make purchases because you begin to look at things realistically. False pleasure and buying happiness are replaced with genuine feelings of relaxation.

Overcoming Addictive Overspending

Getting over addictive overspending is every bit as difficult as getting over a substance abuse problem. You go through the same process of anxiety, feelings of loss and withdrawal. The withdrawal is not physical but the psychological withdrawal is just as powerful.

You can find an excellent recording that can help you overcome your shopping addiction here - Overcome Shopping Addiction. This composition is by renowned hypnotherapist, Joseph Clough who brings his valuable insight and natural talent to each of his sessions. Other helpful recordings are available here Hypnosis CD. Simply follow the links for more information.

Luis

Patrick Meninga

How can a newcomer best overcome a serious problem like drug or alcohol addiction?

Newcomers to recovery will stumble and fail in high numbers because they fail to take action in a few key areas.

Most people think that it is a problem of knowledge, that the chronic relapse victim simply doesn’t know how to stay clean. This is untrue because there is no great secret to recovery but there is some hard work involved. So it is a question of action and of following through with things.

There are many struggling addicts who have continuously relapsed and keep returning to a 12 step program, completely mystified as to how they can not “get it.” They think that they are failing to grasp a key concept of recovery, but in fact what they are doing is failing in terms of execution. It is not a lack of knowledge that defeats them but a lack of action.

Overcoming addiction requires work. It is not going to happen if you are sitting at home on the couch and trying to wish your problem away. There are several alternative programs for staying clean and sober but the most popular ones are 12 step based such as AA or NA. Regardless of which program you follow, the key is in taking action.

None of the recovery programs out there are special or have the secret sauce that the other programs are lacking–it doesn’t work that way. You can be sober if you follow virtually any recovery program. The key is in actually following it. You have to take action and do the footwork if you want to reap the benefits.

One of the biggest keys is in finding a way to connect with others in early recovery. Many will do this and still relapse, but the support you get from networking with others in recovery cannot be denied. If you really want to stay clean and sober then you are going to need some guidance and the only way to achieve this is to ask for help. Whether or not you believe in the 12 step program is irrelevant because anyone can benefit from the peer support you can get from that fellowship.

Now this peer support part of recovery is important in early recovery but later on as you enter long term sobriety then something needs to change. The reason for this is because what got you clean and sober will not keep you clean and sober. The tactics you use for early recovery can only carry you so far and eventually you will need to make the shift towards personal growth. If you do this then you can enjoy a lifetime of recovery instead of becoming dependent on meetings and possibly relapsing.

It is not that meetings are bad for the recovering alcoholic or drug addict, but only that a dependency on them that is bad. If you are afraid to quit going to meetings after a few years of recovery then something is wrong. You should be exploring holistic growth avenues and pushing yourself to develop personally so that you are not so dependent on a social solution.

Once you learn how to push yourself to grow in different areas of your life then you can move beyond the traditional social solution that is daily meetings and group therapy and start really living a solid life of recovery.

Floyd

Groshan Fabiola

Alcoholism is very serious disease manifested through continued drinking and craving for alcohol. It can cause numerous alcohol-related problems, such as breaking the law or losing your job, and even death. The symptoms of alcoholism include increased tolerance to alcohol, physical dependence, impaired control and craving for alcohol. Increased tolerance refers to needing more and more alcohol to get high. Physical dependence refers to the symptoms that a person has once he or she has stopped drinking after a period of drinking alcohol heavily; these symptoms include anxiety, sweating, nausea, shakiness, etc. Once a person has begun drinking regularly, we can witness what is referred to as impaired control, that is, the inability to put an end to it. The craving for alcohol refers to feeling a strong compulsion to drink.

The kind of alcohol that a person drinks, what amount of alcohol he or she consumes, or how long he or she has been drinking are almost irrelevant to defining alcoholism and identifying alcoholics. On the other hand, if a person has an uncontrollable need to drink, this is a very good indication that the person in question may be an alcoholic, especially if the action occurs regularly.

Many issues arise when dealing with alcoholism. Admitting that you are an alcoholic and wanting to get help are two very important steps forward. Joining an alcohol rehab program is nothing to be ashamed of, because it is a well-known fact that most alcoholics cannot recover from this disease without outside professional assistance.

The denial that most people manifest towards their alcohol problems makes them enter an alcohol rehab program unwillingly. Admission to alcohol rehab may be prompted by many factors, such as health problems, family issues or legal difficulties; however, in the absence of such factors, an intervention may be required in order to get someone into an alcohol rehab program. An intervention refers to the process coordinated by a specialist, through which a person with a severe alcohol problem is determined to accept the fact that he or she is in serious need of alcohol rehab.

Recovery from alcoholism generates a series of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which most alcohol addicts cannot handle, unless they benefit from professional assistance. Moreover, treating alcohol addiction can be a very complex process, depending on a series of factors specific to each individual. For these reasons, the persons who have an alcohol addiction problem are strongly recommended to enter an inpatient alcohol rehab program.

The benefits of joining an alcohol rehab program are numerous. The most notable one is, of course, the effective treatment of an individual’s alcohol addiction. Each individual’s particular needs and problems represent a critical factor in making a choice of the most appropriate alcohol rehab program, a choice that only a specialist at a rehab center can make. Some people may even require a certain combination of alcohol rehab techniques in order to ensure effective treatment.

An alcohol rehab center can provide patients with alcohol problems with many services, according to the seriousness of their condition. A comprehensive alcohol rehab program includes recreation therapy, individual, group and family therapy, art therapy, and so forth. Furthermore, patients with coexisting disorders can receive integrated treatment that will effectively cure both diseases. The strategies used to engage patients in alcohol rehab and determine them to stay in the treatment program are also important services provided by rehab centers, as many people decide to leave the treatment prematurely, which leads to reoccurrence of their problems.

The duration of a patient’s stay in an alcohol rehab center depends on his or her particular problems; however, the typical time frame is that of up to six weeks. This may seem like a long time to many people, which is why the rehab center you choose should be able to offer comfortable treatment and relaxing conditions for their residents.

If you are looking for a great alcohol rehab program please visit this link.

Bruce

Robin Foote

An alcoholic can be helped to find freedom from alcohol. And, anyone can help who has some counseling or interviewing ability.

There are Two Main Signs of Alcoholism

Alcoholics suffer from an illness that stops them seeing their real condition (denial) and a tolerance to alcohol that keeps them drinking beyond safe levels (loss of control).

Denial of the Effect of Alcohol

Everyone uses denial. It is a normal subconscious way to carry out day to day activities without annoying interference. To illustrate; Stop for a minute and listen to the sounds around you. More than likely you will hear sounds that you were not aware of previously. If you listened to these sounds constantly you would probably get an overload of noise and may not be able to carry out your normal duties.

But denial does not just occur. It grows over time and may be so deeply ingrained in the subconscious that it is no longer a decision to deny anything.

In the noise example from above; denial begins as simple avoidance and minimizing of noises around you. You build up a resistance, a second nature of denial of interfering noises by blocking out more and more. After awhile you are not aware that you are blocking out anything.

Alcoholics are no different. They just block out another form of annoyance, the amount they drink and the effect of their drinking. And, again it starts out in small ways and builds over time.

Unfortunately for alcoholics their denial is contributing to the damage done by alcohol.

Loss of Control of Alcohol

Recent research suggests that alcoholics are born with a genetic variation that encourages them to drink. Males with alcoholic fathers need more alcohol to satisfy them than their non-afflicted peers. They need to drink more to get the same affect as males without an alcoholic father.

Additionally, alcoholics develop changes at the cellular level in the brain. These changes actually demand more alcohol be consumed and fed through these altered cells. In a similar way that we all experience hunger for food and our bodies demand more food. Alcoholics have an extra demand for alcohol.

So we have two aspects making an alcoholic drink more alcohol. There is the genetic demand for more and a change in the brain cells demanding more.

Loss of Control plus Denial of Effects

An alcoholic has slowly built up a subconscious defense about how much is drunk and the effect it is having. And, the alcoholic body demands more in the two ways discussed above.

One would imagine that in these circumstances an alcoholic is doomed to oblivion. Many do continue to the ultimate oblivion.

But, alcoholics can be helped - in the right circumstances. And they can be helped early in the progression of the disease to avoid serious trouble, or the ultimate oblivion.

A Window of Opportunity

Problem drinkers and alcoholics will eventually create a problem for themselves, or with other people, or a legal problem, or problems at work - sometimes affecting all these areas at the same time.

When this happens the drinker may be feeling emotional pain and may be in a ‘window of opportunity’ for listening to someone who cares, who really wants to help, and who can help.

Watch for these ‘windows’.

Anyone Can Help

If you care and can see the suffering of the drinker you have what it takes to help a problem drinker. You may be a loved one, a family member, a friend, a work mate or a healthcare professional.

With a little help from experienced people you will learn the particular action needed to enable anyone to see the reality of their problem and help them take action to solve the problem.

Helping Plan

Over the past 65 years healthcare workers have been trying out many types of counseling and helping plans for alcohol abuse. Some action programs have stood out as being consistently successful in getting alcoholics into recovery.

In these programs alcoholics are taken through a specific set of steps to highlight the effects that alcohol is having on their lives.

Disturb Denial

This process disturbs alcoholic denial and motivates the person to want to take action.

Motivation and Action Plan

But, more than motivation is needed. The alcoholic needs to know what to do and also support to carry out an action plan.

A successful plan includes putting the alcoholic in touch with other recovering people immediately they make a decision that they have a real problem.

Family and Friends of Alcoholics

A similar interview style may also be applied to family and friends who may be suffering from the effects of a loved ones drinking. They too may need disturbance of their own denial and a workable action plan.

Compassion and Empathy

The person applying such a program needs to have compassion and empathy for the alcoholic. An understanding of the inner pain and remorse they are suffering is essential.

If you can, try to identify someone who can help. Doctors, counselors and psychologists are a good starting point. Or, if you are so inclined, get the training yourself.

Be ready for the next ‘window of opportunity’. When you see one approaching gently offer to put them in touch with the helper. If you have gained the necessary knowledge you will know what to do.

Robin Foote, BA, NCAC, TSF.

www.BriefTSF.com

Copyright © Robin J Foote 2005. This article may be copied and freely distributed providing the link to www.BriefTSF.com is maintained.

Lara

Denny Soinski

What causes college students to abuse alcohol? The answers are probably many, but the simplest answer is this: Because they can.

Abusing Alcohol is Easy

When there are so few immediate consequences for excessive drinking, when repeat offenders are not disciplined, when parents are not notified about their children’s drinking activities, when students get mixed messages from the college administration about alcohol, when students have seen their parents drinking alcohol in an irresponsible manner, when students are not informed about the long-tern negative consequences of alcohol abuse, when there are few alcohol-free social and recreational activities that are attractive to students, when minors or intoxicated students are served alcoholic beverages by the local drinking establishments, and when the drinking activities in the sororities and fraternities are not monitored—drinking and excessive drinking become so very easy.

What Draws Students to Abuse Alcohol?

When peer pressure or influence is added to the equation, when it is disregarded that drinking alcohol temporarily removes a person from his or her problems, when ignoring the belief or perception that drinking alcohol makes it easier to socialize with potential dating or sexual partners, when it is so acceptable to engage in activities that emphasize the drinking of alcohol, when the “good feelings” or the “fun” of getting an alcohol high or buzz are not considered, and when the party atmosphere at college is expected by students–it becomes more clear regarding what causes college students to abuse alcohol.

More Than Education is Needed

While I am 100% pro-education, especially when it comes to drug and alcohol abuse prevention, I don’t think that education is the only solution or the only weapon that can be successfully used in the battle against college drug and alcohol abuse. Let me explain.

Proactive and Reactive Measures

With respect to alcohol abuse in higher education, many reactive AND proactive measures have been initiated at some colleges and universities that have reduced the availability, acceptability, and irresponsibility of alcohol use on and off campus. The result: a noticeable, if not a significant reduction in alcohol-related problems manifested by students.

What are some of these measures? Establishing immediate consequences for excessive drinking, disciplining repeat alcohol abuse offenders, notifying parents about their children’s drinking activities, eliminating mixed messages by college administrators about alcohol (for instance, removing alcohol advertisements from stadiums and from sports brochures), informing students about the long-tern negative consequences of alcohol abuse, increasing alcohol-free social and recreational activities that are attractive to students, having college administrators talk to the owners of local drinking establishments so that minors and/or intoxicated students are not served alcohol, and monitoring the drinking activities in the sororities and fraternities.

Medical Research and Treatment Are Not Enough

I assert, however, that the above proactive and reactive measures, most of which are NOT education-based, are needed to compliment educational approaches. Why? I am enough of a realist to believe that even if medical research eventually discovers viable ways to escape addiction and if the medical community is able to offer effective treatment to all who need it, there will always be those who, for whatever reason, will choose to disregard medical warnings, ignore their health, and who will discount common sense as they involve themselves in alcohol and/or drug abuse.

Copyright 2007 - Denny Soinski. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and give the author credit.

Allison

David Roppo

Over the years most psychologists, counselors, and addiction specialists have deemed addiction to be a disease. However, there is no pathological test that can be administered to diagnose addiction. Therefore, addiction can not and should not be categorized as a disease. So, if addiction is not a disease, what exactly is it? In my opinion, it should be classified as a behavior and moreover a choice! Now, most individuals who have experienced the painful ramifications of habitual behavior are not under any false pretence concerning the definition of addiction, although some are in denial of it. However, what about individuals who abuse substances and compulsions without experiencing the destruction of their livelihood, finances, or family life? Do these individuals have an addiction? Addiction is a behavior, and as with any type of defined behavior there exists varying degrees of severity. As an example, some individuals can drink alcohol in moderation without using it to hide their emotional pain or allowing it to destroy their family, finances, or health. So where is the cut-off point? When is it an addiction, and when is it not? To assist you with that distinction, I have compiled the following questionnaire.

 

Do you have an addiction? Evaluate your current behavior by answering the following yes or no questions. (If the answer to each sentence is yes give yourself 1 point)

 

O Do you lose time from work due to your habitual behavior?

 

O Is your behavior making your home life unhappy?

 

O  Do you abuse substances because you are shy with other people?

 

O Is your behavior affecting your reputation?

 

O Have you ever felt remorse after abusing substances or compulsions?

 

O Have you had financial difficulties as a result of your behavior?

 

O Does your behavior make you careless of your family’s welfare?

 

O Do you turn to inferior environments when abusing substances?

 

O Has your ambition decreased because of your behavior?

 

O Do you crave substances at a definite time daily?

 

O Does your behavior cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

 

O Has your efficiency decreased because of your behavior?

 

O Is your behavior jeopardizing your job or business?

 

O Do you abuse substances or compulsions to escape from worries or trouble?

 

O Have you ever had a loss of memory as a result of your behavior?

 

O Do you abuse substances or compulsions to build up your self-confidence?

 

O Do you ever feel bad about your behavior?

 

O Do you feel that your behavior is problematic?

 

O Do you hide some of your habitual behaviors from others?

 

O Do you feel controlled by your habitual behavior?

 

 What was your over all score?

 

Jot down below the top 5 things that jumped out at you from completing the evaluator? How will you change them?

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

4.

 

5.

 

Using your total point score reference the chart below to determine if you have an addiction and/or what stage it is in.

 

Addiction points

 

 

 

0 - Addiction freedom

 

5-10 - You may be approaching co-dependency

 

10-20 - Highly probable that you have an addiction

 

Addiction Freedom

 

Bravo! Your have a life filled with happiness and no habitual behavior!

 

Approaching co-dependency

 

Your behavior has the potential to reach a level of addiction, but you need a positive direction and bit of action to guide you toward a positive lifestyle.

 

Probable addiction

 

You are likely in the mists of addiction crisis, or could be headed for one soon! You may require an immediate, addiction freedom, action plan!

 

For more information on how to overcome addiction subscribe to my free 5-Step how to beat addiction E-guide!

overcoming addiction

how to stop drinking

stop drinking alcohol 

Best wishes,

The Adiction Freedom Coach

Judy

Todd Lange

As surprising as it may sound, the biggest hurdle seen while motivating addicted people to take up treatments that would cure their addiction is their family. The shame, the humiliation, the image in the society makes the families make them deny the addiction of their family members or their loved ones. But curing an addiction is always a group effort. The patient always looks for the support of his or her family members knowingly or sometimes unknowingly to help them get through their difficult phase. Let us look at some of the issues which have become the stumbling blocks in the addiction treatment in Michigan.

1. Ignorance:

Ignorance is a very grave issue seen today with respect to addiction treatment in Michigan. Even today, in this age of public awareness, most people in Michigan are not aware much about addiction and its various symptoms. One can also say that there are some people who also don’t want to be educated on the various addiction symptoms because they like to believe that their child or their beloved family members could never fall a prey to addiction.

That is one of the reasons that the government of Michigan has become conscious and has started awareness campaigns on a large scale so that more and more people learn and recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction at an early age. Today even the school and different companies have become vigilant and alert. The schools have rained their teachers to identify an addiction and the different ways that they can deal with them.

2. Denial:

To cure any disease it is necessary to access that the patient taking up the treatment is taking it up on its free will and not due to some peer pressure or force of the family. If the patient is not convinced of the treatment then the treatment sure is to be a failure from the start. Another dangerous statistics seen here is the denial of the family. The family either does not like to believe that such a thing could happen to their loved ones; or the family tries to cover up for the addict’s habits in the social circle or their incompetence at school or work.

3. Avoidance:

Avoidance is another harmful issue with respect to the hurdle in taking up an addiction treatment in Michigan. Some families think that if they try to confront the addict, he or she may sink further into addiction and they may lose complete control over the patient. There may also be a few who would be scared to even talk or suggest the addiction treatment and keep quiet thinking it is the best option.

4. Assumptions on the cause of addiction:

The families sometimes come up with their version of reasons for their loved ones taking up addictions. These lame assumptions are also generation with their own solutions. For example, a mother may think that her child has taken up alcoholism because the child feels lonely at home and so she would sacrifice her job and then expect the son to give up his addiction. Sometimes the family members go a step ahead and bargain with the addicted person. The family members promise some desirable incentive to the addicted person and in return ask the person to give up the addiction. However, these incomplete solutions can only come in the way of the person’s addiction treatment.

5. Controlling:

Controlling the addiction of the patient is not a new issue in relation to addiction treatment in Michigan. More often than not, the family members plead or cry to take up promises from the addicts. They even suggest that their friends or peers should try to advise and change the patients. The constant nagging has a harmful effect on the patient making them angry or irritated or sometimes even isolated.

6. Emotional issues with the patient:

This is one of the most dangerous issues in relation to addiction treatment in Michigan. When the patient is emotionally overworked, it is not just the patient that undergoes turmoil, but the issues are also not quite helpful to the other members of the family. The family members become very involved with the patient’s addiction and constantly try to watch on the patient’s habits and think of ways to cure it. This could reach to a point where the family member becomes disoriented and irritated; and sometimes develop stress-related problems of their own. This could disturb the patient’s life too. Guilt could be an emotion involved with the other members of the family. The family members might blame each other for the reason of the patient taking to drugs or alcohol.

This is the reason why most options for intervention and treatment program in Michigan have family oriented sessions.

Michael

Bill Urell

Alcohol abuse can be a tricky term to use, considering that ‘abuse’ can have different meanings to different people. However, it is often understood as referring to the excessive use of alcohol, and causing problems or negative consequences. While it may not automatically mean addiction to alcohol, alcohol abuse remains as one of the topmost public health concerns facing our society today and is in fact, the most common substance that often causes chemical dependencey.

Is it alcohol abuse or alcoholism?

Can you have an alcohol problem is still not be labeled as an alcoholic? Some experts say yes, alcohol abuse can occur without a person actually becoming an alcoholic. In alcohol abuse, the intake of alcohol can occur often and in big quantities but may not often result to alcohol dependency.

Alcoholism, on the other hand, is characterized by physical and psychological dependence, the lack of control over the frequency and amount of drinking, along with the strong craving to drink. Alcoholism is also marked with tolerance, a state where the amount of alcohol needed by the body to get the feeling of ‘high’ continually increases. Alcoholism is also chronic and may exhibit certain withdrawal symptoms.

Can alcohol abuse be inherited?

There are certain research studies that show the tendency of alcoholism or alcohol abuse to occur in families. It seems that a gene exists that predisposes an individual toward addiction to substances such as alcohol. However, this is not always the case. While certain genes may be to blame for alcohol abuse, lifestyle and the environment are also strong contributing factors.

Is there a specific group of people who are more likely to develop alcohol abuse?

Alcohol abuse does not depend on sex, race or nationality. However, certain generalities exist. More men, for example, have alcohol problems than women. There is also a higher incidence of alcohol abuse among people between 18 to 29 years old compared to people 60 years old and older.

Young people who start drinking alcohol earlier, say, at 13 or 14 years old, are more likely to develop alcohol problems when they get older, compared to people who start drinking when they are already adults.

Is there such thing as safe drinking?

Alcohol isn’t all bad, provided it is taken in moderate amounts. By moderate, we mean 1 to 2 drinks a day for men and less for women and people who are older. This type of alcohol drinking is possible if you do not have the proclivity toward addiction.

People taking medication or have certain diseases, for example, are advised to stay away from alcoholic drinks. For informational purposes one serving of alcoholic drink should consist of:

1.5 oz. of 80-proof drinks (few people measure with tis accuracy)

5.0 oz of wine

12 oz. of beer, wine coolers and mixed spirits

Is there a cure for alcoholism and alcohol abuse?

There is no magic pill, drug, cream or ointment that will cure alcohol abuse. However, it can be treated, although the efficacy of treatments is highly dependent upon an individual’s willingness to avoid or control alcohol intake and the frequency of exposure to circumstances that lead to alcohol use.

Chris

David Roppo

Without question, partaking in addictive behavior not only causes you pain, but it also inflicts pain on the people around you as well. However, do not allow the previous actions of either yourself or others to chain you to the past and force you to live in fear of the future. The past is the past, it’s over, and living in it doesn’t serve anyone well. Live in the present moment, be kind to yourself, forgive yourself, and learn to love yourself. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today, today is a gift!”

 It isn’t a big secret that you’re feeling guilt and shame for the pain you’ve inflicted on those closest to you. But, on many occasions the blame and shame runs much deeper than that. In fact, a large percentage of people suffering from addiction blame themselves for their families’ dysfunctional behavior. For instance; “My father physically abused me, but I deserved it!”  Or, “my mother verbally abused me and told me I was worthless, but she’s right!”  This self-blame not only creates victimization, but it also it provides an excuse for continuing habitual behavior. And, until you are willing to see the truth concerning your family’s dysfunctional behavior and liberate your self from it, nothing in your life will change!

 So, if you’ve been blaming yourself, you’re probably questioning right now as to whether you should be punished for your actions. Well guess what, its ok! God doesn’t punish people, we punish ourselves. God is a loving and forgiving being. So if you thought that you would continue to blame and punish yourself before God gets a hold of you, you can stop right now! We do not have defects of character, are not full of shortcomings, and we certainly are not powerless! On the contrary, we are children of God, and he has given us all the power to create the happiness, love, and abundance in our lives that we desire. If you are not comfortable with the term God, you may utilize the term higher power, universe, or higher state of consciousness. Regardless what term you choose, the most important aspect is to unite with your higher consciousness and the source of unconditional love. The truth be told, love really does conquer all! That’s right; there is nothing more powerful than unconditional love. So, you should love your addiction, not hate it! Now I don’t mean that you should love it and continue it! On the contrary, you need to dissolve your habitual behavior. And, while giving thanks for it may seem paradoxical, it’s also a key component to beating it because the more you hate your addiction the stronger it will become! It’s easy to become bitter and angry about the situation, and to use it as an excuse to retreat! And, if you adopt the mindset of an angry, bitter, lifelong, victim of addiction, what will you attract in the future? Let me answer that for you; a whole gaggle of bitter, angry, victims of addiction who use their self-incrimination as an excuse to retreat to the camaraderie of a group! And, if you want to spend the rest of your days in the basement of a church complaining about how screwed up your life is, that’s your prerogative. But, you don’t have to adopt victimization by asking why me. Take the high road and get back up on the horse! Just because you got knocked down doesn’t mean that you can’t sprint to the finish line! Refuse to be the wounded soul and aspire to be the gentle warrior! Embrace the crisis as a spiritual lesson and ask what you can learn from it. Think about it for a moment! Would you be taking the steps to become a stronger, more confident, and loving person who is searching for their life’s purpose if you hadn’t been thrust into this painful drug addiction? Sometimes we have to wade through the mud puddle to get to the rose garden!

 For more information on how to beat your addiction in 60 days without ever leaving home, subscribe to my free, 40 page, 5 step e-guide below……

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Regards,

 

David Roppo

The Addiction Freedom Coach

Clyde