What You Need To Know About Alcohol Abuse Effects

Like other forms of addiction, alcohol abuse can take over a person’s life.

The effects of their drinking can spread to other areas of their lives, damage their relationships and put lives at risk. Understanding the effects of alcohol abuse can help you bring the facts to someone that you love and prompt them to get the help that they need.

Health Problems

Alcohol abuse can be disastrous to a person’s health. Liver disorders, heart problems, digestive problems, erectile dysfunction, diabetes complications, menstrual interruption, bone loss, paralysis of the eye muscles, increased risk of cancer and neurological complications are just some of the negative alcohol abuse effects according to the Mayo Clinic. These negative effects far outweigh the positive antioxidants in one glass of wine.

Domestic Problems

Alcohol impairs the way that an abuser relates to the people around them. When they rely on alcohol to get through the day, they are not themselves. They alienate the people around them and cut themselves off from the people that they are closest to. Alcohol can also increase the likelihood of physical or emotional abuse. With the reduced judgment and heightened emotions that go along with drinking, an alcohol abuser may be quicker to anger or to become violent than they would normally.

Reduced Judgment

When a person abuses alcohol, they do not think clearly. A person may be a great friend, excellent parent and valuable employee, but all this can come apart with the reduced judgment that goes along with alcohol abuse. A careless word, wrong choice or inappropriate comment made while under the influence can affect an alcohol abuser (or those around him or her) long-term. This poor judgment can have life-altering affects across the board.

Risky Driving

While having reduced judgment during a conversation or at a social event is one thing, this impairment can become deadly when an alcohol abuser chooses to get behind the wheel. According to a Mothers Against Drunk Driving report from 2011, about half of all drivers killed in a car accident had drugs and/or alcohol in their system. When alcohol abuse is paired with driving, there are deadly consequences.

Alcohol Abuse Damages, Destroys…and Kills

Dealing with alcohol abuse effects can be devastating for friends and family. Helping your friend or family member understand the effects of alcohol abuse can prompt them to realize how bad their drinking habits have become. Any of these alcohol abuse effects should be red flags that they need to seek help to change their lives immediately.

Getting Help From The Right Alcohol Abuse Counseling Program

The struggle with alcohol abuse is one of the hardest struggles a person and his or her loved ones will face.

Ensuring that you or a loved one is getting the right kind of support on this tough but rewarding journey is a key to success. When it comes to getting the right support for alcohol abuse and looking for an alcohol abuse counseling program, there are several key things to look for when taking the first step to change your life:

Feeling you are in a safe environment
Many people turn to Alcoholics Anonymous due to the community feel of their program. They need to feel as if they are free to share what is happening to them. If you or someone you know is feeling as if you are being judged, you may be less likely to share and the healing and growth process will be slower.

Working with knowledgeable counselors
When you are overcoming a large hurdle in your life, you need to work with people who know what to try and how to get to the cause. When you work with a professional and/or ones with experience, such as AA or a private alcohol abuse counselor, you know will be in good hands. Get into a tested and reputable program so that you can trust the moves they are asking you to make will work.

Having a goal-oriented program
Having steps to follow or goals to work towards will help you learn to control your condition. When you can gauge your process you can grow. You will be able to congratulate yourself on the small victories and can use that to positively move forward.

First, One Must Admit There Is A Problem

Whether it is you or someone you care about, it may take a while to admit that there is a problem. And then once you come to that realization that help is needed, who to turn to? Later, how do you find the right alcohol abuse counseling program, or how do you know you have found the right one?

Know the signs of suffering and of alcoholism. According to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol abuse is a physical condition. Signs that someone has a problem include drinking too much and knowing that the alcohol is ruining aspects of one’s life. They may have started with one drink at night to ease stress. This perhaps snowballed into a bottle of wine every night.

Look beyond the emotions. Alcoholics may lose control of their emotions, which in turn can negatively affect their relationships. They may spend more money on alcohol than is feasible or manageable for their budget. In short, alcohol begins to take over the life of the person who is an alcohol abuser.

Learn all you can about how to find alcohol abuse counseling programs. When you or a family member is having an issue with alcohol abuse, you or they need to get help sooner rather than later. You will need a proven and reliable support network to conquer this disease.

Overcoming alcohol abuse can be overwhelming, but with the right help you can find trustworthy, professional support and true relief.

Who Can Prevent Prescription Drug Addiction?

When patients use their prescription medications differently than prescribed, they increase their chances for dependence. If a patient is taking higher doses, using different routines or combining drugs with alcohol and other drugs, they put themselves at even more risk.

Although prescription drug addiction affects many different types of Americans, there are a few groups of people who have the biggest hand in preventing addiction:

Patients – If you have a prescription for painkillers, you’re the first line of defense against prescription drug addiction. You can take steps to prevent abuse and avoid becoming dependent. If your doctor suggests a prescription painkiller, you need to let him or her know about all of your current prescriptions, over the counter medications and herbal supplements. This will help your doctor pick the safest option for you.

Once you’ve gotten your prescription, you need to follow the directions to a “T.” Avoid other drugs and alcohol, take your medicine as prescribed and stay on a schedule. Read all the documentation that you can on your prescription and ask your doctor questions.

Physicians – Healthcare professionals can help prevent prescription drug addiction by prescribing medicine carefully and watching for abuse. Since more than 80 percent of Americans have contact with doctors each year, the doctors are in a unique position to spot abuse long before it becomes a major project.
Physicians should ask about all the drugs a patient is taking – including other prescription painkillers – before prescribing anything. They can also look for signs of “doctor shopping,” moving from doctor to doctor. If there’s any doubt, the doctor’s office can call a pharmacy to ensure that a patient isn’t filling multiple prescriptions for the same drug.

Pharmacists – Speaking of filling prescriptions, pharmacists can also be a line of defense against prescription drug addiction. Pharmacies have policies in place to screen for false prescriptions, prescription alterations and other forms of fraud. There are also prescription drug monitoring programs that create statewide databases in 48 states to watch for suspicious prescription drug addiction activity.

Did You Know…?

The truth is that an estimated 2.4 million Americans use prescription drugs in a non-medical situation for the first time each year.

With patient education and vigilance from medical professionals, prescription drug addiction can be curbed. In addition to these professionals, friends and family members who suspect prescription drug addiction can help their loved ones get the support they need move on from these painful addictions.

Preventing Relapse During Recovery

After quitting drugs or alcohol, going through withdrawal and completing an addiction recovery program, you or an addict you know will need to fight against relapse. Understanding relapse and knowing how to prevent it is an essential part of addiction recovery.

How to Stop Addiction Recovery Relapse

In order to stop addiction recovery relapse, you need to recognize and prevent the early signs of relapse. Some of the warning signs can be:

•    Isolating yourself instead of asking for help.
•    Avoiding relaxation techniques.
•    Continuing to eat poorly and sleep poorly.
•    Obsessing over the past and reliving old memories.
•    Hanging out with people or going places where you used.

Relapse Happens In Stages

Overcoming drug or alcohol addiction is a long process with many steps, and relapse isn’t a one-time event that occurs in a weak moment.
It is something that starts much, much earlier than that one moment. Many recovering addicts don’t take action until they have a physical relapse, but this stage actually takes place long after relapse starts to take over.

The first stage is emotional relapse. In this stage, you’re not thinking about drinking or using drugs, but you’re definitely in an emotional place where it’s possible. Your feelings and behaviors are creating the conditions for a relapse.During emotional relapse, you’re feeling anxious and angry. You may be experiencing mood swings and feel a bit defensive about your habits. You’re not supporting your body with proper sleeping or eating habits. In short, you’re re-visiting the emotions you had before you started abusing drugs and alcohol.The following stage is mental relapse. At this stage, you’re fighting with yourself over using drugs and alcohol. Part of you wants to stay sober, but part of you doesn’t. You think about using more and more frequently. You’ll glamorize your past use, start hanging out with old friends, think about the places you used to go when you used – you’re setting the mental stage for a relapse.

Finally, there’s a physical relapse, the point where you actually go to get your drug of choice and use it. It’s very difficult to stop yourself from relapsing at this point because you’ve got the emotional and mental foundation for relapse. But this is the phase where most recovering addicts put their attention.

Help & Support Are Always Available

Relapse doesn’t have to be part of addiction recovery if you don’t let it. Recognize the three stages and stop yourself from reaching physical relapse by getting help.

If find yourself slipping down the path of mental or emotional relapse, you don’t have to go all of the way to physical relapse. You can practice self care, tell someone you’re having urges to use, distract yourself with fun activities and get the support you need.

Choosing Drug Rehab in Florida: Why The Sunshine State May Be Your Best Choice

If you’re in a position where you’re researching drug rehab options, you may notice that there are a lot of centers for drug rehab located in Florida.

The Sunshine State is home to some of the best addiction treatment programs in the United States. Choosing drug rehab in Florida might be an ideal option to get the help that you need.

No matter what the situation, choosing to go into drug rehab is no easy matter. Not only does an addict have to deal with the repercussions of years of their addiction, but they have to select the best option for their recovery program at the same time.

Why Choose Drug Rehab in Florida?

If you need to get away from it all, Florida is a great place to do it. There is terrific weather year-round, and a relaxing atmosphere that makes it easier to go through the difficult physical and mental changes you must make in order to get off of drugs and alcohol. When you select drug rehab in Florida, you will be able to get away from your old, abusive life and piece together the components of your new drug-free life.

What Makes A Successful Drug Rehab?

Hanging around the same people, frequenting the same places and taking place in the same activities that led to your drug abuse won’t help you maintain sobriety.

Changing your friends – If you want to get and stay sober, hanging out with the same people that you used drugs or alcohol with is not the right choice. This behavior will most likely directly lead to relapse because you’ll feel like you must do drugs with these people in order to fit in and re-create “old times.” Rather than spending time with people who are stuck in addictive cycles, you’ll want to look for friends who are positive, working on themselves and staying drug-free.

Moving away – In the same way, being in the same locations where you used drugs can easily lead to relapse. Staying in the same home, driving through the same areas and visiting the same stores can trigger addiction and bring back memories of your drug use. Taking the time to change your environment and move away (even temporarily) to a completely new area, like Florida, can help you get on a path toward recovery.

Switching your activities – If you’re like most drug users, you have a certain set of hobbies or activities that you like to participate in while you are high or drunk. It may be difficult to accept, but these activities have to go if you want to remain sober. The great thing about drug rehab is that you may rediscover old hobbies and passions that fell to the wayside when you were getting high all of the time.

Changing your friends, changing your location and changing your hobbies and activities are the best – and perhaps only — way you can begin to build a new drug- and alcohol-free life.

Finding a Drug Rehab Programs for an Addicted Loved One

Coming to a decision about your friend or family member’s care can be hard to make in the moment.

The person that you thought you knew is suddenly replaced with someone who is distant, unstable and destructive. You want to help, but aren’t sure how.
There are so many emotions involved, and several different options. You may not be sure whether you should turn them into the police, cut them off emotionally and financially or check them into a drug rehab program.

When drug abuse takes over a friend or family member’s life, it can be difficult to deal with…to say the least.

What To Do When a Loved One is Addicted to Drugs

Compared to the other options, drug rehab programs give your addicted loved ones an opportunity to break their physical addiction to drugs in a controlled and safe environment. Through detoxification, your loved one will be able to get the drugs out of their system, reduce their cravings and set the foundation for recovery.

However, just detoxing on its own won’t lead to long-term success. Drug rehab programs also include another important piece of the recovery puzzle – therapy.

Through therapy, they can uncover the problems that make it easy for them to turn to drugs. Group and individual therapy can help your friend or family member uncover the problems that lead to their drug use in the first place:

Were they trying to deal with stress?Were they avoiding problems in their life?Were they trying to overcome past pain by burying their feelings in drugs?

Compared to the other options, drug rehab programs are the best chance for your friend, family member or loved one to get over drugs and move on with their life.

Determining Which Drug Rehab Programs is Best

There are several different types of programs that have varying levels of success. The best thing to do is to speak with a qualified drug rehab program professional who can go over your options and help you make the best choice.

Outpatient drug rehab programs let patients live in their own homes and they continue their normal daily routines – like work or school. For rehab, patients will go to the rehab center at regular intervals on a weekly and then monthly basis.Residential rehab programs keep patients in house during treatment and provide around the clock care. Most of these treatment programs last 28 days or more so patients can take time away from their life and work toward their recovery.

Both residential and outpatient drug rehab programs have proven to be effective, but one may be better than the other for your loved one.

Are Urban Outfitters’ “I Vote for Vodka” Shirts Inappropriate?

Earlier this year, the Navajo Nation sued trendy clothing line Urban Outfitters for improperly using and perpetuating stereotypes with the Navajo trademark. Soon after, UO caught similar heat with its line of “Kiss Me, I’m Irish”-inspired tee-shirts. Now, parents and teen awareness organizations are furious with Urban Outfitters for promoting drinking with its new line of tee-shirts that feature slogans such as: ”I Vote for Vodka” “Misery Loves Alcohol” and “I Drink You’re Cute.”

These shirts are targeted to young women ages 18-24 — many of those women aren’t even old enough to drink yet! Merchandise and marketing alcohol has been proven an all-too successful tactic for younger crowds, and many school districts in the country have already banned students from wearing alcohol and drug-related clothes to school.

According to WOWT News, Cassie Greisen, Associate Director with Project Extra Mile, says, “‘It’s no accident it’s vodka on a young female’s shirt. 92% of all alcohol consumed by young people is done so in a binge drinking fashion. The last thing they need is merchandise promoting that kind of behavior.’”

According to the New York Daily News, Jan Withers, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, says, ”‘As a mother, these shirts are not acceptable for children under the age of 21. If they’re targeting that audience, then they’re sending the message that it’s cool to drink.”

But bad news for people like Cassie and Jan: The NYND also reports that Jan Evans, spokesperson dontserveteens.gov, says “‘Urban Outfitters is under no legal pressure to remove alcohol-related merchandise, because the the shirts fall under branded merchandise.”

On one hand, really, these are just silly tee-shirts. On the other, it’s marketing that can’t be denied as inappropriate and unnecessary… and it seems like Urban Outfitters enjoy making some consumers really feel angry and insulted.

So… what do you think of Urban Outfitters’ new alcohol-inspiring clothing line? Would you have a problem with your underage daughter wearing these shirts?