Sober Resources

Alcoholism is one of the most dangerous addictions on the planet, not only for the addict but for their children as well. Parents that are alcoholics are much more likely to abuse their children whether through physical abuse or through neglect. No matter how much you love your children, you can’t be a proper parent and be an alcoholic at the same time.
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Virtually every man wonders about where they came from and how we got here. The eternal search for a greater power than ourselves is one aspect of spirituality that is highly beneficial when used properly for addiction recovery. Whether you believe in a greater power or not, the universe and its energy are a wonderful source of recovery. You can tap into that energy with some practice.

The first step in doing so is to begin to explore this world of spirituality. Nobody can do this for you, but a good place to start is to head out into the woods, beaches and mountains of your choice. If this is not practical, then head into the local woods nearby or by a nice lake. Wherever you feel the most relaxed in nature will do just fine. The reason this is so important is because it gives you the chance to relax your mind and become closer to nature.
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Ending Alcoholism and Alcohol Dependency

There are many people who have a drink of alcohol with their dinner or at while at a social gathering. Drinking alcohol before going to bed at night is also very common. However, when a person engages in binge drinking and drinks in excess, alcohol is considered to be a problem.

The result of drinking alcohol in excess can include vomiting and blacking out. Eventually, a dependence on alcohol will be observed. Alcohol abuse can sneak up on someone. It can happen so quickly that people often do not even realize that they are becoming alcoholics. Alcoholism also has the ability to destroy people’s lives. If it is not treated right, everyone in the immediate environment of the alcoholic will be affected.

More often than not, alcoholism is caused by something the sufferer has previously experienced. Before any treatment can begin, that a cause that should be determined. It is always necessary to find the cause of alcoholism and attack that reason so that the problem does not resurface. Genetics can also play a big role in binge drinking and alcoholism. Stress and anxiety can also lead a person to drink in excess and head down the cycle of alcohol dependency.

Many recognize the fact that drinking in excess affects a person both physically and psychologically and treatment is only effective if the alcoholic is willing to change and stop their problem behavior. The alcoholic will also need to be aware that treatment will not be easy and that there will be some profound changes to their lifestyle as soon as they stop drinking. The withdrawal stage can include seizures and hallucinations in those who have been consuming a great deal of alcohol for a long period of time. They may also experience shaking and stomach problems when they begin to give up alcohol.

To make it even more complicated, it has been observed that one who has become addicted to alcohol is most likely addicted to other substances such as narcotics. When these two addictions are present together, the treatment may be more difficult and uncomfortable for the addicted person.

Those who enter treatment programs for their drinking problem often do so unwillingly or reluctantly. This is generally because they do not believe that they have an alcohol problem. There might even be a need for an intervention for those who have had a serious alcohol problem for a number of years.

Professional help is often needed to help the alcoholic end their dependency on alcohol. There are a number of treatment programs that can help the problem drinker get past their addiction. Counseling and medications are some of the treatments that can be used to get the drinker to end their problem with alcohol. The type of program that will work will depend on the level of alcohol dependency and how willing the person is to undergo treatment.

The problems that arise from alcohol dependency are troubling and numerous. When the treatment has ended, it will be necessary that the alcoholic continue to seek support for their new lifestyle. Friends and family is of utmost importance during this time as there will always be a struggle against alcohol for someone who was previously dependent on it. In the beginning, there will be daily struggles to get past the temptations to drink again. The feeling will lessen over time. However, it is still necessary for the dependent person to understand that alcoholism is a lifetime battle.

There are a number of problems that an alcoholic will face in their lifetime if they continue to drink and refuse to seek help. Alcoholism is a progressive disease and amount of alcohol consumed by a person will eventually cause mental and physical problems. The alcoholic will face problems in their social, professional, and family life if the issues are not dealt with. Because alcoholics often do not realize that they need help, it is important for their loved ones to recognize the symptoms of alcoholism and be the ones to seek help if it is needed.

Regularly consuming excess alcohol can lead to a number of long term health problems. The person who drinks too much will have both physical and mental problems because of how alcohol affects their mind and bodies. Because of this, alcoholics show physical symptoms that serve as warning signs.

The first problem that might be noted is a liver inflammation. This will cause yellowing of the eyes, skin and an abnormal yellowing of the urine. The person with liver inflammation will also suffer from a constant fever. Furthermore, the excessive alcohol consumed by alcoholics will eventually destroy the liver’s ability to create and regenerate new cells.

Cirrhosis of the liver is a condition that a number of alcoholics face as their drinking progresses. The symptoms of cirrhosis include tiredness, weight loss, nausea, and loss of sexual drive. Other symptoms can be quite painful and debilitating.

Malnutrition is also another health risk that most alcoholics suffer from. When this occurs, the alcoholic will observe that their immune system has become weaker therefore becoming unable to fight off diseases. Tiredness and weight loss can also be caused by malnutrition.

An alcoholic may also suffer from high blood pressure. This rise in blood pressure can leave the alcoholic likely to suffer from a heart attack. The symptoms of high blood pressure include dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, and nausea.

The pancreas can also be affected by alcoholism. The pancreas in an alcoholic can become inflamed. This inflammation is called pancreatitis. The pancreas plays a significant role in digesting food within the body. When the pancreas is damaged, there will be pain in the abdominal area as well as weight loss.

Insomnia is also a common problem among alcoholics. There are even times when alcoholics suffer from the inability to sleep for weeks at a time.

Alcoholic men also tend to suffer from erectile dysfunction. When a man drinks too much, it will negatively impact his ability to enjoy a satisfying sex life. Women who are addicted to alcohol, on the other hand, are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer from their addiction.

There are a number of other symptoms of alcoholism that can be observed over a long period of time. There can be damage caused to the brain and nerves. Depression and stress are also a symptom of alcoholism.

It is imperative that alcoholics seek help to control their drinking problem. There are many programs and institutions that can help the alcoholic stop their destructive behavior and begin enjoying a healthy and happy life once again.

Alcohol Abuse
What does the term abuse mean?
The term ‘Abuse’ differs slightly from ‘addiction’. The usage of an illegal substance or usage of a legal substance in a wrong way is called substance abuse. One can abuse a drug substance for example alcohol but that does not signify that the person has an addiction to it.

Alcohol Abuse
The term ‘Binge drinking’ is very much important before discussing alcohol abuse. Binge drinking is the common problem among young people. It basically means simply drinking to get drunk. When a person’s consumption of alcohol starts to cause problem and eventually the habit of alcoholism continues, then Binge drinking turns into alcohol alone. When one continues the consumption of alcohol despite social, legal, interpersonal problems then it is alcohol abuse. The consequences of alcohol abuse can lead to mismanaging time at work, educational institutions, and even neglecting household responsibilities and children. It also affects socially.

When does alcohol abuse become alcohol dependence?
Alcohol abuse turns to alcohol dependence when the alcoholics start to have a craving for alcohol, have withdrawal symptoms when they stop consuming alcohol and lose control over their consumption. Alcohol dependence is a progressive disorder that induces strong need to consume alcohol in spite of the negative consequences.

Is alcoholism an inherited disease?
Scientific study on alcoholism shows that genetics play a vital part in problems related to alcohol development. The research also indicates that for a person to become an alcohol dependent the environment of the person and peer influences play a major role. Most of the scientific studies indicate the important role of heredity in alcohol development. Having said that, a family with history of alcoholics does not doom a member of that family into turning an alcohol addict. A person if properly managed can very well overcome the genetic tendency.

Symptoms Related to Alcoholism
There are vast varieties of symptoms associated to alcoholism. Alcoholism is generally perceived as a progressive disorder or disease, which means the effects and symptoms of alcoholism become increased over a period of time. Person, who consumes alcohol, may show initial signs of problem and then over a period of time, symptoms would progress and will be able to witness symptoms of alcohol abuse. If the consumption persists then they show symptoms related to alcoholism.

Symptoms Related To Alcohol Abuse
The primary symptom of alcohol abuse happens when the person repeatedly consumes, even after the person’s consumption level reaches a stage that causes continuous problems. Thus alcohol abuse can be confirmed, when the person continues the intake of alcohol, even after the drinking leads the person to miss school, work, drunken drive, social responsibilities and lands the person in trouble with the law. When blood Alcohol content (BAC) test is conducted a heavy drinker shows the following results. The results include increased carbodydrate deficient transferring, elevated GGT2, moderate increase of ALT and AST and a ratio of 2:1 (AST: ALT), and enlarged MCB known as macrocytosis.

Treatment
The prime focus of the most treatments for alcohol problems is to help the affected person discontinue the alcohol consumption. This is coupled with supporting the person socially so aft to aid them withstand a return to consumption of alcoholic beverages. As a part of the treatment, it is important for the person to get detoxified. Detoxification is an abrupt stop of intake of alcohol coupled with the replacement of drugs that have same effects to stop alcohol withdrawal.

How is the alcoholic treated mentally?
The detoxification treats the physical effects caused due to long term usage of alcohol. But the treatment should have an approach towards the psychological issues related to that particular person. For this purpose psychotherapy or group therapy, which deals with the mental state of person, can be employed. Mutual help group helps the affected person to maintain sobriety. Apart from that treatment, rationing and moderation programs play a vital part to manage the person from relapse to alcoholism.

Varying Medications for Alcoholism
The medications can be considered as part of treatment for alcohol addicts. The medication for alcoholism varies widely. There is medications for detoxification and withdrawal and Medication for long-term usage. Benzodiazepines drugs are the most suitable drugs to reduce the effects of withdrawal symptoms. Baclofen acts as a GABA B receptor agonist, which helps to increase detoxification. The drugs for long-term medication include Antabure, Naltrexone, Acamprosate, Topiramate. It has been known that sodium oxybate which is the sodium salt of GHB – gamma – hydrobutyric acid can be an efficient medication for both alcohol withdrawal and for long term usage.

If you or someone you knows suffers from alcohol abuse visit us at The Sober Village, where we do recover!

What does alcoholism signify?
The repeated consumption of alcohol despite negative health effects is known as alcoholism. It can be referred as a condition or disease that has a relative effect on the brain which controls the feelings and the manner one makes decisions. Alcohol addicts do not have control on the amount they drink. Alcoholism can be defined in many ways. But the common perception regarding the definition is the constant usage of alcoholic beverages despite the ill effects it causes to health and to the social atmosphere.

How do the various communities define alcoholism?
The terminology related to alcoholism and definitions varies. The American Medical Association defines alcoholism as a primary chronic disorder characterized by the person’s loss of control over the consumption, preoccupation with the alcoholic drug, and use of it despite negative effects and even interruptions of distortion in thinking. The DSM-IV refers alcoholism as persistent use despite repeated negative consequences. The APA dictionary of psychology illustrates alcoholism as dependence on alcohol both physically and psychologically.

What does really lead to alcoholism?
Nobody really knows what the ultimate cause that leads to alcoholism is. It is a general feeling that people whose parents are alcohol addicts have a much increased chance of inheriting the disease. Alcoholism may be attributed to the things which we lead while growing up. It is also due to the lack of moral values and will power.

When can you confirm the existence of alcoholism?
It is not an easy task to confirm the possibility of alcoholism. A person might consume socially at the initial stage, but over a period of time the consumption of alcohol can get out one’s control. Before one notices the disease of alcoholism within him / her, the person’s surrounding might notice it. The person might consume to get rid of anxiety, stress and eventually to help himself. As the intake of alcohol gets increased, the following consequences will take place. The problems include social problems basically at work or with family and friends, diseases related to liver such as cirrhosis of liver, ulcers in stomach, sleeping troubles and mood problems leading to irritability and depression. If you try to stop alcoholism, but not able to do so, that signifies you might have an increased risk of acquiring the disease.

Where can you see the helping hands for alcoholism?
The suitable treatment program can only be guided by alcoholic’s doctor. It is also necessary to have a touch with the health insurance company. The social atmosphere of the affected person can play an important role in the person’s recovery. They should treat the alcoholic in an appropriate way so that he / she may not relapse. It is very important for the family to help in the rehabilitation program to aid the person to get rid of the habit completely.

What are the alcohol withdrawal effects?
If a person is a heavy user of alcohol for a long time, and if the consumption of alcohol is stopped suddenly, it leads to secure withdrawal effects. Withdrawal is the uncomfortable feelings induced by sudden stopping of alcohol usage. The withdrawal effect includes the state of being confused, having sleeping troubles and even having an anxious feeling. The effects of withdrawal from alcohol could be drastic, that even leads to death if not managed properly. When alcohol intake is stopped suddenly, it leads to a stage of a series of health effects including heart failure. It is referred as delirium tremens to overcome the withdrawal effects, one need to take medication which is known as detoxification.

Detoxification – A Vital Treatment for Withdrawal Effects
Detoxification which is shortly referred as ‘detox’ is an important treatment for alcohol addicts once they stop drinking. This treatment involves sudden stopping of alcohol consumption coupled with drug substitution which have the identical effects to withdrawal of alcohol. It is not an actual treatment for alcoholism, but aids in treating the physical effects due to the use of alcohol over a long period of time.

Is it possible to do detoxification treatment for outpatients?
With the intimate guidance and supervision from the doctor, it is possible to do detoxification at home itself. A person should be there at home to aid the detoxification treatment for the alcoholic. If secure symptoms of withdrawal or some medical problems persist then it is necessary to do detoxification in a hospital. The medical problems include manifestation of hallucinations, seizures, shakes, convulsions and even heart failure. Detoxification alone cannot treat alcoholism; the affected person should undergo counseling before detoxification and also after the treatment.

Copyright 2008 C.King, M.Ed., Sober Sources Network may be reproduced with proper acknowledgments.

What is drug addiction?
When a person uses a drug for the first time he/she experiences intense feelings of pleasure and the limbic system creates an appetite which drives us to seek those things again and again. Once a person stops using these drugs, it makes him feel lifeless and depressed and the only way is to use the drug again and again which makes him addicted. This phenomenon is known as drug addiction.

There are many organizations and people in our society who are trying hard to make sure that there are no drug addicts. Yet, the rate of success for these kinds of programs is significantly low because of the fact that they are on the assumptions of philosophy and human nature. They believe that the social support structure is responsible for addiction. Addiction is actually a means of giving up conscious control. Most addicts will not usually stop using until they hit the bottom level. Addiction causes a lot of problems not only to the individuals but also to the others around him. The addict individual does things which he does not do normally. This is not a conscious act.

As time passes, the addict realizes at some point of time that what he had done is wrong. This is because of the fact that the unconscious mind’s ability to block the addict’s conscious awareness is more. This creates a lot of misconceptions and positive emotions and motivations are denied, refused or completely extinguished. This behavior becomes more pronounced. At this stage it’s very difficult for the addict to recover.

The Human Brain and Drug Addiction
The human brain is the most outstanding organ of all. The nervous system is the most complex of all biological systems. It is highly organized. Billions and billions of nerve cells or neurons work together for controlling various functions of organs in the body. The nervous system apparently enables the organisms to adapt the constantly changing external environment. This is usually called as homeostasis. The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system which includes the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are the complete
The limbic system and the reticular formation are the important regions of brain involved in human behavior. The limbic system controls the physical emotions physically and mentally. It also governs the memory process, learning and motivational aspects of behavior. The reticular formation is the “bridge” portion of the central nervous system. It controls the inflow and outflow of impulses. It is also responsible for alertness, sleep, arousal and maintaining consciousness in man. These activities of central nervous system can be altered by a wide range of chemicals in the level of neurotransmitters in the system.
Consciousness and coordination of external and internal stimuli are controlled by cerebral cortex. It contains about 9 million neurons. The part of brain called cerebrum, which is highly organized puts human apart from all the other living organisms. Removing entire cerebrum in frog makes no behavioral changes. But, humans become blind, paralyzed and will die soon.

Why drug addiction happens?
Drug addiction happens due to many reasons. Sociologist, religious adherent personalities when they get upset, it drives them to drug addiction. This sort of behavior happens because of making the addict feel shameful, weak and helpless. The addict feels very depressed. Then he naturally tends to do something which gives him pleasure. Moreover there are biological reasons for why drug addiction happens. The activity of the drug can be clearly seen in the central nervous system and the endocrine system. The actions of these two systems define the human behavioral and psychological processes. They also regulate the physical and mental thoughts like moods.

Can the drug addicts recover?
The drug addicts can recover by attending counseling. It takes a long time to recover. There must be pure and positive encouragement from the surrounding people. The person must regain his conscious mind and fight hard to recover him/her from addiction. He must control his/her emotions.
Medical prescriptions like the use of pain killers, muscle relaxers, anti depressants will make addiction still more badly only.

How drug use begins?
A person generally tries a drug. Then he continues to use it a few more times for sheer pleasure and ultimately becomes dependant. These produce harmful effects. For instance consumption of alcohol can produce progressive detoriation of physical and mental health.

Do the medical drugs have influence?
Phychopharamacological agents are drugs which modify the behavior and those agents include antipsychotic, antidepressants, antimanics and antianxiety agents. The antipsychotics have effects on autonomic nervous system and the reticular formation. The antidepressants have been a very good success in modern psychopharmacology. They are used for treating anxiety neuroses by producing muscle relaxation and calmness. They also produce euphoria i.e. a false feeling of well being and produce tolerance and physical dependence. So, these kinds of drugs will lead to serious problems like drug abuse or drug dependence. These include alcohol, tobacco, morphine, heroin, brown sugar, diazepam, cocaine, alprazolam, cannabis etc. This drug addiction dependence is characterized by overpowering desire to continue drugs, a tendency to increase the amount taken progressively. In physical dependence there will be a biochemical and physiological adaption of the tissues to the new environment when the drug is used repeatedly. This creates withdrawal of the drug when avoided or stopped. Withdrawal syndrome is different for each and may be life threatening.

Copyright 2008 C.King, M.Ed., Sober Sources Network may be reproduced with proper acknowledgments.