Archive for January, 2009

 

How has alcoholism or other addictions impacted your life and relationships?

Saturday, January 31st, 2009
Mackie

Are you or someone you know addicted to alcohol or drugs? How has your relationship changed or stayed the same because of this person’s addiction? How do you feel around this person? Have you lost or gained any respect for this person? What bothers you most about people with addictions?

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The Main Alcoholism Fact is That it Ruins Lives

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
Martin Applebaum

When we talk about an alcoholism fact there are many interesting things related to alcohol. There will not be any exaggeration if we say that the word “alcohol” has become very common word in the international dictionary. Some other words, which have been exploited badly, are “sex” and “Internet”. People from all occupations have abused no matter for what reason or use, “alcohol” since centuries.

For many centuries the world has abused alcohol and other related substances for different reasons. When we discuss alcoholism fact, it must begin with the reason that makes this substance so popular. Actually when alcohol is taken in the body and eventually the brain, it secretes some chemicals called dopamine and serotonin. It is due to these chemicals that induce a state of euphoria, goodness and well-being for the drinker.

Most of the time when any drinker drinks alcohol he feels good and a sense of euphoria is induced in his brain. That is the main reason a drinker drinks alcohol repeatedly. Only due to this feeling, a social drinker becomes an alcoholic personality.

Let us see some alcohol facts and myths here. Readers please note that these fact and myths are research based. One of the main myths is that alcohol destroys brain cells, whereas fact is the moderate consumption of alcohol does not destroy brain cells. In fact, it is often associated with improved cognitive or mental functioning.

Another common myth is white or red wine is a good choice for a person who wants a light drink with less alcohol. Whereas the surprising alcoholism fact is a glass of white or red wine, a bottle of beer, or a shot of whiskey or other distilled spirits all contain equivalent amounts of alcohol.

Another important alcoholism fact is that regular consumption of alcohol produces tolerance to the substance. That means regular consumption makes a drinker used to a specific quantity of alcohol. As a result, alcohol does not get high on it and there is either no euphoria or little euphoria.

One of the most important alcoholism facts is people abuse alcohol to get that sense of euphoria or well being. Another remarkable alcoholism fact is tolerance increases with the regular consumption of alcohol. Suppose a person drinks alcohol on a regular basis, his tolerance or capacity increases with the time. This means he would have to take more alcohol to get that feeling of euphoria or well being.

As generally seen, physically for men and women of the same height and weight, the effects of alcohol are different for both of them. Studies show that as compared to men women are affected more rapidly because they tend to have a slightly higher proportion of fat to lean muscle tissue. That results in concentrating alcohol a little more easily in their lower percentage of body water. In addition to that, women also have less dehydrogenase, an enzyme responsible for metabolization.

Another important alcoholism fact is that the effects of same amount, quality and in take have different effects on different body. That means the effects differ severely from person to person. For example, if one addict has severe liver damage the other has pancreatitis. However, it is interesting to note that the first organ to bear the impact of the alcohol intake is always the stomach. That is because of the acidic nature of alcohol.

Liver damage is one of the commonest health problems amongst alcoholics, beginning with hepatitis and ending with cirrhosis.

Lastly, when it comes to stomach then apart from other body organs, the liver gets affected more severely. As we know, the liver is the organ responsible for production of many enzymes, clotting factors and breakdown of food. Therefore, damage to liver disrupts many body functions. Therefore, as far as possible we should stay away from heavy use of alcohol, otherwise chances of us becoming another statistics would be increased drastically.

 

Addictions Problem Counselling - Gambling Addiction Treatment

Saturday, January 24th, 2009
Rosemary Grace Brooks

Gambling addiction is an obsessive and compulsive behaviour which involves a person being addicted to gambling. Whether the gambling involves betting on horse racing, casino black jack tables or slot machines, the sufferer falls victim to compulsively seeking the ‘high’ gained from gambling.

Why do people become addicted to gambling?

Gambling addiction is like any other addiction. As with drug addicts and alcoholics, gambling addicts suffer from a disease - it is incurable and progressive. Yet with treatment and a daily programme of recovery, it can be arrested and maintained.

When a gambling addict engages in gambling and the related behaviours that go with it, they experience an escape from their feelings. Addicts are individuals who very often do not know how to cope with their feelings and emotions. Thus follows behaviour to take them away from the present, leaving their emotional capacity hollow. The disease of addiction can be described as a “hole in the soul” - a spiritual void which gambling addicts attempt to fill with destructive behaviour and short-term highs.

Surprisingly, many gambling addicts describe the pull of gambling addiction as involving losing at gambling more than winning, although winning does provide an incredible high. The loss of money and possessions fills them with a desperate need for hope of gaining control again, leading them to act out compulsively on gambling behaviour over and over again.

What happens when a person is addicted to gambling?

Unable to control their obsessive and compulsive gambling, addicts are taken to a very dark place, which grows increasingly worse over time. Losing families, jobs, houses, cars and all other possessions, but mostly self respect, the gambling addict is left in a place of total unmanageability where their life has suffered complete destruction. Suicide is common amongst gambling addicts as they see no other solution to their habit and loss of livelihood. Even though they want nothing more than to be free of their compulsion to gamble, they cannot stop, they do not know how to stop, and cannot see a life free of gambling.

How does a gambling addict recover?

As with any addiction, for a person who is a gambling addict to begin recovery, they will need to stop their gambling behaviours in order for healing to begin. However, the problems which a gambling addict needs to deal with are in fact, not gambling. The obsessive and compulsive behaviours are not the problem – they are a symptom of the disease of addiction, revealing that something is very wrong within the person. As with drug addicts and alcoholics, the behaviour is caused by the addiction. The behaviour is not the cause. Yet a gambling addict will need to stop the behaviours to begin recovery, as the behaviours provide the escape from their problems which they seek, allowing them to avoid the true problem.

Moving to other cities or locations (known as geographicals), staying away from casinos and other places associated with their addiction and other external elements which can be blamed may seem the right route to wellness. But the addiction is within the gambling addict and will surface wherever they are, no matter what they do, unless they treat the underlying problems and issues.

Gambling addiction and rehabilitation centres

Many gambling addicts are admitted to in-patient treatment facilities or out patient therapy programmes, depending on the severity of their problem. One on one therapy and group therapy in a nurturing environment is a highly successful treatment method for gambling addiction, allowing the gambling addict to address their underlying issues.

Treatment in a rehab facility is also beneficial as they are able to heal in a nurturing environment with other sufferers who can provide support, insight and relate to their problems and feelings. In a treatment facility, a gambling addict is able to learn a new way of life, without the need to use gambling as a way of escaping their problems.

However, learning a new way of life in a facility is just one part of recovery from gambling addiction. For a gambling addict to maintain abstinence from gambling, a programme of recover needs to be adhered to on a daily basis. As mentioned before, gambling addiction is an incurable and progressive disease. It will not ‘go away; but can be arrested and maintained through daily recovery and vigilance.

The Twelve Steps of Gamblers Anonymous

The use of a Twelve Step Programme as used in the Twelve Step fellowship dealing with gambling addiction Gamblers Anonymous (GA), as well as intensive therapy is a highly successful method of treating gambling addiction, whilst allowing the sufferer the introduction to continued recovery and abstinence they need. Relapses do happen, but with a Twelve Step programme of recovery, a gambling addict is able to harness tools to help them cope with daily life, the problems and feelings they have been avoiding and difficult times without reverting to the destructive obsessive and compulsive behaviours which accompany gambling addiction.

 

How can I get away from my sugar addiction?

Friday, January 23rd, 2009
MissM

I eat way too much sugar and it is definitely an addiction. I have very strong cravings that I have a hard time quelling. Any tips on ways to overcome this addiction (preferably not just telling myself to stop eating it since I haven’t been too good at that method)?

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Overcome Addiction in 60 Days

Friday, January 23rd, 2009
David Roppo

Of course you want to overcome your addiction, but you just don’t know where to turn for the right addiction help. Maybe you’ve wanted to overcome your addiction, but have been afraid of the societal stigma and shame that accompanies traditional treatment programs? You may have even tried other treatment programs only to find them unsuccessful, or maybe you’ve achieved recovery only to find yourself relapsing and returning to addiction!

This is where I come in. You see, I’ve discovered the secrets of the root cause of addiction, and the 5-Step process to uncover it, confront it, and overcome it in the privacy of your own home! But, first let me ask you a question;

What do drug, alcohol, sexual, shopping, gambling, and food addictions all have in common?

Well, there are many types of addictions, and they all have a common denominator, but I’ll get to that in a moment. First, let me say that there have been many theories proposed by countless numbers of degreed professionals in the addiction recovery field, but unfortunately, none of them have been clinically proven - especially the disease model! Think about it, if the current treatment approaches to addiction were actually working, the number of addicted Americans would be decreasing. However, The number of addicted Americans has increased 62% from 2002 - 2006, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency.

Traditional Programs Fail in Excess of 90% of the Time!

My experience has taught me that the mainstream approach to addiction is fundamentally amiss because formal Drug and Alcohol treatment programs attempt to defeat the symptoms of addiction rather than address the core issue. The majority of all treatment programs offer a group recovery approach as the primary or as a secondary component of their treatment modality. Unfortunately, these groups are often counterproductive and leave the individual at risk for continued relapse.

Recovery groups place a great deal of emphasis on spirituality, powerlessness, and the emergence of a person’s sense of soul. They claim many of the steps of the twelve-step program to be paradoxical. Concluding that you are powerless over addiction, but like magic, you some how become more powerful! The goal of the program is a spiritual awakening although they often admit that most people find it difficult to make this connection because they feel victimized by someone else’s behavior. My experience teaches me to conclude that admitting you are powerless does not promote empowerment and nor does it restore self-esteem! In my opinion, many of the twelve steps are unnecessary, and they are actually counterproductive to making a spiritual connection, increasing self-esteem, and achieving addiction recovery.

Addiction is not a Disease!

Unfortunately, most psychologists, psychiatrists, interventionists, drug and alcohol abuse counselors, and addiction specialists still believe that addiction is a disease, and an incurable one at that! They believe that there is no cure and there is no such thing as completely overcoming an addiction. However, addiction is not the disease that the medical community has deemed it to be. In fact, it is not a disease at all! Addiction is a choice, or what many view as a solution to temporarily remove their underlying emotional pain! Someone that is suffering from addiction merely has a co-dependency to a substance or compulsion in response to removing their emotional pain. This temporary solution quickly becomes a trap because the body and mind adapt requiring more and more of the addictive behavior or substance to remove the pain! However, if you understand why you made this choice in the first place, you can make another by choosing a better solution that will remove the pain, permanently! Yes, there is a better solution! One that you can work through in the privacy of your home, and one that will give you what you truly desire, happiness!

The Square Root of Addiction

So, what is the common denominator for addiction? the root cause of addiction is the underlying emotional trauma cause by family dysfunction.

Take a brief inventory of your feelings. Why does abusing substances or compulsions make you happier? What emotional pain do they temporarily remove? Were you unloved as a child, controlled, inadequately parented, verbally, physically or sexually abused? Did your parents manipulate you, reject you, or abandon you as a child?

You see, the key to beating a drug addiction is to uncover and remove the emotional pain and the inner turmoil that is causing you distress.

Addictive behavior is a symptom of underlying emotional trauma. Therefore, when you fix the root of the problem habitual behavior becomes repulsive. Instead, the mainstream philosophy has followed a pattern of bombarding people with multiple theories and confusing psychobabble, neither of which address liberation from underlying emotional trauma or restoring self-esteem.

The following is a brief outline of the 5 steps to addiction freedom. Prior to following these steps or any addiction recovery program, take the necessary time to ascertain whether you require the additional support of an addiction counselor or medical attention regarding withdrawal.

1. Step One: Unearth the Square Root

Family dysfunction is the common denominator, or square root of all addictive behavior, and until it is brought to the forefront and confronted nothing will change! This is by far the most important and critical step of the entire process. There are two parts to step one, and they are as follows:

A. Uncovering your family dysfunction

Physical abuse

Sexual abuse

Verbal abuse

Alcoholic parent

Controlling parent

Inadequate parenting

B. Confront the parent or parents responsible for the dysfunction

The thought of confronting the person that is responsible for your emotional trauma is one the most frightening situations you will face. However, it is also the most liberating and empowering thing you’ll ever do! Why do you need to confront your parent or parents? Well, first let me clarify the meaning of the word confront and in what context we are using this term. Confronting the person does not at all mean that you should verbally attack them for your misfortunes. On the contrary, you are not doing this for them. You are doing it for you! The confrontation is not meant to be an attack, but it is rather a chance for you to set the record straight and drop the emotional baggage that you’ve been toting around.

Step Two: Remove your Emotional Baggage

You have completed step one and have confronted your parent or parents. This in and of itself will have removed much of the pain and emotional trauma. However, to fully free yourself from their emotional stronghold, it will be necessary to find forgiveness in your heart for a family member that has committed an atrocity against you. Forgive! How can I forgive someone that committed these atrocities against me? Many people have a misconception about forgiveness. Forgiveness is not reconciliation! There is a drastic difference between the two. Reconciliation would mean that you have accepted and submit to their behavior and have agreed to try and continue the relationship under those circumstances. Forgiveness means that you merely give up or cease the resentment of the offender.

Step Three: Cure Wounditis

Without question, partaking in habitual behavior not only causes you pain but, it inflicts pain on the people around you as well. However, do not allow what you have done in the past or what others have done to you, to cause you to live in fear of what the future holds. The past is the past, it is over, and living in it does not serve anyone well. Live in the present moment, be kind to yourself, and learn to love yourself. How can you love someone else if you don’t love yourself? The answer is you can’t!!! It isn’t a big secret that you’re feeling shame and guilt for what you’ve done. In fact, you’re probably questioning right now as to whether you should be punished for your past 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 punish yourself with shame and guilt 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 all the same, we are all connected, and we all have the same power to change!

Step Four: Awaken the Power within

Whether you want to admit it or not, all of the pain you have been through concerning your habitual behavior is a spiritual lesson. And until you view it as such, it will continue to cause you suffering and unhappiness. Every dark cloud does have a silver lining, and if you look hard enough you’ll find one in this habitual situation too. However, to find that silver lining you must ask the right questions;

1. What can I learn from my addiction?

2. How can I grow from it?

The answers to these questions can be found in a place that is uncharted by most, and it is just waiting to be explored! It’s called your true self!

To embark on a journey of Self -reflection requires the practice of Mediation.

For more information on mediation you can visit my website below.

Step five: Practice Acts of Random Kindness

Happiness is a state of mind. Individuals that are suffering from addictive behavior are not happy! Ironically, in an attempt to find happiness, they chose a vehicle to mask their emotional pain through the use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and various other compulsions. However, happiness is never found on the outside in material possessions or in the abuse of substances and compulsions! True life happiness can only be found in one place, and that place is within! Happiness is not found in the practice of outward ideals or in other people. To the contrary, it is actually the small acts of random kindness that opens the heart and fuels the principle of unconditional love!

To practice spirituality is to be of service to your fellow man and make no mistake about it that is why we are all here. Begin with small acts of kindness such as opening a door for someone, letting someone go before you in the checkout line or just taking the time to offer a kind word to an older person or a child. You get the picture! The first thing I do upon waking in the morning is think of how I can be of service and throughout the day I am always mindful of opportunities that present themselves for me to do just that. You know, the paradox of the whole thing is that the more kind and generous you are the more love, kindness and abundance you’ll receive back. Don’t believe me! Just try it and watch what begins to happen to you.

 

Are there any organizations that aims to keep children away from possible alcoholism?

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
martha

My ex-husband is an alcoholic and I’m scared that my son would turn into one also. So, I’m looking for organizations or societies that might us be informed about alcoholism. I don’t want my son to be like his father. I want him to realize the consequences of abusing alcohol so that he would try to stay away from it. Please help me. I want to save my son.

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Overcoming Addictions - Have the Desire to Overcome Them

Monday, January 19th, 2009
Sacha Tarkovsky

Overcoming addictions can be a hard task to accomplish for anyone battling various personal demons.

Addictions are common and ruin lives particularly to substances and recreational drugs from drinking to drug abuse.

They ruin lives

Addictions are a strong and damaging force that tears apart the personal and professional lives of those it affects.

Overcoming addictions is essential for the welfare of those involved because it can destroy all of the things that are important.

Addictions evolve into this all-consuming demand within a person’s life where they may do anything to satisfy the urge to “feed” and satisfy the addiction that has taken over their life.

The sort of behavior that was once normal for a person suffering from an addiction no longer takes precedence over what is believed to be needed to indulge in the addiction.

An individual may resist overcoming their addictions because they find pleasure in whatever relief the addiction provides for them during the time being.

The consequences of their actions are not taken into consideration until after the damage is done (if acknowledged at all) and they never achieve happiness and their addition causes them to be miserable

Why You need to overcome additions

Overcoming addictions are important because it drains an individual of the energy that they once used to accomplish normal and necessary tasks within everyday life.

An addiction can absorb the physical, as well as emotional energy that a person possesses, as well as ravish their resources, time and bonds between family, friends and co-workers.

Once this powerful lifestyle change has entered ones life, it is quite difficult to spend time and energy overcoming the addictions that influence the way they think, act and live.

Overcoming addictions also involves an understanding and recognition that someone is exhibiting a compulsive behavior involving the need for or ongoing use of a substance or engagement of a particular activity.

One of the most common addictions that is the hardest in overcoming is the use of drugs and/or alcohol.

The emotional and physical factors regarding a continued use of a drug is quite hard to shake. There are many resources and agencies created to help those who are overcoming these addictions, such as drug DETOX centers and support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Other common addictions

An addiction does not always have to involve drugs or alcohol; there are many people who are overcoming addictions that simply deal with overindulgence in a particular activity, such as gambling.

Overcoming gambling additions is difficult for those it affects because many see gambling as a recreational outlet with the prospects of making extra money.

Although a gambling addiction does not physically harm an individual, the financial consequences for those who are unlucky in their endeavors have resulted in a loss of family, friends, job, home and trust.

Other vices that lead to a desire in overcoming addictions include:

Heroin, morphine, amphetamine, cocaine addictions, including tranquilizers

Addiction to nicotine and caffeine

Steroid addiction

Addiction to sugar

Addiction to acts, such as theft, working, as well as exercising

Sex addiction

When someone needs help in overcoming their addictions, they may turn to the help of professionals, such as psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, doctors, therapists, as well as medication, group or family therapy, hypnosis and meditation.

Sometimes it takes a process of tough love for someone to overcome the addiction they are battling.

A distinct desire to beat the demon within is a must when overcoming addictions.

If you have the desire

You can overcome your addiction. You may need help and support but that is nothing to be ashamed of and if you acknowledge you have a problem with addictions and are prepared to seek help ( whatever the addiction may be ) you are on the road to recovery and a happier and more fulfilling life.

 

A Brief Look At The Alcohol Detoxification Program In Washington

Monday, January 12th, 2009
Todd Lange

The alcohol detoxification program is always the first step in any type of alcohol treatment in Washington. Any kind of treatment program whether intensive, resident, inpatient or outpatient, will always start with the detoxification process. If you are planning an alcohol detoxification program in Washington for someone in your family, and are planning the whole thing by yourself, without the help of an interventionist; it is very important to study the different detoxification procedures well beforehand and then depending on the patient’s file, one should select the program. It is always advisable to talk to the customer service department at one of the treatment centers or speak to a substance abuse officer. Another important thing to do is to check with your insurance provider if they cover the treatment program you are subscribing to.

Let us take a brief look at the alcohol detoxification program in Washington.

Alcohol detoxification is simply a cleansing of the body from toxins accumulated in it due to the consumption of alcohol. These are toxins that are assimilated in the body with the consumption of alcohol over a long period of time. The patient is made to completely stop alcohol. Alcohol is present in different parts of body of an addict; it could be in the liver or kidney or also in the blood. Not only is the alcohol removed during this process but also the un-metabolized alcohol is removed through this process known as the alcohol detoxification program.

Alcohol detox is a part of almost all the alcohol treatment programs in Washington. The main role of this program is to flush all the toxins from the patient’s body. It is necessary so as to avoid any health complications in future that can be cause by the presence of alcohol in the body organs. Also, if the patient has a supplementary health disease, the first step towards curing the disease might be to removing all the alcohol and un-metabolized alcohol portions from the different part of the body organs.

Another purpose of cleansing the body through the detox in the treatment programs is to accelerate the recovery process. The toxins present in the body released after alcohol consumption have the properties of increasing the cravings in the body for alcohol. Therefore flushing out these toxins will help decrease the temptation for the substance and the patient may eventually stop drinking alcohol. This also acts like a motivation for the patients. As the cravings are less and the person finds himself consuming less of alcohol, he or she feels happy about it. However, the alcohol detoxification process is not that easy. Due to the alcohol cessation, many times a patient may get violent withdrawal symptoms. But as with medications and therapies, the urges for alcohol created in the body reduces. The patient starts to feel healthy. This might motivate him or her to work a bit harder towards an alcohol free life.

Alcohol detoxification is generally a resident program. The purpose of this to take the patient away from his or her comfort zone; from the day to day activities or any things which may trigger the temptations for alcohol in the body of a patient. In fact during this period of treatment, the family members are also kept away from the patient. Here in this resident program, the patient is made to completely stop alcohol. He or she is put on a healthy regime under the eyes of the doctor.

As the patient is kept away from alcohol, in a few days, the body of the patient starts reacting to it violently. This is known as withdrawal symptom. Medications are given to control these heavy reactions of the body at the same time the temptations for alcohol also need to be lessened. This is a very natural process after the alcohol consumption to the body is stopped. Antabuse, Campral, Naltrexone and Nalmefene are some of the medications that are used. These medications help patient to reduce their cravings for alcohol. The alcohol Detox process takes from about three days to several weeks.

The last of the withdrawal symptoms marks the end of the alcohol detox process. But usually the medications are not completely stopped then. They are continued after the detox process and are made to stop gradually. If the medications are stopped immediately, there is a possibility of the patient getting withdrawal symptoms from the medications too. This is quite often seen with the patients who have been very heavy alcohol addicts. Therefore depending upon the patient’s stability, the length and the extent of his or her withdrawal symptoms, the medications are reduced with a patient.

 

The Untold Secret of the Root Cause of Addiction

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009
David Roppo

 I believe there to be a commonality or square root in all self destructive behavior, which causes an individual to choose addiction. I also believe that addiction is a choice, and it is not caused by an incurable brain disease, a genetic predisposition, learned behavior or a chemical imbalance. However, before I describe “The Square Root of Addiction” I want to walk you through each of the existing theories related to addiction. Currently, there are four main theories relating to the cause of addiction, which include the biological, or disease model, the psychological model, the sociological model and social learning model. I believe that most of these theories do play a role in addictive behavior. However, they mostly occur as a result of the addiction or in conjunction with it, and not as the root cause! These theories represent the current views regarding addiction, which are coveted by the medical community. Bear in mind that these are only theories, and none of them have been conclusively proven to be the cause of addiction. 

The biological theory suggests that habitual users of drugs or alcohol have a biological abnormality that causes them to become addicted. The theory suggests that certain individuals are genetically predisposed to addiction by a faulty gene or perhaps a chemical imbalance in the brain, which renders addiction an incurable disease!

The psychological theory views drug or alcohol addiction as problematic behavior. In other words the individual uses alcohol or drugs to enjoy the effects that these substances have on the mind and body.

 The sociological theory suggests that societies which produce higher levels of inner tensions such as guilt, stress, suppressed aggression and conflict have higher rates of addiction. Furthermore, the model suggests that societies that are permissive of and encourage such behavior have higher rates of addiction.

 The Social learning theory suggests that drug or alcohol addiction is a learned behavior and continues because the user gets some desired outcome from it. The model also suggests that these behaviors are learned by being exposed to certain stimuli; people, places, things, thoughts and feelings.

 The sociological model does touch briefly on the fact that emotional issues are related to addictive behavior. However, this theory seems to bridge the relation directly to the societal breakdown in some groups where higher levels of inner tension and permissive behavior are prevalent. I believe that it is not the emotional issue itself, but rather understanding the cause of the emotional issue that is of the utmost importance. The psychological model suggests that the addict displays problematic behavior by using drugs or alcohol to enjoy the effects the substance has on the mind and the body. Logically speaking, I would venture to say that people using drugs or alcohol do enjoy the effects they have on the mind and body. However, that is not the reason they have chosen to use those substances. People choose self destructive habitual behavior not to enjoy the effects but to mask the pain of underlying emotional scars caused by family dysfunction. The social learning model suggests that addiction is a learned behavior resulting from the stimuli of people, places, things and thoughts. I would not dispute the fact that repeated exposure to this type of behavior could induce a learned behavior. However, this theory can not explain why some individuals exposed to the same stimuli would opt to just say no! I believe that difference hinges upon whether an individual has the need to mask the pain of underlying emotional scars and their personal level of coping skills. While some of the abovementioned models touch on the fact that emotional issues play a role in addiction, none of them have addressed the underlying cause of these emotional issues. Are these emotional issues caused by the stress factors of work, relationships, financial difficulties and every day life, or are they caused by something that runs much deeper? Why is that some can cope with the stresses of everyday life while others can not? Personality dictates the level of coping skills that each of us possess, allowing some to endure a greater degree of stress and others to turn to the need to mask their pain with addictive behavior. The pain of these emotional scars goes much deeper than the every day stress factors and stems from issues of family dysfunction. From a very early age we learn a system of beliefs from our families and sometimes these beliefs serve us well, and some times they are dysfunctional. When you consider that eighty five percent of all families are dysfunctional, you can begin to concur that more often than not these beliefs are self limiting to our well being and happiness. A cocaine addiction and Family Dysfunction a case-control study in southern Brazil is one of the few that I have seen that has explored the effects of family dysfunction. The conclusion of the study was that a point could be argued for the need of family intervention as a whole and for continued research. I beg to differ with this conjecture, which concludes that intervention is the solution to the addictive behavior. Intervention gives the very people responsible for the dysfunctional behavior an opportunity to lambaste the addicted individual with a barrage of shame and guilt while ignoring their own inadequacies.

 Plain and simple; the reason that people choose addictive behavior is to mask the emotional pain of the underlying scars caused by family dysfunction.

 For a complete 5-step e-guide to overcoming addiction click on the link below……

 overcoming addiction

 Best wishes,

 David Roppo

 

What is a good thesis statement for teen alcoholism?

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009
erin

i have to write a research paper on teen alcoholism and i can not think of a thesis statement! help!

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