Archive for August, 2009

 

Effects of Excessive Alcohol Consumption on Social Environment

Sunday, August 30th, 2009
Drug Alcohol Test

Excessive consumption of alcohol has various effects on social environment. Consuming alcohol in the inappropriate times such as, while driving, or operating machines, or in working hours can lead to accidents, loss of work, and may be even more fatal.

Problems Raised By Alcohol Abuse

There are many consequences of abusing alcoholic beverages on social environment, which varies from one another.

• Alcohol abusers are often in the state of drowsiness. They couldn’t perform any work properly.

• As alcohol addiction disables a person to earn, they couldn’t pay bills or credits timely and couldn’t keep good track record of credit history.

• It causes huge damage in production rate and reputation of an organization due to illness of employees

• Driving under the influence of alcohol substances causes accidents.

• Alcohol consumption leads to more absentism for school and college students.

• There would be much absentism at workplace causing loss of valuable man hours

• Due to alcohol abuse, many school and college students are unable concentrate on their studies, which is drawing them towards poor quality of education.

• Alcohol consumption spoils the abusers career and reputation in the workplace and society.

• Chronic consumption of alcohol causes several health problems such as, obesity, liver disease, infertility and if neglected can lead to death.

In such a way, consumption of alcohol has various consequences that may result to get involved in illicit activities. Apart from the effects on social environment, excessive consumption of alcohol leads to become lazier and disregard their health. It disables to act fast and make good decisions. It impairs to perform accurate tasks as it decreases the capabilities of acting and thinking. Moreover, it causes to be unstable amity, inadequate support in any activity and living alone. Alcohol consumption can results to unemployment and will be restrained in to low-income group, which may push them to commit crimes.

This information gives an idea about the major problems caused by alcohol consumption on social environment. With the awareness of these consequences, there can an increase in health care, welfare, and criminal justice and prominently in job performance and family relationships.

 

Bible Scriptures:About overcoming drug addiction?

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Get Like Me

can anyone help me find really nice scriptures related to that…
or about god helping us get through tough times.

And I know the bible doesn’t directly talk about illegal drug use..
but I hope you understand what I mean.

If you can’t think of anything from the bible, maybe you know a poem or song lyrics.

Thanks :)

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Help For Overcoming Addictions

Monday, August 24th, 2009
Jessica Bradbury

If you are trying to overcome addictions, there are a few simple steps that you should follow.

While no two addictions are the same, not all people are able to overcome their addictions in the same way. However following these steps will help you regardless of what your addiction is from shopping to gambling to drinking to drugs.

The first step is to figure out why you do it. See all addictions have an underlying cause, there is a reason as to why you do it. In order to overcome your addiction you need to know what causes you to do it. You have to understand your addiction.

For example, if your addiction is shopping or eating, are your doing it for emotional reasons, to help you cope with something that is happening in your life? Gambling, are you addicted to the thrill of having everything on the line, so it is an adrenaline rush? So this first step is the most important.

Secondly admit that you have an addiction. This is probably the most difficult step for a person battling an addiction. Now, this doesn’t mean that they are not aware of the fact that they are doing something that is unhealthy.

You are aware that the behavior is not good for you, but many people go “Oh, I will only do it this last time,’ or they tell themselves, “This is better then what I would be like without it.’ Minimizing the addiction or trivializing the addiction is NOT going to help you. Admit that you have a problem. That may mean that you have to have others help you face your addiction, so that you can see what the addiction is doing to you and those that you love.

Come up with a healthier alternative. It is a common belief that people don’t really break a bad habit, they simple replace it with a better one. If this is the case, then knowing why you have this addiction will help you figure out a healthy alternative so that you can get away from our addiction.

Say you drink; you drink because it helps calm you down. It helps numb the pain you are experiencing in your life. Exercise can also help calm your down and relieve tension. Meditation can help you work through the mental pain your are experiencing. There are healthier options out there for any reason. You first need to know what your reason is, and then you can replace your addiction with a healthy behavior.

Become self aware. This means you need to pay attention to your reactions and the time of day you are mostly likely to succumb to the addiction.

Are there particular situations or circumstances that make you more prone to the self indulgent behavior of an addiction? There are, everyone has triggers. The best way to overcome these triggers is to be doing something at those times that is completely incompatible with your addiction.

If your addiction is to gamble online, have your internet service turned off, or have someone that you love put a lock on the computer so that the internet an only be accessed with a password.

If you are able to make it through those first couple of moments, when the impulse is at its peak, you will be able to overcome your addiction.

These are only a few of the needed steps to overcome an addiction, but they are the essential steps for any addiction. You may also want to join a support group to help you through these steps. Empower yourself to overcome your addiction.

 

Is Alcoholism Caused by Genetics or by the Environment?

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
Denny Soinski

Genetic and Environmental Factors

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a person’s risk of developing alcoholism is 60% determined by his or her genetics and 40% caused by his or her environment. Assuming that these statistics are accurate, what can be done to reduce the chances of becoming addicted to alcohol?

Genetic Causes of Alcoholism

Regarding the genetic determinants of alcoholism, those who say, “nothing can be done” are not totally correct. True, a person cannot change his genetics. Knowing, however, that there is a history of alcoholism in a person’s family, for example, can help a person “prevent” this potential problem from ever starting if he practices total abstinence. This kind of preventative thinking is an example of a “proactive” approach to problem solving.

More Proactive Problem Solving

The following illustration, however, is an even more extreme example of “proactive” problem solving that can affect the genetic basis of alcoholism. Maria, a young lady who drinks very infrequently, starts to date a young man named Kirk. As their relationship develops, Maria starts to notice that Kirk gets drunk on a regular basis. In fact, Kirk gets intoxicated at least two or three nights every week. What is especially problematic about Kirk’s drinking is that he gets angry and combative when he drinks excessively. On numerous occasions, Maria has tried to encourage Kirk to seek professional help, but each time she starts to discuss his drinking, Kirk gets extremely defensive, starts yelling at her, and then goes to a bar to drink with his buddies. After a year of riding an emotional roller coaster, experiencing numerous hurtful arguments, and going through many difficult alcohol-related situations, Maria finally decides to break up with Kirk. What were the major factors for the breakup? Maria wants to have children and can’t see having them with a violent and angry man who is so dependent on drinking alcohol. Moreover, Maria figured that since Kirk is exhibiting such irresponsible behavior in a dating relationship, he could possibly get even worse if they were to get married.

In this illustration, by breaking up with Kirk, Maria has stopped a negative cycle from going any further. Stated differently, by deciding to end her relationship with Kirk, Maria “prevented” the genetics part of the equation from ever becoming an issue.

Concerning Alcoholism, Age Matters

Another important alcohol-related statistic articulated by the NIAAA is that the earlier a person starts drinking alcohol, the more likely she will continue to drink her entire life. This being the case, it therefore makes sense to look for ways that will significantly reduce alcohol abuse by teens, preteens, and by young adults.

An Environmental Framework

Employing an “environmental” approach (as opposed to a genetics-based methodology), higher education seems to be a logical starting point for ways to reduce alcohol problems manifested by our youth. Indeed, since many teenagers go to college and because teen alcohol abuse IS a serious health risk, it is relevant to ask what college administrators can do to significantly reduce student alcohol abuse, especially when teenagers are some of the main “offenders.” It is suggested that the following reactive and proactive measures help address this issue.

Reactive and Proactive Measures to Help Reduce Student Alcohol Abuse

· Establish immediate consequences for excessive drinking.

· Discipline repeat alcohol abuse offenders.

· Monitor the drinking activities in the sororities and fraternities.

· Notify parents about their children’s drinking activities.

· Talk to the owners of local drinking establishments so that minors and/or intoxicated students are not served alcohol.

· Eliminate mixed messages about alcohol (for instance, removing alcohol advertisements from stadiums and from sports brochures).

· Inform and educate students about the long-term negative consequences of alcohol abuse.

· Increase the number of alcohol-free social and recreational activities that are attractive to students.

Generalizing the Results

With additional effort and some more thought, it seems reasonable to think that alcoholism experts and college administrators will be able to generate even more ways to effectively reduce alcohol abuse at institutions of higher education. Once this is accomplished, moreover, perhaps their findings can be adapted so that they will “work” in other institutions such as junior and senior high schools, boy scouts, girl scouts, churches, camps, and so on.

Conclusion

If a person’s risk of developing alcoholism is 60% determined by his or her genetics and 40% caused by his or her environment, it is asserted that the problem of alcohol addiction can be addressed from both genetic and environmental frameworks. Indeed, by using a “proactive” problem solving approach, the genetics part of the problem frequently can be eliminated. Furthermore, by focusing on various situational and behavioral factors, the environmental dynamics that help establish and reinforce alcohol abuse and alcoholism can be significantly reduced.

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.

 

Problems Caused by Too Much Alcohol

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
james sameul

Background

Alcoholism is common, serious, and expensive. Physicians encounter alcohol-related cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy, pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as intoxication and alcohol addiction, on a daily basis. Alcoholism is also associated with many cancers. Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff psychosis are also important causes of chronic disability as well as dementia.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a leading cause of mental retardation. In addition, accidents (especially automobile), depression, dementia, suicide, and homicide are important consequences of alcoholism.

Alcohol-related diseases are discussed in separate articles. The focus of this article is screening, diagnosis, treatment, and new research findings on the natural history and heritability of alcoholism.

Treatment

Many people with alcoholism or those who abuse alcohol enter treatment reluctantly because they deny that they have a problem. Health problems or legal difficulties may prompt treatment. Intervention helps some people recognize and accept the need for treatment. If you’re concerned about a friend or family member, discuss intervention with a professional.

Various treatments are available to help people with alcohol problems. Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve an evaluation, a brief intervention, an outpatient program or counseling, or a residential inpatient stay.

Symptoms of Alcoholism

There are many symptoms related to drinking problems. Alcoholism is considered a progressive disease, meaning that the symptoms and effects of drinking alcohol become increasingly more severe over time.

Those who use alcohol may begin to show early signs of a problem, then progress to showing symptoms of alcohol abuse; if drinking continues, they may later show symptoms of alcoholism or alcohol dependence.

What is alcohol dependence?

Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence is a medical term with a deliberately more precise meaning than the problems that can occur, sometimes as one-offs, through an uncharacteristic binge. In alcohol dependence a number of features come together in the behaviour of the person affected.

What problems are caused by too much alcohol?

The major health risks of alcoholism include liver disease, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, pancreatitis, and nervous system disorders. These conditions often develop gradually and may become evident only after long-term heavy drinking. The liver is particularly vulnerable to diseases related to heavy drinking, most commonly, alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation) or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).

Women tend to be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and may develop alcohol-related health problems sooner and after consuming less alcohol than men do. Alcohol use in pregnant women can lead to miscarriages, and to the malformation of organs (such as the brain and heart) in their unborn children. According to the March of Dimes, up to 40,000 babies a year are born with some degree of damage related to alcohol.

How is alcoholism treated?

Treatment for alcoholism can be different for each person. If the person has a serious physical illness due to the alcohol, he or she must get medical care right away.

Treatment often begins with “detox,” or detoxification, which is the body’s withdrawal from alcohol. After the body is clean of alcohol, the alcoholic enters a counseling program. The goal of counseling is to help the alcoholic face emotional issues that lead to drinking and to learn ways to stop drinking. Medications may be given to curb a physical craving for alcohol.

 

Why is it that we always see the medical world constantly labeling common activities as new “addictions”?

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
David S

The way I see it, the medical world acts much like the media in the fact that they seek nearly as much attention using whatever they can come up with for a story.

They are always labeling common activities, calling them “addictions”.

You here it all the time. Internet addiction. Video game addiction. On Yahoo’s search page today they are spewing some story about sun tanning addiction.

A habit can be developed by anyone for anything that they like to do. Are you going to say I need counseling because I have an addiction to flying a model airplane or fishing?

I just think they more or less synthesize non-existent syndromes for ultimately, the money.

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Detailed Information on Alcoholism

Friday, August 14th, 2009
Juliet Cohen

Alcohol in the severity of the problems range from mild to life-threatening and affect the individual, the person \ ’s family, and society in many ways unfavourable. Alcoholism is characterized by a concern for alcohol and disorder control over alcohol consumption. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease. Alcohol may also refer to a concern for the direction of coercion or the use of alcohol and / or impairment of the ability to recognize the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. The use of psychotropic substances is a major public health problem in many countries. In the United Kingdom, the number of ‘\’ dependent drinkers \ ‘has been calculated that more than 2.8 million in 2001. Nearly 17.6 million adults in the United States are alcoholics or have alcohol problems.

Nearly 18 million Americans abuse alcohol. Each year, more than 100000 Americans die from causes related to alcohol. Alcohol is a factor in nearly half of all US fatalities. Alcoholism is divided into 2 categories: dependence and abuse. People with alcohol dependence, the most serious trouble with alcohol, most often the experience of tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is a need to expand significantly to the quantity of alcohol poisoning or obtain the desired effect. Retraction occurs when alcohol is discontinued or intake is decreased. Alcohol charge spend a lot of time drinking alcohol, and get it. Alcoholics may have legal problems, such as drinking and driving. They may also have problems with binge drinking (6 or drink more drinks at a sitting).

Alcoholism is a disease, with four main characteristics is the first Craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance. Alcohol causes many serious dangers. The growth of excessive alcohol can the risk of certain cancers. It can damage the liver, brain and other organs. It can cause birth defects. Three steps are usually involved in the treatment of alcohol once the disorder has been diagnosed: intervention, detoxification and rehabilitation. Naltrexone (Vivitrol) is an opioid antagonist that alcohol reduces the urge to smoke. Acomprosate is a new drug that has been demonstrated that the rate of relapse less than those who are alcohol dependent. Piracetam appears to be effective in treating alcoholism. Education and medical advice about alcohol abuse have been successful in decreasing alcohol abuse and the problems associated with it.

Alcoholism Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Rationing and moderation programs also helpful against alcoholism.

2. A program of detoxification, usually taking about four to seven days.

3. Piracetam medicatine is effective in treating alcoholism.

4. Sodium oxybate is used for acute alcohol withdrawal.

5. Support groups help people recovering from alcoholism or alcohol.

 

Is the consumption of alcoholic drinks legal in cooking or travel shows?

Thursday, August 13th, 2009
abercrombie_jackie

Is the consumption of alcoholic drinks legal in cooking or travel shows. The Travel Channel and Food Network shows (such as Racheal Ray’s $40 a Day) show the hosts drinking. Are they really drinking or are they drinking apple juice and water?]

I was always under the impression that they are drinking real alcohol because the purpose of them being there is to tell us about the food and drink of certain places.

It’s the same with reality shows correct?

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How did you overcome the mental/emotional addiction to cigarettes?

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
another question

I want to quit smoking. I’m not as worried about the physical addiction as the mental one. I love my morning cigarette. I love smoking after I eat and in the car. I think I’d go nuts if I couldn’t.

How did you overcome this part of the addiction? What did you do in a stressful situation when you really wanted to smoke? I have such a high stress life, I don’t know what I’m going to do. Any pointers?

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What Does Detox In The Addiction Treatment Program In New Mexico Mean?

Monday, August 10th, 2009
Todd Lange

The detoxification process or detox process plays an important part in the addiction treatment program in New Mexico. The detox process cleanses the body of the addict and removes all the residual addictive substance from the body of the addicts. The detox process is also done for those who have some or the other digestive problems. The detox process helps them to fight with their digestive problems by cleaning their digestive system.

Detox treatment can be done on the entire body or also on certain body parts like kidney or colon. The detox process in regards to the addiction treatment in New Mexico means the removal of the toxins that are accumulated in the addict’s body due to their addiction habits. The addictive substances like drugs or alcohol doesn’t get metabolized completely inside the body and hence there is a great chance of toxins getting accumulated in the addict’s body. The main body parts like liver, kidney and the digestive system are the main places where these toxins get accumulated.

These toxins that are accumulated inside the body are harmful and can anytime result into severe health conditions. Even if the addict stops consuming the addictive substance, the already accumulated addictive substance can make the health conditions possible. Hence detox process is performed on the addict in the addiction treatment program in New Mexico. The detox can ring the bodies of the addict back to their normal healthy self.

There are three main important purposes of carrying a detox treatment on the addict.

1. Due to the presence of the accumulated addictive substance in the body of the addict, the body of the patient may be already having certain health conditions. By removing those toxins, the detox will make it possible for the addict to be healthy again.

2. Many addicts can come out of their addiction without undergoing any treatment. But the already accumulated addictive substance in the body of the patient can anytime be dangerous for the addict. The detox treatment program in New Mexico will remove these substances from the body of the addict and thus help the patient come out of their addiction completely. Thus there is no future risk to the health of such patients.

3. Even if the accumulated substance remains in the body, the addict can anytime feel like having more of that substance. Thus the body can feel cravings towards the addictive substance in future. Thus unless and until the entire body is cleaned by means of detox treatment program, the addict cannot come out off their addiction. The detox will take care and remove all the addictive substances from the body of the addict and thus make the addict come out of their addiction.

The detox treatment is a very important aspect of any addiction treatment program in New Mexico. The recovery of the addict becomes a speedy process because of the detox treatment center. During the detox program, the patient will be asked to completely stay out of addiction. The patient will be given medications so that their body will not feel any need to consume the addictive substances.

Depending upon the level of addiction of the addict, he or she will start feeling the need to consume the addictive substance. The body of the patient will start showing certain symptoms in absence of those substances. These are known as withdrawal symptoms. When this stage arises, the healthcare providers will try to control the withdrawal symptoms by giving certain medications. Thus the patient will be bought back out of these withdrawal symptoms.

The patient will be given various medications for controlling their temptations to consume the addictive substance and also to make their bodies normal. These steps play a very important role in boring the addict out of their addiction. Thus the detox treatment is given more importance in the overall addiction treatment program in New Mexico. The length of the detox treatment is different for different patients.

The overall length depends upon the level of addiction of the patient, the age of the patient and the number of years the patient is into addiction. The detox treatment process for teenagers is lengthier compared to that for adults. The teenagers get more dependants on the addictive substance and hence they may have severe withdrawal symptoms. To bring their bodies back to their normal selves more than three weeks will be needed for completing the detox program. The normal length of the detox program is anything from three days up to three weeks.