Stop Alcohol Abuse Now

Alcohol Abuse is a widespread problem. In the United States alone, about 13 million people abuse this substance each year. Many people look at alcohol as a social drink. And that's where the problem begins.
Stop Alcohol Abuse Now

The Effects of Being an Alcoholic Person and its Treatment
The Truth about Hangovers - Myths Busted
Children of Parents Who Drink More Are Likely to Drink and Drive

It's as if celebrations, parties, and gatherings won't be complete or successful without this beverage, which everyone knows is detrimental to one's health. Some even promote the positive effects of moderate consumption of alcohol, which only makes matters worse, as this leads to the increased use of alcohol overtime, affecting various internal organs and deteriorating a person's overall health.

The good news is, stopping alcohol abuse is possible. If you are suffering from alcoholism or alcohol addiction, it would be best to consult your doctor right away. Apart from that, consider these measures that would help you stay away from this drink more effectively.

Identify Your Reasons
One of the first steps you need to take to stop alcohol abuse is to determine your reasons behind it. You probably know alcohol can cause serious health problems like liver damage, cause harm to an unborn baby if you are pregnant, lead to family or relationship problems, hinder your productivity at home, school, or work, result in legal problems such as driving under influence (DUI), and so on.

Take things into perspective so you know what your reasons are to stop drinking alcohol. Concern about your health and family, desire to succeed in career, and care for your unborn child if you are pregnant are good reasons that would motivate you to quit this hard-hitting habit.

Get Help
Another effective way to resolve this addiction is to get professional help like from a reputable therapist specializing in this particular type of problem. Getting help from a support group like the famous Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is also a great idea. This group organizes meetings in different parts of the world to help people curb their drinking problem. You can share your problems with other people suffering from alcoholism without exposing your identity to the public. That's why the group is named as such.

alcohol bottle and glasses crossed out

Formulate a Plan
Since alcohol abuse is not something that you can achieve overnight, you can formulate a plan that will help you gradually get by through your addiction. This way, you don't have to suffer from withdrawal symptoms or go into binge drinking if cold turkey doesn't work for you. Design the plan in a realistic way so that sticking to your goals won't be too difficult. Enlist the help of your family and friends so you can go about your plan more easily. It would also be a good idea to have an evaluation time wherein you'd determine your progress. Seeing that you're doing well will motivate you even more.

Avoid Temptations
Whatever you do, don't expose yourself to temptations. Until you know for sure that you can survive a day or two without drinking alcohol, don't attend or join events where drinking will be present. Avoid bars and nightclubs where alcoholic drinks are sold. Ask your family or people you're living with to avoid storing alcoholic beverages in the refrigerator.

closing comment
Quitting alcohol abuse isn't magic. It takes guts, patience and determination to go about it successfully. Follow the tips mentioned above so you'll have better chances for success.

frustrated alcoholic man

Alcoholism is a worldwide problem affecting men and women of varying ages; this is a problem when the person becomes dependent on alcohol, something he or she can't do without. Alcoholism has affected not just adults but also younger people every year. That includes 12 to 15 year old kids, already drinking like an adult. This generally comes together with a lack of education from their parents and also a "freedom" in terms of things kids do these days.

In alcoholism, there is physical dependency manifested through a few abstinence symptoms after a person is not able to ingest alcohol for some period of time. Also, an alcoholic person does not have control over his drinking limits and usually he never admits when he has these problems, falling into denial.

According to the World Health Organization, the harmful use of alcohol is a global problem which compromises both individual and social development. It results in 2.5 million deaths each year; for example in Mexico it is estimated that 70 % of car accidents are mainly because of alcohol and it is the main reason of deaths among 15 to 30 year old persons. It does not only affect the emotional and physical health of the alcoholic person; it also affects his personality as a whole.

At the moment, there is no common reason for this addiction, as in drugs. This can be because of the peer pressure or society as a whole, family, or even the media. It may also be due to low self-esteem, depressive tendency, or just the desire of getting along with other people.

Treatments against alcoholism include detoxification programs made by medical institutions just as in drug quitting programs. These consist of helping the patient being with other persons who have the same problem, and making them focus on trivial things so they can forget the need for alcohol according to the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), an organization for alcohol dependent people.

The problem with this is that the person needs the will power to do it, and so far the common problem with people who drink a lot of alcohol is that they never admit they have a problem, refusing every kind of help until they realize their problem with another problem. For example, the person causes a car accident and goes to jail because he was under the effects of alcohol. Only then the person just realizes that he has a problem; but even in this situation sometimes there is a denial response.

Alcoholism is a problem that affects every kind of people, young, middle aged or elderly, and it is a problem that needs to be controlled, because it can affect lives, not only the life of the addicts themselves, but also the persons around them, causing family break ups and various social problems.

The way to fight this is by being responsible and knowing that alcoholism is a very dangerous disease that people should try to avoid. We should participate in activities that allow us to get away from drinking and get a better and healthier life.

a man hungover and sleeping

Hangover is what happens when you consume too much alcohol the day/night before. You wake up with a throbbing pain on the head accompanied by nausea and vomiting that would make you swear that you're never going to drink again. Or at least until you find a quick remedy for this infuriating problem.

The thing is, there are many myths surrounding hangovers. It's a must to know the truth behind them so you'll be better informed the next time you grab a bottle of beer and drink the night away.

Misconception # 1: Hangovers Aren't Serious
Many people think that a hangover is a normal part of drinking alcohol. It is not. It is actually the body's reaction to the poisonous effect of taking in too much alcohol. So obviously, it's a sign that you've had too much for your own good. It also signals that the central nervous system is rocked by the alcohol, which tampers with the brain chemicals resulting in headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Hangover is also a sign that your immune system has gotten weak, something that you shouldn't take lightly.

Misconception # 2: Hangovers Are Same for Men And Women
Women should be aware that hangovers don't occur in them in the same level as with men. Studies have proven that women who drink the same amount of alcohol as men drink end up having worse hangovers than men. That can be due to the fact that men have more water in their bodies. This means that alcohol is diluted in the men's body more easily.

Misconception # 3: Hangovers are Only For Bingers
Yes, binge drinking can lead to a hangover but even if you are not a binge drinker, you can still end up with a throbbing headache the next day. Hangover symptoms usually depend on the body's composition. It would help to drink lots of water before and in between alcoholic beverages to reduce the overall alcohol that you take in.

Misconception # 4: Wine Won't Give You Hangovers
Red wine, which some people think cannot cause a hangover, actually contains a compound called tannis. Tannis is known to be a headache trigger in people. Even malt liquors like whiskey has also been found to cause hangovers. Contrary to what other people believe, beer and clear liquors like gin and vodka are actually gentler compared to wines.

Misconception # 5: Liquor Before Beer Prevents Hangovers
It doesn't matter how you organize the order of your drinking spree; if you consume too much alcohol, you're going to wake up the next day with a hangover. Keep in mind that the order of your drinks may affect your state of drunkenness but not the hangover. That's because if you go from strong to light, you slow down the intake of alcohol in the body. This means that you won't get drunk as quickly as switching from light to strong.

Misconception # 6: Coffee is the Cure For Hangovers
It's strange that people think that coffee can cure hangover when in fact it can only make it worse. Coffee or any other caffeinated drinks can lead to more dehydration and worsen the hangover. Instead of coffee, it would be best to sip on cold water or sports drink to replace the lost electrolytes in the body.

beer and car key

Everything starts at home, doesn't it? This adage proves to be true once more after a recent study found out that children whose parents drink are more likely to drink and drive than children whose parents don't. Even parents who drink just moderately are putting their children at risk of drunk driving.

6 Percent VS. 2 Percent
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Florida. They found that about 6 percent of teenagers whose parents drank occasionally reported that they drove under the influence of alcohol upon reaching the age of 21 years. This rate is compared to the 2 percent of those whose parents did not drink who drove under the influence of alcohol at the age of 21 years.

The study, which involved 10,000 teenagers and their parents, was followed up seven years later with a second survey to find out how the drinking behavior of the parents affected the kids' risk of drunk driving.

The findings of the study, which were published online and in the November print issue of Accident Analysis & Prevention, stated that clearly the alcohol consumption of the parents has an effect on their children's behavior. This is according to the lead author of the study, Mildred Maldonado-Molina, an associate professor of health outcomes and policy at the University of Florida, College of Medicine.

Lasting Effects Of Parental Example
Because of this, it's crucial that parents are aware how their behaviors may be affecting that of their kids. It's essential to note that the parents' behavior doesn't only have a tremendous effect on the developmental stage of the kids when they are still adolescents but also on their future behavior as adults. Even if parents prohibit their children from drinking especially when they are driving, if the kids see that their parents consume alcohol on a regular basis, they are less likely to heed that advice than if it came from parents who do not drink.

Up To 11 Percent with Peer Pressure
The research also found that while the parents' drinking habit had the most effect on the kids' behavior, peer pressure also had some influence. Teens whose parents do not drink but have friends who do are more likely to drink and drive than teens whose parents and friends do not drink. For those whose both parents and friends consumed alcohol, the teens are at highest risk. About 11 percent of these teens have report of drunk driving upon their 20s.

In a university press release, Tara Kelley-Baker, senior research scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, gave her comments about the study, in which she wasn't involved. "I think it is really important to understand the influence of parents and peers... Parents must understand the influence they have on their children. Some parents just assume they have lost their influence or that they never had it. Research has shown more and more that this is not the case".

Gender Didn't Matter
It was also noted in the study that gender didn't affect the findings. The influence of both parents and friends almost equally affected men and women.

For the study's conclusion, the researchers urged parents to become more aware of their habits and how these can affect their children. As the cliché goes, everything begins at home.


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