John was a high school ninth grader who usually seemed to be living on the edge. John had a risk taking personality and frequently wanted to do what his older brothers were doing for fun.

The main difficulty with this was that all three of his brothers were at least 21 years old and were for than reason able from a legal framework to operate a truck or car and to consume alcohol.  John, nevertheless, had a difficult time understanding that as a fifteen-year-old teenager he should not be drinking. In fact, nevertheless, he commonly drank with his friends after school, predominantly on the weekends.

One weekend, John was invited to drive around with some of his older friends. One of his buddies was old enough to buy alcohol. After buying some beer, wine coolers, and wine, he and all of the guys went to a recreational area and drank for roughly two or three hours.

A Young Man Becomes Unconscious

After drinking roughly ten wine coolers, John started to feel queasy and then vomited. When he passed out on the football field, one of his cronies called 911 for immediate help. It was fortunate that the call for emergency help was made because when his pals went to the hospital to see him, they were told that John had been showing evidence of alcohol poisoning symptoms. More precisely, he had overdosed on alcohol.

When Your Friends Drink Too Much

John had heard that drinking in a hazardous manner can result in alcohol poisoning but he never thought that this could affect him. After all, some of his friends time after time bragged that they could drink twenty four or more bottles of beer in a couple of hours without suffering from any serious problems.
Armed with this information, John was in reality flabbergasted to realize that he had overdosed on alcohol because he only had about ten drinks. When he explained this to the doctor at the hospital, nevertheless, the physicain notified John that drinking ten bottles of beer over a two or three hour period of time could actually be significantly more alcohol than can be metabolized by the body. The physicain further said how extreme amounts of alcohol can cause the brain to shut down an individual's respiratory system and that when this comes about, a person can actually die.

The First Warning of Hazardous Drinking

This was the first warning to John that he was drinking in an unsafe manner and that there is a price  for such behavior. The healthcare professional told John that he was  lucky because he almost died from an alcohol overdose the previous night.

The doctor also conversed with John's parents and suggested that they get alcohol counseling for him. His parents were relieved that he was safe and notified the doctor that they would follow through on getting John alcohol rehabilitation.

While chatting with his parents, John concluded that there must be a solid reason why he did not die and that he felt grateful that he was still alive. He also told his parents that the funny part about the entire drinking episode was that he had learned about alcohol poisoning the previous week  in health class at school.

When Listening in Class Can Change Your Life

At the time, what his health instructor, Mr. Denos, was saying didn t seem to make too much sense to John. Due to the fact that he almost died, conversely, he felt that he should have listened more alertly and applied what he had learned to his life.

John notified his parents that he couldn t wait to go back to Mr. Denos' classroom and apologize to Mr. Denos for not paying more attention to something that was as pertinent as learning about alcohol abuse and how to keep away from alcohol poisoning.

His parents smiled at John and said that they were relieved with the way he was taking responsibility for his drinking mishap. All he had to do now was to let this near fatal experience have an effect on his life in a positive way so that he would never again suffer through an alcohol overdose.

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Technorati Tags: abuse, alcohol, alcohol poisoning, alcoholism, counseling, overdose, teenage

For a number of years alcoholism exploration has demonstrated the fact that there is strong relationship between alcohol addiction and dangerous health conditions.

For example, in 2005, scientific research showed that alcohol abuse and alcoholism cost the United States an estimated $220 billion annually. It can be emphasized that this huge alcohol-related cash disbursement was substantially more than the cost linked with cancer ($196 billion) or with obesity ($133 billion). While it is pertinent to underline these facts, it is also noteworthy to point to the fact that an interrelationship exists between all three of these health issues.

That is to say, chronic alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are also highly associated with obesity and with cancer.

Without a doubt, substance abuse research has revealed that alcoholism can increase the risk for various kinds of cancer, particularly cancer of the kidneys, rectum, colon, voice box (larynx), esophagus, throat, and the liver. Heavy and recurring drinking can also result in immune system problems and damage to the fetus during pregnancy.

Excessive Deteriorates the Problem Drinker's Organs

Furthermore, if alcohol dependency continues over a period of years, the individual s body organs will more likely than not be affected in an unsafe manner. For example, long-term, abusive drinking is particularly damaging to the liver due to the fact that the liver does most of the work of processing the alcohol that has been ingested. Extreme amounts of alcohol kills liver cells and obliterates the ability of liver cells to regenerate. This medical condition leads to a progressive inflammatory malfunction of the liver that can ultimately lead to cirrhosis of the liver, a precarious and possibly terminal disease.

Heavy, long-term drinking not only can lead to serious liver damage, but it can also lead to damage to the heart and to the brain. Physical damage this critical may be irrepairable and may, in turn, result in severe ill health or premature death.

The Critical Nature of Alcohol Treatment

It is essential, as a result, to know how to identify the various alcohol dependency symptoms and signs so that the alcohol dependent individual can be given the opportunity to seek the quality alcohol counseling he or she needs.

Alcohol Addiction's Effects On Brain

Fortunately, scientific examination is continuously uncovering unique and important information. Recent alcoholism research supplies a high-quality example. Stated differently, for approximately the past ten years, complex brain-imaging scanning instruments have shown that continuous and chronic abusive drinking transforms the constitution of the brain to a significant extent, consequently resulting in brain disease that can last months, years, or conceivably as long as the person lives.

More exactly, medical examination has demonstrated that individuals who have been drinking in an irresponsible manner for an extensive length of time increase their risk for developing long-term and serious adaptations in the brain.

This type of damage may be indirectly associated with the drinker s poor overall health or directly related to severe liver disease or to the alcohol s effects on the brain.

Mental Disorders, Malnutrition, and Hazardous Drinking

As a final illustration of various health problems that are substantially related to alcohol addiction, take into consideration the fact that according to medical exploration, the hazardous and repeated abuse of alcohol can lead to erosive gastritis, a condition that limits the absorption of minerals, nutrients, and vitamins.

This type of organ breakdown is related to malnutrition and to an assortment of severe mental and neurological maladies including memory loss, sleep disturbances, and psychosis such as Wernicke s Encephalopathy and Korsakoff s syndrome. This latter health problem is a long lasting incapacitating health problem that is exemplified by repetitive learning and memory complications.

Summary

It is evident that repetitive, hazardous drinking is directly or indirectly linked to many acute medical problems that can and do result in dangerous diseases and premature death. Such information needs to be highlighted and presented to everyone in our society so that most individuals will be able to abstain from irresponsible drinking while others who have a drinking problem will get the professional rehabilitation they require.

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Technorati Tags: abuse, Addiction, alcohol, alcoholism, brain, cancer, chronic abuse, damage, Health, obesity, problems

It is remarkable to point out something that family members who have been adversely affected by the alcoholism of another family member evidently do not realize.

It seems to be that by protecting the alcoholic with untruths and dishonesty to those outside the family, these well-intentioned family members have in essence created a condition that makes it easier for the alcohol dependent individual to persevere and move forward with his or her negative, detrimental existence.

Indeed, rather than helping the alcoholic and themselves, these family members have essentially become enablers who have unintentionally helped deteriorate the alcohol dependent individual's drinking problem even further.

The Probability of a Relapse is Real

Another key alcohol dependency issue has to do with alcohol relapses. Relapses take place when an alcohol addicted individual has fruitfully gone through alcohol addiction rehabilitation and then resorts to drinking a number of weeks or months later. At first glance, this circumstance seems contradictory to commonsensical thinking and seems so implausible that it forces a person to question why anyone who has experienced the awfulness of alcoholism can return to drinking a short while after effective alcohol treatment and in turn after achieving sobriety. There are, for sure, more than a few plausible reasons for this.

It should be explained, nonetheless that alcohol dependency research that has focused on the enduring effects of alcohol dependency has revealed that long after the alcohol dependent individual has halted his or her drinking, key modifications in the way in which the alcoholic s brain works are still present. As a result, all a recovering alcohol dependent individual has to do to involve himself or herself in behaviors that correspond with the alterations that have come about in the brain is to start drinking once again.

The Need for A Radical Lifestyle Transformation

There are other reasons why more than a few recovering alcoholics return to drinking a few weeks or a few months after achieving sobriety. According to the alcoholism research literature, to make an effective recovery, the alcohol dependent individual needs new ways of acting and thinking in order to deal more competently with taxing alcohol-related circumstances that will take place.

Issues such as returning to the same alcohol addictive environment or to the same geographic location; interacting once again with friends from the time when the alcohol dependent individual was drinking in a hazardous manner; or familiar songs, smells, or activities all of these conditions can bring forth memories that can trigger psychological anxiety or push hot buttons that influence the recovering alcoholic to engage in irresponsible drinking once again. Unfortunately, all of these situations may not only negate ongoing alcohol recovery for the alcohol dependent individual but they can also result in relapse and consequently negate one s alcohol recovery.

Conclusion

In an attempt to protect the family alcohol dependent person, family members can actually cause unintended damage by enabling the destructive drinking behavior of the alcohol addicted individual.

The drug abuse research literature highlights the fact that most individuals who successfully complete alcohol counseling go through at least one relapse. Alcohol addicted individuals and their family members need to know this so that they do not get down in the dumps or overwhelmed when a relapse manifests itself.

Luckily, taking part in support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and follow-up rehab and education have resulted in more effective, long lasting alcohol abuse and alcoholism treatment results, have helped reduce alcohol relapses, and have helped recovering alcohol dependent individuals achieve long standing alcohol recovery.

Technorati Tags: Addiction, addictive, alcohol, alcoholism, dependency, drinking, environment, problem, relapse, treatment

Very few people know the lowdown about how the chemistry behind drug tests works, so you have to know if what you are getting is going to work and work well. After all, there is so much at stake. Not only is workplace safety an issue, but there are also possible insurance issues, workplace liability, and of course the security of knowing that you are operating a drug-free work place.

Finding The Best Drug Screening Supplies

That is why, when our Board of Directors decided to start drug screening at the company I manage, we put so much effort into finding the best drug testing supplies. There are literally thousands upon thousands of drug screens, and not all of them are certified to be completely accurate. The interesting thing that many people don't think about is that your average drug screen doesn't test for everything. As a matter of fact, most drug screens test for only a few drugs. They test for marijuana, cocaine, heroine, and a few others. Certain serious drugs such as alcohol and LSD are commonly left off of many drug tests designed to detect something as innocuous as mild pot usage. If you don't do your research well, you could be canning occasional pot smokers while letting serious alcoholics come to work drunk with impunity.

Many Different Types of Drug Screens

There are also many different types of drug screens. Blood drug testing is obviously one of the most reliable, but it is also seen as pretty invasive. Hair testing can pick up a history of drug usage that goes back a long way. Urine testing is often preferred at work because it is easier to safely do than blood testing and still pretty accurate. Nowadays, there are even some saliva drug tests available as an easy alternative to urine testing.

Which Is Best?

The problem is that it is hard to get reliable statistics about the comparative quality of different drug screens. It is possible that they are all pretty much the same, but you can't know for sure. That is why we made the decision to use the drug testing products used by our local police department. We figured that, if the cops could use them for screening drugs, so could we. After all, who would know about effective drug testing than the local police force? Although they are a bit more expensive than some other products, so far, we have been happy with the results we have gotten from the tests.

Technorati Tags: Addiction, drug screening, drug testing, workplace

When you have to deal with an alcoholic in your life, you're bound to face some pretty difficult decisions. One of the hardest things to do is to confront an alcoholic about his problems.

Usually, an alcoholic will deny up and down that he has a problem until his face turns blue. That is why, before you confront someone you have to know the things to look for. Studying alcoholic behavior is a great way to be prepared for this inevitable, but difficult conversation.

The Alcoholic Tries To Hide His Drinking From Others

There are many behaviors of an alcoholic, and some of them are more obvious than others. One of the most obvious ones is, of course, excessive drinking. Definitions of how much constitutes excess vary, but generally someone who has to get intoxicated every single day is an alcoholic. Yet it isn't just the amount of drinking that shows signs of alcoholism. One of the most telling alcoholic behaviors is hiding your drinking patterns. Alcoholics will often stow away bottles of booze and only drink it when other people are not looking in order to make it look like they drink less than they do.

Dr. Jeckyll And Mr. Hyde

Another one of the most troubling alcoholic behaviors is changing when you are drunk. A lot of people enjoy getting drunk now and then, but most people keep their same personality. With alcoholics, however, you never know. Some relatively peaceful folks will become violent when they drink. Sometimes conservative alcoholics will become excessively promiscuous and take risks when they are drinking. Often this strange alcoholic behavior is accompanied by an inability to remember events from the night before. It is almost a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of phenomenon.

One less obvious sign of alcoholism, or perhaps this behavior falls into the category of a "drinking problem," is the alcoholic who can go weeks at a time without a drink. But when he does drink--Look Out! He's the guy who gets arrested for drunk driving, gets into fights (which he usually brings on himself), passes out at social functions in front of his family and co-workers, beats his wife, etc.--just plainly unacceptable behavior. The next day he is mortified when you tell him what he did (he usually can't remember). In my book that person is an alcoholic because he cannot control alcohol--alcohol controls him.

Stopping Off At Their Favorite Saloon For A Quickie

I've spent a lot of time in bars myself in my life, but fortunately I don't have the genetic pre-disposition toward alcoholism. But I sure have seen a lot of them in my time. Many are my friends. Many also were my friends, but they all died of alcohol-related ailments or in accidents. You go into a neighborhood tavern-type bar at 3:00 in the afternoon on any weekday, and there is a regular group sitting at the bar drinking hard stuff and smoking cigarettes--nearly every single one. Many are single or don't relish going home to the spouse. You know what they watch every sing day on TV? Jeopardy! They shout out the answers if they know them. It's like a club. And most of them are alcoholics. It's depressing. One of the reasons I don't drink much anymore.

Alcoholics develop different friendships when they are drinking. Many of them will leave their usual group of friends to go out with their drinking buddies. These buddies are often alcoholic themselves, and are willing to reinforce each others' addictions. They don't really spot each other's alcoholic behaviors, because they are all in denial. If the alcoholic in your life develops these kinds of friendships, it can be much harder to intervene. After all, he will have a new group of friends telling him that his drinking is okay. The important thing is just to persevere. If you have to, bring in some other mutual friends and do an intervention together. Sometimes it is easier to confront someone as a group and that is as individuals.

Good Luck. It's very difficult on all parties.

Technorati Tags: alcoholism signs, denial, depression, intervention, memory loss, treatment

I know a lot of alcoholics. I drank with them. They are my friends. For some reason I didn't get addicted, but for years I drank as much as they did, so I guess I didn't have the genetic predisposition to alcoholism.

I was one of the lucky ones. Most of my alcoholic friends are on the wagon and have been for years. They lead happy, productive lives and are loved by their friends and families.They have good jobs and do well financially.  But it wasn't always that way. They reached a point where their alcoholism became too much of a burden for them. They reached a point--the Point of Reckoning--where they had to make a choice. Stop drinking or lose all the really important things they cherish. Like their families. Their careers. Their resources. Their self respect. Whatever it was, they reached a decision point. They decided to give it up. It's tough, no question. One of the hardest thing leading up to the Point Of Disgust was their denial of their problem. But it usually takes several bad experiences for them to decide to go on the wagon. The key question they had to ask themselves was this, "Do I control my drinking, or does it control me?" If the answer to that is the latter, then the time to seek help is staring at them in the mirror. Fortunately there are a variety of options available to seek help from.

Treatment Programs Won't Work Unless The Alcoholic Wants Help

At some time, people who are addicted to alcohol may have to seek treatment, either on their own, with encouragement from their families, or because it is ordered by employers, the military, or the courts. There are many treatment options available, and as said previously, it depends on what type of circumstance exists requiring the alcoholic to seek treatment. Such options include meetings with others, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, individual counseling, outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, medications, or a combination of treatment modalities, which is most common. Stopping cold turkey is also an option, but is usually not successful, unless combined with a support environment like AA. People seeking alcohol treatment usually do so because they are at rock bottom-the Point Of Reckoning-- and many instances where alcohol has disrupted their lives and the lives of their loved ones has occurred. Treatment will not work unless the individual truly wants help.

The Alcoholics Anonymous Approach

Many alcohol treatment programs are based on the 12-step program, which is used in Alcoholics Anonymous. In this type of setting, alcoholics are encouraged to be open and share experiences, but are not required to do so. Tons of literature is available at these meetings for a nominal price or for a donation, and a variety of topics are discussed relating to the alcoholic’s individual situation. Those who are serious about quitting must seek out a sponsor, which will help them through their recovery process. This person is available to them in case they are having a weak moment or if they just need words of encouragement.

Sometimes Medication Is Necessary For Withdrawal

Alcohol treatment programs are designed to get the person back on track physically and emotionally, so that they can face their addiction and gain control of their lives. Self-esteem and self-worth is greatly distorted by the addiction, and treatment interventions include group and individual therapy to get at the root of the trauma which may have caused the cycle to begin in the first place. Recovering alcoholics may also benefit from prescribed medications, such as anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs to help them control they physical symptoms of withdrawal, which can only be prescribed by a medical doctor or psychiatrist.

Success Is Achievable

Recovery takes time and with the proper support and motivation, alcoholics can be successful and remain alcohol-free for the rest of their lives. As I mentioned above, most of my alcoholic friends beat their addictions. Often times the alcohol is replaced by another substance, but this is not always a bad thing. The most common is coffee or caffeine and cigarettes. I'm not advocating it, but I have an alcoholic friend who smokes pot whenever he gets the urge for a "diversion." It's better for him than alcohol. Food is also another common vice, but as every person seeking treatment is told, one thing at a time. It is just not possible to conquer every issue at once. The most serious should be addressed first, then everything else will fall in place. Take one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time, this is the best recipe for long-term success.

Technorati Tags: Addiction, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism treatment, rehab, treatment

Anxiety and depression are by far the two most common mental illnesses diagnosed in the United States, and probably the world, although there haven’t been studies done to confirm it. 

They both can be debilitating in their effects, and are very difficult disorders to live with.  Unfortunately, most people with anxiety and depression do just that; live with it.  Most studies done on the diseases show that more than 75% of people who are clinically depressed go without treatment, as well as over 90% of people with anxiety disorders.

This is especially disturbing, since both anxiety and depression are the most treatable forms of mental illnesses there are.  There are a variety of medications that are available today to treat both anxiety and depression, and there are a lot of helpful resources out there that can help find the road to recovery from your symptoms.

Anxiety And Depression Related

The two diseases are not fully understood, but are definitely related in some key ways.  People suffering from anxiety disorders are many times more likely to also suffer from depression than someone without an anxiety condition.  The same is true with people suffering from depression, in that they are more likely to also have an anxiety disorder.  It is not surprising then that many of the anxiety and depression treatments are similar or even exactly the same.

Medication Treatments Work But Are Risky

Traditionally, anxiety disorders have been treated with the use of sedatives.  The first and most famous sedative used to treat anxiety is alcohol.  Due to its toxic effects and highly addictive nature, barbiturates quickly replaced alcohol as a treatment for anxiety after their introduction to the medical world in 1912.  Of course, it was soon realized that barbiturates suffer from many of the same drawbacks as alcohol, and today benzodiazapines have all but completely replaced barbiturates in anxiety treatment.

While benzodiazapines are effective in treating anxiety, they too are highly addictive chemicals, and can actually make the symptoms of depression worse.  So if you are worried about addiction, or are suffering from both anxiety and depression, you should avoid using sedatives of any kind to treat your symptoms.

There are likewise some drugs that are good for treating certain forms of depression, but will actually worsen an anxiety disorder.  Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors, such as Wellbutrin, have been shown effective in the treatment of depression, but are not recommended if you also suffer from anxiety.

Consider Natural Remedies And Therapy As An Alternative

The SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptape inhibitors, are medications that are effective in treating both anxiety and depression.  Support groups, therapy, counseling, exercise, and a healthy diet, are all non-pharmaceutical ways of treating both disorders.  If you suspect that you suffer from anxiety and depression, or either one, you should see a doctor.  Both disorders are highly treatable, but will likely only get worse without taking steps to recover.

Technorati Tags: Anxiety, depression, Medical, medication, Natural Remedies, Therapy, treatment

Drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers are all over the United States and most other post industrial countries.  Choosing between the ones with available openings can be hard, especially if you are like everyone else and are on a limited budget. 

If you are relatively wealthy or have excellent health insurance, you’re in luck and will more than likely be able to find a program with an opening.  There is a good chance you’ll have to fly in somewhere, so plan on taking an extended trip.

Social Or Medical Rehab?

Although they all vary significantly, there are two basic categories that all drug and alcohol rehab centers fall into: social model and medical model.  Social model addiction treatment centers emphasize therapy, discussion, counseling and group work, but generally have a limited or non-existent medical staff.  These treatment centers normally will not provide detox services.  Medically based addiction treatment centers have the same kinds of therapy and counseling in the social models, but also have a medical staff that includes one or more doctors.  These centers will usually provide a detox center prior to treatment, and are able to administer and prescribe medication for use throughout treatment.

Today, the most popular addiction treatment centers are medically based.  These centers also tend to be the most expensive.  If you can afford it, or have health insurance willing to pay part or all of the costs, I recommend using a medical model treatment center.  Having the advice and services of an addiction-trained physician is very valuable in the early stages of recovery.

Need To Research Potential Options

However, it is a good idea to research the facility before signing up.  In your research, pay special attention to the doctor or doctors they have on staff.  Are they ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) certified?  Do they actually have any experience in addiction treatment?  A doctor with limited knowledge or experience with addiction can actually make your problems worse by prescribing you highly addictive medications.  And it is dangerous to assume that just because the doctor is working at an addiction treatment center that he or she must be an addiction specialist.  Many drug and alcohol abuse treatment centers help cut costs by hiring any doctor they can find!

Also, when looking for a drug or alcohol rehab center, look into the kinds of services they offer.  If you have any say in the matter, look for a center that provides a variety of different kinds of therapy, exercises, nutritional information, mediations, etc.  An alcohol and drug addiction treatment center provides plenty of resources will help you to customize your recovery a little more, which increases the chances of finding a form of treatment that works for you.

Technorati Tags: Addiction, alcohol abuse, Detox, Drug abuse, Health, Treatment Centrers

As an Irishman, I grew up in a culture where alcohol was part of our life experience. Growing up, drinking beer was viewed as part of our natural evolution. Everybody got drunk a few times since we didn't know how to handle it, and, frankly, a lot of our us thought it was funny and entertaining. Fast forward thirty years and our perspective is quite different. Friends and relatives have joined Alcoholics Anonymous or similar support groups. Jobs have been lost. Marriages have broken up. People have been killed in accidents. Others have died prematurely. And all because of alcohol. It's not so funny now, is it? Too bad we didn't see all this when we were young. Alcohol is a killer

Alcoholism Is a Global Problem

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are problems that plague people across the world, regardless of racial or economic background, and result in over 100,000 deaths annually in the United States alone.  Roughly 10 percent of people who use alcohol will become alcohol abusers, another 10 percent will become alcoholics. 

To clarify, ‘alcohol abuse’ is the behavior that precedes the disease ‘alcoholism’, and though it doesn’t always lead to the disease it can in itself be very disruptive to an individual’s life.  Alcohol treatment is recommended for both alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

Even though people widely regard it as a harmless beverage, alcohol is a very addictive drug in the class of chemicals sometimes referred to as hypnotic sedatives.  Some other hypnotic sedatives include benzodiazapines (Valium, Xanax, Klonipin, etc), and barbiturates (Phenobarbital, Seconal, Barbitol, etc).  Alcohol is the most toxic, addictive, and widely used of the hypnotic sedatives.  All of these chemicals can lead to a tissue dependence to the substance and moderate to severe cravings following discontinued use.  The ‘withdrawal’ symptoms for these sedatives can range from mild discomfort to severe anxiety, rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, profusive sweating, severe nausea, nightmares, hallucinations, tremors, dizziness, disorientation, seizures and death.  Because the withdraw symptoms for these chemicals are so serious, it is extremely dangerous to discontinue use of these drugs without first seeking the aid of a doctor or a drug and alcohol treatment professional.

How To Trreat Alcohol Abuse

There are many resources available across the internet, and many professionals that can help you determine if you are suffering from either alcohol abuse or alcoholism.  Once developed, alcoholism is a lifelong condition that only gets worse with time, unless alcohol treatment is sought.  If you are having problems resulting from your drinking, it is therefore highly recommended that you investigate treatment options as soon as possible.

The greatest barrier toward recovery from alcohol abuse is an unwillingness to seek help on the part of the abuser.  It is important to keep in mind that alcohol abuse and alcoholism are disorders that afflict millions of people around the world.  It has nothing to do with a lack of willpower, or poor character.  Like all addictions, alcoholism is a neurologically scripted compulsive behavior that once develops is impossible to fight without help.

I think that denial of having a drinking problem is a hurdle that keeps many alcohol abusers from seeking help. But I always had a benchmark that I used to address this problem. I asked the question "Do I control alcohol in my life or does alcohol control me?" If the answer is the latter, you have a drinking problem and need to do something about it.

The good news is alcohol treatments are often effective.  Don’t be dissuaded by the low percentages shown in studies done on treatment methods.  While its true, most treatments have a fairly low percentage of ‘success’, they almost always induce some amount of progress for the patient.  Addictions are not likely to be overcome immediately, and almost always involve setbacks and relapses.  However, with time and repeated attempts, alcohol treatment is effective for most people.

Technorati Tags: alcohol abuse, alcohol effects, Alcohol treatment, drinking problem