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Recognizing Drug Addiction Article
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Alcohol Treatment - Living Again
By Adia O'hara
Education, counseling, treatment, and referral services are key factors for alcohol addiction.
Alcohol treatment and addiction treatment focuses on individuals, families, and significant others who manifest signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse and/or drug addiction. Prevention focuses on alternatives to alcohol and other drug use, while educating the community about the chronic, progressive, potentially fatal disease of alcoholism and drug addiction.
Alcohol is an addictive, dangerous, mind-altering substance. The more one drinks, and the longer he drinks, the more it becomes increasingly difficult and impossible to stop.
He may stop for days or weeks at a time, but it's hard to stop completely or permanently because he enjoys it so much. The reason alcohol is addictive and he enjoys it so much is that, under the influence, he initially enjoys the feelings it gives us.
He becomes elated and euphoric, feeling sedated and feeling the sensation of escape from his anxieties and fears, able to overcome fears of others, and to feel relieved of his pain, stress, and frustrations, all ramifications of low self esteem. After days or weeks of not drinking, often stopping only to recover from heavy drinking episodes and hangovers, he inevitably resumes his habit under the emotional frame of mind. Eventually he doesn't even enjoy the drinking anymore, but he gets addicted and can't stop.
The alcohol abuse increases risk of car accidents injuries, aggressive behaviors, legal difficulties, unplanned sexual activity, and premature deaths. Alcohol related vehicle accidents are one of the leading cause of death for individuals between age 15 and 24 in the United States.
Alcohol abuse also disrupts sleep and appetite, affects concentration and class attendance and might lead to poor grades and academic failures.
One of the characteristics is a person who denies the effects and consequences of drinking. The responsible use of alcohol involves understanding the physical, emotional, social and cognitive effects of alcohol and learning to recognize the warning signs of alcohol abuse.
Despite the harmful consequences that alcohol has on a person's work, school, relationships, and legal involvements he abuses alcohol. The signs of addiction on alcohol/substance are tolerance, withdrawal and cravings for alcohol.
A person who becomes tolerant on effects on alcohol abuse needs to drink more to achieve the same effect. Withdrawal is characterized by specific symptoms due to cessations or reduction of heavy and prolonged substance use.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal:
- sweating
- increased pulse rate
- hands tremor
- nausea/ vomiting
- insomnia
- anxiety
- psychomotor agitation
- transient hallucinations
- seizures
In some cases alcohol withdrawal might be life threatening and need a medical attention.
Rejecting treatment is common and family intervention becomes necessary. A family intervention can be used for people engaged in any self-destructive behavior: a person drinking too much, an anorexic, a gambler, a computer addict or a senior needing assisted living.
Prevention tips for parents:
Education about alcohol abuse and other drugs: Talking with children about alcohol abuse and other drugs, discussing the myths and the facts and explaining the harmful effects; Being a good listener; Setting strong no use rules to protect the well being of your child;
Being a good role model: Helping the child deal with peer pressure; Communicating values openly; Supporting healthy activities; Getting Involved; Know where to get help in case your child needs it.
It is true that some people can drink alcohol moderately most of their lives and suffer no ill effects. Others find that moderation turns readily to excess and leads to personal disaster. Over time, these individuals lose complete control of their drinking and, eventually, of their lives. So the best option is to avoid alcohol abuse completely.
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