Category Archives: Health Dangers

Dangers of Drinking in the Morning

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Dangers of Drinking in the Morning

There are two main dangers of drinking in the morning: first, although it prevents heavy drinkers from going into alcohol withdrawals, this is an indication of something more problematic than a hangover; second, drinking in the morning can affect your family and social life and your physical health. So, if you find yourself needing an eye-opener most if not every day, it’s time to reevaluate things.

Drinking in the Morning and Hair of the Dog

The term ‘hair of the dog’ is a shortened version of the phrase: “A hair of the dog that bit you is all that you need” to cure a hangover. This sentiment has been repeated many a time by those giving advice to their remorseful friends wishing to avoid the nasty consequences of heavy drinking the night before: the dreaded hangover. Drinking in the morning, or having an “eye-opener,” is thought to “cure” a hangover however, all it does it delay the inevitable symptoms: pounding headache, light and sound sensitivity, nausea, upset stomach, and so on.

In actuality, the true purpose drinking in the morning is to get you back to where you were five hours ago. Read: intoxicated. After getting about five hours’ sleep, hair of the dog is the virtual time machine that brings you back to last night’s state of drunkenness. And this is an indication of the many dangers of drinking in the morning that are to come.

The Dangers of Drinking in the Morning

One of the dangers of drinking in the morning is that it too easily can become a habit – an indication of a greater problem. If you are going to be driving, then even a small amount of alcohol in the morning can put you over the legal limit when you consider that your blood alcohol content from the night before is still a factor.

Social Dangers of Drinking in the Morning

There are many dangers of drinking in the morning including:

If you feel like you have to drink first thing in the morning in order to face the day, this is most likely an indication psychological dependence on alcohol.

Other dangers of drinking in the morning are that it can easily lead to drinking all day and can make you less productive, which can affect your job.

Drinking in the morning can make you more likely to be involved in accidents – car, work, etc.

Drinking in the morning will usually cause you to blow off your responsibilities.

Health Dangers of Drinking in the Morning

If you are drinking in the morning in order to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms, then you are already physically dependent and have possibly crossed over into alcoholism.

If you’re drinking in the morning, you are most likely drinking alone, meaning that you are not drinking alcohol to be sociable but to feel the effects of the alcohol – another indication of burgeoning alcoholism.

Other health dangers of drinking in the morning develop because of drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. This is extremely damaging to your health because it puts you at a greater likelihood of developing alcoholic liver disease and alcoholic dementia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.silkworth.net/

http://alcoholism.about.com/

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alcohol and IBS

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Alcohol and IBS

Drinking a lot of alcohol can cause a lot of problems including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Even if alcohol is only consumed occasionally it could end up doing damage to internal organs. It is a widely known fact that the ill effects of alcohol can be avoided by avoiding alcohol all together or by staying way below the recommended levels of alcohol intake. Although, someone who has irritable bowel syndrome may find that they are better off not drinking at all because even one drink could cause their symptoms to flare up.

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

IBS is a functional disorder that is in the intestines. IBS doesn’t cause actual damage to the bowels but the symptoms can be really unpleasant and can also interfere with a person’s ability to enjoy life normally. Those people with IBS may have to deal with pain and/or discomfort in the abdominal area. They might also have to deal with frequent episodes of diarrhea or constipation. It is believed that about 20 percent of the US population will have to deal with the symptoms of IBS at some point in their life.

What is the cause of IBS?

The actual known cause of IBS is unknown but it could be due to many factors including:

  • Having a sensitive colon
  • High and long lasting stress
  • Bacterial infections
  • A more mild form of celiac disease (celiac disease causes damage to the small intestine and make it hard for the body to absorb certain foods)
  • High levels of serotonin in the gastrointestinal tract which can interfere with normal bowel movements and increase the sensitivity of pain receptors
  • An effect of taking antibiotics because the medication may kill harmless bacteria in the intestines that are used for normal bowel function
  • An alteration or change to normal bowel function which can leads to strong spasms or temporary suspension of bowel function
  • Over activity in the gut can also cause IBS

What are the symptoms IBS?

  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating
  • Cramping with bowel movements
  • Constipation
  • The need to strain when passing stool
  • Diarrhea
  • Urgent need to open bowels
  • Loss of appetite
  • Belching
  • Tiredness
  • Nausea

 Alcohol and IBS

Alcohol and IBS do not mix well. Alcohol increases the severity of IBS symptoms. Even just one alcoholic drink can be enough to cause an attack of IBS. Because alcohol is a poison or toxic substance that irritates the bowel it is extremely common for IBS to have their symptoms flare up after drinking. Some alcoholic drinks are less likely to cause a flare up of IBS symptoms. It is known that beer can make symptoms of IBS much worse. Many people with IBS report their symptoms for IBS getting significantly better after they stopped drinking all together. It may be best for someone with IBS to stop drinking to see if it gets any better.

 

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Is Alcohol More Dangerous Than Heroin?

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Is Alcohol More Dangerous Than Heroin?

Heroin is clearly a dangerous drug. It carries a certain stigma because it is illegal. And no doubt, deadly. But what about alcohol? It, too, is a drug but, it is legal. Does that mean that alcohol is any safer than other drugs like heroin?

The World Health Organization estimates that risks linked to alcohol cause 2.5 million deaths a year from heart and liver disease, road accidents, suicides and cancer — accounting for 3.8 percent of all deaths. It is the third leading risk factor for premature death and disabilities worldwide.

Let’s take a look at the effects of alcohol and heroin, respectively on both the user’s brain and physical body to see how they compare.

Alcohol Effects on the Body

Heart: Alcohol is more dangerous than heroin because it can have serious effects on physical health. And it is not just from drinking a lot over a long time; drinking too much on a single occasion can damage the heart and cause problems such as cardiomyopathy (stretching and drooping of heart muscle); arrhythmia – (irregular heart beat); stroke; high blood pressure.

Liver: Alcohol is more dangerous than heroin because heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver, which leads to a variety of problems such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

Pancreas: Alcohol is more dangerous than heroin because it causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can eventually lead to pancreatitis, dangerous inflammation and swelling that prevents proper digestion. This can lead to malnutrition and therefore affecting brain function.

Cancer: Drinking too much makes alcohol more dangerous than heroin because it increases your risk of developing certain cancers, including cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, liver, and breast.

Immune System: Drinking too much can weaken your immune system, making your body more susceptible to disease.  Chronic drinkers are more likely to contract diseases than people who do not drink too much.  Drinking a lot on a single occasion reduces the body’s ability to fight off infections, even up to 24 hours after getting drunk.

Alcohol Effects on the Brain

Looking at the effects on the brain from long-term drinking, it is clear: alcohol is more dangerous than heroin. Extended alcohol consumption can lead to something known as “wet brain.” It is a chronic and debilitating syndrome characterized by persistent learning and memory problems. Patients are forgetful and easily frustrated. They experience difficulty with walking and coordination. Although these patients have problems recalling old information, it is their difficulty in forming new information that is the most striking.

People may not be aware that prolonged liver dysfunction can harm the brain, leading to a serious and potentially fatal brain disorder known as hepatic encephalopathy, which causes changes in sleep patterns, mood, and personality; anxiety and depression; severe cognitive effects such as shortened attention span; and problems with coordination. Alcohol–damaged liver cells allow excess amounts of these harmful byproducts to enter the brain, thus harming brain cells.

Heroin Effects on the Body

Chronic users may develop collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, constipation and gastrointestinal cramping, and liver or kidney disease. Pulmonary complications, including various types of pneumonia, may result from the poor health of the user as well as from heroin’s effects on breathing.

In addition to the effects of the drug itself, street heroin often contains toxic contaminants or additives that can clog blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain, causing permanent damage to vital organs.

Heroin Effects on the Brain

Regular heroin use changes the functioning of the brain. One result is tolerance, in which more of the drug is needed to achieve the same intensity of effect. Another result is dependence, characterized by the need to continue use of the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal Syndrome: Alcohol vs Heroin

Another indication as to the danger of alcohol is its associated withdrawal syndrome. When an alcohol-dependent person suddenly stop drinking, they are subject to many serious symptoms that can even lead to death. Heroin withdrawal, on the other hand, feels like you are dying but it isn’t actually fatal.

The MCDA Scale and Findings

In an effort to offer a guide to policy makers in health, policing, and social care, Professor David Nutt, chairman of Britain’s Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (ISCD) and his team rated drugs using a technique called Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) which assessed damage according to nine criteria on harm to the user and seven criteria on harm to others.

Harms to the user included things such as drug-specific or drug-related death, damage to health, drug dependence and loss of relationships, while harms to others included crime, environmental damage, family conflict, international damage, economic cost, and damage to community cohesion.

Drugs were then scored out of 100, with 100 given to the most harmful drug and zero indicating no harm at all.

The scientists found alcohol was most harmful, with a score of 72, followed by heroin with a score of 55.

Therefore, their finding is that alcohol is more dangerous than heroin when the combined harms to the user and to others are assessed.

 

 

 

Sources:

www.nih.gov

www.niaaa.nih.gov

http://www.thefix.com/

www.reuters.com

www.cbsnews.com

 

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Xanax and Alcohol: A Deadly Combination

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Xanax and Alcohol: A Deadly Combination


In recent years, as the use of prescription medication has proliferated in the United States, so too have the abuse of and overdose from many of these substances.

Prescription-drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the U.S., says a report issued last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The same report states that in 2007, there were roughly 27,000 unintentional deaths from drug overdoses—or one death every 19 minutes.

But of all the things that people ingest, there are few combinations more life-threatening than alcohol and Xanax, a benzodiazepine in the class of sedatives such as Valium and Klonopin.

What Makes Xanax and Alcohol a Deadly Combination?

When taken together, Xanax and alcohol have what’s known as an additive effect, which means that in the presence of Xanax, alcohol is made more potent than it would be alone.

Both Xanax and alcohol work by depressing the central nervous system of the body, reducing the activity of several mental functions, such as thought, memory, coordination, and respiration.

Alcohol alone doesn’t have that limit, because often times people will pass out before they drink enough alcohol for it to be lethal. When you take the two together and you have a totally different picture – Xanax and Alcohol: a deadly combination.

Prescription drugs and alcohol can be a dangerous combination. Alcohol interacts with anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax, intensifying the drugs’ sedative effects, causing drowsiness and dizziness, and making falls and accidents more likely. A 2010 study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health reported that automobile drivers were much more likely to weave and speed if they were under the influence of drugs like Xanax in addition to alcohol than if they had consumed alcohol alone.

How it Works

Your usual three drinks is actually like drinking six. And because of the additive effect of combining the two substances, it becomes impossible to know just how your body will absorb the alcohol you’ve ingested. Throw in other factors—sleep deprivation, an empty stomach, a cold—and the mixture is made all the more unpredictable and deadly.

Xanax and alcohol is the most deadly combination because it can cause amnesia. So not only is it does this combination affect respiratory function, the amnesic effect it causes is just as deadly. People die accidentally in the truest sense of the word: they don’t remember how many drinks they had, or how many pills they took.

 Why Xanax, in particular

In fact, it is this same rapid action that makes Xanax the most addictive of the benzodiazepines, many neuroscientists believe, providing the sensation of a high more so than other drugs of its class.

Other people start taking prescription drugs just to get high, perhaps in part because they have the false notion that prescription drugs are safer to experiment with than are illicit drugs.

Any benzodiazepine is highly dangerous in combination with alcohol, but Xanax is perhaps the most dangerous, because it is more fast-acting than the others. Because Xanax and alcohol both work on the brain at a rapid-fire pace, their mutually enhancing effect is bolstered compared to slower-acting benzodiazepines, which peaks in the brain more slowly, after the effect of the alcohol may have already begun to decline.

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.thedailybeast.com

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.scientificamerican.com

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alcohol Is Worse Than Illegal Drugs

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Alcohol worse than illegal drugs

Just because alcohol is a legal substance does not mean that it is a safe drug to consume. For socio-political reasons, alcohol remains to be legal to purchase and consume. However, whereas there are some medical implications and usages for what are known as illegal drugs, there is no therapeutic value to alcohol. Just like with illegal drugs, you can overdose on alcohol (alcohol poisoning) but alcohol is worse than illegal drugs because it is the only withdrawal, other than that from benzodiazepines, that is potentially fatal.

Alcohol is worse than illegal drugs because it is socially-acceptable to drink and therefore makes it a more insidious drug. The common perception of alcohol is that it is OK to overindulge for a “good time.”

Effects of alcohol on the brain

Looking at the effects on the brain from long-term drinking, it is clear that alcohol is worse than illegal drugs. Extended alcohol consumption can lead to something called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, also known as “wet brain.” It is a chronic and debilitating syndrome characterized by persistent learning and memory problems. Patients are forgetful and easily frustrated. They experience difficulty with walking and coordination. Although these patients have problems recalling old information, it is their difficulty in forming new information that is the most striking. For example, a patient can discuss in detail an event but, an hour later might not remember ever having the conversation. People may not be aware that prolonged liver dysfunction can harm the brain, leading to a serious and potentially fatal brain disorder known as hepatic encephalopathy, which causes changes in sleep patterns, mood, and personality; anxiety and depression; severe cognitive effects such as shortened attention span; and problems with coordination. Alcohol–damaged liver cells allow excess amounts of these harmful byproducts to enter the brain, thus harming brain cells.

Effects of alcohol on the body

Heart

Alcohol is worse than illegal drugs because it can have serious effects on physical health. And it is not just from drinking a lot over a long time; drinking too much on a single occasion can damage the heart and cause problems such as cardiomyopathy (stretching and drooping of heart muscle); arrhythmias – (irregular heart beat); stroke; high blood pressure.

Liver

Alcohol is worse than illegal drugs because heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver, which leads to a variety of problems such as Steatosis, or fatty liver; Alcoholic Hepatitis; Fibrosis; Cirrhosis.

Pancreas

Alcohol is worse than illegal drugs because it causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can eventually lead to pancreatitis, dangerous inflammation and swelling that prevents proper digestion. This can lead to malnutrition and therefore affecting brain function.

Cancer

Drinking too much alcohol makes alcohol is worse than illegal drugs because it increases your risk of developing certain cancers, including cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, liver, and breast.

Immune System

Drinking too much can weaken your immune system, making your body more susceptible to disease.  Chronic drinkers are more likely to contract diseases than people who do not drink too much.  Drinking a lot on a single occasion reduces the body’s ability to fight off infections, even up to 24 hours after getting drunk.

It’s safe to say that alcohol is worse than illegal drugs.

The World Health Organization estimates that risks linked to alcohol cause 2.5 million deaths per year from heart and liver disease, car accidents, suicides and cancer, accounting for 3.8% of all deaths. Alcohol is the third leading risk factor for premature death and disabilities worldwide.

Scientists with the British Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) conducted research that took into account 7 different criteria and found that alcohol is most harmful. On a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being no harm and 100 being most harmful, they find alcohol is worse than illegal drugs, with a score of 72, followed by heroin with 55 and crack with 54.

Sources:

www.reuters.com

www.nih.gov

www.cbsnews.com

www.wikipedia.org

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

The Dangers of Designer Drugs

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The Dangers of Designer Drugs

Designer drugs are synthetic, illegal drugs produced in underground labs and sold on the street. Many of these drugs are used by teens or youth at dance parties and clubs and are also known as “club drugs”.

Many designer drug users think that the drugs are harmless but they can be extremely dangerous. It is nearly impossible to know the exact amount of what chemicals were used to produce them and they are often used in combination with other drugs or with alcohol which can easily lead to an overdose or in the worst case scenario, death.

The latest in the wave of designer drugs are substances known as bath salts, spice and mephedrone. All three of these are almost synthetic versions of other drugs such as meth, marijuana and mephedrone.

The most common designer drugs are:

  • Crystal Meth (crank, speed, Tina, meth, crystal, and jib): Crystal meth is probably one the most common drug in today’s club and rave scene due to the high energy rush it produces.
  • Ecstasy (X, E, XTC, Adam, MDMA, rolls): Ecstasy is a drug popular for producing feelings of well-being and emotional closeness as well as a very intense euphoria.
  • Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB, G, Gina): GHB is a drug that causes relaxation and sleep. GHB can make people feel like everything is okay with the world and is sometimes described as being a cross between alcohol and ecstasy.
  • Ketamine (K, ket, special k, vitamin k, cat valium, horse tranquilizer): Ketamine is a general anesthetic used mainly for veterinary medicine. It is a strong pain reliever that is known to produce out of body experiences.
  • Bath salts (Ivory Wave, Purple Wave, Vanilla Sky, Bliss): Bath salts produce a similar effect to amphetamine and cocaine. They come in a white powder form and resemble legal bathing products like Epsom salts. Bath salts have a stimulant effect.
  • Mephedrone (drone, MCAT): Mephedrone is manufactured in China and is similar to MDMA, amphetamines and cocaine. Mephedrone produces stimulant effects.
  • Spice (K2, fake weed, Skunk, Moon Rocks): Spice refers to a wide variety of herbal mixtures that produce experiences similar to marijuana and that are marketed as “safe”.

The dangers of designer drugs such as meth, ecstasy, GHB and ketamine are numerous. Some of the dangers of designer drug are:

  • Death
  • Addiction
  • criminal charges and prison terms
  • heart and breathing failure
  • blood vessel damage and stroke
  • raised or lowered pulse or blood pressure
  • aggressive or suicidal behavior
  • jaw clenching and teeth grinding
  • nausea and vomiting
  • muscle cramping or seizures
  • panic attacks or feeling paranoid
  • overheating and dehydration
  • blackouts or passing out
  • Anxiety or paranoia
  • Hallucinations

The only way to avoid all the dangers of designer drugs is to not use designer drugs.  The reason designer drugs are so dangerous are because:

  • It hard to know the strength of a designer drug or if it has been cut with other chemicals especially if the drugs have been bought from unfamiliar suppliers or places.
  • Mixing drugs, including alcohol, increases the risk of overdose or death. Boosting (taking more of the drug while already high) is even riskier.
  • Little is known about the long-term effects of regular designer drug use. Any designer drug can be addictive or have very negative effects in the long run.
  • Designer drugs can affect your ability to make smart decisions and avoid danger. A safe environment with trusted friends or someone who is sober being around can reduce the danger but still bad things can happen.
  • Driving a vehicle while on designer drugs is highly dangerous.

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alcohol Abuse in the Music Industry

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Alcohol Abuse in The Music Industry

Drug and alcohol abuse in the music industry has long been sort of an accepted part of the culture.  How many famous musicians have overdosed on drugs and alcohol? How many more have waged battles against addiction, checking in and out of rehab so many times we’ve lost count?

The culture not only tolerates substance abuse, it almost demands it. Many people in the music industry worry if they turn their back on the party they will lose what makes their music good or what makes them appealing to their fans.

But the culture of drug and alcohol abuse in the music industry is undergoing a major transition across the entire musical landscape, according to artists, managers and others in the industry.  There is a higher degree of awareness now, and people are starting to recognize that even recreational use can kill you.

I recently spoke to a women who had spent her entire career working for the music industry. She said,

“It used to be so common, 20 years ago, to drink and do drugs on the job. We’d have entire days devoted towards a certain type of alcohol-like beer Wednesdays or vodka Fridays. Every executive had a full bar in the office and drinking was almost a requirement of the job.”

Then, she says, the landscape started to change.

“The constant drinking slowed, started to become taboo. There was still a group of us who did cocaine every day, but we could no longer do it out in the open. We started going to the bathroom together. Everyone knew what we were doing, but we couldn’t do it on our desks anymore. Executives stopped offering us drinks when we walked into the office. Things just changed.”

Kate* is now in a sober living facility after spending 90 days in an inpatient treatment center.

Part of the change may have to do with the economy, Kate says.

“Everyone is worried about the bottom line, and everyone has to be accountable. When the music industry stopped making as much money, everyone started to focus on productivity.”

More artists have also gone public with their addictions, and addiction is recognized for what it is- a disease. Gratuitous alcohol abuse in the music industry is no longer encouraged and rewarded as it once was.  It is now considered cool for artists to take care of themselves and live a healthy lifestyle.

In the mid-1980s, Aerosmith broke down the door that made it okay for big-name artists to go public with their sobriety. In the years since, several other artists have made their sobriety known.

In the 90’s, the Safe Harbor Room-a backstage area that provides a support system to artists and crew members struggling with addiction issues was instituted at the Grammy Awards. Today, Safe Harbor Room program has been extended to South by Southwest, the NAMM convention, Coachella, Ozzfest, the CMA Awards and other events.

Other programs, like Road Recovery, have made it easier for artists to use a drug-free road crew.

Sources:

http://www.today.com/id/5033438/ns/today-entertainment/t/music-industry-coming-grips-addiction/

http://musicians.about.com/od/beingamusician/tp/Five-Tips-For-Coping-With-Addiction-In-The-Music-Industry.htm

http://www.codyenterprise.com/news/opinion/article_561c10dc-5c20-11e1-b7b9-001871e3ce6c.html

 

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alcohol and Diabetes

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Alcohol and Diabetes

Alcohol is processed in the body in a very similar way to fat. Alcohol can also provide the body with almost as many calories as fat too. This means that drinking alcohol in anyone with diabetes can cause the blood sugar to rise. If someone who has diabetes chooses to drink alcohol they should really do it occasionally and only when their diabetes and blood sugar levels are under control.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the person has high blood glucose or high blood sugar. The reason for this is because their body doesn’t produce enough insulin or because the body doesn’t respond correctly to insulin or a mixture of both. People with high blood sugar will usually experience frequent urination, become very thirsty and become very hungry.

What are the effects of alcohol on diabetes?

Normally, the liver releases glucose to maintain blood sugar levels. But when someone drinks alcohol, the liver is busy breaking the alcohol down, so it does a poor job of releasing glucose into the bloodstream. This can lead to a drop in blood sugar levels if someone is drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. Each alcoholic beverage takes about 1-1 ½ hours to finish processing in the liver. For that entire time, the risk of low blood sugar exists. So, if someone has 2 drinks, they double that time to 2 to 3 hours that they are at risk for low blood sugar. The more alcohol consumed, the bigger the risk for serious low blood sugar.

Alcohol affects diabetes in many ways; here are a few of them:

  • Drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol can cause the blood sugar to rise and excess alcohol can actually decrease the blood sugar level causing it to drop into dangerous levels.
  • Beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates that can raise blood sugar
  • Alcohol stimulates the appetite which can cause overeating and can affect blood sugar control
  • Alcohol interferes with the positive effects of oral diabetes medicines or insulin
  • Alcohol can increase triglyceride levels
  • Alcohol can increase blood pressure
  • Alcohol can cause flushing, increased heart rate and slurred speech

Alcohol can also affect other medical conditions someone with diabetes may have, like diabetic nerve damage, diabetic eye disease, and high blood triglycerides.

All of these effects don’t mean that someone with diabetes cannot drink alcohol. Diabetics who take medication to control their blood sugar levels can first ask their doctor about drinking alcohol. For those that do drink limiting the amount they drink is the key; one drink for women and two drinks for men. Even two ounces of alcohol can affect the liver’s ability to produce glucose.

Alcohol and diabetes really don’t go hand in hand. Diabetes is the inability to process a substance almost exactly like alcohol. Luckily drinking can be moderate and diabetes can be managed as long as the person who is diabetic is knowledgeable, careful and aware. The safest bet when it comes to alcohol and diabetes though is for a person not to drink.

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Why is alcoholism a chronic disease?

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Why is alcoholism a chronic disease?

Alcoholism is not only a chronic disease it is also progressive and in some instances fatal.

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism is the physical dependence on any mind or mood altering substance and the continued use regardless of consequences. Alcoholism is not a moral deficiency but rather a disease of the mind, body and spirit. Most people who become alcoholic cannot stop using drugs or drinking simply because they want to or “will” themselves to. Most people who suffer from addiction or alcoholism must seek outside help or an outside solution to help them get sober and then remain sober as they journey into recovery.

Like diabetes and cancer, alcoholism is a primary disease. This means that it is not a symptom of another disease, nor is it a personality flaw, moral weakness, mental illness, or lack of willpower. Alcoholism is not the result of drinking too much. Rather, the body of an alcoholic responds quite differently to the ingestion of alcohol than does the body of a non-alcoholic.

How is alcoholism progressive?

There is no cure for alcoholism, but there is treatment. Since alcoholism is a progressive disease, it always gets worse without treatment – it never gets better. Alcoholism causes biological, psychological, social and spiritual problems, and as the disease progresses, the person’s ability to function declines. All of the body is affected. Personality changes are the result from brain impairments to the person’s thinking and functioning. They think, feel, and behave differently than before, yet regard the way they are acting as normal. Social or relationship problems begin to happen in the family, the community, and at work. The alcoholic may handle the loss of his or her spouse and family due to chemical dependency, and withdraw from social contacts which do not involve drinking.

Why is alcoholism a chronic disease?

A non-chronic disease has a relatively quick onset, and the affected person is very aware of its sudden presence. But alcoholism is a chronic disease, meaning that it develops gradually over a period of time – sometimes measured in years. This helps to understand why there may be a long period of time between being well and acknowledging the presence of the disease. Problems or symptoms are present, but they are typically attributed to some cause other than chemical dependence, for instance, a bad marriage, working too hard, “unfair” supervisors, etc. People with alcoholism and family members deny that they have this disease for a long time. It is important to realize that such denial is not the same as lying. Rather, it is a matter of being convinced that problems or symptoms are due to something (anything) other than alcoholism. Denial of the disease is part of the chronic disease process, and breaking through that wall of denial is an extremely difficult process.

So why is alcoholism a chronic disease?

Because it gradually persists without any acknowledgement from the alcoholic that they have it. Alcoholism is not a moral failing but a disease that is in the worst way possible very fatal as well as chronic and progressive.

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

5 Signs Your “Party-Animal” Friend Might Be an Alcoholic

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Party Animal Personality

5 Signs Your “Party-Animal” Friend Might Be an Alcoholic

There is a group of you. Maybe it is a group of three, possibly four. You all work different jobs, maybe two of you work the same job and you enjoy going out for drinks on the weekend. And you all love having a good time, I mean that is what life is about right? Fun with friends? But there is that one person, that one friend in your group on the weekends that you would consider the “party-animal” and their drinking is turning into a head tilting, embarrassing mess. You and your friends have begun having conversations with each other about the “party-animal” friend’s drinking and you begin to wondering if they might be an alcoholic. They quite possibly could be but you don’t know what an alcoholic is. You know the homeless drunk that you see when walking down the street but that isn’t your “party-animal” friend. Maybe your friend just needs to grow up? Or maybe it something more serious? Well, here are some signs that may help you to figure out what is really going on with your friend.

5 signs that your “party-animal” friend might be an alcoholic:

  1. Pay attention to your friend’s tolerance for alcohol. An increased tolerance for alcohol is a big indicator that your party animal friend might be an alcoholic. Overtime their system doesn’t respond to the same amount you would probably drink while out. As a result of this they drink more and more frequently.
  2. Look at how your friend considers drinking as a part of their daily routine. An alcoholic person often sets up a schedule for their alcohol. For instance if they visit a bar or liquor store daily after work your party animal friend may be an alcoholic. You will also notice that your friend makes excuses just to go get a drink.
  3. Passing out or blackouts are severe indicators that your party animal friend might be an alcoholic. Passing or blacking out can happen to anyone and everyone but it is unlikely and is unusual if it happens more than once. Someone who blacks out or passes out from drinking too much could very well be an alcoholic or be on their way to being an alcoholic.
  4. Bring up your party animal friend’s drinking to them and see what happens. Usually someone who might be an alcoholic responds very negatively and defensively. They will constantly deny or lie about the issue and never face the facts about their drinking.
  5. Keep track of how often your party animal friend becomes drunk whenever alcohol is available. Ordering “doubles” of drinks, gulping, or becoming quickly intoxicated are all indications that your party animal friend might be an alcoholic.

Everyone has that one friend that likes to get a little bit out of control and they are fun to be around and they are our friends. But if you think your party animal friend might be an alcoholic it is best if you care about them and talk to them about cutting back or quitting all together.

Sources:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2046129_recognize-signs-alcoholism.html

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