Reprinted Articles

There are a lot of people who think that they are not alcoholics just because they have the ability to consume large amounts of alcohol without losing control of their senses, but in the true sense of the word, these people are also alcohol dependent. First Step: Once you are sure that you are an alcoholic, then the first step to take in order to kick the habit is to abstain from drinking as much as possible. While it is easy to tell somebody to cut down on consumption of alcohol, it is impossible for the alcoholic to follow this advice because of the condition that he or she is suffering from. Therefore, it is important for alcohol dependent people to seek support at these times from people who have managed to or are in the process of kicking the habit and this is the core group forming Alcohol Anonymous. Alcohol Anonymous is the best kind of support group that anybody can ever think of joining, because it is one of those rare organizations in the world that is apolitical non-denominational and multiracial. The group has absolutely no social, political or religious leanings and the only leaning the group has is towards reaching a collective goal of non-alcoholism.

With new technology in, many cars will have sensors installed in them like alarm systems in case the driver inside falls asleep. They will soon be fitted with anti collision devices so that the car brakes automatically if it is about to crash with another object in the front or the back. Unfortunately if you are detained for DUI, then hiring a DUI lawyer proves to be the best decision. Driving under the influence can have serious consequences on you if you are involved in a car accident. The offender may face penalties like jail or prison, penalties or fines, vehicle impoundment, etc. The DUI lawyer is accustomed with the ins and outs and procedures involved with DUI charges and are your best bet if you find yourself in such a predicament. So just take into account your actions and act as a responsible citizen that can actually set an example to other people as well. Make sure it is not you who would unnecessarily force others to drink at your parties. Prevention is always better than cure. Hence, drinking and driving should not go jointly.

Alcoholism is an illness marked by drinking alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or occupational responsibilities. Alcoholism is divided into 2 categories: dependence and abuse. People with alcohol dependence, the most severe alcohol disorder, usually experience tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is a need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or the desired effect. Withdrawal occurs when alcohol is discontinued or intake is decreased. Alcohol dependents spend a great deal of time drinking alcohol, and obtaining it. People who are dependent on or abuse alcohol continue to drink it despite evidence of physical or psychological problems. Those with dependence have more severe problems and a greater compulsion to drink.

Stopping long-term, regular, heavy drinking requires a major life change, and the difficulty of doing this should never be underestimated. The first step in the healing process for these patients is to admit that they are alcoholic and that they have a drinking problem. The second step is to truly want to stop drinking. The third step is to accept the fact that they must never drink again. For most people, the next step is to admit that they need help to stop drinking and maintain abstinence. It is important to note that there is no such thing as a “cured” alcoholic. Alcoholism is a chronic disease that can go into remission, sometimes indefinitely, but relapse can be provoked by many life situations, both good and bad. Will these problems go away? No. These problems will last for a child’s whole life. People with severe problems may not be able to take care of themselves as adults. They may never be able to work. What if I am pregnant and have been drinking? If you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, stop drinking now. You will feel better and your baby will have a good chance to be born healthy. If you want to get pregnant, do not drink alcohol. You may not know you are pregnant right away. Alcohol can hurt a baby even when you are only 1 or 2 months pregnant.

There are psychical and mental diseases. Alcoholism and drug addiction are mental diseases. It falls into the category of obsession - compulsion disorder. Is O.C.B. classified as a disease? There is evidence of studies that has been going on for years that show it can be hereditary. Studies in the 90’s show there is a gene that predisposes one to be a alcoholic, but they have a chose. Sometimes all it takes is a few times drinking to unleash the obsession, the compulsion to have a drink comes next. Over time that O.C. becomes stronger and they give up the ability to stop on their own. Some people do stop on their own, very few, most continue on the road where their lives are centered on getting and using more. They may cover it up with denial,that “I can handle it” or ” I can stop when I want to”, as they pour another drink. Some people feel they control their drinking by only having a few when they come home from work, but through out the day that’s all they think about (obsession) the compulsion is when they come home from work “to unwind”, and they may do this for years and never miss work and their life is not unmanageable, They are called functional alcoholics. Over time they will be taking “liquid lunches”, just a few to hold them over, or it may be in their desk,locker or car. It is not a personality or weak will person as to why they drink. Look how many presidents, C.E.O.’s, famous people are alcoholics.?

Just ask yourself these four quick questions. 1 - Is your drinking habit getting on your spouse’s nerves? 2 - Do you feel that your family is slowly drifting away from you? 3 - Is your life moving in a direction that you otherwise don’t want to go? 4 - Are you one of the millions of people suffering from alcoholism? Often times it is difficult to accept the fact that one is already suffering from the symptoms of alcoholism. Sometimes this starts out as light indulging with a group of friends. Sometimes work dictates the occasion of alcohol consumption, maybe a few shots of alcohol with important clients, but sometimes this innocent indulging can progress into chronic bouts of heavy alcohol drinking and before you can say no to another drink you are already deep into the habit.

Craving alcohol is a complicated process that involves several different factors. We are usually first introduced to alcohol at a young age (in our teens). Since no-one under the age of 21 (in the US) is allowed to purchase alcohol, it becomes “cool” and desirable for young adults under 21 to give drinking a try. Later on people grab a bottle of booze to feel better, gain more confidence in a social setting or to forget about their problems. Since the alcohol makes them feel better, at least temporarily, they start to crave it.

Last 5 posts by Ed Philips

• Stop Drinking Alcohol - Top 7 Tips To Stop Alcohol Abuse - August 6th, 2008
• Alcoholism and its Stages - August 4th, 2008
• Infertility and Alcoholism - August 1st, 2008
• 7 Tips for Quitting Alcohol - July 19th, 2008
• How to stop drinking - July 10th, 2008

Tags: Self Help