Alcoholism Treatments

How many people get injured or lose their lives in alcohol related traffic accidents every year? On an annual basis, how many alcoholics fail to get the professional alcohol treatment they require? How many people are the victims of alcohol related crime or violence each and every year? How many people face serious consequences in their lives because they received a DWI conviction? How many junior high, high school, and college students lose their lives every year due to an alcohol overdose? How many people’s lives are cut short due to unhealthy and hazardous drinking? How many individuals lose their lives every year because of drinking problems? How many children are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome? How many individuals lose their lives each year from a condition that is one hundred percent preventable, such as alcohol poisoning?

Why Would Anyone Want to Drink in an Irresponsible and Hazardous Manner?

So what’s the point in asking these questions? Basically to highlight the destructive and devastating nature of abusive and careless drinking. Indeed, and based on the above questions, I wonder why anyone would choose to drink in an irresponsible manner.

Stated more forcefully, with the host of relationship dilemmas, employment issues, financial problems, legal proceedings, and health difficulties that are associated with chronic alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency, why would any individual with average intelligence want to drink in an excessive manner? In fact when some of the above topics are put under the microscope more closely, abusive and hazardous drinking makes even less sense and becomes more illogical.

Wouldn’t you think that chronic alcohol abusers would be able to see some of the alcohol symptoms that they exhibit? In a similar manner doesn’t it seem reasonable to think that many more families would involve themselves in an alcohol intervention for the individual in the household who is an alcohol abuser or an alcoholic? Not only this but wouldn’t you think that individuals who drink excessively would try to learn more about their drinking behavior by researching various alcohol related statistics?

After reviewing the alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse research literature, the point is so critical that it needs to be reiterated: With all of the dangerous and disastrous consequences that are directly or indirectly correlated with continuous and repetitive alcoholism and alcohol abuse, why would any person want to engage in excessive and careless drinking?

What Can be Done About the Extensive Nature of Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependency in the U.S.?

So what can be done about the pervasive nature of alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction in the U.S.?

1. Our students need more relevant and more meaningful educational and preventative approaches and methods so that more students at all grade levels, including those at college, are “reached.
2. With a similar line of reasoning, our students need to learn how to become problem solvers in life rather than getting easily drawn to the ”quick fix” and the “instant gratification” of a drug or alcohol abuse ”high” or “buzz”.
3. People who are alcohol dependent or alcohol abusers need to look look at themselves candidly and ask why they are not getting the professional alcohol treatment they need.
4. Society needs to get the message to more people about the unhealthy and dangerous effects of unhealthy and excessive drinking.

There’s Room For Optimism if Those Who Engage in Abusive Drinking Can Become Motivated to Get the Alcohol Rehabilitation They Need

There’s lots of room for optimism and hope if individuals can start drinking responsibly and those who engage in hazardous and abusive drinkingcan become encouraged to get the alcohol rehab they need. Indeed, why put your loved ones through suffering, turmoil, and pain because of your careless and hazardous drinking when you have the power to control your life by drinking responsibly or even quitting drinking if you can’t control your drinking behavior?

Shelly was identified at work as an incredibly conservative person who had a superb work record. She in no way went to any of the happy hours immediately after work and it was known through the entire department that she was an incredibly spiritual person who regularly talked about the risks of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency in our country.

Try to think of the surprise in the department when one Monday morning Shelly didn’t show up for work and not a soul had heard from her. In fact, it wasn’t until about 9:30 in the morning that the human resources department received a phone call about Shelly from the local city jail.

Shelly Goes Out Drinking Together With a Number of Her College Pals

Evidently, Shelly went out drinking along with several of her college pals Saturday night and at some time about 3:00 Sunday morning, Shelly was arrested for “driving under the influence”. Because her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was very elevated, she was mandated to spend a day-in-a-half in the city jail.

Shelly Has a Talk With Her Manager and The Human Resources Manager

When Shelly arrived at work on Tuesday morning, she immediately told her boss what had occurred and she asked if she might possibly go and talk with the Human Resources director about her DWI arrest.

When she got to the HR department and met with the director, she articulated that she had not been intoxicated since her college days and that she was very humiliated about her “driving while intoxicated” arrest. She also emphasized the point that she required some help finding an experienced and productive “driving under the influence” attorney who would represent her DUI case. Stated another way, Shelly really wanted the Human Resources manager to agree that she needed to see a DUI attorney.

The Human Resources manager told Shelly that she ought to schedule an appointment with someone within the company employee’s assistance program to discuss any future drinking issue that she might have. The HR manager also stated that she needs to go over her desire to employ a DUI attorney to represent her regarding her “driving under the influence” case.

Not only this but the Human Resources director told Shelly that it was a good thing that she hoped to hire a “drunk driving” lawyer because of the complexities and problematic implications that happen to be linked to a DUI conviction.

The Human Resources director could tell that Shelly was plainly depressed and embarrassed by this whole problem. For this reason he told Shelly that while he doesn’t believe that conscientious individuals really should ever get behind the steering wheel right after consuming alcohol, regrettably these circumstances at times come to pass to pretty good individuals.

The Human Resources manager then stated that since such a circumstance cannot be undone, what’s critical is what the man or women does from this moment in time forward. As articulated by the Human Resources manager, “does the person learn from his/her blunders or does the individual develop a pattern of alcohol related complications that cause the particular person chronic pain and suffering”?

Fortunately, Shelly Did Not Have a History of Hazardous and Excessive Drinking

Just before finishing their conversation, the Human Resources director explained to Shelly that it was very positive that she doesn’t have a track record of irresponsible and excessive drinking. Furthermore, she hasn’t had an alcohol-related predicament since her college days (which was around 15 years ago). As a consequence, Shelly should be able to face her DUI arrest with embarrassment but also with a degree of self-confidence knowing that she will face and process this difficulty and turn out to be a better person in the long run.

Shelly thanked the Human Resources manager for his caring and encouraging words and then walked over towards the company employee’s assistance program to discuss her “driving under the influence” arrest, her participation in excessive and unhealthy drinking drinking over the past weekend, and her wish to employ a DUI attorney to represent her DUI case.

After hearing Shelly’s “story,” the nurse that was part of the company employee’s assistance program described Shelly’s immediate “plan of action” that she needed to address and follow. First, she would be required to take a DUI class to learn more DUI facts and information. Second, she would also be required to take an alcohol abuse class to address her possible drinking problem. And finally, it would be an especially wise thing to do if she were to consult with a DUI lawyer about her DUI arrest.

Shelly Feels Comfort Knowing That She Will Learn From Her Oversight and Become More Accountable

It was apparent that Shelly was very distressed with the whole DWI state of affairs, but after talking to the Human Resources director and to the physician in the company employee’s assistance program, she felt a sense of relief knowing that she would actually learn from her error in judgment and grow to be even more healthy, much more accountable, and an even more thankful woman.

When you are thinking about quitting drinking, it can be pretty scary, especially if it seems like alcohol has become a pretty regular part of your life. Most people don’t need to go to extreme measures to overcome their addiction to alcohol - sometimes just a few changes in your life can make a difference.

There’s a lot of reasons why people don’t quit drinking even when they realize it might be start getting out of control. It can be very scary to consider programs like drug and alcohol rehab or talking with a therapist, even though they can help make your life better. The fear of asking for help and admitting there is a problem can be just as intimidating as no longer drinking itself. A lot of people don’t understand that alcoholism warning signs can be prevented if you catch it early enough and make changes sooner rather than waiting until it’s too late. Many people who are in the early stages of alcoholism can get out of it before their body starts shutting down and becoming fully dependent on it to function.

Giving up drinking begins with looking for ways to change your lifestyle. Look for the things that make you want to drink and think of other ways to deal with those situations or problems. These habits might be related to a specific person who causes you stress, going to a certain place, or even watching Monday night football. Each individual will have different things that cause that craving for a drink, but you likely know what they are for your own unique situation. If you can stop this, it becomes much less difficult to stay sober during different activities.

Replacing your old habits and activities with new ones that are more positive and healthier can make it much easier to succeed in becoming sober. Activities such as going to the bar with your friends could instead be replaced by doing something like visiting a museum? Before you say you can’t afford it, why not consider how much you’ll have by not drinking until you’re drunk while you watch TV. Making it a point to go to places where you can’t drink will help lessen the temptation to drink at home or at a friend’s house! You can also find family and friends who do not drink to hang out with, since that can often help a lot with being less likely to drink.

If you have a hard time to stop drinking by yourself, don’t think that means you can’t stop at all. You don’t have to be afraid of asking for professional help if you need it, there are resources everywhere to help you overcome your dependency. While it can be hard to admit, you are the only one responsible for whether you quit drinking or not. There are things you can do to get your life back on track.

Around nine months ago I had dinner with a forty-two-year-old man named Alexander who suffers from extreme depression, has relationship difficulties, and who is addicted to drugs and alcohol. As stated by Alexander, it is his alcohol and drug addiction and his acute depression that had the most to do with his endless relationship difficulties.

I remember hearing that a history of mental health concerns, chemical dependency, and harmful drinking frequently occur in the same family. Moreover, I have read that under such circumstances, an individual needs to get treatment for both medical problems and that addiction and mental health difficulties often occur in the same person.

As declared by Alexander, he is so crushed by his relationship issues and by both of his medical problems that he in effect has no driving force to achieve much of anything. What is particularly sad about this is that earlier in his life, Alexander completed five semesters of grad school in middle Eastern studies.

Alexander’s circumstance makes me wonder if he is an example of a person who can look within and perceive his drug abuse and alcohol drinking problems and do something positive about these difficulties or if he is a person who has to hit the very bottom before he gets alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation that results in lasting recovery.

The Need For a Rehabilitation Protocol He Can Believe In and a Healthcare Practitioner He Can Trust

If it would be beneficial I would imagine that I could suggest numerous blogs and websites that could possibly help him locate information about drug abuse symptoms, the stages of alcoholism, chemical dependency information, and relationship problems. In my opinion, however, Alexander needs to find a rehabilitation protocol he can believe in and follow over the long haul and locate a therapist he can trust.

I could be in the wrong but it seems to make sense that Alexander probably needs to look within himself regarding his drug addiction signs and alcoholic symptoms and comprehend the fact that he cannot abuse drugs or drink at all if he wants to get sober, remain sober, and start on the path to long-term recovery.

It may be asked how therapy would help his drug and alcohol addiction. First of all, there are a number of recently created doctor-prescribed medications that can help Alexander avoid a drug or an alcohol relapse, help him through the drug and alcohol detox process, and help him through his withdrawal symptoms.

Second, Alexander would learn to admit the fact that there is utterly nothing useful about substance abuse and abusive and excessive drinking and that engaging in one or both conditions is the route to a premature death, shattered relationships, deteriorating health, legal problems, financial difficulties, and poor work and school performance.

Third, counseling for his relationship difficulties and his depression might help him deal with these medical issues more effectively and possibly create less of a need for him to engage in addictive behavior.

The Importance of Recovery Groups Like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

There are probably quite a few friends, other individuals, and family members who would want to help Alexander with his chemical dependency and his negative drinking. He more likely than not would experience greater tolerance from a recovery group such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, on the other hand, rather than listening to people who rarely drink or who have never taken drugs.

When People Do Things They Like and About Which They Are Passionate

There’s a philosophical attitude that declares that individuals who do things they love and something about which they are ardent attain an amazing place in life. That is, when people do what they enjoy, they rarely if ever experience boredom or an uneventful life. If they get involved in something that is worthwhile, moreover, they become more fulfilled and experience more satisfaction and delight in life and in their relationships.

When this is thought about even for a few minutes it becomes clear that this positive orientation is worlds apart from a life that is grounded in chemical dependency because such a lifestyle removes the satisfaction and delight that life offers.

Because Alexander doesn’t have the ambition to carry out much of anything in his life, it is obvious that he desperately needs a little hope for a healthier life. And the unfortunate thing is that hope is virtually everywhere around Alexander if he could only get to the point in life to get the therapy he needs for his intense depression and addiction and continue with his treatment routine.

More Positive Relationships, Constructive Change, Self Esteem, and a Wonderful Life Are a Reality

Alexander is simply too young to be defeated in life. He doesn’t realize this right now but if he can learn how to abstain from alcohol and drugs through drug and alcohol rehabilitation and get the counseling he needs for his severe depression, he can redirect his life and start living with self-respect, direction, and passion.

More solid relationships, positive change, self respect, and a wonderful life are certainly possibilities for Alexander if only he could get motivated to seek the professional treatment he needs, follow through with his therapy regimen, live his life in a healthy and alcohol and drug-free manner, and learn how to foster a more positive attitude about his existence.