Make Love Work

For several years alcoholism exploration has revealed the fact that there is strong relationship between alcoholism and critical health conditions and mental health issues such as depression.

As an illustration, in 2005, scientific research and alcohol abuse and alcoholism statistics showed that alcohol abuse and alcoholism cost the United States an estimated $220 billion annually. It may be noted that this very large alcohol-related expenditure was significantly more than the cost linked with cancer ($196 billion) or with obesity ($133 billion). While it is important to give emphasis to these facts, it is also important to emphasize the point that an interrelationship exists between all three of these health conditions.

More precisely, chronic alcohol abuse and alcoholism are also highly associated with obesity and with cancer.

Definitely, substance abuse investigation has shown that alcohol addiction can boost the risk for different forms of cancer, particularly cancer of the colon, voice box (larynx), liver, rectum, throat, kidneys, and the esophagus. Hazardous and repetitive drinking can also lead to immune system issues and deformity to the fetus during pregnancy.

Excessive and Irresponsible Drinking Deteriorates the Individual’s Systems and Organs

Furthermore, if alcohol dependency continues over a period of years, the individual’s body organs will more likely than not be affected in a harmful manner. For instance, chronic, hazardous drinking is particularly hurtful to the liver since the liver does most of the work of processing the alcohol that has been ingested. Unwarranted amounts of alcohol kills liver cells and eradicates the ability of liver cells to redevelop. This condition results in a progressive inflammatory disease of the liver that can in the long run lead to cirrhosis of the liver, a serious and potentially incurable disease. Heavy, long-term drinking not only can lead to dangerous liver damage, but it can also result in damage to the heart and to the brain. Physical damage this serious may be unalterable and may, in turn, result in severe disease or an untimely death.

The Significance of Alcohol Rehab

It is imperative, consequently, to know how to recognize the different alcoholism symptoms and the “alcohol signs” so that the alcoholic can be given the opportunity to seek the quality alcohol therapy he or she requires.

Alcohol Dependency and Technologically Advanced Brain Exploration

Fortuitously, medical exploration is constantly uncovering novel and significant information. Recent alcoholism exploration offers an excellent example. More accurately, for approximately the last ten years, sophisticated brain-imaging scanning devices have verified that repetitive and chronic excessive drinking transforms the makeup of the brain to a substantial extent, consequently resulting in brain disease that can last months, years, or conceivably as long as the person exists.

More specifically, medical investigation has revealed that people who have been drinking excessively for a substantial length of time increase their risk for developing long lasting and substantial modifications in the brain.

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

Mental Disorders, Malnutrition, and Hazardous Drinking

As a final illustration of different medical problems that are to a great extent correlated to alcoholism, take into account the fact that in accordance with medical examination, the excessive and repeated abuse of alcohol can lead to erosive gastritis, a medical condition that diminishes the absorption of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

This kind of organ breakdown is correlated with malnutrition and to a variety of acute mental and neurological syndromes including sleep disturbances, memory loss, and psychosis such as Wernicke’s Encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s syndrome. This latter medical problem is a long lasting incapacitating condition that is exemplified by continual memory and learning complications.

Abusive and Hazardous Drinking Also Leads to in Relationship and Friendship Problems

In addition to critical health problems, irresponsible and hazardous drinking also leads to friendship and relationship difficulties. For instance, people who have drinking problems routinely go through divorce, sexuality problems, affairs, and marital problems. In these circumstances instances it is important for the individual to get alcohol counseling so she or he can enhance his or her loving friendships and relationships.

Conclusion: The Importance of Education

It is obvious that continued, hazardous drinking is directly or indirectly associated with many acute medical problems that can and do lead to dangerous ailments and premature death. Such information needs to be emphasized and presented to everyone in our society, especially to all students, so that a massive amount of people will be able to refrain from abusive drinking while others who have a drinking problem will get the quality rehab they require.

Let us look at this practically. Yes, alcohol rehabilitation is significant, but alcohol rehab is something that is typically done AFTER the fact. Education, conversely, is something that is done BEFORE the problem materializes. Stated differently, whereas alcohol treatment is “reactive,” education is “proactive.” It is affirmed that both approaches are necessary when discussing alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency.

Jesse had a particularly difficult time maintaining a job. Indeed, due to her slothfulness and lack of incentive, she was out of a job far more frequently than she was in work. And when she did get employment, she had an exceedingly difficult time getting to work when her shift began, she regularly received less than optimal performance appraisals, and she called off sick so many times that she almost always got fired a few weeks after she started working. To no one’s wonder, one of the results of Jesse’s less than positive employment record was the fact that she was virtually broke most of the time.

Regardless of Jesse’s less than positive employment record and financial disregard, however, one way or another she managed to drink in an excessive and irresponsible manner most of the time. Not surprisingly, her thoughtless drinking also resulted in relationship, commitment, and dating difficulties.

Because of her excessive and abusive drinking, it came as no big shock when Jesse got a third DUI. When she went to court, the judge told Jesse that her alcohol-related actions was disgraceful and, consequently, he was going to sentence Jesse to serve five months incarcerated in jail.

Time While Locked Up In Jail To Reflect On The Demoralizing Consequences of Abusive and Irresponsible Drinking

During her time in jail, Jesse was required to learn more about alcohol facts, about the negative effects of hazardous and excessive drinking, and she was required to get alcohol rehab. The judge underlined the fact that unless Jesse gets professional alcohol counseling and discovers how to live an alcohol-free life, she will probably be spending quite a bit of her time locked up.

Jesse stated that she comprehended what the judge was saying but she still felt that placement in the local jail was not the most effective response. The magistrate saw things from an entirely different perspective and proclaimed that it was his responsibility to keep alcohol addicted people off the streets who drink and drive and who get arrested for multiple DUIs. To authenticate this perspective, the judge articulated some respected, thoroughly researched alcohol statistics that pointed to some of the disruptive consequences that are associated with hazardous and abusive drinking.

Although Jesse understood that she drank in a hazardous and abusive manner, she never thought that she was an alcoholic. So it was a real shocker when Jesse started to experience symptoms of withdrawal roughly four-and-a-half hours after getting locked up in the county jail.

To manage her alcohol withdrawal symptoms in a safe and secure manner, Jesse was taken to a drug and alcohol treatment center for alcohol detox and then returned to the county jail. While locked up in the local jail Jesse was given a mental health evaluation for her depression and got alcohol rehab but because she got this counseling as something that was mandated for her, she did not take ownership of her careless drinking.

When her time in the municipal jail was completed, the magistrate without uncertainty told Jesse that she would be under stringent scrutiny and would be required to take periodic alcohol tests.

Jessie’s Hazardous and Abusive Drinking Prevents Her From Living in a Mature and Adult Manner

After hearing how Jesse neglected to take ownership of her drinking problem and how she unwillingly followed the treatment policy and procedures while in the city jail, the magistrate knew that it was basically a matter of time before he would be seeing Jesse once again in court about her excessive and hazardous drinking behavior. As the judge thought about Jesse’s circumstance, he couldn’t help but think about how some people never “connect the dots” and discover how to live in an accountable and mature manner.

Dante was a sixteen year old high school sophomore who was exhibiting a number of alcohol-related issues at school. Consequently, the principal informed him that he had to see Miss Johnson, the school counselor, before he would be permitted to return to class.

Later that afternoon when Dante went home after school, he had to clarify his school situation to his parents. His parents were “fairly traditional” and told Dante that getting discharged from school was not a tolerable educational option. They explained to Dante that failing to graduate from high school would probably be like a lead weight around his legs that could probably hamper his educational achievement for the remainder of his life. Not only this, but Dante’s parents were very upset that he was drinking in the first place and drinking with his pals in the second.

They told Dante that although he may be a teen, he needs to comprehend fairly rapidly that drinking is the path to financial problems, pain, failure, and ill health.

It was plain to see that his Mom and Dad were out-and-out in full agreement with Dante’s principal and informed Dante that he needs to see Miss Johnson, the school psychologist. After his conversation with his Mother and Father, Dante eventually agreed to see Miss Johnson the next school day. So Dante phoned the school and scheduled an appointment to see Miss Johnson the next morning.

The Psychologist Asks Dante if He Knows Why His Recent Alcohol-Related Behavior Caused Quite a Bit of Apprehension By the School Administrators

When Dante got to his scheduled appointment with Miss Johnson, she promptly went over all of the alcohol-related difficulties Dante had gotten into and asked him if he comprehended why his recent alcohol-related activities gave the school administrators room for alarm.

Quite sincerely, Dante was unsure why the principal informed him that he had to see a school therapist. As he expressed to Miss Johnson, why should he see a professional psychologist about his drinking activities? Because almost all of his peers drink about as much as he does, fundamentally, drinking is no big thing. Stated differently, if almost everyone is drinking, why is this such a major problem?

Miss Johnson asked Dante when he started to drink alcoholic beverages. He said that some of his older buddies introduced him to drinking wine when he was twelve or thirteen years old and getting ready to enter the seventh grade.

Miss Johnson informed Dante that while his peers may indeed drink as much as he does and that they may be a negative influence on him, the facts are that he is the one who is getting expelled from school due to alcohol-related fighting, delinquency, and absenteeism, not his buddies. Not only this but Miss Johnson also emphasized the fact that Dante, and not his peers, is the one who is failing and who is missing at least one day of school every week because of his alcohol related issues. Lastly, Miss Johnson underlined the fact that due to his drinking circumstances, Dante is getting into a negative cycle of hazardous drinking that can in the end ruin his aspirations, hopes, and dreams.

In a word, Dante’s involvement with youth alcohol abuse was starting to thwart his ability to conduct himself like an accountable young man. As stated by Miss Johnson, “Just because most of your pals drink wine, beer, wine coolers, or hard liquor does not mean that it is the healthiest thing for you.”

Dante Learns That Ultimately He Must Claim Responsibility For Himself In Order to Keep Away From Destructive, Unhealthy, Dangerous, and Damaging Circumstances In the Foreseeable Future

Miss Johnson explained to Dante that others can undoubtedly influence an individual in an unhealthy way, but that the person herself or himself has to in the long run be accountable for herself or himself in order to prevent unhealthy, destructive, damaging, and dangerous consequences in the future.

Fortunately, Miss Johnson was very well prepared for her scheduled time with Dante. She showed him reports and research studies she had highlighted that listed various drinking statistics and facts that applied to most people in general. Then she showed Dante quite a bit of data that applied mainly to teenagers.

As an illustration, Miss Johnson emphasized the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction and informed Dante that drinkers who continue to drink abusively more often than not become alcohol dependent.

Miss Johnson also discussed the concept of binge drinking which she defined as follows: consuming five or more drinks in one sitting for males and drinking four or more drinks in one sitting for females.

The Psychologist Lists A Number Alcohol Addiction and Alcohol Abuse Statistics and Facts

Then Miss Johnson verbalized various alcohol facts and the following eight alcohol abuse statistics:

1. The 25.9% of teen drinkers in the United States who are alcohol dependent and alcohol abusers drink 47.3% of the alcohol that is ingested by all teenage drinkers.

2. Fifty percent of United States murders are alcohol related.

3. In 2002, U.S. alcohol addiction statistics and facts reported that 2.6 million binge drinkers were between the ages of 12 and 17.

4. It is estimated that more than 3 million adolescents in the United States between the ages of 14 to 17 are alcohol abusers or alcoholic.

5. In the United States, more than 40 percent of those who begin drinking at the age 14 or younger become alcoholic.

6. Relatively few of the more than 18 million U.S. alcohol abusers receive the alcohol rehabilitation they require.

7. Underage drinking costs Americans nearly $53 billion per year. If this cost were shared equally by each congressional district, the amount would total more than $120 million per district.

8. Alcohol-related difficulties are unevenly found among both adult and juvenile criminal offenders.

Dante Receives A Much Needed Wake Up Call Concerning the Short Term and the Long Term Effects of Underage Alcohol Dependency and Alcohol Abuse

After Miss Johnson presented the aforementioned alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse facts and statistics, it was apparent that what Miss Johnson disclosed to Dante was a real source of revelation for him. Why? Because for the first time in his young life, someone not only made the effort to explain the long term and the short term results of alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse, but she also made the effort to demonstrate what she was saying with alcohol abuse and alcoholism statistics and facts that related to people in general, and principally to underage drinkers.

In actual fact, it was almost as if a light went on and Dante instantaneously grasped why he should not be engaging in excessive and abusive drinking with or without his pals any longer. Dante thanked Miss Johnson for her concern and for the information she went over.

Miss Johnson then asked Dante how he felt about getting a physical examination and an alcohol assessment for the alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction rehabilitation he would probably need. Dante thought about this for few minutes and then agreed to get a thorough physical examination and to go through a thorough assessment of his drinking behavior so that he could start an alcohol abuse or alcoholism rehabilitation program as soon as possible. After meeting with Miss Johnson, it was apparent that Dante’s self image self esteem had been boosted as he began to face his abusive and unhealthy drinking.

About four months ago I had lunch with a thirty-seven-year-old man named Alexander who suffers from extreme depression, has relationship issues, and who is alcohol and drug dependent. As affirmed by Alexander, it is his alcohol and drug dependency and his extreme depression that had the most to do with his recurring relationship issues.

I remember reading that a history of mental health problems, substance abuse, and negative drinking quite often happen in the same family. Additionally, I have read that under such circumstances, an individual needs to get treatment for both medical problems and that addiction and mental health issues commonly occur in the same individual.

As declared by Alexander, he is so overwhelmed by his relationship difficulties and by both of his medical issues that he in actual fact has no desire to achieve much of anything. What is particularly sad about this is that earlier in his life, Alexander managed to finish three semesters of grad school in French history.

Alexander’s situation makes me wonder if he is an example of a person who can look in the mirror and see his drug abuse and alcohol drinking problems and do something healthy about these difficulties or if he is someone who has to hit rock-bottom before he gets drug and alcohol counseling that leads to lasting sobriety.

The Need For a Treatment Program He Can Believe In and a Psychologist He Can Trust

If it would be helpful I would suppose that I could advise him about several websites and blogs that could possibly help him learn more about drug abuse symptoms, the stages of alcoholism, chemical dependency information, and relationship problems. In my opinion, nevertheless, Alexander needs to locate a rehab program he can believe in and follow through over the long haul and find a healthcare practitioner he can trust.

I could be mistaken but it seems to make sense that Alexander more likely than not needs to look in the mirror regarding his drug addiction signs and alcoholic symptoms and admit the fact that he cannot use drugs or even drink in moderation if he wants to get sober, stay sober, and start on the path to lasting sobriety.

It may be asked how treatment would help his alcohol and drug dependency. For starters, there are quite a few newly discovered doctor-prescribed medications that can help Alexander avoid a drug and an alcohol drug relapse, help him through the drug and alcohol detoxification process, and help him through his withdrawal symptoms.

Second, Alexander would learn to admit the fact that there is absolutely nothing productive about drug abuse and careless and hazardous drinking and that involving himself in one or both conditions is the route to deteriorating health, a premature death, shattered relationships, financial difficulties, poor work and school performance, and legal problems.

Third, treatment for his depression and for his relationship issues might help him manage these psychological problems more effectively and help create less of a need for him to involve himself in addictive behavior.

The Significance of Support Groups Like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous

There are reasonably several family members, friends, and other individuals who would offer to help Alexander with his chemical dependency and his unhealthy and excessive drinking. He probably would experience greater understanding from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, on the other hand, instead of listening to individuals who drink in moderation or who have never abused drugs.

When People Accomplish Things They Like and About Which They Are Fervent

There’s a psychological attitude that contends that individuals who do things they love and something about which they are fervent arrive at a splendid place in life. In other words, when people do what they enjoy, they rarely if ever go through boredom or an uneventful life. If they involve themselves in something that is rewarding, furthermore, they become more actualized and experience more satisfaction and delight in life and in their relationships.

When this is thought about for a few minutes it becomes obvious that this affirmative viewpoint is widely divergent from a life that is rooted in substance abuse because such a lifestyle removes the satisfaction and delight that life has to offer.

Since Alexander lacks the grit to do much of anything in his life, it is evident that he desperately needs some hope for a more fulfilling life. And the unfortunate thing is that hope is all around Alexander if he could only get to the place in life to get the treatment he needs for his severe depression and alcohol dependency and drug addiction and stick with his treatment protocol.

Better Relationships, A Wonderful Life, Self Respect, and Affirmative Change Are a Reality

Alexander is clearly too young to be dejected in life. He doesn’t comprehend this at this time in his life but if he can learn how to remove himself from drugs and alcohol through drug and alcohol rehabilitation and get the treatment he needs for his extreme depression, he can redirect his life and start living with passion, self-respect, and direction.

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

Approximately five weeks ago I heard about a twenty-two-year-old woman named Rachael who is manic depressive and who is also dependent on alcohol and drugs. I remember hearing that under such circumstances, an individual needs to get treatment for both medical problems and that mental health problems and addiction frequently take place in the same individual. Moreover, I recollect hearing that a history of abusive and unhealthy drinking, drug abuse, and/or mental health problems many times take place in the same family.

Clearly, Rachael is so overcome by both of her medical conditions and her relationship difficulties that she in essence has no ambition to achieve much of anything. What is especially sad about this is that earlier in her life, Rachael finished three-and-a-half-years of college. Rachael’s circumstance makes me wonder if she is an example of an individual who has to hit rock-bottom before he or she gets addiction treatment that leads to long-term recovery.

The Need For a Healthcare Professional She Trusts and a Counseling Regimen She Can Believe In

If I were in contact with Rachael I could suggest a number of websites and blogs that could possibly help her locate info about addiction and alcoholic behavior, relevant substance abuse information, facts about alcoholism and drugs, more info about addiction symptoms and alcoholism warning signs, and relationship information. From my vantage point, nonetheless, Rachael needs to locate a physician she trusts and a rehabilitation regimen she can believe in and follow over the long term. I could be incorrect but it seems to me that Rachael probably needs to accept the fact that she cannot drink in moderation or abuse drugs if she wants to get sober, stay sober, and start on the route to long-lasting sobriety.

I am aware that there are quite a few recently developed physician-prescribed meds that can help Rachael through her withdrawal symptoms, through the drug and alcohol detoxification process, and help her avoid a drug or an alcohol relapse. Clearly it would be in Rachael’s best interests if she knew about these drugs.

It seems clear that Rachael needs to accept the fact that there is absolutely nothing beneficial about careless and excessive drinking and drug addiction and that messing around with one or both conditions is the path to legal problems, deteriorating health, a premature death, poor work and school performance, shattered relationships, and financial difficulties.

The Importance of Support Groups Like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

There are feasibly numerous persons such as family members, other individuals, and friends who would love to help Rachael but she probably would experience greater tolerance from a recovery group such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous rather than listening to individuals who drink just a few times per year or who have never used drugs.

When Individuals Do Things They Like and About Which They Are Dedicated

There’s a psychological attitude that claims that people who accomplish things they love and something about which they are dedicated reach an astonishing place in life. That is, when people do what they enjoy, they rarely if ever go through an uneventful life or boredom. If they involve themselves in something that is rewarding, furthermore, they become more complete and experience more pleasure and joy in life and in their relationships.

To me, this sounds diametrically opposed to a life that is rooted in chemical dependency because such a lifestyle removes the gratification and joy that life has to offer.

Since Rachael doesn’t have the fortitude to achieve much of anything in her life, it is clear that she badly needs a little bit of hope for a better life. And the sad thing is that hope is all around Rachael if she could only get to the place in life to get the counseling she needs for her mental illness and drug addiction and alcohol dependency and stick with her treatment program.

Stronger Relationships, A Wonderful Life, Self Esteem, and Positive Change Are Possibilities

Rachael is simply too young to be defeated in life. She doesn’t understand this at the moment but if she can learn how to abstain from drugs and alcohol through alcohol and drug therapy and get the treatment she requires for her mental health condition, she can redirect her life and start living with direction, self-respect, and passion.

More solid relationships, a wonderful life, self esteem, and constructive change are certainly a reality for Rachael if only she could become inspired to seek the medical rehabilitation she requires, follow through with her treatment program, live her life in a healthy and dependency-free manner, and acquire a more positive attitude about life.