A huge debate erupted this past week over the legal drinking age in the United States. The debate was sparked by John McCardell (former Middlebury College President) and his Choose Responsibility organization’s call to discuss this issue. More than 100 college presidents are now on board with the initiative, which asks the public to consider a lowering of the legal drinking age.

McCardell and his supporters argue that the current drinking age of 21 encourages young college students (who are going to drink anyway) to hide their drinking; putting them more at risk than if the drinking age was lowered. Supporters of the initiative agree that college officials and parents have a hard time teaching 18-20 year olds about safe drinking when legally this age group isn’t supposed to be drinking. By bringing the issue out into the open and making drinking legal at 18, these supporters believe that they can more effectively educate this age group about making responsible choices about alcohol.

Supporters of lowering the drinking age also argue that 18-20 year olds are allowed to vote and serve in the military, and forbidding them to consume alcohol seems hypocritical and degrading.

Choose Responsibility plans to continue to push for this discussion throughout the country, and they have come up with a plan on how this will all work. The “Amethyst Initiative” is the group’s alcohol education program, which allows for drinking licenses to be issued to 18-20 year olds who successfully complete the program, similar to drivers’ education. Teens who drink before they turn 18 would lose their right to apply for the alcohol license.

Not everyone is convinced. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has lead the way for the critics, claiming that these college officials on the list of supporters are taking the easy way out instead of enforcing laws on their campuses. MADD has called for these college presidents to remove their names from the list and partner with law enforcement to come up with real solutions.

Also taking a stand against the initiative is the National Transportation Safety Board, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, who say that lowering the drinking age would “jeopardize the lives of more teens”. These organizations maintain that increasing the drinking age to 21 in the 70’s and 80’s has nationally saved 1000 lives a year.

Critics of lowering the drinking age say that the way to handle alcohol abuse in 18-20 year olds is to enforce the 21 drinking age and have stricter consequences for adults and establishments providing alcohol to individuals under 21. Another key issue according to these opponents is that colleges need to seriously consider the environment found on their campuses and work to do away with the “college is for drinking” attitude found all too often.

The timing is significant for this whole debate. A 1984 federal law restricts a state’s access to federal highway funds if it sets a drinking age lower than 21, which quickly lead to all states raising their drinking ages to 21. This law is up for reauthorization next year, and there will be much more discussion until that time.

Enos, Gary A. Drinking age law vaults into debate Addiction Professional 8/21/2008

The Right Age for Drinking editorial Washington Post.com August 24, 2008

Henson, Scott The case for lowering the legal drinking age Dallas News.com August 23, 2008

Pope, Justin College presidents spark debate on drinking age Associated Press August 22, 2008

Alcohol abuse is defined as the use of alcoholic beverages to excess, either on individual occasions (”binge drinking”) or as a regular practice. Alcohol abusers may not be addicted to alcohol, but their drinking leads to things such as driving while intoxicated, poor performance in job or school, getting in trouble with the law due to intoxication, and continued drinking even though the above situations may have occurred.

Alcohol abuse is different from alcoholism in that abusers do not have the strong cravings for alcohol that alcoholics have, and they are not physically dependant on alcohol. They may, however continuously put themselves in bad situations because of their use of alcohol. Because alcohol abusers do have more control over their drinking habits than an alcoholic does, they may appear to some to simply exhibit poor judgment because of the problems their drinking causes. However, many people who abuse alcohol do eventually become alcoholics.

Side effects

Alcohol abuse can cause problems in the abuser’s family life, in their reputation with law enforcement (DWI, domestic disputes, arguments and fights), with their health (cancer, high blood pressure, liver problems, brain damage), and with their jobs. The abuse of alcohol causes poor judgment, mood swings, and lack of productivity, making it difficult to function in everyday life.

Treatment

Alcohol abuse can be treated, and there are many support groups and treatment facilities to help alcohol abusers and alcoholics get their life back on track. The first step in getting help is for the alcohol abuser to come to the realization that they have a drinking problem. Family members can help make the abuser aware of how their drinking is affecting others by being specific in their conversations about the alcohol abuse. It is easier for an abuser to seek help when they are confronted with the harm their alcohol use causes others.

Once the alcohol abuser resolves to find treatment for their alcohol abuse, they can be encouraged by the hope of successful treatment. The earlier the treatment, the more likely it is to be successful. The more motivated a person is to get treatment for alcohol abuse, the better the chances are for them to remain sober. With the support of family members, co-workers, and friends, an individual is more likely to stay in treatment and overcome the alcohol abuse. Support groups like Alcoholic Anonymous aid in the recovery process by giving patients the opportunity to help each other stay sober.

It is widely accepted by addiction professionals throughout the country that the first phase of recovery from drug addiction or alcoholism is a medical detox. Detoxification is an essential element of drug treatment as it helps manage medical symptoms associated with drug withdrawal, while assessing and treating any accompanying medical problems. Most drug detox programs will manage drug withdrawal symptoms by designing a protocol for each patient and dispensing the appropriate medications to offset withdrawal. Due to the medical issues that can accompany drug withdrawal, not to mention how compromised a person’s health is, there should be a physician trained in addiction medicine and 24 hour nursing care.

When most people hear the words detox, they automatically think of managing drug withdrawal. While this certainly is the most important aspect of any drug detox, a service equally important is the ability to evaluate every individual as to their need for ongoing treatment. For this reason all centers need to employ clinicians trained in addiction and mental health problems, in conjunction with medical personnel, to evaluate each patient’s individual needs.

Credentials

There are many factors to consider when choosing a drug detox such as; ensuring that you are choosing a reputable and effective program. One way to achieve this goal would be to review the licensure of the program and the credentials of the staff.

Licensure

A program should always be licensed by the state in which they provide services. In Florida for example, it would be the Department or Children and Family Services. Secondly, and most important, is a program should be accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO). This accreditation insures the drug detox maintains certain standards of care as determined the Joint Commission.

Drug Detox Staff Credentials

The physicians providing the drug detox services should be board certified in their particular discipline and secondly credentialed by A.S.A.M., the American Society of Addiction Medicine. This insures the physician has a thorough understanding regarding the disease of addiction and drug detoxification protocol. The nursing staff should consist of Registered Nurses (R.N.) and Licensed Practical Nurses (L.P.N.) both trained in the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and the dynamics that accompany the person in drug detox. The clinical staff should as a minimum be master’s degreed or be a Certified Addiction Professional (C.A.P.). They should have experience in the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and psychiatric disorders and have spent some time working in a drug detox.

This article was provided by Dan Clark with Recovery Connection Addiction Treatment Helpline at www.recoveryconnection.org

Alcoholism treatment is needed for many people in the country and around the world. Not surprisingly, there are many untreated people who ignore the warning signs and continue to drink. If you or someone you know is looking for methods to treating alcoholism, you have a lot to choose from. There are many varied ways to approach alcoholism treatment. Many doctors feel that the best method would be a rehabilitation program – this would be a type of inpatient approach.

Regardless of what treatment you decide to take, it is important to look at the basic “building blocks” of the treatment. Generally speaking, there are three main components to an effective method of treating alcoholism:

First, the individual abusing alcohol must be advised to stop drinking entirely. There is no changing this around – you cannot adjust your drinking, or slow your drinking, or anything even remotely close to it. The definition of an alcoholic includes someone who cannot control their alcohol intake, so if your treatment involves controlling the alcohol consumption, leave and seek better advice. Removal of alcohol is the first and foremost principle behind treating alcoholism.

Second, there must be a form of detoxification involved. Alcohol abuse wreaks havoc on both the mind and the body. Physically, there may be diseases that have been caused by alcohol abuse affecting the body. It is crucial that these diseases are treated before they do further damage. Treating alcoholism is not as simple as flipping a switch to “OFF”. The abuser must be treated medically for the damage that excessive alcohol intake has caused.

Third, and finally, there must be a long-term solution and treatment involved. Alcohol abuse damages the mind and the emotions as well as the body. It is imperative that the mind is treated as well. An alcohol abuser must be taught and shown how to feel fulfilled in life apart from alcohol. Normal life may not feel satisfying immediately upon release from a treatment center. There needs to be follow up and support offered to the recovering alcoholic to prevent relapses back into alcoholism.

Treating alcoholism is a long and very involved process, but if done correctly and including these components, treatment can be incredibly effective and successful. Keep these in mind the next time you or someone you love is considering treatment for themselves or someone else. Following these guidelines can ensure a strong approach to treatment.