Too Much Drinking

Our society has glamorized alcohol to the point that many people consider it normal to consume large amounts of alcohol. But our society would be better off if we all drank less. We’d reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents or injuries, reduce the incidence of alcoholism, improve our health, and save a lot of money along the way.

People that abuse alcohol don’t often think about their drinking as a problem. The challenge to stop drinking so much will help determine who has a dependency problem and who doesn’t. If we ask everyone to stop drinking for 90 days and see what happens, we’ll find that those that do not have an alcohol abuse problem will be able to do this; the rest will struggle and fail. Someone that is dependent on alcohol will not be able to go even a day without it, and needs medical help to detox from it. These people should go through therapy and support sessions to learn how to abstain from alcohol altogether. For those that aren’t addicted, let’s just start with drinking less, because alcohol abuse is also a problem. If we cut down on the number of drinks we have each day, or every week, we can gain some control over our behaviors and tendencies.

Tips to Reduce Drinking

To drink less, first keep track of how much you actually drink. You might be surprised at the amount you consume. The healthy normal is 1 drink daily for women and 2 for men. If you are consuming much more than this, seriously consider cutting back.

Set a goal, and spell out your reasons for that goal. You know why you should drink less – maybe it’s to improve the relationship with a family member, or to improve your health, or to take charge of your life. If you do plan to drink, don’t let it be more than one or two drinks per day. And set aside some days to not drink at all. Knowing that you can accomplish this will be empowering.

To keep yourself on track, empty out your alcohol cabinet at home. Keep only a few drinks in the house in order to avoid temptation.

Slow down your drinking. Start with a glass of water, and then take your time with the alcohol.

Replace drinking with positive activities. Get involved with a community group, take up a hobby, or go to the gym. Surround yourself with friends that won’t pressure you to drink.

There is much more to life than alcohol. Too often we forget about what’s really important and focus only on having a good time or relieving stress. This summer, make it a goal to drink less alcohol. Encourage friends to do the same. If you find you are not able to control your drinking, get help.

Sources

Alcohol intake of friends, family impact your drinking habit

Drink too much? How to tell

SAMHSA

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Oftentimes there is a lag between the time the decision has been made, the trigger has been pulled, and when treatment actually starts. Ideally, once a person has admitted they have a problem and are willing to seek help, they should be whisked off to rehab, so as not to change their mind or get distracted again. But for the many times that this isn’t possible, it is important to consider what you should do with your last few days before treatment.

Don’t Over Abuse Your Substance

Do not go nuts and give yourself one last party on the substance, or one last crazy weekend of overindulgence. Just like the perpetual “diet starts tomorrow” attitude that causes would-be dieters to stuff themselves day after day, so it can go with substance abuse. You may think this is your last chance to live it up and to get as high as you possibly can, but these kinds of thoughts can be very damaging. For one, it may result in less motivation to enter treatment because you think, “Why would I want to give this up?”. It also creates a very dangerous environment for you or for others. Many people have overdosed just before entering treatment, causing serious injury or death. Many other people that are living it up before rehab cause accidents or injury from things like DUI or domestic abuse.

Focus on Positive Activities

It is not expected that you quit the substance on your own just days before your scheduled detox or treatment. After all, that’s why you are admitting yourself; to get help doing something you are unable to do yourself. But you should certainly keep the substance abuse in moderation. Now would be the perfect time to focus on eating right, maybe going for a daily walk, and most importantly, setting goals for your future. Keep yourself focused on what you really want for yourself and your family, so when the time comes, you are motivated to stick with the treatment program.

Look through old family photos of the “good old days”, read an inspirational book, attend church, or hear the stories of others that have succeeded in sobriety. All these positive things will help you much more in the long run than going out and partying one last time.

Sources

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Whole Treatment

Many treatment facilities now offer a holistic approach to helping people get sober. This works because when someone has a drug or alcohol addiction, it is more than the substances that are the problem. Mental illness, events of the past, and family circumstances can all be factors that drive someone to abuse drugs or alcohol. In order to fully treat a person, it is necessary to create order in the rest of their life also.

Many people detox from drugs or alcohol, only to fall apart and turn back to it after treatment. This is because the pressures, the insecurities, or the things causing unhappiness are still present and cause the person to feel the need to rely on substances. But with whole healing, a person is able to stand on their own and be at peace without substances.

Types of Holistic Rehab

There are many different types of holistic rehab. There are the ones we might expect, including acupuncture, organic food, and medication. These things help us focus on complete health without using modern medicine. Some facilities offer culinary experiences with locally grown organic food, tailored to meet all of the body’s basic nutritional needs. Others have massage therapists, or acupuncturists that can cleanse the body of discomfort. Many programs have a spiritual core that helps a person rely on a higher power to live a clean, healthy life.

Other holistic approaches are maybe not what would come to mind when we think holistic, but they also help redirect the body and mind toward complete health. Experiences in nature, such as staying in the midst of beautiful mountains, powerful oak trees, or a sunny seaside help patients connect with the simple things in life. Adventure therapy gives patients a mission, to help them center on something other than their substance abuse. Equine therapy also provides a positive tool  to aid in recovery.

By providing a nurturing atmosphere filled with positive experiences, along with nutritious meals, support groups, and therapy, holistic patients can become completely sober. No more drugs or alcohol, no more medicines to take the place of the illegal drugs, no crutch. The journey is not easy, but with the right kind of holistic treatment, patients seeking a natural lifestyle can learn ways to bring themselves to a completely healthy mind and body.

Sources

Holistic practices can offer medical options

The Canyon

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Medicating Unreasonably

There is an overall attitude among some groups of parents today that it is ok to give their kids pills if it makes the parents’ day easier. For example: Benadryl. This wonder drug can reduce the symptoms of allergies and colds, and stop itching from mosquito bites and poison ivy. It can also make a child fall asleep. It’s common knowledge in some circles that if you need your child to sleep on a long car ride or if they have trouble going to bed at night, a small dose of Benadryl will give them sweet sleep. No more arguing, no more hassle, no more having to yell at your kids, thanks to the little magic pill.

How unfortunate that parents have resorted to these measures! In some cases, ADHD medication is the same way. Some kids are misdiagnosed as having an attention disorder and put on meds that sedate them, when really it is a behavior problem. Parents need to be taught how to lovingly discipline their kids from the time they are young, while watching out for serious medical disorders, rather than make them pop pills to get a moment’s rest.

Any medication given to a child can have side effects: increased heart rate, seizures, coma, weight gain, stunted growth, delay in brain development. A couple in San Diego killed their baby because they gave him dose after dose of sleep aids, acid reflux medicine, and Benadryl, and sadly, they are not the only ones that have done this. Medications are not something to play around with, and we shouldn’t be too quick to reach for the pill bottle, especially when it comes to our child’s health.

Necessary Medicine

There are times, however, when medical intervention is necessary with our kids, and one of those instances is mental illness. In fact, mental illness is the one area that parents, in general, under medicate their kids. Parents, especially in inner city or low income areas, aren’t always aware that kids can suffer from depression, insomnia, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental disorders. In the case of mental illness, parents should seek out a trusted physician to diagnose and prescribe medication, if necessary. Parents should be aware of possible side effects, and closely monitor their child for any problems. A cautious approach to medicating should always be taken in the case of our children.

Children need to be taught to respect medication and only use it when necessary. It starts with parents being good role models for their kids by leading and encouraging a healthy, more natural lifestyle.

Sources

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One fifth of 18-25 year olds use illicit drugs. Many in this age group have been struggling with drugs since their teen years, which means they never really got on their feet and out on their own. This leaves the parent in a very difficult position. At age 18, 20, or 22, do you insist that your child move out and start providing for themselves?  It’s a difficult question for millions of parents, but the situation becomes much harder when an addiction is involved. How can a parent kick their adult child out of the house when they have no job, no money, and they are physically addicted to drugs?

Consequences of Leaving the Security of a Parent’s Home

Many of these young adult addicts that get sent out of the house do end up homeless, or bouncing from friend to friend, or shelter to shelter. They are in no position to provide for themselves, because their main priority is keeping up with the drugs. So they have little hope of living a real life on their own.

Consequences of Letting an Adult Child Stay

So what should parents do, let their grown children stay around and continue to do drugs? This isn’t the answer either. Parents need to set rules; things like not allowing any drugs or alcohol in the house, insisting the child get at least a part time job, and requiring them to help around the house. Parents should not bend the rules, or let their child take advantage of them, no matter how hard it is. If things get too heated and the parent no longer has control, they should be prepared to warn of consequences, and then carry them out. Show them love and concern and be willing to help them get on their feet, but when that stops working, tough love needs to take over. The last resort would be to send them packing, because without your positive influence and support, things will get miserable for them really quickly. But it is sometimes necessary.

Parents most importantly need to get help for their child. Check out possible programs or facilities and encourage your child to check themselves into treatment. Call a hotline if necessary, or call the police if you need to, but do what you can to get them the help they need.

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Prescription pills are really everywhere. There is a pill for nearly every ailment, and rare is the person that lives their life without taking anything. Maybe it is our age of modern conveniences, short attention spans, and quick-fixes, but it sure seems like we are quick to jump to medical intervention for the littlest thing. There are plenty of people that truly need their medications; to manage pain, discomfort, or just life, but many, many more have turned to self-medicating, pill popping, and abusing prescription medication. No wonder prescription abuse is such an epidemic for our young people – they were brought up in this environment.

Generation Rx – sad and disturbing as it may be – there is no denying the statistics. Nationwide, 26% of 12^th graders have taken prescription drugs at least once without a doctor’s prescription. The trouble is that young people have been so exposed to these drugs throughout their life, that they don’t see a danger in taking these pills. Students, especially college students, may actually think they are doing themselves a favor by using prescription drugs. In order to stay up late to study or concentrate for an exam, they take Adderall. Ambien helps them sleep when they need to. They’re used to solving problems on their own, including self-medicating if necessary.

Dangers of Prescription Abuse

Even though some people don’t see the drawback to being called Generation Rx, the dangers of abusing prescription drugs are real. Whether people want to admit it or not, kids that abuse prescription drugs are more likely to someday abuse illicit drugs. And these prescription drugs are dangerous and have serious side effects. Emergency room visits for abuse of prescription drugs is now as common as visits due to illicit drug abuse. These pills can cause increased heart rate, cardiac arrest, seizures, depression, and many other side effects.

Putting an End to Prescription Drug Abuse

Yes, there is work to be done; education young people and parents and creating an overall awareness about the dangers of self-medicating. Ohio State University’s College of Pharmacy has created the Generation Rx Initiative, which provides safety resources and information for teachers and students. The project makes available toolkits, symposiums, and community events that work to educate people about prescription drug abuse. Programs like the one at OSU can be very beneficial in putting a stop to drug abuse, and can help students and young people learn how to live a substance-free life.

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Ecstasy is a hallucinogen and a stimulant that is often smuggled into the U.S from foreign countries. It is the drug of choice for partiers because of its effects. The stimulant in Ecstasy keeps the user’s energy high, and can sustain partygoers for hours. The hallucinogen “makes everything more fun”.

Drug use and raves go hand in hand. Young adults that attend these music and dance events that go on for hours and hours usually do so with the intent of doing drugs. Very few people go to raves simply to hear music – the dancing and partying while under the influence of drugs is the main priority.

Damaging Side Effects of Ecstasy

Many people would classify Ecstasy as a safe drug, and since so many people use it at raves, many people don’t think twice about using it. But Ecstasy has its consequences and side effects, and a number of people have been hurt or have died as a result of it. Ecstasy causes a rise in body temperature and extreme thirst, which causes the user to drink large amounts. The over intake of water can actually interfere with neurons in the brain, causing coma or seizure. On its own, Ecstasy can do damage, but other drugs are also commonly mixed into the Ecstasy, causing even more effects. Methamphetamine, ketamine, and other chemicals are sometimes found in Ecstasy, causing increased heart rate and body temperature as well.

Danger of Raves

Teens at raves get so caught up with the party and heightening their experience that they may not realize they or someone else is in danger. By the time it is evident that someone is in real trouble because of the drugs they took, it may be too late.

Many people are concerned about the safety of raves. There is often little adult presence, and the young people are almost all under the influence of drugs. Los Angeles has had several incidences at recent raves, including the death of a 15 year old girl last weekend. Because of this incident, the commission that oversees the L.A. Coliseum and Sports Arena announced a temporary ban on new contracts with rave producers. A meeting next week will determine the future of raves at this venue.

Preventing Ecstasy Abuse

Kids will be kids, and teenagers that attend these events want to have a good time. But putting people’s lives in danger is not worth it for a few hours of fun. The deadly side effects that these drugs cause should to be explained to young people, and teens should find alternatives to drugs and raves. Parents need to help educate their kids, and make sure they are supervised and safe, and find a better way to have a good time.

Sources

Ecstasy Facts

Drug Abuse Facts

Death at Electric Daisy Carnival draws attention to connection between raves and Ecstasy

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http://www.latimes.com/news/health/la-he-closer-ecstacy-20100712,0,7955199.story

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Drug Related Crime

There are an estimated 2.3 million inmates in the U.S., and more than half of them are there because of drug-related crimes. This shouldn’t come as a surprise – drugs make people do dumb things. Crimes are committed because an addict is desperate to get their hands on more drugs, or are not thinking clearly because they are high. Many burglaries, accidents, and fights or murders are a direct result of the control drugs have on people. Drug addicts that receive no treatment for their substance abuse while in prison or afterward are likely to relapse. A convicted felon may detox in prison, but even after years of being clean from the substance, when they reenter society, many go right back to the drugs and most likely back to their life of crime. In fact, 50% of inmates will turn back to crime and drugs once they get out of prison. The vicious cycle of putting felons in prison, letting them out after their sentence is up, and catching them for the same kinds of crimes has many people thinking there must be a better way.

Pros and Cons of Treatment

Treatment while in prison and afterward is a solution that definitely helps. Detox alone doesn’t heal lives destroyed by drug abuse, but counseling and therapy do help. These addicts need to learn how to stay drug free, and how to live a healthy life. Addicts have a disease that has changed their brain chemistry, and will only get better with treatment.

But providing treatment for criminals in prison or instead of prison is not the solution everyone would like to see. Some people can’t get past the fact that these people committed crimes and deserve to be punished. Others feel that providing treatment instead of punishment is being soft on drugs, leading others to try to get away with more. Still others can’t support spending all the money up front that is necessary to treat inmates.

Stopping the Cycle

We have to keep going back to the effects of substance abuse on the human body. People that are addicted to drugs lose control of their lives. Only the drugs matter – stealing money for drugs, lashing out at or abusing others that stand in their way, or hurting innocent people are all consequences of a mind that is influenced by drugs. We don’t have to go easy on drug addict criminals, but we do need to keep them from hurting any more people. The most effective way to stop the drug/prison cycle is to treat with rehab. Recidivism rates go down 30% among those that receive treatment.

Money is a big concern in the prison systems right now, and only 1/5 of drug addicted inmates get help for their drug problem. Many states, struggling with budget cuts and money constraints, have been quick to cut funding for treating inmates. In the long run, however, treatment is the way to go. It is cheaper to treat than incarcerate, and the money saved from not having to arrest and imprison these people over and over again will save a substantial amount of money.

Sources

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Sufficient Treatment

Some people are in too much of a hurry from the beginning to complete rehab. They want to spend as little time as possible in rehab and are anxious to get back to their lives. But being hasty will often have negative effects in the long run when it comes to treatment. A person needs to go through the entire process of rehab before getting back out and into the world; without the needed length of time, a person doesn’t develop the skills, tools, and attitude needed to stay sober for long.

Make Life Changes

There is a reason why a person gets involved with drugs or alcohol in the first place. If these triggers, stresses, or negative influences aren’t corrected, it will be very difficult for a person to avoid going back to the substance abuse. It usually takes a change in friends, reduction of stress, and development of coping skills to keep a newly sober individual clean.

Long-term Care

Not only do patients need to stay in therapy for a long enough period of time, but after-care is often helpful and even necessary. This kind of treatment consists of once a week or occasional outpatient therapy or counseling. The purpose of this kind of care is to keep the patient focused on recovery. Patients enrolled in long-term recovery benefit greatly from keeping in touch with counselors and the resources they provide.

Support Groups

In the same way long-term care is beneficial, support groups help prevent relapse. There are support groups that specialize in nearly every kind of substance abuse and social situation. There are support groups for recovering heroin addicts, for teens, for Christians, and even for nurses. As much as we hate to admit it, we can’t recover on our own. Support groups are very important to preventing relapse. Support groups provide encouragement, companionship, and a sense of belonging. It is important to know that others are experiencing the same thoughts and feelings. To know that someone else is making it through the struggle gives power to others. Support groups allow people to talk about their feelings and doubts, and together work to overcome them. 

Relapse is a scary thing, but sobriety is so important that it is worth the effort. By getting the right care and sticking to a treatment plan, patients stand the best chance at avoiding relapse.

Sources

Support Groups Directory

Relapse Prevention

Getting clean … one day at a time

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One thing parents should also do is give their child ways to say no. When faced with a peer pressure situation, it is important for teens to be confident in their answers and their decisions, and the way to do that is to rehearse it beforehand. Parents can actually role play a situation with their teen, or at least give them these different ways to say no if they need them.

Teens can use an excuse, such as:

1.  I can’t stay; I’ve got to help my dad with something.

2.  That stuff makes me sick.

3.  I’m supposed to meet so and so in a few minutes.

4.  No way. I think you just want me to get in trouble.

Teens can explain to their friends about the dangers of these substances:

5.  That stuff is so bad for you.

6.  Why would you use that junk?

7.  Haven’t you heard about the kid in the news who died from doing that?

8.  Go ahead if you want to kill yourself – I don’t want to.

9.  You’re crazy!

Teens can also just be honest with their friends:

10.  I’m not into that.

11.  My mom would kill me if she found out.

12.  I don’t have time for drugs.

13.  I’d be suspended from the team.

14.  Forget it. There’s no way I’m going to do drugs.

15.  I’ve got more to do with my life.

Once your teen has given their answer, they should be ready to leave. It rarely does any good to argue with someone about alcohol or drugs, and it might make it difficult for your teen to stick with their answer if they stay.

Kids should be confident in their answers. So many teens that experiment with drugs and alcohol do so to feel more popular. By giving a firm “no”, your teen can actually influence their friends in a good way. Teens tend to follow a strong leader among them, and sometimes all it takes is a positive teen that says no to drugs to keep the whole group away from drugs.

Sources

Ways to say “no” to drugs

How to Say It: Drugs and Alcohol

Talking with Your Teen About Drugs and Alcohol

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