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Stories of how prolonged, constant and excessive drinking tell a very sad tale are commonplace. Alcoholism is rife throughout countries where governments allow alcohol to be purchased and consumed from a wide variety of licensed outlets.

A major reason behind dependence upon alcohol is that many do not initially realise just how highly addictive alcohol is. Before they know it regular, heavy drinking sessions have become an essential part of their daily life.

Don’t let alcohol consumption overtake you:

Even if you are not so far advanced that it is causing dependency, many are drinking too much for their own good on a far too regular basis.

It therefore stands to reason that if you are fond of a drink it pays to keep an eye on the amount of alcohol you are consuming. Failure to do so will lead you down the path of dependence upon alcohol and the many unwanted health and social problems this can bring.

Drinking too much – Signs to be wary of:

Here are 5 signs that it is wise to keep a regular check on:

Daily consumption:

While many drink on a daily basis this is really not recommended. Those who are doing so should make a big effort to cease daily drinking. If such a situation relates to you then make a big effort to reduce this by having a drink every other day, or better still every 3 days or longer.

It is also important to remember that if you do this, you should not try to drink the same quantity on ‘drinking days’ as you would have consumed in total on a daily basis.

Sensible limits:

It is unwise to drink to excess when you do have a drink. You should limit the amount you consume so that it leaves you feeling relaxed and in an amiable mood. Overdoing it will seem like a sensible thing to do at the time, but we all know this is not the case.

When you get into a session with regular drinking partners the alcohol will flow freely. Once you begin to feel the effects it is often the case that a ‘devil may care’ attitude takes over and the amount of drinks you consume will certainly not be totted up.

Too many of these heavy drinking sessions are not good for your health and are putting you on the road to dependence upon alcohol.

Mixing drinks:

Many will start on beer and then move to spirits, others may have a couple of glasses of wine and then turn to their tipple of choice. Mixing drinks is not a great idea.

While it is not necessarily the case that the alcohol content of mixing drinks will be any greater than if you stick to the same drink, there is a possibility it could be.

One example of where the alcohol content you are taking on board by mixing drinks rather than sticking to your tipple of choice is if you move on to cocktails.

By doing so there is a strong likelihood that the overall alcohol content will be higher because cocktails contain a number of different strength spirits.

Drinking at different times of the day:

Those who are prone to having a couple of drinks at lunchtime, then have a break before continuing alcohol consumption in the evening need to be mindful of the amount they are drinking.

This is because they will often not take into account the sum total of drinks consumed on a daily basis and are therefore not really aware of the exact amount of alcohol being consumed.

Hangover ‘cure’:

Regular, heavy drinking sessions can leave you feeling very shabby the next morning. Tiredness due to uneasy and often interrupted sleep go hand in hand with a general lethargy once you are up and about.

Some will begin to ‘solve’ this problem by having an early drink or two to put themselves ‘right’. This is not a wise move, and if it becomes a regular occurrence alcohol dependence will be your next port of call.

Keep it safe, keep it simple:

Millions of men and women the world over enjoy a drink. It helps relax and adds extra enjoyment to social gatherings, but moderation must be the byword.

It is extremely easy to allow the occasional drink to turn into something more regular and then find constant drinking is becoming your main companion.

If this happens you will find relationship problems escalating out of control, which in many cases make you turn to the bottle on an even more regular basis. Other things that need to be taken into consideration are financial hardship, health problems which can ruin a body, and an increased feeling of isolation.

Whether you know your drinking is a problem, you have the slightest inkling that drink is becoming more and more important as part of your daily routine, or you have tried to stop drinking but failed, it is extremely important to understand there is no shame whatsoever in seeking professional help.

The sooner you do this the easier it will be to understand why you are drinking, what the potential causes are, and learn some highly effective ways to either cut back drastically or leave alcohol alone altogether.

Dabbling with illegal drugs is seen by many young adults to be the ‘done’ thing, others consider experimenting with a variety of illicit substances as a rite of passage into adulthood.

If only they understood the brutal reality and devastating effects these illegal substances can create it would immediately be apparent just how completely uncool they really are.

Let’s take a look at why many are tempted to try drugs in the first place, why they are so addictive, and how they can leave your life in limbo unless professional rehab services are called upon.

Peer pressure:

The group of friends you hang out with can bring enormous benefits. You will have similar interests, be with people who think along the same lines, have someone to confide in when others do not seem to understand (think parents and teachers!), have fun times together, and build friendships that last a lifetime.

While all of this is extremely positive, there is one negative aspect of this union that comes in the form of peer pressure. There will be times that you feel forced to changed your attitude or behaviour in certain situations. This will be against your better judgement, but will be done out of the need to conform.

The last thing you want is to fall out with them, or feel left out. This means there will be occasions you agree to do or try something that in the normal scheme of things would never have entered your mind.

An example of this is drug experimentation. If one of your group declares they have managed to ‘score’ some illegal drugs and urges the others to share them and sample the experience on offer there is a good chance that several of your group will be ‘up for it’. Even though you are not, you will agree simply to ‘go with the flow’.

The majority will get through this experience without any lasting effects, but there is a chance that others will have unwittingly unlocked a door in their mind. This door strongly associates drug use with pleasurable feelings that need to be repeated.

Your body and mind – A hidden hunger for effects offered:

It is vital to understand just how addictive illegal substances are. You will not realise it beforehand, but your body and mind readily accept the initial ‘highs’ on offer, and once they get a ‘taste’ for these feelings they will hunger for more. Feeding this hunger by popping another pill, snorting a line or smoking whatever is on offer comes at a price:

Tolerance:

Your body and mind are extremely quick on the uptake. They like what you are feeding it and will happily accept more. This is not a passive process. Powerful thoughts and feelings will be fuelled by the urge to ‘have another go’.

The more you use, the more you will want and the greater your tolerance becomes. Because of this increased tolerance the body and mind demand more of the same in order to achieve the same high as previously enjoyed.

This never ending, constantly increasing hunger cannot be satisfied. It makes increased and heavier drug use a given.

But surely I can quit whenever I want:

If that were the case life would be a different story, but the millions upon millions of men and women the world over who are now addicted to their drug(s) of choice will tell you a very different story.

You will continually chase previous highs, your thoughts, desire and needs for more become stronger and what was once occasional use will turn into regular use.

Strong, two-pronged resistance:

Trying to cease drug use abruptly will be met with a strong, two-pronged resistance. The body will ache, you will feel rundown, lethargic and have little interest in things that used to please.

Your mind is quick to back these feelings up by strong and ever increasing urges for more and will present you with the obvious, ideal solution; have just one more hit!

By surrendering to this burning desire you will follow it by another and then another. The result is that your inevitable spiral into drug dependence will spins ever faster.

A point where the choice of using drugs or resisting the urges for more will quickly be reached. Once it is, the overriding feelings and thoughts you have lead in one direction only; continued and increased use.

Life is for living – Do NOT be afraid to seek professional assistance:

Whether you are at the early stage of feeling an increased desire to use drugs on a more regular basis, or already feel use has grown out of all proportion it is vital that you do not continue to ignore and deny these feelings.

Completely confidential professional help is available in the form of drug rehabilitation services. You should not hesitate, or be afraid to contact a drug counsellor. Many will already have been through, and successfully kicked a drug habit. They know where you are coming from.

They will offer sound, sensible advice without judgement. They are there to help, they want to help, and will offer solutions and associated treatment. This support coupled with determination and desire will allow you to work towards a future that is drug free and a life that really is worth living.

Cocaine goes by many street names. A few examples are; Coke, Snow, Toot, White and Charlie. Whatever ID you give this drug it should be made very clear that it is one of the most highly addictive drugs on the planet.

Three common forms:

While freebase and crack are both highly addictive forms of the drug, powder cocaine is still seen by millions the world over as the most ‘acceptable’ form of purchase and use.

We will concentrate on the powder form and explain why it is so ‘moreish’, and why many find the idea of ‘knocking another line up’ comes knocking on their brain more and more often until the need to feed that cocaine habit becomes insatiable.

Strength is the luck of the draw:

Do not believe any dealer that tells you the wrap in your pocket is guaranteed to be potently powerful. This is because the drug is mixed with a wide variety of substances including lidocaine which is used for its numbing effect.

Such an effect tricks the user into thinking the deal they have just scored is far stronger than it really is.

Highly stimulating:

Charlie is a very powerful stimulant that gives a very pleasant high. Users regularly report a sense of euphoria, of feeling on top of the world and bursting with confidence. It also lowers inhibitions which means that an ‘anything goes attitude’ can become the norm.

While all of this sounds positive it must be understood that the major effects received from a line of Charlie wear off anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours after the last snort.

The obvious answer to the lowering of these feelings is to knock another couple of lines up. At the time this solution seems like the most natural thing in the world to do. Users will continue to snort on while partying or socialising without comprehension or care of the clock.

Highly addictive:

Your mind and body take to cocaine with ease. They find the effects very pleasing indeed. They also quickly build up a tolerance to the drug. As this tolerance increases so does your dependence.

The problem with this tolerance is that to achieve similarly expected highs to previous ones a user needs to take more of the same. This continual increase of use is speeding your slippery slide into cocaine addiction.

Becoming dependent upon any drug means that a person cannot function normally without it. It also means that if they abruptly stop use then some pretty nasty withdrawal symptoms will let them know of the fact in no uncertain terms.

Withdrawal symptoms:

The good news is there are no physical withdrawal symptoms associated to withdrawing from cocaine such as nausea, body cramps or shaking that are common to those withdrawing from alcohol or methamphetamine.

The bad news is there are some severe psychological withdrawal symptoms that can last for many months after a user has quit the drug.

Initial symptoms include feelings of intense tiredness and a constant weariness that affects both the mind and body. Anxiety, irritability, mood swings and depression are all par for the course while many will also suffer overly from agitation, increased suspicion and paranoia.

One withdrawal symptom common to all:

Every person who has become dependent upon cocaine and attempts to stop use abruptly will suffer from one very powerful withdrawal symptom. That is an extremely intense and powerful craving for more cocaine.

It is this craving that will generally break the resistance of those trying to quit the drug without professional rehabilitation assistance.

Continued use of Charlie will break you in more ways than one:

We stated at the beginning of this piece just how addictive cocaine is. This fact should not be underestimated by anyone.

Continued and increased use will empty your bank balance, destroy relationships and distance you from friends.

Another unwanted outcome can become a frightening reality. If, like many coke addicts you combine this drug with alcohol and/or other illicit substances there is a very good chance that it will put you in the mortuary long before your time.

Don’t let it destroy your life:

The slide into cocaine addiction can be a rapid one. If you find your use is increasing on a far too regular basis, and you have tried quitting yourself but failed, please take the brave and sensible step of contacting a rehab establishment to discuss with one of their knowledgeable councillors exactly what treatment is available.

It won’t be an easy journey out of addiction, but it is an eminently achievable one that has seen millions of men and women come through cocaine dependence stronger, more determined and wiser.

Sex addiction is a very real condition. It requires serious and complex treatment if those suffering are to bring their compulsive sexual behaviour under control.

What most people think of sex addiction:

It is easy to understand why the majority of people will raise a smile or make some lewd comment if the subject of sex addicts is brought into the conversation.

They imagine sexy, scantily clad men and women available and willing to have sex at the drop of a hat, or cavorting nakedly while moving from partner to partner and having a thoroughly good time in terms of constant sexual experiences.

Because they do not understand the psychological and life affecting challenges those with this condition have they can only assume it must be a rather exciting addiction to ‘suffer’ from, when the reality is far removed.

What sex addiction is not:

It is very important to understand that those who have a healthy libido and enjoy regular and varied sex sessions are not sex addicts. Indeed, a healthy sex life is part and parcel of a happy and satisfying life.

When you feel comfortable with a partner, sexual experimentation will become something you are willing to participate in, and will discover many different ways of giving and receiving sexual pleasure. Such activity works to build stronger, more loving relationships.

What sex addiction is:

By its nature sex addiction is not an easy thing for others to identify. This is for a whole variety of reasons and the fact that a person addicted to sex is certainly not going to shout their admission from the rooftops.

Here are 5 signs to be considered if you feel the thoughts and actions of your sexual activities are taking over your life.

Constantly thinking about sex:

Those addicted to sex have constant, chronic and obsessive sexual thoughts as well as fantasies that are way beyond the realms of normality.

Such thoughts will simmer in their mind and very frequently burst to the surface leading them to:

Sex with multiple partners:

Sex addicts thrive on the thoughts and desires of having sex with multiple partners. This can either be individually, one after the other, becoming involved in group sex sessions and making it known to complete strangers that sex is the only thing on their agenda during a chance meeting.

It is known that many sex addicts will actually go to completely new places in their attempts to attract strangers for frequent sex sessions. Once such a conquest is complete they are already moving on and thinking of their next sexual association.

Placing themselves in danger:

It goes without saying that making it clear to complete strangers that you are immediately interested in sex is a risky business. This is from a violence perspective as well as the greatly increased potential of sexually transmitted diseases.

Accomplished liars:

It is the nature of a sex addict to become expert at lying. If they are in a relationship they will need to cover their tracks when late home or absent for long periods. It is also well known that most prostitutes do not take credit cards, so they need to have explanations ready as to what cash has been used for.

If single they would never dream of admitting to regular partners how many others they are having sex with, or the fact that as soon as this liaison is over they will be heading for the next one.

Illegal sexual activity:

While using the services of a prostitute is certainly not the biggest crime in the world many sex addicts have such strong desires that it leads them to far more serious activities such as having sex with minors, interfering with children, or using animals to satisfy their sexual cravings.

Complex treatment for a complex condition:

Addiction in general is treated by the addict committing to kicking their habit once and for all. Drug and Alcohol addictions are good examples of this.

This is obviously not possible with sex addiction as a person cannot be expected to forgo sexual activity for the rest of their lives.

What this means is that in-depth counselling sessions are required to help those struggling with sex addiction to re-learn what is classed as normal sexual behaviour as opposed to obsessive behaviour.

There is no quick fix to help a sex addict, although medication can often assist during such treatment. It is also felt that an extended inpatient stay at a rehabilitation centre is the most positive way for those with compulsive sexual behavioural issues to begin healing which will help put this damaging condition behind them.