Category: Understanding Addiction

Children drinking

Educating Your Kids On Alcohol

Articles, Education, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

It is absolutely vital that as a parent you educate your children about the dangers of alcohol. Many parents assume their offspring would never dream of drinking alcohol while out with friends. Sadly, this is not the case. 

Peer pressure:

Because alcohol is legal children very often grow up witnessing adults drinking alcohol as part of everyday life.

They are inquisitive and notice far more going on around them than they are often given credit for. While it is extremely unlikely they would openly try alcohol in front of their parents this is not the case with their friends.

Growing up is full of challenges and peer pressure from others in their chosen group of friends can be very strong.

If one of the group manages to acquire alcohol and invites others to join them in having a drink a child is often torn between not wanting to, but also not wanting to be the odd one out by refusing.

Discuss and keep discussing:

Parents know full well the damage alcohol can do to a person. This makes it their duty to educate children in an informative, non-confrontational manner.

These talks should be classed as a ‘moving target’ in terms of regular, sensible discussions on the subject.

Here are 5 reasons that need explaining in terms of the damage alcohol can do.

  • Poor decision making: Alcohol negatively affects a person’s ability to make correct decisions. Children have far less experience in terms of decision making so alcohol is particularly dangerous for them in this respect.
  • Getting into risky situations: Drinking gives many people a ‘devil may care’ attitude. This in turn leads to doing things they would not normally consider. If a child is under the influence of alcohol they are far more at risk of becoming involved in silly pranks that can turn sour, trouble in terms of fighting, or being far less resistive in terms of sexual experimentation.
  • Emotions: Going through puberty is tough, hormones are playing havoc and tempers often flare for little reason. Drinking alcohol will only add to the turmoil. If a teenager is feeling depressed then alcohol will make matters worse.
  • Nausea and vomiting: It is in everyone’s nature to try something new, but with age also comes caution. This is not always the case for the younger generation. If they are given a neat shot, or a drink laced with alcohol the chances are nauseous feelings will immediately be theirs with vomiting not far behind.
  • Hangovers: Any adult who has suffered from a particularly bad hangover should be able to relay exactly why drinking to excess is a most unwise thing to do.

Increase the chances to say “NO”:

Discussions and education on alcohol with your children do not have to be a battle. Informative advice as to why they should say “No” to alcohol regardless of when and where they are offered it should be explained with patience and concern.

This continued teaching should be effective and help to reduce the chances of them accepting alcohol far before they are legally ready to do so.

Thailand rehab

Thailand Drug Rehab Establishments

Alternative Treatment, Articles, Australia, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United States

Excessive drug use continues to ruin many lives the world over. We will consider some of the issues that surround drug dependence, and also explain why the thriving Thailand drug rehab establishments are getting such positive industry reviews and very encouraging client testimonials. Continue reading “Thailand Drug Rehab Establishments” →

alcohol addiction

The Mechanics Of Addiction

Articles, International, Understanding Addiction, United States

Claims that a person can become addicted after just one try of certain drugs are questionable, but there is no doubt that the first foray into dabbling with drugs opens a door that can very well lead to substance dependence.

Desensitizing parts of the brain:

Although different drugs work in a variety of ways those with addictive qualities all have the same mission.

That is to release certain neurotransmitters. The chief suspect being dopamine which is one of the hormones that affect the brain’s reward centre and amongst other things is responsible for a person’s feel good factor.

Differing routes – Similar results:

How 2 highly addictive drugs work differently but produce the same end result:

Heroin:

Many feel that heroin is up there with the most addictive drugs on the planet. This opiate works by binding opiate receptors and blocking the release of vital neurotransmitters which normally counterbalance the release of dopamine.

While these neurotransmitters are put on hold the brain is flooded with dopamine, hence the extremely good feelings heroin gives and the very strong feelings that more is not just a nice to have, but is very much needed.

Amphetamines:

Amphetamines have a similar structure to dopamine. This gives them a head start in terms of offering pleasant feelings. When taken they enter brain neurons by diffusing directly through its neural membranes.

Once reaching their destination amphetamines release dopamine, but just as importantly also prevent it from being withdrawn.

Repeated drug use halts natural production:

The problem a drug user has is that taking an addictive substance gives them thoughts and feelings that urge them to ‘go again’. These feelings encourage a user to have more. The more you have, the more you want, and this is a relentless cycle.

It is enhanced by the fact that the brains reward centre becomes desensitized by the ‘unnatural’ dopamine the drug is producing. The body naturally produces dopamine, but this false creation of dopamine means that natural production is stopped.

An unnatural replacement is required:

When this process occurs a person finds that if they stop using the drug then dopamine levels drop to unacceptable levels. This leaves them with feelings of unease and unwanted withdrawal symptoms.

The obvious and easy way to resolve these problems is to take more of the drug to ‘put themselves right’. If this cycle is allowed to continue then before many realise it they cannot do without their drug of choice.

Do not let this cycle overtake you:

No one sets out experimenting with drugs with the intention of becoming addicted. They feel they are stronger than any substance and will be able to control use.

Unfortunately, addiction and the heavy withdrawal symptoms a person feels when going without their drug of choice are very often stronger. They will continually urge the person to have just that little bit more.

If you find you are now in that situation then it is vital to seek professional help much sooner than later.

Stopping this problem is not easy, but the longer a person ignores the need for help the deeper the problems will become. The final result being an addiction that is very difficult to overcome.

alcohol damage

5 Ways Alcohol Damages Your Body

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Understanding Addiction, United States

If you type into Google “benefits of alcohol” no doubt you will get thousands of results providing information on these benefits, with studies to back up the claims. Studies have found some small benefits when alcohol is consumed in moderation, such as red wine containing lots of antioxidants and beer having certain vitamins and minerals.

But whilst these finding may be true, as soon as you start drinking more than the recommended daily allowance, you will likely start causing much more damage to your body than good. Try typing into Google “long term side effects of alcohol” and you will get a complete list of the damages that long term alcohol use does to the body.

So while you may consider that drinking small amounts of alcohol is providing you some health benefits, you must always be aware of what the damaging long term effects are too.

Long Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse

The effects that alcohol can have on a person’s health will depend on a number of factors such as their overall health and how much they drink and how often. Alcohol is primed to destroy certain parts of the human body, so even those that drink small amounts; overtime it can still wreak havoc on the body.

Here are the top 5 damaging effects that alcohol has.

Damage to the Liver

It is probably one of the most well-known effects that alcohol causes damage to the liver. The liver is a vital organ which does amazing work by filtering harmful substances out of the body, as well as converting the nutrients that we consume into energy. So whilst it is designed to encounter damaging substances, it cannot keep handling them in large amounts. Drinking too much alcohol at one time will overwork the liver and this can eventually lead to conditions such as massive amount of scarring and eventually cirrhosis. If too much damage is done then the liver will not be able to filter out other harmful substances and this can be fatal. The good news is that the liver is able to heal itself, so if there is not already too much damage done, stopping drinking will give a person’s liver a good chance of recovery.

Damage to the Digestive System  

The digestive system is another important part of the body which is made up of a number of organs that can become damaged from alcohol abuse. Some of the parts of this system that can become damage include the mouth, throat, salivary glands and stomach. Conditions that can relate to these include irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, gastritis, heartburn, ulcers and certain types of cancers.

Damage to the Immune System

Even though you do not notice it, the immune system is working full time to prevent infections in the body and fight off disease. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can cause damage to the immune system by weakening it, which in turn can increase the risk of getting ill. Alcohol can also have an effect on the amount of white blood cells that the body produces. These are produced by lymph nodes to attack any foreign invaders.

Damage to the Bones

Calcium is required throughout the body to help create and maintain strong bones. Calcium is absorbed into the body with the help of the pancreas and combines with the liver’s activation of vitamin D to create healthy bones. Since alcohol can cause damage to both the pancreas and the liver, it can have an effect on calcium absorption in the body and ultimately lead to conditions such as brittle bones or arthritis.

Damage to the Brain

Alcohol has a sedative effect on a person which is why people often become slurred and have poor coordination and judgement. It is believe that long term alcohol use can cause the frontal lobes of the brain to shrink which in turn, increases the risk of developing dementia in later years.

 

For some individuals, cutting down on alcohol or quitting completely can be a simple thing to do, but for others, it can be extremely hard. If you are struggling to quit alcohol use then one option is to attend rehab. Rehab has a high success rate and will get you on the road to recovery, even if you attend for just a few weeks.

Teenage Addict

5 Ways to help Get Your Addicted Teen into Rehab

Articles, Education, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

If you have a teenage son or daughter who is addicted to drugs, no doubt you are full of emotions, desperately hoping that they can get better and live a life free from addiction.

Firstly, you need to realise that it is just as important that you look after yourself as you try and help your child. Naturally, as a parent you will probably be feeling very stressed, as well as other emotions such as fear, anger and sadness. The key is not to try everything by yourself; it is ok to ask for help and accept any help that you are offered. There are often support groups locally for parents in exactly the same position as you are.

Being strong and knowing what to expect will also help you be able to get your child into a rehab program. But how exactly can this be achieved?

Below are some tips that you should consider before you approach the subject.

I Don’t need to go to rehab

Most teenagers will feel that they don’t need to go to rehab. They may think that they are not an addict or are just experimenting and can stop at any time, however, this is usually not the case. Your job as a parent is to help them see the benefits they will get from rehab.

Explain to your child that they will need help with physical, psychological and social aspects of their addiction, all of what will be covered at a rehabilitation facility.

Speak about the fact that addictions can be unique to individuals and that some are genetically wired to be more addicted than others.

The important thing for them to understand is that addicts need professional help with their addiction and they won’t be able to beat it by themselves.

Please don’t make me go – rehab is scary

The first thing that comes to mind when rehab is mentioned to your teenage child is that it compares to some sort of prison. They will also be worried about leaving their friends behind and having to spend their time alone without any loved ones.

If your child expresses these negative views you need to be patient with them and help them understand more about rehab facilities. Most facilities have brochures or websites that you can sit down with your child and look through together.

Reassure them that you are on the path of recovery with them and that you will work your hardest to support them. It is important that your child feels as though they have made the decision to enter rehab as feeling forced to go will likely result in a less than positive outcome.

Your concern is an act of love.

Remember that teenagers can be intense at the best of times. It can be hard to come across as caring when your child is showing anger, bewilderment, sadness and tears. However, you need to remember that your child will be looking for stability in the storm and you need to be able to offer it. Always be prospered and remain calm in your discussions. Tell them that you love them and that you just want to see them get better.

Remember you are the parent

Teenagers and young adults most often benefit more from treatment when they decide to go on their own free will. Whilst in some places in the world, a person under the age of 17 can be forced into rehab, it is always better if they are willing to go.

It is likely going to be very frightening for them at first, so you need to be supportive every step of the way, including when they return from rehab.

Most rehabs will let you see the facilities first before making a decision so it can be a good idea for you to attend some facilities with your child and see which one they like the most.

Also Remember….

Your child will benefit the most from early intervention in their addiction problem. Often times a parent will believe their child when they say they are just experimenting or they promise you they have quit already. Research shows that this is very rarely the case!