Posts Tagged ‘mental health’

What I Learned About Substance Abuse in High School

When I was in the tenth grade in high school, I took a substance abuse class. At that age, I did not realize that alcohol abuse in reality was a sub classification of drug abuse. While taking this class and learning more about drug and alcohol abuse and particularly about alcohol side effects, I read a lot about Alcoholic Anonymous, their meetings, how their programs have twelve steps, and how successful the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery program has been for individuals throughout the world. I also learned quite a bit about alcohol treatment and the diverse alcohol rehab clinics that are normally available to individuals who engage in abusive drinking.

Harmful Effects That are Correlated With Alcohol Addiction and Alcohol Abuse

Some of the dangerous consequences linked to alcoholism and alcohol abuse that I learned about in this class without a doubt startled me. The ruined lives and countless serious issues experienced by most alcohol dependent people made me feel like I never wanted to drink alcohol when I became old enough. That is, I did not want to face the damage and ruination that alcohol dependent people almost always experience.

Let this sink in for a moment. What fifteen-year-old teenager wants to face premature death due to his or her drinking behavior? What teenager wants to become so out-of-control regarding his or her drinking that drinking alcohol becomes the object of one’s life? What adolescent wants to go to one of the local alcoholic rehabilitation centers to deal with alcohol-related issues before he or she becomes twenty-one?

What youth wants to experience alcohol withdrawals when he or she tries to quit drinking? Why would an individual engage in drinking to such an extent that it would cause problems in every area of his or her life? Drinking later in life after a person has a career, a family, and develops personal responsibilities makes sense. But why would a young person want to sacrifice his or her education, employment, finances, and relationships for a life that centers on hazardous drinking?

These issues were so meaningful that I talked about some of them in class during the school year. What was completely unbelievable to me was the number of students who simply didn’t care about the detrimental consequences of irresponsible drinking that I discussed. It was almost as if they couldn’t be troubled with the truth and how these outcomes can destroy their lives. For the first time in my life I started to comprehend something that my grandfather used to articulate throughout my youth: you can lead a horse to water but you can’t force it to drink.

It’s Important, Energizing, and Beneficial to Keep Yourself From the Unhealthy and Debilitating Outcomes of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

And even at my young age, I also began to comprehend how invigorating, important, and beneficial it is in life to remove yourself from the unhealthy and damaging results of drug and alcohol abuse.

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

If You Had An Anxiety Disorder, Would You Realise?

Panic and anxiety attacks are on the increase. Who knows whether it’s our modern more stressful way of life or not. No matter the cause, they are increasing and causing more people more problems than ever.

Could you spot if you were having a panic or anxiety attack? That’s a difficult question to answer as the symptoms are quite wide ranging and can vary from mild to the downright frightening. You may just experience a hot sweat or you may experience an attack where you can’t breath and your heart races out of control.

I think if you were having the more serious symptoms you would know you needed some type of help. But you could also be having mild symptoms and not even know it’s an anxiety related attack. This could be a warning sign that things are about to get worse, much worse.

My wife suffered a bad panic attack while she was out driving our car. Needless to say it wasn’t just the actual anxiety attack that frightened her but the fact she could have crashed and killed herself and others. This scenario just doesn’t bear thinking about.

If you haven’t been feeling yourself lately, maybe you’ve had one or two of these symptoms… Difficulty sleeping, a bit on edge or anxious, can’t concentrate, constantly irritated or fidgeting a lot. Having any of these mild symptoms could be a warning sign.

But before you actually have a panic attack thinking about those symptoms let me put your mind at ease. There are many normal things that can cause symptoms like those. And you shouldn’t worry about them. Lack of sleep may just be too much caffeine. Fidgeting may be uncomfortable clothing.

If you would rather be safe than sorry you can find out if you are heading for anxiety attacks. You can take an anxiety symptoms test which may give you a better idea. The test involves answering yes or no to a few questions and adding your score up at the end.

You can then make a better informed decision to seek out further help or not. There’s an anxiety (panic) symptoms test here.

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Basic Components in An Effective Alcohol Dependency Intervention

What are the significant elements in a fruitful alcohol intervention? Why do some alcohol dependency interventions happen as expected while many fail?

The Necessity for a Celebrated Record of Intervention Accomplishment

Scientific examination reveals that a fruitful alcohol dependency intervention needs to be managed by an intervention professional who has a proven record of intervention achievement.

Essentially this means that instead of selecting an “everyday” alcoholism healthcare practitioner or psychotherapist for an alcoholism intervention, the person who is selected to manage the intervention needs to be trained in substance abuse intervention methods and needs to possess a track record of successful alcoholism interventions.

A Few Rudimentary Examples of The Most Optimal Time For an Alcohol Abuse Intervention

Scientific investigation has also made evident the fact that the most worthwhile time for an alcohol abuse intervention is following a consequential occasion in the life of the alcohol dependent individual or alcohol abuser. The following represents a few examples of these kinds of special events:

  • The alcohol addicted person or abusive drinker has been caught stealing something of value
  • The abusive drinker or alcohol dependent individual has been caught lying about something of import
  • The alcohol addicted person or abusive drinker has been confined for a DWI or DUI.

In circumstances like these, the alcohol-dependent person or alcohol abuser is more apt to feel contrite or to feel ashamed, thereby making him or her more interested in getting the quality alcohol therapy that is required.

At this point in time, moreover, it is also important to give emphasis to the fact that the alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent individual needs to be free of alcohol during the alcohol addiction intervention. To be brief, if the alcohol abuser or alcohol addicted person is “under the influence” during an alcoholism intervention, the lack of success is almost assured.

Moreover, scientific research has also made evident the fact that the abusive drinker or alcohol addicted individual has to at least try to listen to what is articulated in an alcohol intervention. Stated differently, during an alcoholism intervention, the hazardous drinker or alcoholic needs to listen to what his or her drinking problems have done to those who care for him or her the most.

The Magnitude of Alcohol Therapy For the Problem Drinker

And lastly, scientific exploration makes evident the fact that the main reason for an alcohol abuse intervention in the first place is to ”push” the alcohol abuser or alcohol-dependent person to get the professional alcohol abuse counseling that is necessary. Stated more clearly, even if the individual who administers the intervention has an exceptional record of effective interventions and even if the hazardous drinker or alcohol-dependent person frankly listens to every word that is spoken all the way through an intervention, if the alcohol abuser or alcohol addicted person is not encouraged to get professional alcohol addiction treatment after the alcohol dependency intervention, then the intervention will be a failure.

It is clear to see that all of these factors are needed for a successful alcohol abuse intervention. If, on the other hand, the alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent individual is not stirred to ask for alcohol treatment after listening to his or her family members express the hurt, irritation, and discontent they feel about the alcohol abuser’s or alcoholic’s irresponsible drinking behavior and the concern they feel for the problem drinker, then every other aspect of the alcohol intervention will fundamentally be insignificant.

Even Successful Alcohol Abuse Interventions Can Fail Down the Road

It also needs to be accentuated that in the face of the fact that the alcohol abuse intervention can be perceived as fruitful in that it helped put the hazardous drinker or alcohol dependent individual in a more receptive mindset and sincerely helped the alcohol-dependent person or hazardous drinker make up his or her mind that he or she needed alcohol rehab or professional help for alcoholism or alcohol abuse, the sheer reality that the intervention transpired might lead to bitterness, irritation, and distrust in the future.

In short, even when addiction interventions are seen as productive in the short run, in the long term, to the contrary, they may fail to go as planned and, as a consequence, might make the family and/or the alcohol addicted person’s circumstance even poorer than it was before the alcoholism intervention took place.

No matter how inequitable or incongruous this seems, try to keep in mind that it is basically one of the central alcohol facts that has to be addressed when performing an alcohol intervention.

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,

What I Learned About Drug Abuse and Alcoholism in High School

When I was in the tenth grade in high school, I enrolled into a substance abuse class. At that time, I did not understand that alcohol abuse in truth was a sub category of drug abuse. While taking this class and learning more about drug and alcohol abuse, I read a lot about Alcoholic Anonymous, their meetings, how their programs have twelve steps, and how successful the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery program has been for individuals throughout the world. I also learned a lot about alcohol rehab and the diverse alcohol rehab facilities that are commonly available to alcohol abusers.

Some of the detrimental outcomes linked to alcoholism and alcohol abuse that I learned about in this class definitely frightened me. The ruined lives and countless problems experienced by most alcohol addicted people made me feel like I never wanted to drink alcohol when I became old enough. That is, I did not want to face the disaster and devastation that alcohol addicted people almost always go through.

Let this sink in for a moment. What fifteen-year-old person wants to face premature death due to his or her drinking behavior? What teenager wants to become so out-of-control regarding his or her drinking that consuming alcohol becomes the object of one’s life? What adolescent wants to go to one of the local alcoholic rehabilitation centers to deal with alcohol-related issues before he or she becomes twenty-one?

What youth wants to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms when he or she tries to quit drinking? Why would an individual engage in drinking to such an extent that it would cause serious issues in every area of his or her life? Drinking later in life after an individual has a career, a family, and develops personal responsibilities makes sense. But why would an adolescent want to sacrifice his or her education, employment, finances, and relationships for a life that revolves around excessive drinking?

These issues were so noteworthy that I talked about some of them in class during the school year. What was utterly inconceivable to me was the number of students who simply didn’t care about the detrimental effects of excessive drinking that I talked about. It was almost as if they couldn’t care less about reality and how these outcomes can demolish their lives. For the first time in my life I started to comprehend something that my grandfather used to emphasize all through my younger years: you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

What I Learned About Alcoholism and Drug Addiction in High School

When I was in the tenth grade in high school, I registered for a drug abuse class. At that age, I did not grasp the fact that alcohol abuse in reality was a sub classification of drug abuse. While taking this class and learning more about drug and alcohol abuse, I read a lot about Alcoholic Anonymous, their meetings, how their programs have twelve steps, and how successful the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery program has been for individuals all through the world. I also learned quite a bit about alcohol rehabilitation and the diverse alcohol rehab clinics that are often available to alcohol abusers.

Some of the injurious consequences correlated with alcoholism and alcohol abuse that I learned about in this class absolutely startled me. The ruined lives and frequent difficulties experienced by most alcohol dependent individuals made me feel like I never wanted to drink alcohol when I became old enough. That is, I did not want to face the damage and destruction that alcohol dependent people almost always encounter.

Reflect on this for a moment. What fifteen-year-old teenager wants to face premature death due to his or her drinking behavior? What adolescent wants to become so out-of-control regarding his or her drinking that consuming alcohol becomes the object of one’s life? What young person wants to go to one of the local alcoholic rehabilitation centers to deal with alcohol-related issues before he or she becomes twenty-one?

What adolescent wants to go through alcohol withdrawal symptoms when he or she tries to stop drinking? Why would an individual engage in drinking to such an extent that it would cause serious issues in every area of his or her life? Drinking later in life after an individual has a career, a family, and develops personal responsibilities makes sense. But why would a young person want to sacrifice his or her education, employment, finances, and relationships for a life that focuses on irresponsible drinking?

These issues were so noteworthy that I discussed some of them in class throughout the school year. What was absolutely astonishing to me was the number of students who essentially didn’t care about the harmful effects of irresponsible drinking that I talked about. It was almost as if they couldn’t be bothered with reality and how these effects can destroy their lives. For the first time in my life I started to comprehend a saying that my grandfather used to articulate all through my youth: you can lead a horse to water but you can’t force it to drink.

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

What I Learned About Drug Addiction and Alcohol Dependency in High School

When I was a sophomore in high school, I took a drug abuse class. At that time, I did not understand that alcohol abuse in reality was a sub classification of drug abuse. While taking this class and learning more about drug and alcohol abuse, I read a lot about Alcoholic Anonymous, their meetings, how their programs have twelve steps, and how successful the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery program has been for people throughout the world. I also learned quite a bit about alcohol treatment and the various alcohol rehab centers that are habitually available to alcohol abusers.

Some of the negative consequences related to alcoholism and alcohol abuse that I learned about in this class certainly terrified me. The ruined lives and many serious issues experienced by most alcohol addicted people made me feel like I never wanted to drink alcohol when I became old enough. Stated briefly, I did not want to face the wreckage and devastation that alcohol dependent people almost always go through.

Reflect on this for a moment. What fifteen-year-old teenager wants to face premature death due to his or her drinking behavior? What teenager wants to become so out-of-control regarding his or her drinking that consuming alcohol becomes the object of one’s life? What teenager wants to go to one of the local alcoholic rehabilitation centers to deal with alcohol-related difficulties before he or she becomes an adult?

What youth wants to experience alcohol withdrawals when he or she tries to quit drinking? Why would an individual engage in drinking to such an extent that it would cause problems in every area of his or her life? Drinking later in life after an individual has a career, a family, and develops personal responsibilities makes sense. But why would an adolescent want to sacrifice his or her education, employment, finances, and relationships for a life that centers on excessive drinking?

These issues were so meaningful that I talked about some of them in class throughout the school year. What was totally unbelievable to me was the number of students who basically didn’t care about the detrimental consequences of irresponsible drinking that I talked about. It was almost as if they couldn’t be troubled with the facts and how these outcomes can wreck their lives. For the first time in my life I started to understand a saying that my grandfather used to articulate throughout my adolesence: you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Critical Factors in A Productive Alcohol Dependency Intervention

What are the main components in a fruitful alcohol intervention? Why do some alcoholism interventions work while several fail?

The Need for a Well-Known History of Intervention Attainment

Scientific study demonstrates that a fruitful alcoholism intervention needs to be managed by an intervention professional who has an established reputation of intervention success.

Fundamentally this means that rather than making a choice for an “average” addiction healthcare practitioner or psychologist for an alcohol abuse intervention, the person who is selected to direct the intervention needs to be instructed in alcohol dependency intervention techniques and needs to have a track record of “winning” alcoholism interventions.

A Few Rudimentary Examples of The Best Time For an Alcohol Addiction Intervention

Scientific analysis has also made evident the fact that the best time for an alcohol intervention is following a noteworthy incident in the life of the alcohol dependent person or hazardous drinker. The following represents a few illustrations of these kinds of important events:

  • The alcoholic or abusive drinker has been caught stealing something of importance
  • The alcohol abuser or alcohol addicted individual has been caught lying about something of importance
  • The alcoholic or abusive drinker has been confined for driving under the influence.

In circumstances like these, the alcohol addicted individual or alcohol abuser is more likely to be repentant or to feel guilt-ridden, thereby making him or her more receptive to getting the quality alcohol rehabilitation that is required.

At this juncture, moreover, it is also essential to state that the abusive drinker or alcoholic needs to be alcohol-free during the alcohol abuse intervention. In a few words, if the alcohol abuser or alcohol-dependent person is inebriated during an alcohol intervention, the lack of success is virtually certain.

Furthermore, scientific study has also displayed the fact that the abusive drinker or alcoholic has to at least try to listen to what is said in an alcohol dependency intervention. Stated more specifically, during an alcohol intervention, the hazardous drinker or alcoholic needs to listen to what his or her drinking behavior has done to those who care for him or her the most.

The Importance of Alcohol Treatment For the Alcohol Abuser

And finally, scientific examination demonstrates that the essential reason for an alcohol dependency intervention in the first place is to convince the alcohol abuser or alcohol-dependent person to get the quality alcohol rehab he or she needs. Stated more clearly, even if the individual who manages the intervention has a superb profile of effective interventions and even if the alcohol abuser or alcohol addicted person in all honesty listens to every single word that is spoken for the duration of an intervention, if the hazardous drinker or alcoholic is not stimulated to get professional alcohol therapy after the alcoholism intervention, then the intervention will be a debacle.

Without a doubt all of these factors are needed for a fruitful alcohol intervention. If, to the contrary, the hazardous drinker or alcohol addicted person is not stimulated to seek alcohol abuse treatment after listening to his or her family members put into words the agony, wrath, and frustration they feel about the abusive drinker’s or alcoholic’s hazardous drinking behavior and the concern they feel for the problem drinker, then every other phase of the alcoholism intervention will more or less be immaterial.

Even Effective Alcohol Abuse Interventions Can Backfire In the Future

It also needs to be accentuated that despite the fact that the alcohol abuse intervention can be seen as effective in that it helped put the hazardous drinker or alcohol addicted person in a more amenable mindset and in truth helped the alcohol-dependent person or hazardous drinker decide that he or she required alcohol therapy or quality help for alcoholism or alcohol abuse, the mere reality that the intervention transpired may lead to bitterness, wrath, and mistrust down the road.

In a few words, even when alcohol abuse interventions are seen as productive in the short term, in the long term, then again, they may boomerang and, as a consequence, may make the family and/or the alcohol abuser’s circumstance even worse than it was before the alcohol addiction intervention took place.

No matter how unjust or incongruous this seems, try to keep in mind that it is basically one of the central alcohol facts that has to be dealt with when conducting an alcohol intervention.

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,