Tag Archives: Addiction

Addiction Energy is it Positive or Negative Energy Center!

April 29, 2014

Addiction Energy-Choosing Positive or Negative Centers

Addiction Energy

If it is addiction energy messing up your life you need to worry less and channel your energy into seeking help from the experts

A center is considered integrated when there is a balanced experience of the dualistic qualities of that center. This means we have learned to recognize and accept both the “positive” and “negative” poles of the duality, incorporating them into a basically positive experience. No large amount of avoidance and suppression is occurring, and previously suppressed energies have been cleared. Addiction Energy is a missing element in many drug addiction centers. If we cannot realistically say that we have learned to experience the negative pole in a harmonious way, at least we have learned how to accept it and work with it constructively – for example, through processing.

Addiction Energy-We become addicted to the positive because we are unwilling to face the negative

Un-integrated we become addicted at various levels of experience. We become addicted to the “positive” side of any one dualistic experience because we are not willing to face the “negative” side of its duality. We seek to escape to the positive side, often not even realizing that both sides are dependent on one another for their existence. Addicted Energy is dual in nature, we need to become more aware of the duality of Addiction Energy.

However, because of the nature of dualism, the more we try to experience the positive, the more we also generate the negative. We become frustrated. We attempt to suppress the intensifying negative with more experiences of the positive, and the Addiction Energy cycle builds. Addiction can occur not only at the Sensation or Nurturing levels, where it is normally recognized, but in all centers. We develop a deep hunger for a particular need, but no matter what we do to try to satisfy the hunger, it remains or even becomes worse. Addictive behavior is also known as “compulsive.”

Addiction Energy-Addiction requires psychic energy

Each addiction can be related to a certain center of consciousness. Addiction is the result of an Addiction Energy imbalance in that particular center. The center is blocked and does not experience the normal energy flow of a healthy center. The center is blocked because of our suppression. Through the avoidance of feelings in the center, we create the block. To maintain the block requires energy, energy the addiction supplies. All addiction provides an extra supply of energy, taken either from external sources or from the body’s internal reserves. So to better treat addiction we need to understand the Addiction Energy.

The cravings that arise for a particular object of addiction are learned. Through experience, we learn that energy can be obtained from a certain source and used to maintain the block. When the block begins to weaken, because the suppressing energy is getting low, we begin to get glimpses of exactly what we are suppressing, and we experience discomfort, anxiety, depression, and so on. We then seek the addictive experience once more, to gain the energy required to maintain the block to the feelings. The feelings are re-suppressed, over and over. Because the suppressed feelings will continue to build, the suppressing energy also must keep increasing, resulting in the extraordinary means that must be used to provide the energy. We enter the expanding cycle of addiction.

Usually we are addicted to a center’s complement to the negative experience. However, we also can escape to another, usually higher, center and draw energy from there. The higher center will suppress the pain of the lower center. Thus, if we experience anxiety from an un-integrated Survival center, we could attempt to suppress it by becoming compulsively addicted to wealth and security, but we also could suppress it by compulsive seeking in any higher center, such as sex, power, love, even creativity.

Addiction Energy-Breaking Addiction

This is most difficult for many addicts, funnily enough addicts do appreciate that they have a problem but many times it just end there. Taking the next step always becomes a problem. It is therefore necessary for addicts to know that the first step in breaking addiction after acknowledging that you’re addicted is to understand how it works. When you know why you act compulsively, you weaken the power of the addiction greatly. You must stop yielding to the addictive experience. Process the addictive urge as well as the feeling that you are suppressing with the addiction. Self-processing can be the main approach because it is individualized and easy to own. Nevertheless we have some other approaches, such as therapy, group support, or medical support in cases of chemical dependency which are equally helpful and can help you make meaningful progress towards getting well.

When you confront feelings related to addiction, you meet your demon (addiction) head on. By doing these you must realize that you are clearing all accumulated negativity in your system; all you need to do is to proceed patiently and gently as well as sensibly as you can. You must not demand too much of yourself, nor should you yield too easily. The delicate balance, the sense of making steady progress, must be established. As you learn how to work on yourself, you will acquire new tools that will help you tremendously. You will be able to cleanse negativity that previously compelled you to act in addictive ways.

In conclusion dear reader, you know the kind of center of addiction you may be suffering from or that of your loved one. Reading and doing nothing would be a great disservice for you and to your loved ones. You can impact positively by seeking the help of experts in this line. At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury who is the founder and MD of the facility, you will meet a team of professionals who will care for you and administer treatment to you while putting emphasis on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE.

Besides being the founder of this facility, she is also offering treatment to other physicians and health care professionals globally through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. Any qualified professional can now be a part of this truly successful and fast addiction recovery treatment. Remember you can only live this life once and you can’t afford to let this opportunity slip away. Grub it and live your life to the fullest.

Addiction Energy-Choosing Positive or Negative Centers

 

 

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Restoration of Immune System to heal addiction

April 28, 2014

Restoration of Immune System to heal addiction-Drug and Alcohol Addiction Wreak Havoc

Immune System to heal addiction

Immune system is an asset to keep by eating healthy food and physical activities. This will also help heal addiction

The body of a human being is a compound of many vital organs performing different functions that help keep the body well and healthy. The success of these functions is normally based on the total elimination of any substance that may work against these functions. When the body is functioning well we say the immunity system is strong. So what is immunity? It is the ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells. We need to restore our immune system to heal addiction. The white blood cells are the defenders of the body from attacks by diseases however substance which weakens the body’s immunity does so by attacking the white blood cell. We will through this article be discussing majorly the proper healing of addiction through the restoration of immune system.

Your immune system is like a finely tuned orchestra whose purpose is to defend your body from unhealthy insults from the world around you. Like an orchestra, your immune system contains many different instruments that work harmoniously together with one goal, protecting you from foreign insults that can cause damage to your body. And, like an orchestra, the different parts of your immune system must be present to play their part at the right time, and then stop when they have completed their function. The main parts of your immune system to heal addiction are the immune cells, the structural barriers in your body in which the majority of these cells are localized, and the specific messenger molecules that call the cells to action or tell them to stop.

The cells of your immune system are found circulating in your bloodstream or in the lymph nodes, which are located throughout your body; therefore, the immune cells themselves are spread throughout your tissues and can travel quickly when called upon. This way, your immune system is positioned so that it can minimize the entrance into your body of foreign invaders that can cause infection and disease and can quickly respond to any invaders that do manage to gain entrance into your body.

Restoration of Immune System to heal addiction-The foundation for defense

Your immune system also relies upon specific structures in your body that provide a foundation for defense. The most important structures are the barriers between the inside of your body and the outside. These barriers keep unwanted organisms and molecules from entering your body where they can do damage. Since your skin is in contact with the outside world, it is probably not surprising that your skin is an important barrier; however, it is only one part of your defensive barrier. Your gastrointestinal tract is actually the largest barrier between you and the outside world. Restore your gut and your immune system to heal addiction.

Restoration of Immune System to heal addiction -The soluble factors

Your immune system also includes molecules called soluble factors. These are molecules that can recognize when your barrier has been compromised by a foreign invader or toxin and then try to heal the area of damage and remove the insult from your body rapidly. Factors such as the complement cascade, a complex group of proteins, can form an immediate response to an insult. Your immune system also can deploy signaling molecules, which are soluble factors that send messages to the immune cells located further inside the tissue that has been compromised, or into your bloodstream. These messenger soluble factors call immune cells to the site of damage and activate the cells, bringing them in full force to the infected area. These messenger molecules are called cytokines. So we need to restore our immune system to heal addiction.

Your cytokines not only signal immune cells to take up action, but they also often promote an inflammatory response. The inflammatory response at a site of infection is one way your body secludes, or walls-off, an infected area. For example, if you have ever had poison ivy, or gotten a rash from eating a food to which you are allergic, you may have noticed the signs of inflammation — redness and swelling — surrounding the affected area. So, when we talk about the immune system, it is not one organ; it is really the types of immune cells, structures, and soluble factors, like cytokines, which are present throughout all your organs that constitute the immune system. And, your immune system gets help from your inflammatory response.

Restoration of Immune System to heal addiction -Addictive substances

Having understood the proper functionality of our immune system it will be necessary that we take a moment and look at some of these substances that work against the well-being of the body and causes addiction. While there are some serious consequences, the impact substances have on the body can extend much further. Consider how these illicit substances commonly associated with addiction can impair health of regular users:

Cocaine

From a basic standpoint, those sniffing cocaine on a regular basis will likely cause severe damage to their sinus cavities. This repetitive aggravation can heighten risk of developing cold or other circulatory issues. While seemingly minor, these health issues can be indicative of a much larger loss of strong immune response. A 2003 study found that cocaine use can limit the production of IL-6 cytokines, a “hormone of the immune system” that plays a major part in prompting recovery when the body is damaged. We should avoid cocaine to restore the immune system to heal addiction.

Opioids

Opioids that come in the form of prescription drugs are commonly marketed as medications tailored to help improve the health of patients experiencing chronic pain. While these pills may be able to relieve pain under strict use, these medications are highly addictive and can lead patients to use them on a regular basis. Regular use of opioids can impair daily function a great deal, but what many may not notice is a progressive decline in immune response. Therefore we need to stop opioid use to restore the immune system and heal addiction.

Alcohol

This is the most abused addictive drug globally and we are all aware of the dramatic health consequences of drinking even in non-alcoholic scenarios. For instance, drinking is often identified with the unpleasant side effects of nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, impaired movement and headache. However, those who abuse alcohol regularly or binge drink could be doing a great deal of harm to their immune system.

Noting that many alcoholics struggle with binge-drinking, it is important to learn what long-term damage is being done to the body beyond blacking out. Exhaustion as a result of binging on drugs or alcohol can be a significant cause of illness. When a person binge drinks, they may cause their body to go into toxic shock from the large amount of alcohol in their bloodstream.

Restoration of Immune System to heal addiction -Healing the Immune System

From this discussion it’s clear that immune system does a lot for us to keep us as healthy as possible, but in order to be in our best state, it is imperative that we do everything we can to protect and heal our immune system, in other words the restoration of immune system to heal addiction is a must. While enrolling in an addiction recovery can be a great way to spark this healing process and create a healthier and brighter future, the choice of the expert and facility can be a challenge to many. As for you my dear reader this won’t be a problem because you have doctor Dalal Akoury the founder and MD of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. At her center you will be attended by highly qualified and caring professionals who will focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. It will not matter the problem you have whether you are an addict or your immune system is the problem, this is the place to be and you will have your life back. Restore the immune system to heal addiction cannot be easier here at AWAREmed.

Restoration of Immune System to heal addiction -Drug and Alcohol Addiction Wreak Havoc

 

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Drug addiction and the brain

April 25, 2014

Drug addiction and the brain-Effects of dopamine on addiction

Dopamine

why dopamine-producing drugs are so addictive is that they have the ability to constantly fill a need for more dopamine.

In the previous article we stated that dopamine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning that when it finds its way to its receptor sites, it blocks the tendency of that neuron to fire. We also noted that it is strongly associated with reward mechanisms in the brain. That aside new research on the brain is showing that addiction is a matter of memories, and recovery is a slow process in which the influence of those memories is diminished.

Further studies have also shown that addictive drugs stimulate a reward circuit in the brain. The circuit provides incentives for action by registering the value of important experiences. Rewarding experiences trigger the release of the brain chemical dopamine, telling the brain “do it again.” What makes permanent recovery difficult is drug-induced change that creates lasting memories linking the drug to a pleasurable reward.

Drug addiction and the brain-Brain circuits

Addiction involves many of the same brain circuits that govern learning and memory. Long-term memories are formed by the activity of brain substances called transcription factors. All perceived rewards, including drugs, increase the concentration of transcription factors. So repeatedly taking drugs can change the brain cells and make the memory of the pleasurable effects very strong. Even after transcription factor levels return to normal, addicts may remain hypersensitive to the drug and the cues that predict its presence. This can heighten the risk of relapse in addicts long after they stop taking the drug.

Knowing more about how addiction works in the brain has not yet given us any effective new treatments, but it has suggested new possibilities while providing a better understanding of how the available treatments work. The hardest job will be finding substances that lower the risk of addiction but do not interfere with responses to natural rewards. So far there is little evidence that any one type of therapy works better for addiction than another.

Drug addiction and the brain-Brain Chemistry

It has been demonstrated times and again that drug addiction is a powerful force that can take control of the lives of users. In the past, addiction was thought to be a weakness of character or just misbehavior, but in recent decades research has increasingly found that addiction to drugs like cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine is a matter of brain chemistry.

Experts at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, says that the way a brain becomes addicted to a drug is related to how a drug increases levels of the naturally-occurring neurotransmitter dopamine, which modulates the brain’s ability to perceive reward reinforcement. The pleasure sensation that the brain gets when dopamine levels are elevated creates the motivation for us to proactively perform actions that are indispensable to our survival for example eating or procreation. Dopamine is what conditions us to do the things we need to do.

Drug addiction and the brain-Neurochemical reward

Using addictive drugs floods the limbic brain with dopamine taking it up to as much as five or 10 times the normal level. With these levels elevated, the user’s brain begins to associate the drug with an outsize neurochemical reward. Over time, by artificially raising the amount of dopamine our brains think is normal, the drugs create a need that only they can meet.

For instance, when a drug produce increases in dopamine in these limbic areas of the brain, then your brain is going to understand that signal as something that is very reinforcing, and will learn it very fast so that the next time you get exposed to that stimuli, your brain already has learned that reinforcing instantly. Over time, the consistently high levels of dopamine create plastic changes to the brain, desensitizing neurons so that they are less affected by it, and decreasing the number of receptors. That leads to the process of addiction, wherein a person loses control and is left with an intense drive to compulsively take the drug.

According to experts the reason why dopamine-producing drugs are so addictive is that they have the ability to constantly fill a need for more dopamine. So a person may take a hit of cocaine, snort it, it increases dopamine, takes a second, it increases dopamine, third, fourth, fifth, sixth. So there’s never that decrease that ultimately leads to the satiety. Addiction has to do with the brain’s expectations. An emerging idea is that drugs basically hijack the brain’s normal computational enjoyment and reward mechanisms.

For example let’s say you’re happy about a great chocolate ice cream and over time you learn to expect that the chocolate ice cream is really great and you have no more dopamine released in expectation of that when you receive it. Nevertheless if you take an addictive drug you can never learn to expect it because the drug itself will release an extra kick of dopamine. And when that happens, the value of that drug keeps increasing because now you’re learning that wow my expectations were violated, therefore this must be much more valuable than what I thought before. So what ends up happening is that dopamine system gets hijacked by these drugs.

It must be noted that there are other components to addiction like genetics and age of exposure which is why not everyone who takes drugs becomes an addict. Approximately 50% of the vulnerability of a person to become addicted is genetically determined, and research indicates that if a person is exposed to drugs in early adolescence they are much more likely to become addicted than if they were exposed to the same drugs as an adult.

Drug addiction and the brain-Take away

One of the key functions of the neurotransmitter dopamine is to create feelings of pleasure that our brains associate with necessary physiological actions like eating and procreating. We are driven to perform these vital functions because our brains are conditioned to expect the dopamine rush that accompanies them.

Addictive drugs flood the brain with dopamine and condition us to expect artificially high levels of the neurotransmitter. Over time, the user’s brain requires more dopamine than it can naturally produce, and it becomes dependent on the drug, which never actually satisfies the need it, has created.

AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury is a facility run by experts headed by doctor Akoury, for proper care and healing of whatever kind of addiction and whatever the level of addiction you need caring experts who will focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome. This kind of treatment can only be found at AWAREmed. Reach out for help and get your life back with real professionals.

Drug addiction and the brain-Effects of dopamine on addiction

 

 

 

 

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Addiction an Energy disease

April 24, 2014

Addiction an Energy disease-Bipolar disorder

Energy

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental disorder that affects everyone. It’s characterized by sudden and intense shifts in mood, behavior and energy levels.

Bipolar disorder, once commonly known as manic depression, is a serious mental disorder that is characterized by sudden and intense shifts in mood, behavior and energy levels. Like substance abuse, bipolar disorder poses a risk to the individual’s physical and emotional well-being. Those afflicted with bipolar disorder have a higher rate of relationship problems, economic instability, accidental injuries and suicide than the general population. They are also significantly more likely to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol. In a study conducted recently:

  • About 56 percent of individuals with bipolar who participated in a national study had experienced drug or alcohol addiction during their lifetime.
  • Approximately 46 percent of that group had abused alcohol or were addicted to alcohol.
  • About 41 percent had abused drugs or were addicted to drugs.
  • Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance among bipolar individuals.

If you are struggling with bipolar disorder and with a drug or alcohol problem, you may have a Dual Diagnosis of bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Having a Dual Diagnosis, or a co-occurring disorder, can make recovery more challenging. Bipolar individuals may experience periods of intense depression alternating with episodes of heightened activity and an exaggerated sense of self-importance. This emotional instability can interfere with your recovery program, making it difficult to comply with the guidelines of your treatment plan.

Addiction an Energy disease-Relationship between Addiction and Bipolar

There is no easy explanation for the high rate of substance abuse and chemical dependence among bipolar individuals. One reason for this phenomenon is that a large percentage of individuals attempt to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol in an effort to numb the painful symptoms of their bipolar disorder. Symptoms of bipolar disorder such as anxiety, pain, depression and sleeplessness are so alarming, that many individuals will turn to drugs and alcohol as a means for offsetting the discomfort, if only for a little while.

Age and gender may play a part in the relationship between addictions and bipolar. According to the journal Bipolar Disorder, substance abuse is more common in young males than in other population groups.

Clinical researchers believe that brain chemistry may influence both bipolar disorder and substance abuse. People with bipolar disorder often have abnormal levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals affect vital functions like appetite, metabolism, sleep and your body’s response to stress. They also affect mood and emotions. Heavy use of drugs or alcohol can interfere with the way your brain processes these chemicals, causing emotional instability, erratic energy levels and depression. People with bipolar disorder may turn to drugs or alcohol out of an unconscious need to stabilize their moods. Unfortunately, substance abuse has the opposite effect, making the symptoms of bipolar disorder worse.

Addiction an Energy disease-Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

We all go through intense episodes of sadness, elation, anger or despair. But for someone who meets the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder, these episodes are all-consuming and uncontrollable. There are four major types of mood episodes that characterize bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression and mixed episodes — each of which has a set of unique symptoms:

Depression

At the “low” end of the bipolar spectrum is depression, an emotional state that is often characterized by sadness, tearfulness and despair. Depression in bipolar disorder may last for days or weeks, depending on your mood cycle. These periods are dangerous for Dual Diagnosis individuals, who have a higher risk of self-injury and suicide when they’re using drugs and alcohol during a low period. When you’re depressed, you may experience:

  • Hopeless feelings
  • Loss of interest in things that used to make you happy
  • Fatigue
  • Changes in appetite
  • Self-loathing
  • Suicidal thoughts

Episodes

The symptoms of bipolar disorder aren’t always clearly defined. In a mixed episode, behaviors reflect a combination of mania and depression. For example, you may have suicidal feelings and loss of interest in your daily activities, combined with racing thoughts, pressured speech and loss of sleep.

You may feel the urge to drink or take drugs in an attempt to balance out these unpredictable mood swings, but intoxication is only a temporary fix that won’t provide permanent relief. To achieve a full recovery, you need professional treatment that helps you stabilize your moods as you deal with the cravings and destructive impulses that characterize addiction. Doctor Dalal Akoury is a professional in this line and she will instantly help you fix this problem.

Addiction an Energy disease-Treatment for Bipolar and Addiction

In the past, bipolar disorder and chemical dependence were addressed as separate conditions and treated at separate facilities. People who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder were referred to mental health treatment centers or psychiatric hospitals, while those who were actively abusing drugs and alcohol were sent to rehab. Today, addiction professionals recognize the importance of treating bipolar disorder and substance abuse at the same time through a process called “integrated treatment.”

Integrated treatment encompasses a number of different treatment strategies. Your treatment plan might include one-on-one psychotherapy with a mental health professional, counseling sessions with addiction specialists, Dual Diagnosis support groups, family counseling and holistic therapy. Features of an integrated program for bipolar disorder and addiction include:

It’s not enough to treat bipolar disorder without addressing the problem of substance abuse, and vice versa. Unless you receive comprehensive care for both conditions, your chances of relapse are high. Relapse prevention strategies for an individual with bipolar disorder must include coping skills for managing the psychological and emotional triggers for substance abuse. Therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) have proven useful in teaching Dual Diagnosis patients how to regulate their emotions and avoid being overwhelmed by dramatic mood changes. 

Group support is crucial to recovery when you have a Dual Diagnosis of bipolar disorder and a substance use disorder. In peer group support meetings and counseling sessions, you’ll learn about the common triggers and risk factors that people with bipolar disorder face in recovery. You’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences with others and to acquire new coping strategies from your peers.

In dual diagnosis treatment centers, the importance of psychotherapeutic medication in treating bipolar disorder is widely acknowledged. Mood-stabilizing medications may be used in combination with antipsychotic drugs or antidepressants to provide complete support for your recovery goals.

Addiction an Energy disease-Challenges to Recovery

Addiction professionals face a number of challenges when it comes to treating bipolar patients with addiction issues. For one thing, many of the symptoms of bipolar disorder are similar to those of drug and alcohol abuse. Therefore, if a person does seek out professional help, it is difficult to see where the mental disorder stops and the addiction begins.

AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury is a resource everyone suffering from elements of this article need to embrace. Doctor Akoury is an expert who has been and still is caring for patients globally with all forms of addictions while focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. My dear friend no matter the magnitude of your situation the doors of AWAREmed are open for you 24/7. Take that bold step of recovery by calling and begin your journey to comfortable, healthy and desirable life.

Addiction an Energy disease-Bipolar disorder

 

 

 

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Obstacles of Alcoholism treatment

April 22, 2014

Obstacles of Alcoholism treatment-Drinking problems and denial

Alcoholism

With alcohol abuse you can never be safe. Run from it and escape its result which is being alcoholic and suffer from alcoholism

Denial is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help for alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The desire to drink is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize drinking, even when the consequences are obvious. By keeping you from looking honestly at your behavior and its negative effects, denial also exacerbates alcohol-related problems with work, finances, and relationships.

If you have a drinking problem, you may deny it by:

  • Drastically underestimating how much you drink
  • Downplaying the negative consequences of your drinking
  • Complaining that family and friends are exaggerating the problem
  • Blaming your drinking or drinking-related problems on others

For example, you may blame an ‘unfair boss’ for trouble at work or a ‘nagging wife’ for your marital issues, rather than look at how your drinking is contributing to the problem. While work, relationship, and financial stresses happen to everyone, an overall pattern of deterioration and blaming others may be a sign of trouble.

If you find yourself rationalizing your drinking habits, lying about them, or refusing to discuss the subject, take a moment to consider why you’re so defensive. If you truly believe you don’t have a problem, there should be no reason for you to cover up your drinking or make excuses.

Effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can affect all aspects of your life. Long-term alcohol use can cause serious health complications, affecting virtually every organ in your body, including your brain. Problem drinking can also damage your emotional stability, finances, career, and your ability to build and sustain satisfying relationships. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can also have an impact on your family, friends and the people you work with.

The effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse on the people you love

Despite the potentially lethal damage that heavy drinking does to the body including cancer, heart problems, and liver disease the social consequences can be just as devastating. Alcoholics and alcohol abusers are much more likely to get divorced, have problems with domestic violence, struggle with unemployment, and live in poverty.

But even if you’re able to succeed at work or hold your marriage together, you can’t escape the effects that alcoholism and alcohol abuse has on your personal relationships. Drinking problems put an enormous strain on the people closest to you.

Often, family members and close friends feel obligated to cover for the person with the drinking problem. So they take on the burden of cleaning up your messes, lying for you, or working more to make ends meet. Pretending that nothing is wrong and hiding away all of their fears and resentments can take an enormous toll. Children are especially sensitive and can suffer long-lasting emotional trauma when a parent or caretaker is an alcoholic or heavy drinker.

Getting help for alcoholism or alcohol abuse

If you’re ready to admit you have a drinking problem, you’ve already taken the first step. It takes tremendous strength and courage to face alcohol abuse and alcoholism head on. Reaching out for support is the second step.

Whether you choose to go to rehab, rely on self-help programs, get therapy, or take a self-directed treatment approach, support is essential. Recovering from alcohol addiction is much easier when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance. Without support, it’s easy to fall back into old patterns when things get tough.

Your continued recovery depends on continuing mental health treatment, learning healthier coping strategies, and making better decisions when dealing with life’s challenges. In order to stay alcohol-free for the long term, you’ll also have to face the underlying problems that led to your alcoholism or alcohol abuse in the first place.

Those problems could be depression, an inability to manage stress, an unresolved trauma from your childhood, or any number of mental health issues. Such problems may become more prominent when you’re no longer using alcohol to cover them up. But you will be in a healthier position to finally address them and seek the help you need.

Helping a loved one with alcoholism or alcohol abuse

If someone you love has a drinking problem, you may be struggling with a number of painful emotions, including shame, fear, anger, and self-blame. The problem may be so overwhelming that it seems easier to ignore it and pretend that nothing is wrong. But in the long run denying it will be more damaging to you, other family members, and the person with the drinking problem. So then what shouldn’t you do?

  • Don’t attempt to punish, threaten, bribe, or preach.
  • Don’t try to be a martyr. Avoid emotional appeals that may only increase feelings of guilt and the compulsion to drink or use other drugs.
  • Don’t cover up or make excuses for the alcoholic or problem drinker or shield them from the realistic consequences of their behavior.
  • Don’t take over their responsibilities, leaving them with no sense of importance or dignity.
  • Don’t hide or dump bottles, throw out drugs, or shelter them from situations where alcohol is present.
  • Don’t argue with the person when they are impaired.
  • Don’t try to drink along with the problem drinker.
  • Above all, don’t feel guilty or responsible for another’s behavior.

Dealing with a loved one’s alcohol problem can be an emotional rollercoaster. It’s vital that you take care of yourself and get the support you need. It’s also important to have people you can talk honestly and openly with about what you’re going through.

A good place to start is by joining a group such as Al-Anon, a free peer support group for families coping with alcoholism. Listening to others with the same challenges can be a tremendous source of comfort and support. You can also turn to trusted friends, a therapist, or people in your faith community.

  • You cannot force someone you love to stop abusing alcohol. As much as you may want to, and as hard as it is to watch, you cannot make someone stop drinking. The choice is up to them.
  • Don’t expect the person to stop drinking and stay sober without help. Your loved one will need treatment, support, and new coping skills to overcome a serious drinking problem.
  • Recovery is an ongoing process. Recovery is a bumpy road, requiring time and patience. An alcoholic will not magically become a different person once sober. And the problems that led to the alcohol abuse in the first place will have to be faced.

Admitting that there’s a serious problem can be painful for the whole family, not just the alcohol abuser. But don’t be ashamed. You’re not alone. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse affects millions of families, from every social class, race, and culture. But there is help and support available for both you and your loved one.

When your teen has a drinking problem

Discovering your child is drinking can generate fear, confusion, and anger in parents. It’s important to remain calm when confronting your teen, and only do so when everyone is sober. Explain your concerns and make it clear that your concern comes from a place of love. It’s important that your teen feels you are supportive.
Five steps parents can take:

  1. Lay down rules and consequences: Your teen should understand that drinking alcohol comes with specific consequences. But don’t make hollow threats or set rules that you cannot enforce. Make sure your spouse agrees with the rules and is prepared to enforce them.
  2. Monitor your teen’s activity: Know where your teen goes and who he or she hangs out with. Remove or lock away alcohol from your home and routinely check potential hiding places for alcohol in backpacks, under the bed, between clothes in a drawer, for example. Explain to your teen that this lack of privacy is a consequence of him or her having been caught using alcohol.
  3. Encourage other interests and social activities: Expose your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports, Scouts, and afterschool clubs.
  4. Talk to your child about underlying issues: Drinking can be the result of other problems. Is your child having trouble fitting in? Has there been a recent major change, like a move or divorce, which is causing stress?
  5. Get outside help: You don’t have to go it alone. Teenagers often rebel against their parents but if they hear the same information from a different authority figure, they may be more inclined to listen. Try seeking help from a sports coach, family doctor, therapist, or counselor.

We have been together trying to understand the real effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse and from the discussion it’s clear that this substance is a time bomb waiting to explode. Before it does you need to take percussions to be safe and your loved once. I want to make worthy recommendation to you that an expert opinion in all this will be very important. Seek help from doctor Dalal Akoury who is an expert in all sorts of addiction and substance abuse. With her you shall have made several steps inside lasting solution which is your ultimate goal.

Obstacles of Alcoholism treatment-Drinking problems and denial

 

 

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