Drinking may be associated with an increased risk for breast cancer

Sep 29th, 2010
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Although men tend to drink more and more often than women. Studies show that among alcohol-abusing or alcohol-dependent people, one third is women. Although women tend to drink less alcohol and have alcohol-related problems and dependence symptoms than men, the heaviest drinking women can surpass men.

Researchers are finding that drinking also may be associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. Scientists reported that risk increases when a woman consumes 1 ounce or more of absolute alcohol daily. However, more research is needed to explore the relationship between drinking and breast cancer.

Source: NIAAA

Posted in: Alcohol Facts.
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Pay attention to older people drinking problems

Sep 9th, 2010
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Drinking problems can happen to anyone at any age. But many people ignore older people drinking problems. Just because seniors have been drinking throughout their whole lives, it doesn’t mean they can drink as much as they want.

Often families, friends, and health care workers often overlook their concerns about older people drinking. People often think the symptoms of alcoholic in older people are just part of aging. But the problem is that as people get older, their body’s tolerance to alcohol also changes. They might get drunk easier and faster than they did before.

Drinking too much alcohol over a long time can:

  • Lead to some kinds of cancer, liver damage, immune system disorders, and brain damage
  • Worsen some health conditions like osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and ulcers
  • Make some medical problems hard for doctors to find and treat. For example, alcohol causes changes in the heart and blood vessels. These changes can dull pain that might be a warning sign of a heart attack.
  • Cause some older people to be forgetful and confused. These symptoms could be mistaken for signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

Source: National Institute on Aging

Posted in: Alcohol Abuse, Alcoholic, Alcoholism.
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Choosing Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program

Aug 12th, 2010
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If you or someone you care for is dependent on alcohol and it has come to the point that professional help is needed, there is always the option of choosing an alcohol addiction treatment program. But before you commit yourself to one of these programs, there are some homework to do. Questions you need to ask yourself:

  1. Is the program run by state-accredited, licensed and/or trained professionals?
  2. Is the facility clean, organized and well-run?
  3. Does the program encompass the full range of needs of the individual (medical: including infectious diseases; psychological: including co-occurring mental illness; social; vocational; legal; etc.)?

The more check you conduct, the better your experiences will be and the more successful your treatment will be.

Source: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Posted in: Alcohol Addiction Treatment, Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program.
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There’s no one single effective way for everyone to quit drinking

Aug 6th, 2010
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Did you know that there’s no one single effective approach for all individuals to quit drinking. If you or someone you care for is dependent on alcohol and needs treatment,fFinding the right treatment program involves careful consideration.

Before you enroll in any programs,  the setting, length of care, philosophical approach and your or your loved one’s needs should all be considered before a decision can be made. There’s one particularly important question to ask before signing up a treatment. That is:

Does the program accept your insurance? If not, will they work with you on a payment plan or find other means of support for you?

If you have to pay out of your own pocket, it can be expensive and add more stress into your situation.

Posted in: Alcohol Addiction Treatment, Alcoholism.
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Ways you can help yourself to cut down drinking

Feb 23rd, 2010
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Watch it at home.

Keep a small amount or no alcohol at home. Don’t keep temptations around.

Drink slowly.

When you drink, sip your drink slowly. Take a break of 1 hour between drinks. Drink soda, water, or juice after a drink with alcohol. Do not drink on an empty stomach! Eat food when you are drinking.

Take a break from alcohol.

Pick a day or two each week when you will not drink at all. Then, try to stop drinking for 1 week. Think about how you feel physically and emotionally on these days. When you succeed and feel better, you may find it easier to cut down for good.

Learn how to say NO.

You do not have to drink when other people drink. You do not have to take a drink that is given to you. Practice ways to say no politely. For example, you can tell people you feel better when you drink less. Stay away from people who give you a hard time about not drinking.

Stay active

What would you like to do instead of drinking? Use the time and money spent on drinking to do something fun with your family or friends. Go out to eat, see a movie, or play sports or a game.

Get support.

Cutting down on your drinking may be difficult at times. Ask your family and friends for support to help you reach your goal. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble cutting down. Get the help you need to reach your goal.

Watch out for temptations.

Watch out for people, places, or times that make you drink, even if you do not want to. Stay away from people who drink a lot or bars where you used to go. Plan ahead of time what you will do to avoid drinking when you are tempted.

Do not drink when you are angry or upset or have a bad day. These are habits you need to break if you want to drink less.

DO NOT GIVE UP!

Most people do not cut down or give up drinking all at once. Just like a diet, it is not easy to change. That is okay. If you do not reach your goal the first time, try again. Remember, get support from people who care about you and want to help. Do not give up!

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Posted in: Alcohol Abuse, Alcoholism.
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Steps that helps you cut down on your drinking

Jan 20th, 2010
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1. Write your reasons for cutting down or stopping.

Why do you want to drink less? There are many reasons why you may want to cut down or stop drinking. You may want to improve your health, sleep better, or get along better with your family or friends. Make a list of the reasons you want to drink less.

2. Set a drinking goal.

Choose a limit for how much you will drink. You may choose to cut down or not to drink at all. If you are cutting down, keep below these limits:

Women: No more than one drink a day

Men: No more than two drinks a day

A drink is:

  • a 12-ounce bottle of beer;
  • a 5-ounce glass of wine; or
  • a 1 1/2-ounce shot of liquor.

These limits may be too high for some people who have certain medical problems or who are older. Talk with your doctor about the limit that is right for you.

Source: Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Reprinted with permission.

Posted in: Alcohol Facts.
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How to Cut Down on Your Drinking

Jan 19th, 2010
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If you are drinking too much, you can improve your life and health by cutting down. How do you know if you drink too much? Read these questions and answer “yes” or “no”:

  • Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
  • Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
  • Does your drinking worry your family?
  • Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won’t?
  • Do you ever forget what you did while you were drinking?
  • Do you get headaches or have a hang-over after you have been drinking?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have a drinking problem. Check with your doctor to be sure. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether you should cut down or abstain. If you are alcoholic or have other medical problems, you should not just cut down on your drinking–you should stop drinking completely. Your doctor will advise you about what is right for you.

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Posted in: Alcohol Abuse, Alcoholic.
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ALCOHOL—AN IMPORTANT WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUE

Jan 19th, 2010
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While it’s true that men are more likely to drink alcohol and more likely to drink greater amounts, women have a higher risk of developing problems from alcohol consumption. When a woman drinks, the alcohol in her bloodstream typically reaches a higher level than a man’s even if both are drinking the same amount. This is because women’s bodies generally have less water than men’s bodies. Because alcohol mixes with body water, a given amount of alcohol is less diluted in a woman’s body than in a man’s. Women become more impaired by alcohol’s effects and are more susceptible to alcohol–related organ damage. That is, women develop damage at lower levels of consumption over a shorter period of time.

Considering that about one–third of American women report regular alcohol consumption (1) and 2.3 percent, or 2.5 million women, meet the criteria for alcohol dependence (2), it is clear that research to better understand the effects of alcohol in women is critical.

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Publications Distribution Center

Posted in: Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Facts.
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Dealing with underage drinking can be a huge task

Aug 15th, 2009
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Dealing with underage drinking can be a huge and scary task if you are not ready to deal with it.

First tip I can say is, do not be afraid to talk to your kid about it. Your child will freak out if he/she knows that you know about the drinking, they will calm down if you handle it correctly.

Second, Grounding, yelling, or otherwise trying to discipline your child about drinking solves nothing. In most cases, this causes the minor to drink more in an act of rebelling against you.

Third, inform your kid what can happen to him/her if they drink. Show photos of car crashes, medical pictures, etc. This curbs drinking a lot if they know truly what will happen if they continue. Talk to them and ask why they do it, fitting in with the other kids is high on the list, thou depression can be a reason. If it is depression or issues in the home, take the child to see a professional so he/she can better deal with the issues that are causing the drinking. It might take time but most kids will stop.

Just keep on loving your child and show them that you care.

Posted in: Alcohol Abuse, Under Age Drinking.
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Jun 18th, 2009
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Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the most common known preventable cause of mental impairment. Babies with FAS have distinctive changes in their facial features and they may be born small. The brain damage that occurs with FAS can result in lifelong problems with learning, memory, attention, and problem solving. These alcohol-related changes in the brain may be present even in babies whose appearance and growth are not affected. It is not known if there is any safe drinking level during pregnancy; nor is there any stage of pregnancy in which drinking – at any level – is known to be risk free. If a woman is pregnant, or wants to become pregnant, she should not drink alcohol. Even if she is pregnant and already has consumed alcohol, it is important to stop drinking for the rest of her pregnancy. Stopping can reduce the chances that her child might be harmed by alcohol.

Source: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochurewomen/women.htm#drinking

Posted in: Alcohol Abuse, Alcoholic, Alcoholism.
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