Category: United States

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.

Drug addiction numbers

What Are The 10 most Common Addictions

Articles, Education, United States

When people think about addictions, the most common that come to mind are cigarettes and alcohol. Whilst these are the most common of all addictions, there are many other drugs that people are addicted too.

Whilst it is impossible to know the exact numbers of addicts for each drug and alcohol, recent data has shown us that the following number of addicts can be associated with each of these drugs in the United States.

Nicotine (Tobacco) – Over 40 Million

Nicotine addiction has the highest number of addicts overall. It is often thought of as the least harmful of all addictions as cigarettes are legal and side effects are usually very weak. However, tobacco use actually claims more lives than any other addictive substance. Despite the warnings on cigarette packages and in the media, people find it hard to quit, even knowing that tobacco is damaging their health. Wanting to quit, but not being able to, is a sure sign of someone being addicted.

Alcohol – Over 18 million

Alcohol addiction is often hard to spot due to the social acceptance of drinking. Despite alcohol being legal, the potential for addiction and abuse can open users up to many health risks.

Health issues from alcohol abuse include; Liver disease, alcohol overdose which can ultimately lead to death. Drink driving also claims 1000’s of lives each year.

Marijuana – 4.2 Million

Since the legalisation of marijuana in a number of states across the US, the drug has become more socially acceptable. This can cause people to be distracted from the potential addictiveness of the drug. The increase in addiction to marijuana may also be down to the fact that the potency has increased over the last decade.

Painkillers – 1.8 million

There are many drugs commonly prescribed by doctors and pharmacists to help relieve pain. Just because these drugs are prescribed it doesn’t mean that they are not addictive. Addiction can actually occur from seemingly harmless levels of use. Most people who use painkillers for a while do not know that they are addicted until they actually try to stop. Once addicted, taking painkillers can be a hard addiction to cure.

Cocaine – 821,000

Cocaine is a popular drug amongst the high class due to it being relatively expensive. Whilst the amount of addicts In the United states is reducing, it is at a very slow rate. Cocaine can cause many health problems and in particular can cause damage to the heart. Crack cocaine is a more intense drug which is responsible for lots of ruined lives and crippling addictions.

Heroin – 426,000

This drug is often considered the worst of them all. The withdrawal symptoms can be horrific and this is why breaking the addiction can be very tough. Treating this addiction often requires a combination of medications and therapy. Many heroin addicts will go into rehab.

There is a growing concern that the rate of younger women using this drug is growing. There is also concern that HIV and aids will be spread by the sharing of needles.

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!

violence relationships

Drug Use and Violence in Relationships

Articles, Education, Understanding Addiction, United States

I think it would be hard to find a couple in a relationship who have never been in an argument. But how far an argument goes and whether it escalates into more than an argument, such as violence, can depend on a number of factors.

Some of these depending factors include:

  • The personalities of those involved
  • Where the argument takes place
  • If it involves other people
  • If one or both people are under the influence of drugs or alcohol

A previous study funded by NIDA at youths who had been admitted to the emergency room due to a violence-related injury. The study found that not all drug use will necessary lead to violence and not all drug use will lead to the same type of violence. The study specifically looked at whether the violence was between dating couples (dating violence) or those who were not in a relationship and also, what impact, if any, different drugs had.

Dating Violence can be described as a romantic relationship where there are signs of abusive, controlling and aggressive behavior. This can happen in all types of relationships – straight or gay, and can include physical, verbal, mental or sexual abuse, or a combination of these.

The team conducting the study found that of the people admitted to the emergency room for a dating violence related injury, the majority of them were females. The team also found a difference in the types of drugs that were taken before a dating violence incident, compared to a non-dating incident.

For example, there were many youths who had mostly consumed alcohol on its own or mixed with marijuana in non-dating incidents.  Alternatively, a lot of dating violence incidents were due to people using prescribed sedatives or opioids.

The study showed that there can be a wide range of drugs involved in violent relationship incidents and that women were more likely than men to be the ones on the receiving end. The types of drugs used may also differ depending on the situation. For example; being out in a bar or club compared to being at home.

More research is needed to find out how different drugs react differently and make a person more aggressive or less so.

Understanding more about this subject, and how substance use and gender factor into relationship violence will help health professionals to develop better programs for teenagers and youths who may be prone to end up in violent situations.

If you or someone you know is being hurt physically or emotionally, please refer to the resources below.

 

alcohol and your brain

Alcohol Dependence Driven By Surprising Brain Change

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

A recent study which has been conducted by The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) might be able to help develop new treatments for alcohol misuse and dependence.

The study that took place surprisingly revealed an important difference when comparing the brains of rats who were dependant on alcohol with those of nondependent rats. Both groups, when consuming alcohol, showed an increase in activity in part of their brain known as the central amygdala (CeA), however, this was due to different brain signalling pathways.

Marisa Roberto, TSRI professor who conducted the study has said that findings will enable researchers to develop personalized treatment plans for those who are dependent on alcohol as they should be able to evaluate how someone’s brain responds when differing therapeutics are given.

Found! The Brains response ‘switch’ to Alcohol

This new research has built on a previous study carried out by the same team which found that neuronal activity is increased in a rats CeA when alcohol is consumed. The team saw increased activity in both dependant and non-dependant rats.

As this phenomenon was investigated further in their new study, the team were excited to discover the mechanisms involved in the increased activity were actually different between both groups.  

When a non-dependant rat was given alcohol, the team engaged a set of protons known as calcium channels which resulted in heightened neuronal activity. The calcium channels increased the release of the neurotransmitter GABA causing neurons to fire. Blocking these calcium channels reduced the voluntary alcohol intake amongst the rats.

However, in the rats which were dependant on alcohol, the team discovered a decreased amount of calcium channels on cell membranes therefore causing disruption to their usual capacity to drive alcohols effects on the CeA activity in the brain. Instead, the increase in activity was actually driven by the stress hormone known as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF-1, its type 1 receptor. The team discovered that when they blocked CRF1’s, alcohol consumption (voluntarily) in the dependant rats was reduced.

By studying both of these groups, a light has been shed on how alcohol can alter the brains functions.

Roberto Explained:

“There is a switch in the molecular mechanisms underlying the CeA’s response to alcohol (from LTCC- to CRF1-driven) as the individual transitions to the alcohol-dependent state,” she said.

The researchers who conducted the study hope that the findings will lead to increased and improved ways to treat alcohol dependency. There are many root causes of alcohol abuse, but this research suggests that health professionals could analyse symptoms or genetic markers and determine if a patient has CRF–CRF1 hyperactivation. If a drug is developed that blocks this activity then it could be a game-changer.