Online Sale Of Alcohol To Teens Worries Experts

Did you know that millions of children are buying alcohol online or know someone else underage who does? In spite of this dangerous new trend, states are moving to increase online wine sales even as they fail to monitor alcohol Web sites to enforce underage drinking laws. That's the word from experts who say a growing number of teens have credit and debit cards that allow them to point, click and drink alcohol ordered anonymously off the Web.

According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, the Internet can act as a type of general store where computer users including teenagers can purchase almost anything-even beer, wine and liquor-without any age verification.

Results from a recent survey of 14-to-20-year-olds conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) for the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, Inc. (WSWA) indicate the following:

• Half a million minors ages 14-20 (2%) admit ordering alcohol online themselves, and 3.1 million (12%) report having a friend who does it.

• Nearly one in 10 (9%) say they have visited a Web site that sells alcohol. One-third-nearly 8.9 million ages 14-20 nationwide-are open to the possibility of an online alcohol purchase before age 21.

• Seventy-five percent say their parents aren't able to control what they do on the Internet.

Advocates believe there should be stiffer penalties for overnight delivery companies that break the law and states need more resources to monitor online alcohol activity.

"We know kids are buying alcohol online, we know states are allowing more Internet wine sales and we know states are not doing even basic monitoring or enforcement of these purchases," WSWA CEO Juanita Duggan said.

She believes that if states aren't encouraged to take action to stop online alcohol sales, parents will have missed an opportunity to stop the trend of Internet alcohol sales to children.

Duggan and local wine and spirits distributors encourage parents to let elected officials and regulatory agencies know how they feel about this issue.

Some say until state and local governments act, the burden falls on parents to be advocates and to make sure they are making the most of the preventive measures at their disposal.

Alcohol Addiction — What Were You Up To Last Night?

Keywords:

alcohol addiction, how to stop drinking alcohol, hypnotherapy, self-hypnosis

Article Body:

Do you remember what you did last night? And the night before, and the night before that?

If you have mornings where you forget what you did the night before, it is time to take a serious look at your drinking habits.

Alcohol addiction could mean that you drink every day; or that you drink to excess every week; or that you feel you can't cope without alcohol. You don't have to be permanently drunk to be addicted.

Consider the effects that your drinking has at the moment. If you can honestly say that you hardly ever get drunk, you never do something you regret the next day, and you can cope without alcohol, then relax - you are out of the danger zone. But if your answer to any of these questions is "yes," then you could be on a slippery slope.

Alcohol addiction creeps up on people without warning. They believe that they have all the control, and feel, "It could never happen to me!" But, one day, they wake up realizing that they are out of control. The alcohol has taken over.

They think it's too late. They spiral into lack of self-respect, hurting their body, then their mind and spirit, and finally their loved ones.

But the good thing is that it's never too late. You can find stories of people who have had the most harrowing of experiences, going right into the gutter (often literally); yet, eventually, they did find out how to stop drinking alcohol and now they are completely free of that prison.

How did these people do that? Well, each one has his own story. However, there are proven ways that help you tremendously. Because, you can't do this by yourself. If you are addicted to alcohol, you will need help. One thing to remember is that there are a number of organizations to deal with such problems, from official government organizations, to charitable ones such as The Samaritans.

Of the self-help tools available, there are books available in the library, and self-hypnosis CDs and downloadable MP3s (by reputable hypnotherapists). Other routes include getting help from the medical profession (e.g. CBT), and from complementary therapists. The more avenues you experiment with, the greater the chance of your success, because they all work together to make it more powerful.

By combining professional help, self help, support from friends and family, and help from expert organizations, you can overcome this.

And it's power that you want: Aren't you tired of being the slave to alcohol?

The Root Cause and Permanent Solution for an Alcohol or Drug Addiction

The alcohol and drug problem in this country is huge and most of the standard addiction recovery and treatment programs aren’t working. Consider the following


CRIME: 25% of all prison inmates are there for drug related crimes. 16.4% are in prison for committing crimes to get money for drugs. 47% of crimes were committed while a person was on drugs or alcohol.

SEX: A lot of the sex outside of marriage wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for alcohol or drugs being used to try to drown out guilt and fear (which are nature’s feedback to try to stop us from doing something against its perfect order). And nature does other harsh things to try to stop sex outside of marriage. USA Today reported that shockingly, 1/2 of everyone under 25 years old in the United States has had an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease). The U.S. Dept. of Health reports that there are 1.1 million current cases of AIDS/HIV in the United States. (So obviously, it needs to be recognized that nature is hostile towards sex outside of a monogamous, heterosexual marriage, which is the only sexual setting that nature doesn’t try to stop via harsh consequences). 80 percent of unmarried teen mothers end up on welfare, costing this country $7 billion annually. And a University of Georgia study reports that of those individuals who experienced unwanted sexual intercourse in the last year, 92.1% had been under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

ACCIDENTS: Alcohol is involved in 50% of all driving fatalities. In the United States, every 30 minutes someone is killed in an alcohol or alcoholism related traffic accident. That amounted to 17,488 people last year alone.

MENTAL ILLNESS: Fifty percent of the mentally ill population has a substance abuse problem. In fact, 22 million Americans suffer from substance dependence or abuse due to drugs, alcohol or both, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

EMOTIONAL HEALTH: The general emotional health of the public is very poor, as is evidenced by the high divorce rate and a teen suicide rate that is higher than the other 26 industrialized nations combined. Other indicators of the general state of the heart of America come from its entertainment industries: the shocking and harsh experiences in the movies, the rampant dysfunction on television, and the high percent of bad feelings (and the big void of good feelings) that come out of the music industry.

Now that’s the bad news. The good news is that there is a solution to all of this. That solution starts with understanding what the basic problem is. The basic problem behind alcoholism and drug abuse is that people aren’t finding happiness and fulfillment naturally. So then they attempt to achieve happiness and fulfillment (or escape their unhappiness and emptiness) by using alcohol or drugs. But those bandaids usually end up leading to a lot more unhappiness, health problems, financial problems, relationship breakups, legal problems, etc. A lot of hidden damage is done while in a stolen euphoria. But obviously those risks aren’t enough to outweigh the problems in a person’s emotional state or the lacking in their life that cause them to overlook the risks and dangers of alcohol and drug use.

So then, WHY are people so unhappy or unfulfilled that they would make that choice? The answer is simple: they are not operating in harmony with the natural design of their being. It starts with the fact that if a person has his or her natural drives unsatisfied for more than a normal period of time while searching for satisfaction, over time the frustration and lack of hope from this can cause them to become more dulled and depressed and even sleepy and prone to drugs to try to make his or her self feel good and not feel bad.

But, the good news is that the continual unnaturalness that led to this bad state can be reversed. And the process that will awaken them, enliven them and make them even feel good and excited about their life. The reason is that they are given hope that there is a real solution for their problems…and then they actually get satisfaction by carrying out that solution.

Teaching a person how to be happy naturally and in harmony with the real design, meaning and purpose of their life is the key to how they get the strength, joy and deep fulfillment that is necessary for them to have no inclination for alcohol or drugs. But, that’s easier said than done, and can only happen within THE natural design of how we were made to be. That means first knowing what that design is. That can be a difficult thing to do in this world because there is a great amount of debate and disagreement as to what that design really is. But ‘the world’ in general, obviously has it wrong if there exists such a huge drug and alcohol problem and poor social statistics.


Having been in the top echelons of the music business as a former member of Sly & The Family Stone and The Elvin Bishop Group, I know alcohol and drug abuse well. But after experimenting with 22 approaches to lifestyle and personal growth, I became free from alcohol and drugs 24 years ago (after 18 years of use). I finally realized that fighting nature is not a battle that anyone can win and be happy. Therefore why even try?

Understanding and flowing with the natural order is how to make inner, outer and social life work at their best. But like I said, that is a task that is easier said than done, given that the mainstream culture in general is not in harmony with the natural order and is tolerant of a lot of dysfunction. Therefore, if a person wants to be free from a weakness for alcohol or drugs, they will have to go through a re-orientation of how the mind, heart and body are designed to function, and they will have to know how to have the strength and vision to transform into that design. My self-help Addiction Free Forever program shows how to do all of those things.

© 2006 Dennis Marcellino

Alcoholism— What Should I Know About It?

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a disease that affects the part of the brain that controls your feelings, the way you make decisions, and the way you act. People with alcoholism cannot control how much they drink. What causes alcoholism?

Nobody knows what causes alcoholism. People with parents who have alcoholism have a greater chance of getting the disease. Alcoholism may be related to the things we learn when we are growing up. Alcoholism is not caused by a lack of will power or moral values.

How can I tell if I have alcoholism?

It is not easy to tell if you have alcoholism. You might drink socially at first, but over time the drinking can get out of control. Your family, friends, or doctor might notice it before you do. You might drink to help yourself go to sleep or deal with stress and anxiety. Over time, you need to drink more to feel the same way. As the drinking gets worse, you may have some of the following:

* Stomach ulcers

* Liver disease

* Mood problems, such as depression and irritability

* Trouble sleeping

* Problems with family and friends

* Problems at work.

You might have alcoholism if you have tried to quit drinking but were not able to stop. Alcoholism can make you do things you wouldn't do if you were sober. Some of these things can hurt other people, even the people you love.

Where can I get help for alcoholism?

Your doctor can help you find the right treatment program. You also can check with your health insurance company. Some insurance plans cover alcohol treatment only at certain places.

If you have been a heavy drinker for a long time, do not stop drinking suddenly. This can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms. What is withdrawal?

When you stop drinking, your body might find it hard with no alcohol. You might have some uncomfortable feelings. That is called withdrawal. You might feel anxious and confused or have trouble sleeping. If you get "the shakes" when you don't drink, or if you feel like you need to have a drink early in the day, you might need to take medicine when you stop drinking to help with the withdrawal. This is called detoxification (say:dee-tox-uh-fuh-kay-shun, or "detox," for short).

How can my doctor tell if I need detoxification?

Your doctor will ask you questions to see if you need to take medicine to stop drinking. It is important to be honest with your doctor about how much you drink and the kinds of drugs you take.

Can detoxification be done at home?

Yes, but only with close supervision from your doctor. You will need to have another person at home to help you take your medicine. If you have serious withdrawal symptoms or other medical problems, you might have to go to a hospital for detoxification. Tell your doctor if you had a seizure or got delirious when you tried to stop drinking before.

What happens after detoxification?

Detoxification is not enough to treat alcoholism. You should have counseling before and after detoxification. Counseling will help keep you from drinking again.

What about Alcoholics Anonymous?

Alcoholics Anonymous, or "A.A.," is a free support group for people with alcoholism. The people in A.A. help each other stay sober. Most communities have A.A. meetings, and most alcohol treatment programs tell their patients to go to these meetings.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Saunas and Alcohol Do Not Mix

Saunas are well known to provide a healthy pleasurable experience. A nice relaxing sauna session can be the prelude to other social interactions. I am sure that on many an occasion, a sauna owner has planned a special evening with his or her significant other and incorporated a session in the sauna into their plans. A couple of drinks, a nice meal, hit the sauna to get that invigorated feeling and then move on to more romantic endeavors. This is all well and good as long as you keep the alcohol consumption to a safe minimum because over consumption of alcohol and sauna use can be hazardous to your health.

The consequences of drinking too much alcohol and sauna use can vary from minor injuries to fatalities. Finland, a country that is renowned for the use of saunas, is the perfect source for a study into the effects of alcohol and saunas. A Finnish Research Laboratory conducted such a study and found some startling facts. It found that sauna and alcohol related accidents of a minor nature such as sprains and burns were commonplace. Some more serious sauna accidents such as head trauma, heat stroke and occasional passing out were also common in saunas. Although these types of accidents can occur without the use of alcohol, it is generally accepted that they occur far more frequently when alcohol is consumed prior to sauna use.

In a country of just under 15 million individuals, many of them sauna users, the study found that between 20 and 25 deaths are directly attributed to the combination of alcohol and sauna use. That is quite a sobering fact. If you consume large quantities of alcohol and have a sauna session, your ability to maintain blood pressure is diminished. This may lead to the aforementioned fainting, minor contusions and worse. It was found that sauna bathing and drinking or sauna bathing while being hung-over also presented health risks. The short and skinny of it all is—Do not drink too much alcohol and use the sauna!

As with just about anything worthwhile in life, moderation is the key to keeping things healthy and safe. Saunas do provide overall health benefits and alcohol consumption in limited levels does not interfere with your enjoyment of your sauna. Nothing can ruin that romantic evening you had planned faster than a bone-crunching spill in your sauna just because you had one too many.

Remember to re-hydrate yourself because fluids lost through sweating during a sauna session must be replenished. Most of the body weight lost through the use of a sauna is due to water loss through sweat. Alcohol consumption also has a negative influence on fluid retention. Fluids should be taken before the sauna, during the sauna and after the sauna, especially if the individual consumed alcoholic beverages.

By no means is this article intended to preach in any way to anyone. It is merely intended to point out the findings of a study on the hazards associated with drinking and sauna use. I, of all people am not the one to be preaching about the safe use of alcohol or when to draw the line. On many a day I have found that line rather blurred myself. Nevertheless, please try to drink responsibly and have a great life, with or without a sauna.

What Every Professional Needs To Know About Alcoholism And Drug Addiction

Alcoholism & Drug Addiction are common realities in today’s society. Some estimates have shown that over twenty percent of the United States population battles with a substance abuse problem. Not only health caregivers and social workers encounter this population on a regular basis. Indeed, even company managers and professionals most likely encounter some (if not many) of this percentage more often then not. Professionals in their positions of authority may be the only ones with the opportunity to help. It is their opportunity to spot drug dependency and (hopefully) offer the availability for effective individualized and holistic treatment. A little perception and educated kindness may mean the world of difference – maybe even save a life.

Who Does Drug Addiction Affect?

Addiction’s effects insidiously spread. Bringing only destruction, sorrow, and pain, it affects not only the addict, but also the people in his/her life. Hurting friends and family, drug addiction also permeates professional settings. Employees with dependency problems hurt businesses and create aggravating and possibly unsafe work environments. In medical settings, addiction intensifies the care needed from psychological and physical health providers.

Many untrue myths on the origins of drug addiction continue to circulate. Some attempt to pinpoint the social groups most affected. Others attempt to recognize addiction as an illness or a moral defect. These falsehoods must be stopped. While they perpetuate unnecessary confusion, fear, and shame, these inaccurate conclusions augment problems and make them more difficult to treat. Addiction does not appear in any particular component of society. Rather, it affects every socio-economic class, ethnicity, and gender. Not a disease and never an indication of a “bad” person, addiction is merely a problem that needs solving. There is no reason to label drug addicts with untrue stereotypes, and there is no need to fear them. At some point everyone struggles with life’s hurdles and needs help from others. Addicts are no different from anyone else. No one chooses addiction; rather, addiction steals from him/her. With kindness, help, and support from others, people can reclaim their lives.

How Can Drug Addiction Be Detected?

With most drug addictions there are warning signs. Some are characteristic symptoms of particular substances. (e.g., most alcohol can be smelled on the breath; constant sniffling may indicate a cocaine user, puncture scars inside the elbows can suggest syringe use for heroin abuse, etc.). However, there are many general indicators as well:

* Red or dilated eyes
* Slurred speech
* Cold or sweaty hands
* Difficulties concentrating
* Moody, impatient, dangerous, and/or violent behavior
* Extreme periods of energy (e.g., constant talking) and/or fatigue
* Paranoia
* Sudden or decreasing disregard in personal appearance or hygiene
* Sudden change in friends
* Dishonesty
* Depression

Well over half of drug users work, and two out of five have taken an illicit drug at their work site. Unsurprisingly, almost half of work related accidents involve substance abuse. While this causes daily frustration for managers and fellow employees, low productivity and damages cause money losses. Mistakes and inappropriate behaviors put employees and customers in danger. Substance abuse on the job manifests in many ways:

* Decreases the quality and/or speed of work.
* Constant absences and/or tardiness (especially right before a weekend or holiday break and right after payday): Researchers find that drugs cause over sixty percent of work absences.
* Often leaving work early
* Lengthening breaks
* Talking more on the phone
* Stealing company supplies and/or profits

An employer may detect job performance issues; whereas, a health provider may spot behavioral issues during an exam/evaluation. However, regardless of a professional’s role, it is vital that action follows even the slightest amount of suspicion. Helping a substance abuser will not only help the addict, but also the others that love and work with him/her.

How Can a Professional Help a Drug Addict?

Addiction can be permanently treated. But then why do so many recovering addicts return to the same behaviors? Posing a severe problem in and of itself, addiction rarely develops on its own. Substance abuse most often results from inadequate coping of conscious and unconscious deeper issues. Problems stem from unresolved childhood traumas, current personal tensions, and occasionally deep troubles at work. Dependency denial merely enlarges the initial denial. Substance abusers require extensive patience, compassion, and sensitivity to treat and to heal. For this reason, addicts may need constant encouragement to pursue treatment options. Employees may benefit from job-enforced treatment programs. Unfortunately, while abuse instigators are commonly known, treatment is often misunderstood. However, with individual and holistic treatment that heals the underlying causes for the dependency on drugs and/or alcohol, the addiction itself can disappear!

By preparing ahead of time, professionals can ensure that they provide substance abusers with sufficient help. Below are some suggestions. (These do not substitute for the help of a professional interventionist, nor should they be used in an intervention-type scenario).

Step One: Educate Yourself on the Signs of Drug Addiction

First, know how to recognize addiction; look for warning signs (stated earlier). Second, become familiar with strategies for handling with a possible drug addition (described in the following text).

Step Two: Talk to the Person

This may prove to be the most difficult step. Fears of being wrong often deter people from approaching a possible addict. However, it is better to talk to a person and be wrong then to say nothing and allow an addiction to continue. Even if a person does not have or is in denial of having a substance addiction, he/she will still know that someone cares. However, always broach the topic in an unthreatening and non-accusatory manner. When criticism and condescension are eliminated, a person shows his/her true concern.

Step Three: Offer Guidance and Suggestions

While demonstrating concern is essential, it is important not to come on too strong. Destroying well-intentioned help, “overbearing” concern may end up smothering and discouraging a substance abuser. A substance-abuse situation is a delicate matter. While addiction may be apparent, all other issues, which perhaps contributed to the present condition, are not. Sobriety can never be achieved unless an addict takes charge of his/her own situation and decides to change his/her lifestyle. With gentle guidance and suggestions, professionals enable addicts to utilize necessary agency.

Step Four: Be Supportive

Even if professionals delicately ask about a possible addiction, the addict may still refuse help. Substance abuse and its initial/current life problems create massive feelings of helplessness. They may not feel capable of stopping their addictions, and they might not trust others, even those that want to help. Nonetheless, with persistent patience and compassion, a professional can communicate his/her sincerity; and eventually, the addict may gain the necessary trust and courage for drug rehab.

The Lasting Recovery of Individual and Holistic Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation

People suffering from addiction need both benefits of individualized care and of socialization with others facing the same obstacles. Individualized treatment is essential for enduring sobriety. While symptoms may be common, causes are never completely shared. Being an individual automatically implies that life is experienced uniquely. People require different addiction treatment therapies, and people need adequate time to explore their individual sorrows and stresses in a secure environment. However, the benefits of solidarity should never be overlooked. When rehabilitation centers provide one-on-one individualized treatment, the individual and social components combine to bring faster and healthier healing.

Substance abuse attacks from all angles and progressively weakens a person into sequestered parts. Holistic addiction treatment naturally reunites body, mind, and spirit into an enduring whole person again.

Drug Rehab Centers should offer a variety of specified therapy treatments. Incorporated with individual chemical dependency counseling, state-of-the-art methods of psychotherapy and hypnotherapy enable people to heal from anxiety and memories which often cause the self-medicating substance abuse. Family counseling repairs the relationships contributing to and brought on by addiction. Life purpose and spiritual counseling enable people to embrace their true identities and to move positively forward.

Rejuvenating all components of human life, comprehensive alcohol and drug rehabilitation offers further treatments including:

- Physical Training
- Massage/Bodywork
- Acupuncture
- Nutritional Advisement
- Yoga/Music/Arts Treatment
- Image Therapy
- Peaceful and Soothing Environment

Complete drug or alcohol rehab programs develop further specialty therapies to address specific client needs. A staff team closely works to create the best individualized/holistic treatment possible. Most importantly, all activities focus directly on healing the initial problems that caused the dependency.

Professional help is needed to eradicate substance abuse. With valuable societal positions, professionals play critical roles in the detection and recovery of substance abuse/addiction problems. Due to society’s variety of occupations, most drug addicts encounter at least one, if not more, professionals at some time. After the identification of warning signs, consistent patience, compassion, and support will guide addicts not only to drug rehabs, but also to ideal addiction treatment programs that provide enduring natural sobriety. Individual and holistic addiction treatment is available.

5 Reasons Why Alcohol Will Destroy Your Muscle Gains

I receive emails every single day from aspiring muscle-builders all over the world, and one of the most common questions I’m asked is “does drinking really affect the muscle growth process?” I’m sorry to say it, but yes, too much alcohol will almost definitely have a significant negative impact on your muscle-building results. Alcohol is far more harmful than most people think, and it’s very important that you understand how this drug (yes, alcohol is a drug) is affecting your progress. This is not an anti-drug speech, but if you’re serious about achieving a truly impressive physique, you should definitely be aware of the 5 main ways that alcohol is slowing down your gains…

1) It negatively affects protein synthesis.

Protein synthesis is the process where amino acids are joined together to form complete proteins. Excessive alcohol consumption slows this process down by up to 20%, and since your muscles are made up of protein, you can see how this is a problem.

2) It lowers testosterone levels and increases estrogen.

Testosterone is the most important muscle-building hormone in your body. One of the limiting factors that determines how much muscle a person can gain is their level of free-flowing testosterone.

3) It causes dehydration.

The kidneys must filter very large amounts of water in order to break down the alcohol, and this can result in severe dehydration within the body. Water plays an absolutely crucial role in the muscle-building process, and being even slightly dehydrated is a recipe for disaster. The muscles alone are comprised of 70% water.

4) It depletes the body of vitamins and minerals.

Alcohol consumption causes vitamins A, C, the B's, calcium, zinc and phosphorus to all be drained at rapid rates. Vitamins and minerals keep every little process in your body functioning properly, and many of these processes involve muscle growth and maintenance.

5) It increases fat storage.

With 7 empty calories per gram, alcohol can actually be quite fattening. Alcohol also disrupts the Kreb’s Cycle, which plays an important role in fat burning.

It’s important to have fun in life, but too much fun can lead to problems. If you’re serious about achieving significant muscle-building results, you definitely need to monitor your intake of alcohol and make sure that you are consuming it in moderation. A few drinks here and there shouldn’t be a problem, but if you find yourself drinking every weekend you can almost certainly kiss your muscle gains goodbye.

If you do decide to go out and party, make sure to drink plenty of water and to properly nourish yourself with vitamins/minerals and a protein rich meal.

I don’t recommend revolving your entire life around your muscle-building program, so don’t be afraid to go out and have a good time once in a while. Just make sure to keep your drinking nights infrequent (no more than once a month) and properly nourish yourself to lessen its effects. As long as you monitor what you’re doing you can achieve an impressive physique and have a social life at the same time.

Alcoholism Disease Or Not?

Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all of them stress the fact that there is a terrible disease that involves addiction to spirits. Apart from the physical dependence on alcohol, there are other psychological, genetic and social factors that may play a role in the development of alcoholism. Many social, economic and public health problems are determined by this very serious disease.

When alcoholism is concerned, symptoms include craving for alcohol, incapacity to have control over the use of alcohol, a greater tolerance to its effects, and withdrawal symptoms during the periods of abstinence. One should as well know that many alcoholics deny having a problem. In many cases intervention is necessary in order to persuade them to start treatment. Treatment in cases of alcoholism usually includes detoxification, counseling and psychotherapy, as well as treatment of associated medical problems, and different programmes for recovery and support.

Alcoholism involves physical and psychological addiction to the alcohol, and it often gets to a chronic, progressive form. There are situations in which it can become fatal, when alcohol consumption begins to interfere with your health, your social life or your occupational functioning. Alcoholics often continue to consume alcohol in huge quantities despite the multiple negative consequences of the disease. Nowadays, alcoholism is the most serious form of alcohol abuse. Alcoholism can be also defined in terms like "having a problem with drinking". If one has a problem with drinking, that can result in health or social problems (drunk driving, for instance), but that doesn’t make one yet dependent on alcohol and it doesn’t mean one has fully lost control over using spirits - as in the case of alcoholism.

Finding An Effective Alcoholism Cure

Alcoholism is a serious illness that is treatable, but the first step toward an alcoholism cure is to realize there is a problem. If you drink because you feel sad or angry, if it causes you to be late for work or not show up at all, if your family worries about your drinking habit or if you ever tell yourself that you won’t drink and then do it anyway, you may be suffering from alcoholism.

The second step to a successful alcoholism cure is to visit a doctor to determine whether or not you have a dependency on alcohol, whether or not you should cut back or quit altogether. If you find that you consume alcohol even though you have other medical problems, it is important that you stop right away. A physician will advise you on the best way to begin your alcoholism cure.

Because alcoholism tends to be passed down genetically, you may be at a higher risk for developing dependency and a pattern of excessive drinking before you even know it. If your family does have a history of alcoholism, it is best to minimize or completely avoid social drinking.

Once you recognize the problem and wish to proceed with an alcoholism cure, you should take a piece of paper and write down all of the reasons that you want to stop drinking. The next step is to set a realistic goal, which should not be overly harsh or unreachable. During your treatment, keep a journal of your drinking habits so that you can make sure to stay on track. This should be done for one month and will provide you with motivation to continue reducing your alcohol intake.

One of the most positive steps toward an alcoholism cure is to remove all of the alcohol from your home. Staying active may also help to reduce your desire to drink and may include a trip to the movies, a sporting event or dining out at a local restaurant. By removing yourself from situations where you may be tempted to drink, you may effectively lessen the likelihood that you will even want a drink. If you find that your attempts at an alcoholism cure are unsuccessful, join a support group or enroll in a treatment clinic on either an in-patient or out-patient basis.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or recommendations for an alcoholism cure. Before deciding on the most effective method of treatment, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor for advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual situation.

Don't Hesitate To Get Alcohol Treatment

If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to or dependancy on alcohol, than I have one suggestion and one suggestion only: don't hestitate to get the alcohol treatment that is needed. It seems like people are not embarrassed about drinking alcohol until it gets to a level where they have a problem that requires attention and care. Then people seem to be filled with a lot of shame about their problems with alcohol.

I have been an alcohol treatment counselor for many years, and I am convinced that many of our problems with alcohol spring from the fact that we do not have an accurate view of just how harmful and addicting alcohol can truly be. In fact, most youth that are near the age of legal drinking have such a fascination and a wonder about drinking alcohol that is it no surprise that people quickly have problems with alcohol addiction. Because no one has taken the time to really teach the youth the potential problems they can have with alcohol, it makes sense that many of them get addicted and end up needing alcohol treatment.

Struggling with alcohol is something that is very treatable. You simply have to own up to the fact that you have a problem with drinking, however, or you will never be able to get help. My hardest clients are those that are forced into alcohol treatment and yet do not see that they have a problem that needs help. I've become convinced that a person addicted to alcohol or anything else must first admit that they are addicted and must honestly want help in order for help to be effective.

Realize that you do not have to remain in trouble with alcohol. There is freedom from your addiction. Will you ever be able to drink alcohol again? I don't know, but what I do know is that getting the alcohol treatment you need is really worth it when it comes to getting healed and enjoying a normal life. So take a serious look at your life and your future and decide whether or not getting alcohol treatment is something you should do.

Talk with your doctor, a counselor, or an alcohol treatment specialist to discuss your situation. See what course of action might be best for you or the one you love. I guarentee you that even though alcohol treatment might not be fun, it definitely is worth it.

Alcohol Rehab

Alcohol abuse refers to the chronic consumption and craving for alcohol, so that it interferes in the normal social and economic functioning of the person. Alcohol Rehab tries to treat and bring back to normal victims of this condition.

The alcoholic is unable to stop his craving for drinking. He fails to complete his obligations at work or home. He undertakes activities that are dangerous in his condition, including drunk driving. He may encounter legal problems, and cannot and will not stop drinking despite personal, official and medical problems.

Alcoholism can be fatal. It affects the addict’s health in many ways. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is an irreversible condition associated with excessive consumption of alcohol by pregnant women. It leads to physical and mental deficiencies and even fetal death. Another killer condition is Cirrhosis, caused by alcoholism and leading to liver failure and death.

Alcohol Rehab must be done carefully by trained medical professionals. It involves evaluation and management of acute alcohol withdrawal, treatment of nutritional deficiencies, detoxification and the maintenance of abstinence.

Medical treatment of alcoholism involves initially the management of alcohol withdrawal. Treatment includes the use of thiamine and folate fed intravenously to prevent Wernicke Kosakoff syndrome (an eye disorder). Seizures must be treated with Benzodiazepines.

After medical management is over, a psychosocial Rehabilitation program must be undertaken. This includes educating the entire family of the patient, individual or group therapy, or even a spiritual ‘12 steps to sobriety’ program given by Alcoholics Anonymous.

There are some important points to remember. Supervised withdrawal is the first step and must not be hurried. Hurry can be fatal. A medically supervised detox program is the first step. Next step is to choose a Rehab center. Find a treatment center that deals not only with addiction but the holistic picture of psychosocial and legal problems.

The program must involve a major amount of therapy--counseling and occupational. Therapy or counseling is critical for alcohol treatment. Patients learn to resist alcohol use, replace drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding activities. They are asked to shun alcohol abusing company. They also relearn normal family and social living patterns.

Treatment involves continuous monitoring for alcohol use. Some people may require medication for their treatment, and this too must be monitored. Some may be suffering from mental problems that need special treatment. The treatment duration may vary with each case, but 3 months is a safe period for most treatment.

The main point is that there is no singular Rehab formula. The success of treatment depends on finding the right program and methods. Effective treatment must address the patient’s drug use and also related medical, social, psychological, vocational and legal problems.

The treatment may be long-term, involving periods of relapse. The crucial point is not to give up hope, but work patiently till you reach complete abstinence.

Residential Alcohol Treatment Can Help Control Drinking

If you get a feeling that you hit the bottle too often and too much, and are unable to control the drinking habit, and if you want to do something about it, then you must seriously consider enrolling in a residential alcohol treatment course. Most residential alcohol treatment programs can help those who can't stay away from alcohol to give up on the habit and can't stay clean. One big morale booster that the program offers is that you would be amidst people who, like you, are determined to stay away from alcohol. Plus, there are counselors too, who give you their professional advice and guide through each stage of the process; food and stay are included.

The counselors give you valuable tips on how to stay clean once you are through with the program. Enrolling on these programs may be either prescribed or voluntary – courts may recommend these programs to someone who's committed any type of alcohol-related charge, while some people join them because they feel they need help.

Self-Help: How To Go About It

If you wish to rid yourself of this alcohol problem on your own, then you must seek out a residential alcohol treatment program around your vicinity or futher away depending on your discretion. If it's the cost that is inhibiting you, then you can always check with an insurance company and find out if they have plans that cover these programs – you must know that many insurance companies do cover these treatments. When you check-in, you will be familiarized with the surroundings and the schedules (meal times, activities, meetings, etc.) of the facility. The activities are built and designed to ensure that you stay away from the bottle by indulging in other wholesome pastimes that keep you engrossed so much that you do not have the time to think about drinking.

About The Activities

Most residential alcohol treatment courses clue you on to mind-stimulating activities that help you stay clean. Majority of these activities are group-oriented. In these group activities, you will find yourself partnering with other fellow inmates with the same goal – to stay away from drinking. The activities comprise of role-playing or story-telling sessions and they boost your morale and make you think that you are not alone while dealing with this problem. For example, when you are through with the program and feel the urge to drink, it will help to recall an experience you have had or a story you have heard at the residential alcohol treatment facility. Such a story or experience will give you the necessary strength and willpower to stay clean.

Most residential alcohol treatment programs can really help you in kicking that vile habit of drinking heavily. Once you have completed the treatment, you will find it easier to lean away from alcohol and you will also wonder why you ever couldn't give it up earlier.

Concrete Evidence That Alcohol Does Have Effects On Sexual Health

For centuries, alcoholic beverages have been linked to a temporary decrease in male sexual inhibitions. Nobody's really been sure of why this was the case, other than the alcohol having an effect on the parts and biochemicals in the brain that regulate things like sexual health. Side effects like increased arousal and decreased inhibitions were accepted as part and parcel of exposure to enough amounts of alcohol, though only recently has there been any research conducted into finding the physiological reasons behind these effects.

Using an animal model to study the effects of alcohol, research teams in Pennsylvania State University attempted to find the exact physiological effects of chronic alcohol exposure to a person's physical, mental, and sexual health. The team noted that there was a distinct lack of studies involving animal models to look at the effects of chronic exposure to alcohol. Kyung-An Han, the leader of the team, also noted that their research differed because they administered regular doses of ethanol – the main intoxicating component of alcohol – to the animals. This is in contrast to the short-term dosing method used by previous attempts at this study. Han believes their approach would produce more reliable and realistic results.

The first result they observed that was related to sexual health was the drop in courtship inhibitions among the intoxicated test subjects, which were fruit flies. Fruit fly males, which normally only initiated courtship with females, suddenly exhibited courtship behavior with other males. Han believes that dopamine was somehow involved, because this behavior was not observed when they altered the temperature to prevent dopamine from being transmitted to the brain. It was also noted that continued exposure to ethanol increased the likelihood that the male fruit flies would initiate courtship behavior with other males.

Chronic tolerance of the effects of the ethanol was also observed in the flies, which meant that the more exposed they were, the larger the doses required to “intoxicate” them. This has also been noted in other animals, though there have been very few scientific studies dedicated to exploring the long-term possibilities and effects of such exposure. The only concrete medical knowledge into the matter concerns the effects of long-term alcohol use in various human organs and systems, but no real data on the effects it might have on sexual health and behavior.

It was also noted that inter-male courtship behavior among the fruit flies seemed to be more likely with age. The research team found that the older the fruit fly, the more susceptible it was to the effects of ethanol exposure. In theory, this holds true for most other animals. Han's team observed that the older the fly was and the lower the tolerance for ethanol, the more likely it was to exhibit inter-male courtship behavior.

Han's team hopes that their study would prove to form an effective, reliable baseline for further research into the cellular and molecular interactions with alcohol in animals. Han hoped that the study would help provide evidence that sexual health and behavior was not only influenced by developmental factors, but by post-developmental influences as well.

Alcohol And Health Effects Of Alcohol On The Body

Alcohol and health effects of alcohol on the body can be short term or long term effects. The consumption of alcohol and health related problems can occur over a short time frame, while other conditions and long term effects of alcohol on the body may only happen following years of alcohol abuse.

Alcohol comes into direct contact with the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach and intestines as well as being absorbed into the bloodstream. Health problems can begin as headaches, feeling nauseated, sore throat or indigestion. However, if alcohol abuse continues, these and other alcohol and health symptoms can develop into more serious illnesses and diseases.

Here are examples of short term health effects of alcohol on the body:

• Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness, Hangovers - excessive alcohol consumption can result in the body trying to protect itself by getting rid of the alcohol and vomiting. Alcohol and health and the central nervous system are related since alcohol affects a person's sense of balance and orientation, leading to a feeling of nausea and/or dizziness. Hangovers are partly due to the body's dehydration caused by alcohol consumption, and hangover effects of alcohol on the body may be felt a few hours after consuming alcohol.

• Loss of Muscle Control - slurred speech is one of the effects of alcohol on the body. Impaired judgement and poor coordination are alcohol and health effects that can lead to falls and accidents.

• Adverse Interactions with Medications - alcohol is known to interact negatively with at least 100 medications. For example, antihistamines taken with alcohol can increase the drowsiness that this medication by itself can cause. Large doses of the painkiller acetaminophen taken together when consuming alcohol increases the risk of liver damage.

• Pregnancy Risks - alcohol can cause numerous birth defects, the most serious being fetal alcohol syndrome. Babies born with fetal alcohol syndrome will have physical abnormalities, mental impairment and problems with behavior. To avoid negative alcohol and health effects during pregnancy, do not drink alcohol during pregnancy as no one knows exactly how much alcohol causes birth deffects.

Because alcohol and health effects can involve many organs in the body, long-term heavy drinking puts you at risk for developing serious health conditions and illnesses. Here are examples of long term effects of alcohol on the body:

• Liver Inflammation and Cirrhosis of the Liver - liver inflammation symptoms include abnormal yellowing of the skin, eyeballs and urine, fever and abdominal pain. And in the case of cirrhosis, as many as one in five heavy drinkers will develop cirrhosis of the liver. Alcohol is especially harmful to the liver since the liver is needed to metabolize alcohol. Alcohol destroys liver cells, and it destroys the ability of the liver to regenerate new cells.

• Cancer - long term heavy drinkers increase their risk for certain forms of cancer such as cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus and colon.

• Heart disease - long term heavy drinking increases a person's risk for developing high blood pressure and heart disease.

• Pancreaitis - long term heavy drinking can result in developing inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreaitis. The pancreas are needed for food digestion, and pancreaitis symptoms include severe abdominal pain and weight loss. Pancreaitis can be life-threatening.

Additional long term negative alcohol and health effects on the body include damage to the brain, nerve damage, bleeding in the esophagus, erectile dysfunction in men, insomnia and depression. If you'd like to learn more about alcoholism stages and warning signs, there are proven resources available that can help. It is never too late to begin recovery from alcohol addiction.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

The Alcoholic Anonymous Groups

The alcoholic anonymous groups are out there to help people that realize that they have a problem with the drinking that they are doing. If you find that you are in need of a little help with the drinking you are going to want to say to yourself that you need help and then contact one of the alcoholic anonymous groups in your area. If you try to go to a alcoholic anonymous group with out facing the fact that you have a drinking problem you are not going to be able to receive the help that they will offer you because you do no think that you have a problem in the back of your mind even though you went to one or two of the alcoholic anonymous meetings.

If you have been ordered by the court to go to an alcoholic anonymous meeting for being caught drunk in public or even driving a vehicle you will not actually get much help from them because you did not come to the realization that you have a problem with drinking. You will actually just be wasting the time of the alcoholic anonymous group that is actually trying to help you out because you think that you do not have a problem with your drinking. You may do your time at the alcoholic anonymous group but you really did not get anything out of it in the end of your time served.

When you see that you are hurting your family and friends because of all the drinking that you are doing and are really ready to get some help for it you will want to make sure that you are getting in contact with one of the alcoholic anonymous groups so that you are going to be able to get the help that you want. However, you need to take the first step in realizing that you have a problem and that you need help to get thru it. If you take the first step then you will be able to get thru the program that the alcoholic anonymous groups will be able to provide to you for help.

When you are in an alcoholic anonymous program you are going to want to make sure that you doing what they suggest to you and even keep in contact with your group at all times. Even if you see that you are having a tough time at a gathering take time to call your sponsor so that they are able to help, you get thru the time at the gathering without a drink or you may end up with the same old drinking problem again. If you think about it, the alcoholic anonymous group is only going to be able to help those that are willing to receive the help that they are offering.

The Importance of Blood Sugar and Sugar Alcohol

Why is blood sugar so important for your body? Energy. That’s right. Blood sugar provides the body with energy that your body needs to function properly. Glucose (comes from sugar) helps fuel and replenish the body so that it processes like it should. Besides giving your body energy and stabilizing it, you may ask, “Why is blood sugar really important?” Here’s why: High or low levels of blood sugar can actually be hazardous to your health. Unusual amounts of blood sugar can lead to sweating, dizziness, confusion, shaking, seizures, a fast heart rate, and other complications. A couple of well-known blood sugar disorders are Diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Blood sugar levels can depend on
(1) overeating
(2) unhealthy eating
(3) lack of exercise
(4) stress
(5) medication and
(6) by disease or infection.
Now you’re probably thinking, “What’s the best way to combat all that?” A healthy diet and exercise will help you maintain normal blood sugar levels. Choosing the right foods to eat and exercising regularly will balance your blood sugar levels so they don’t skyrocket on you. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the foods you’ve loved your whole life. There are natural and safe substitutes that will allow you to keep the “sweet” in your diet.

Xylitol, a common sugar alcohol, is a naturally occurring substance that looks and tastes like sugar, but is healthier for you. Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are commonly used as sweeteners and bulking agents. Table sugar and other carbohydrates can elevate blood sugar to unhealthy levels or cause reactions to the insulin that is subsequently produced. The great thing about xylitol is that it’s absorbed into the bloodstream much slower than table sugar and other carbohydrates and that means it carries 40% less calories.

Sugar alcohol comes in a variety of forms (e.g., xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and others). These can be found in an assortment of foods such as soft drinks, candy, chewing gum, cookies, and many other “sugar-free products.” Xylitol is crystalline in form and a normal substance found in everyday metabolism. The FDA has given xylitol its safest rating as a food additive which means it’s perfectly healthy and safe for human consumption. It’s even safe to consume for those with diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Blood sugar and sugar alcohol are closely related to stabilizing, maintaining, and helping the body process and function properly. If not closely watched, blood sugar levels in the body can cause serious health issues. Sugar alcohols can help reduce calories and keep blood sugar levels in areas that they need to be so that you can live a healthier and more energetic life.

Alcoholism among Young People

At first sight it may seem that life in society is peaceful and quiet. People are surrounded by comfort and cosiness and don’t seem to be longing for anything else. The real life seems less colourful than from the first sight. The more independent we get from each other, the lonelier we become. Loneliness creates stress and aggravation within the micro climate of an individual and he/she always seeks ways to get rid of negative feelings and problems that circle a person. If a grown up is under pressure, can you imagine how hard it is for a teenager to get acquainted with the world around and face first difficulties. Both grown ups and teenagers look for a cure from stress and the first thing they gat a hold on is alcohol, cigarettes or even drugs.

Every person has a freedom of choice, but the question is will this choice be easy or right? Strong personality will never pick the easy way if it will appear to misleading. A weak personality will do everything to postpone the solution of the problem. Alcohol or the “spirits” is something that may make the world look different and friendlier for an hour or so. If that is the example of a weakness of a grown up, you can imagine, how much more impressible a teenager is. There are a couple reasons for a teenager to take a glass or two and repeat the procedure even more often than a grown up. First of all, they might be following an example of parents that have this problem within the family and consider it ok when their child drinks spirits right in front of them. Parents might not even know or care what happens even more often, than be alcohol addicted themselves. The situation in the family may be built on complete ignorance of every member as soon as it doesn’t harm anybody but the individual rebelling. The “rebelling individual” is usually a teenager that requires attention of parents that for some reason can not give it t the fullest. Another reason may be to show off, to be different, not like others that look so boring and so not fun. And another one that is called the “adult reason” is the desire to escape from the harshness of reality by means of drinking.

This is a serious problem that the government and social organizations can not fight alone. If the society realizes the importance of the cure from alcoholic addiction, then the lifestyle of the society will change for better.

Alcoholism Signs - Ten Warning Signs Of Alcoholism You Should Know

Alcoholism signs - are there ten warning signs of alcoholism? Yes! Understanding alcoholism signs can help you determine whether there is alcohol abuse or dependency. Consuming a drink or two per day for healthy men and a drink a day for healthy non-pregnant women is generally considered acceptable consumption without health risks. However, as the amount of drinking per occasion or per week increases, one or more of the ten warning signs of alcoholism can develop as a result.

Alcohol dependency is the most severe alcohol disorder. Two alcoholism signs associated with dependency are tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is the need for increasing amounts of alcohol consumption to become intoxicated. Withdrawal symptoms occur when alcohol intake is reduced or discontinued. Alcohol abusers are drinkers that may drink heavily at various times. Alcoholism signs for alcohol abusers can be related problems such as drinking and driving, violent episodes, or missing work or school.

In the USA alone, as many as 14 million adults are chronic heavy drinkers that abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. What is considered 'heavy drinking'? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking more than the amounts shown below would be considered heavy drinking:

• For healthy men under age 65, consuming no more than four drinks a day nor more than fourteen drinks a week.

• For healthy women under age 65 or healthy men over age 65, consuming no more than three drinks a day nor more than twelve drinks a week.

What are ten warning signs of alcoholism? Here are alcoholism signs listed (in no particular order):

1. Drinking Alone
2. Making Excuses, Finding Excuses to Drink
3. Daily or Frequent Drinking Needed to Function
4. Inability to Reduce or Stop Alcohol Intake
5. Violent Episodes Associated with Drinking
6. Drinking Secretly
7. Becoming Angry When Confronted About Drinking
8. Poorer Eating Habits
9. Failure to Care for Physical Appearance
10. Trembling in the Morning

Alcoholism signs can also include the inability to remember portions of the events of the previous evening or feeling anxious in a social situation where alcohol is not available. As you may know, it can be called 'problem drinking' when it becomes 'drinking that causes problems'.

Does heavy chronic drinking have health consequences? You bet it does. Chronic heavy drinking can result in serious damage to the liver, heart, brain and other vital organs. Such severe physical damage may irreversable and result in serious illnesses or even early death.

If the above ten warning signs of alcoholism help create interest in exploring possible alcohol addiction and finding help, the good news is that help is available. Consider contacting your physician, counselor or other qualified professional. Another time-tested source of help would be Alcoholics Anonymous. AA has local groups that meet regularly throughout the USA and other countries around the world. No matter how many alcoholism signs may exist, it is never too late to begin recovery from alcohol addiction. Obviously, the sooner recovery begins, the better.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Alcohol and Pregnancy: Not As Bad As Assumed?

Wine, drinking, and alcohol have always been associated with a variety of negative effects, particularly on pregnant women and the fetuses they carry. The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy has been linked to a number of unwanted side effects, including stunted cell growth and impaired nervous system development. The damage done by drinking during pregnancy can also sometimes lead to neurological disorders later on in life, though only under certain circumstances. However, recent medical studies have discovered that a little drinking during pregnancy may not pose such a high risk as it has been thought to be, provided the amounts are carefully monitored and are not in excess.

Now, numerous studies have pointed out that drinking while pregnant is a negative factor. These same studies have shown that women who had drinking binges while expecting have children who develop a variety of problems later in life, both in physical wellness and mental health. However, it is worth noting that the studies have not exactly determined what in alcohol causes these problems, or if alcohol indulgence causes these issues at all. In recent studies, evidence has come to light that alcohol may not be as large a factor for causing ill effects during pregnancy as initially believed. There is some debate on whether or not it is as damaging as initially believed, but most do not doubt that it would have a few side effects.

Recently, the University of Oxford conducted studies into the issue under the leadership of Dr. Ron Gray. The researchers began by reviewing the results and conditions of 14 previous studies to try and eliminate any factors other than the biological and chemical that might have contributed to the results. According to the team's preliminary findings, previous studies limited their definitions of what it means to “binge drink” and did not seem to take certain factors into account. Factors such as frequency were paid attention to by some, while others ignored it in favor of amount of alcohol ingested.

Currently, no studies have revealed a link between occasional drinking binges and effects such as stillbirths, miscarriages, and fetal alcohol syndrome. Other problems include poor IQ scores and social development skills, suffering academic performance, and learning disabilities. The word “occasional” is considered to be the critical term in the study's definition. There is no doubt that regular binging on alcohol is going to guarantee some sort of damage to the fetus, but there is no evidence what imbibing smaller amounts with less frequency can do. Some parties have taken issue with the study's definition of binge drinking, which only includes women who drink throughout the pregnancy period. This puts their assumption that “occasional drinking doesn't cause much damage” into a questionable light.

For the time being, most doctors are still likely to advise women to stay away from drinking. While there may be no damage done in a drink or two, there is still no direct information on just how much alcohol it would take to cause damage. The amount of time in between drinks is also unknown, which adds another complication. It may be that occasional drinking can do no damage, while regular intake (even of smaller amounts) can cause long-term defects. Or it is possible that quantity of alcohol imbibed, regardless of what intervals are in between binges. At the moment, researchers are taking the stand that further study is needed to fully understand all possible angles of this situation.

The History Of Alcohol

Thoughout recorded history there has always been alcohol in of some variety,think of this, when you are sitting on a Friday night with your vodka and coke or Pernod and lemonade, does it ever cross your mind how exactly the drink came about. Below is a history of some of the more popular drinks that are enjoyed today such as vodka, gin, Pernod and cachaca.

Pernod

Pernod is an aniseed-based spirit that has been enjoyed in France for approximately 200 years as an aperitif and a zesty cooking ingredient. During the Babylonian era aniseed drinks were known as elixirs with unique qualities to cure a variety of stomach and digestive dissorders. It has long been recognized that when you combine wormwood and aniseed plants it contains certain healing powers and has been known to have mood-altering effects.

Cachaca

Cachaça is made from raw sugar cane and the major difference is that the lighter rums are more commonly made from whats known as molasses, (A thick syrup produced in refining raw sugar and ranging from light to dark brown in color) this is a by-product from boiling the cane juice to extract as much sugar as possible. It is made from fresh sugarcane juice that is fermented and distilled.

Cachaça is Brazils national spirit and the key ingredient in the classic cocktail caipirinha, the history of Cachaça goes back nearly 5 centuries when plantation owners began serving Cachaca to their slaves after seeing that it increased their vigor. Over the next lot of years better Cachaças were being distilled and soon people started drinking it in colonial Brazil while having dinner at home. Shortly after this slavery was banned in 1888, when Brazil was declared a modern Republic.

Gin

Gin The first confirmed date for the production of gin is the early 17th century in Holland, although claims have been made that it was produced prior to this in Italy. In Holland it was produced as a medicine and sold in chemist shops to treat stomach complains, gout and gallstones. To make it more palatable, the Dutch started to flavour it with juniper, which has medicinal properties of its own.

British troops fighting in the Low Countries during the Thirty Years' War, were given 'Dutch Courage' during the long campaigns in the damp weather through the warming properties of gin. Eventually they started brining it back home with them, where already it was often sold in chemists' shops. Distillation was taking place in a small way in England, but it began on a greater scale, though the quality was often very dubious. The new drink became a firm favourite with the poor.

In 1730 London had over 7,000 shops that sold only spirits. Abuse of alcohol by the poor became a major problem, which was tackled by introducing The Gin Act at midnight on 29 September 1739, making gin prohibitively expensive. The Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole and Dr. Samuel Johnson were among those who opposed the Act since they considered it could not be enforced against the will of the common people. They were right.

Riots broke out and the law was widely and openly broken, the Gin Act was finally repealed in 1742 and a new policy was introduced with the help of distillers: reasonably high prices, reasonable excise duties and licensed retailers under the supervision of magistrates. In essence this is the situation which exists today. Since then many companies established themselves as well-to-do manufacturers and the gin became the drink of high quality.

Vodka

Vodka is a drink which originated in Eastern Europe. The name stemming from the Russian word 'voda' meaning water or, as the Poles would say 'woda.' The first documented production of vodka in Russia was the end of the 9th century, but the first known distillery at Khylnovsk was about two hundreds years later as reported in the Vyatka Chronicle of 1174. Poland lays claims to having distilled vodka even earlier in the 8th century, but as this was a distillation of wine it might be more appropriate to consider it a crude brandy. The first identifiable Polish vodkas appeared in the 11th century when they were called 'gorzalka' originally used as medicines.

During the Middle Ages, distilled liquor was used mainly for medicinal purposes, as well as being an ingredient in the production of gunpowder. In the 14th century a British Ambassador to Moscow first described vodka as the Russian national drink and in the mid 16th century it was established as the national drink in Poland and Finland.

Since early production methods were crude, vodka often contained impurities, so to mask these the distillers flavoured their spirits with fruit, herbs or spices. The mid 15th century saw the first appearance of pot distillation in Russia. Prior to that, seasoning, aging and freezing were all used to remove impurities, around this time (1450) vodka started to be produced in large quantities and the first recorded exports of Russian vodka were to Sweden in 1505. Polish 'woda' exports started a century later, from major production centres in Posnan and Krakow.

Types produced included: acorn, anisette, birch, calamus root, calendula, cherry, chicory, dill, ginger hazelnut, horseradish, juniper, lemon, mastic, mint, mountain ash, oak, pepper, peppermint, raspberry, sage, sorrel, wort and water melon.

In the 18th century a professor in St. Petersburg discovered a method of purifying alcohol using charcoal filtration. Felt and river sand had already been used for some time in Russia for filtration.

The spread of awareness of vodka continued throughout the 19th century, helped by the presence in many partdrunkennesss of Europe and Russian soldiers involved in the Napoleonic Wars. Increasing popularity led to escalating demand and to meet this demand, lower grade products were produced based largely on distilled potato mash.

After the Russian Revolution, the Bolsheviks confiscated all private distilleries in Moscow. As a result, a number of Russian vodka-makers emigrated, taking their skills and recipes with them. One such exile revived his brand in Paris, using the French version of his family name - Smirnoff. Thence, having met a Russian ŽmigrŽ from the USA, they set up the first vodka distillery there in 1934. This was subsequently sold to a US drinks company. From this small start, vodka began in the 1940s to achieve its wide popularity in the Western World.

Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, a number of Russian refugees took their skills and their love of vodka to many parts of the world.

In the 1930s one such exile emigrated from Russia via France to the United States bringing with him the formula to one of the leading Russian makes of vodka.

Through his dealings with another Russian emigre the first vodka distillery in the U.S. was set up in the 1930s. Although not particularly successful at first, this enterprise was sold on again to an entrepreneur who eventually made a hit in the 1950s with a vodka-based cocktail - the Moscow Mule. Vodka did not see a great boom in popularity in the West until the 1960s and 1970s when many more brands were launched in the USA and the UK.

The timing coincided with the cultural revolution in these countries - the 'swinging 60s.' With a more affluent younger generation and a generally more relaxed lifestyle and the emphasis on adventure and experimentation - vodka's mixability led to its huge and ever rising popularity.

Vodka cocktails are almost as numerous as those of gin and are seen in the same exclusive circles and stylish bars the world over.

How To Recognize Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a devastating disease that effects millions of people every year. Recognizing alcoholism in yourself or someone else can be difficult. Alcoholism is defined as a disease that allows a persons use of alcohol to interfere with their life and the basic functioning of their daily tasks, needs and responsibilities.

The clinical way of looking at alcohol is by examining the amount of alcohol a person consumes. A women who drinks more than seven drink per week or more than three drinks a day and a man who drinks more than 14 drinks per week or four drinks in a day would be considered an alcoholic. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor.

Warning signs of alcoholism may vary form person to person. Usually though these warning signs will be obvious. The following list outlines some of these signs.

- misses a lot of work or school
- losses interest in family, friends or activities
- depression
- drinking to cope with any problem
- insomnia
- being intoxicated often
- moody
- drinking related health problems

These are some of the noticeable warning signs. More serious behaviors can also serve as a wake-up call. Risky behavior like drinking and driving should be taken seriously.

Alcohol when taken in moderation is a nice way to relax or enjoy a social engagement, where when alcohol becomes a problem it can effect everyone who is close to the alcoholic. Some things that can tell a person they may be having a problem with alcohol are:

- worry over not having alcohol or money to buy it
- hiding alcohol so others do not know you have it
- often wishing to be drunk or get drunk faster
- unable to stop drinking once started
- hearing others comment on your drinking

Alcoholism should always be taken seriously. If you or someone you know has a drinking problem professional help is available in every community. Recognizing the problem is the first step to finding a solution.

Alcohol Treatment Centers in Philadelphia

If has been said many times by many experts that the problem of alcoholism or alcohol as well as drug addiction is more frequent in big cites than smaller towns or villages. Research reports provide different conclusions, although many of them support this view. Philadelphia is like any other major city in the world when it comes to alcoholism abuse and addiction. Many citizens, almost 1 out of every 3, have some sort of alcohol related addiction that can range to mild to constant abuse of the substance. However, thanks to a comprehensive program in Philadelphia for alcohol addiction treatment a number of alcohol treatment centers is available ranging from treatment options for adolescents all the way through treatment centers designed for business executives.

Recognizing the signs of alcoholism is the first step to towards getting treatment for the addiction. Many times it is a loved one or family member that first notices the signs, such as coming home late groggy or tipsy. Sometimes the first signs of such addiction can be seen in the workplace where employee productivity may suddenly take a fall or the employee begins to come in late or have a high rate of absenteeism. Often, the person needing treatment doesn't even realize they have an addiction to alcohol. They see it as an "occasional drink" when it reality they are spending large amounts of time and money at bars and other establishments consuming large amounts of alcohol and other spirits.

Recognizing is the first step, and treatment is the second. If you are a loved one have a problem with alcohol seek out treatment before it seriously impacts your life. Check with your employer for treatment options (many have anonymous treatment programs) or contact the local health organizations which have a number of free treatment programs that can help get you on the road to recovery and a better life.

Alcohol: Why Cleansing The Body With Isagenix Is Important

Copyright 2006 Stacey Zimmerman

How many times have you gone out to dinner and drank a little too much? Unfortunately, this happens to the best of us. Many of us may only have this happen a couple of times a year, however, many individuals may do this once a week or more. They’re not drinking everyday and they don’t go too far overboard with alcohol and they don’t consider themselves to have a problem with alcohol. However, alcohol does in fact harm the body regardless of how many times each month you drink. The more you drink, the more you damage the organs in your body. Even if you don’t drink that much, cleansing the body of toxins should be done on a regular basis.

The fact is if you drink alcohol, the cells in your body are trying to fight off the toxins from the alcohol. Often, after only drinking session, the liver cells can become swollen from an overload of fat globules and water. This “fatty liver”, as it is called, can also be the result of other things, such as diabetes, obesity, and there are certain drugs that will induce this condition. If you do have a fatty liver caused by alcohol consumption, it is reversible when you discontinue using alcohol. While there are generally no physical signs that one has a fatty liver, it can be diagnosed with blood tests. Cleansing the body of toxins will help your liver to function more efficiently and help you to reverse the fatty liver condition.

Your kidneys can also not function properly when you consume alcohol. The kidneys help to regulate the fluids and the electrolytes in your body and help filter out waste that is in your body. As alcohol induces urination within a short time, the body may become dehydrated and the kidney’s will not be able to perform their functions properly in regulating the electrolytes. While the kidneys are not “directly” damaged by a moderate amount of alcohol once in awhile, it will stop them from functioning properly while drinking. Heavy drinking can lead to kidney failure. Cleansing the body will help your kidneys to be able to properly filter out the waste that has accumulated in your body from drinking alcohol.

Cleansing the body will also help you to increase the functioning of your intestines. Alcohol, even a moderate mount, can prevent the intestines from absorbing and breaking down nutrients. As the intestines eliminate waste from the body and absorb necessary nutrients, it is very important that your intestines are doing their job efficiently and effectively.

The fact is while moderate drinking does not necessarily “damage” any of your organs, it can prevent them from functioning properly. Cleansing the body should be a regular part of your life if you consume any alcohol, even a moderate amount. When cleansing the body, you can start with the colon and move on to a kidney cleanse and liver cleanse. By cleansing the body, you will make sure your body is functioning at top performance.

You owe it to yourself to learn more about this exciting and new common sense approach to healthy weight loss. If you are tired of all the bologna flying around these days on weight loss and diets and have tried many things without much or any success, I invite you to visit my website for more information on this awesome concept that is literally transforming thousands of lives. I wish you all the best of success and health in your life.

Sincerely,
Stace Zimmerman

The BOOZE SNOOZE (Alcohol Abuse)

Dangers of the booze snooze

Drink driving not a very good combination kill or be killed.
Think before you drink? You may be saving your own life by saying no to last orders or that of a friend who you feel may have had too much to drink.
You do not want to live the rest of your life with that terrible feeling of guilt if only.

Top of the guest list at any party is Booze. Happy events and occasions are celebrated with Booze, a sparkling glass of champagne to toast the happy couple on their wedding day. A farewell handshake and the finest bottle of malt whiskey presented to granddad on retirement a schooner of sherry at baby's christening.
Booze gives merriment to all who consume but can also come with a lot of heartache in the form of alcohol abuse.

Laughter turns to disaster

Unfortunately the dangers of this lethal concoction go unnoticed.
Read the label before attempting to drink sprits or beer that you are unsure about. If alcohols recommended dosage is adhered too, then it can prove to be the best party guest you could ever have.

Limit your alcohol in take on a night out on the town; follow the golden rules of our traffic light sequence in reverse order. Green go, amber slow red stop.
Sadly to say you always got the ambler gambler, who unfortunately never lived to tell the tale. This also applies to drinking, don't chance it.

Alcohol abuse comes with a death penalty. Do not be the next victim to be sentenced One of the biggest causes of death with heavy drinkers is liver failure but not far behind is the booze snooze with a death rate very high on fatalities.
In an unconscious state of mind you get to sleep off the effects with no guarantees of ever waking up. Choking on your own vomit is very common for the drinker who has over indulged

Suffering is still on the cards in the form of a hangover should you be one of the lucky ones to survive.

Overtaking the once forever popular public house for number one drinking spot for fun, is now the street corner with kids who not long out of nappies drink to their hearts content. It is times like this that hopefully a hangover gives these youngsters the insight to say to themselves never again, but for the less unfortunate who become addicted at an early age and come to rely and depend on a bottle of cheap plonk is sad to say the least.

Laughter turns to disaster; let's put the shoe on the other foot.
Disaster turns to laughter.
Help is out there, talk to your parents call the good Samaritans. Chat with alcoholics annonmous don't be afraid to face up to the problem, problems are easily solved.

Before you snooze lose the Booze

Alcoholics Anonymous: 12 Steps To Help

Article Body:

Alcoholics Anonymous is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1935 by two recovering alcoholics, Bill W (William Griffith Wilson) and Dr. Bob (Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith). They were the first to put forward the idea that alcoholism was a treatable disease to a national audience. They also wrote the "Big Book" that is the cornerstone for Alcoholics Anonymous.

The twelve steps outlined in the Big Book are now famous:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol -- that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

While many of these twelve steps have religious overtones, remember that this was written in a time when religion, specifically Christian religion, permeated American society much more than it does today. Today, Alcoholics Anonymous realizes that many people are either not practicing their religion, they're atheistic, or they may practice a non-Christian religion.

AA doesn't care what you decide the "Power greater than ourselves" is—just that you realize you are not alone.

At any Alcoholics Anonymous meeting there are people at every stage of recovery, from Day 1 to people with decades and decades of sobriety. Most Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are for members only—that's one way they help create a safe, Anonymous environment. But there are also occasional "open meetings", where members may bring spouses, relatives or friends. People will speak about the AA process, how they discovered it, and how it has affected them.

In the more traditional "closed" meetings, it's alcoholics only. This is a chance for the alcoholic to ask for help, ask sometimes pointed questions, but also to get answers. You may think you're the only one who's had a particular problem, but you'll find someone else has conquered that before, and is willing to show you how.

The only requirement to join Alcoholics Anonymous is a desire to stop drinking. AA is a non-profit organization that does not have membership dues or fees. At most meetings a basket is passed around to help offset the cost of meeting treats, coffee, or hall rental. Contributions are gratefully accepted but not expected. You contribute what you can, when you can.

For many people looking to kick the alcohol habit, Alcoholics Anonymous is the supportive lifeline they need to take that first step back into sobriety.

Alcohol And Drug Abuse In Mental Health

Alcohol abuse is overrated, while drug abuse is underrated. The DSM manual suggests that substance abuse there are differences in the definition of drug and alcohol use. To confuse matters worse the law has its own version of who is an alcoholic or drug addict. Some of the symptoms that help professionals determine if alcohol and drugs are a problem include, excessive drinking/drugging, problems with the law, withdrawal symptoms, shaking of the hands, and so forth.

If a person drinks everyday of the week and relies on alcohol, then you are probably dealing with an alcoholic. There are philosophers who claim if a person needs a drink at breakfast, that he or she is an alcohol. Some philosophers claim that if you drink more than six-pack weeks then you are an alcoholic.

The fact is, most of the people nagging or evaluating alcohol and drugs has a problem them self or has gotten help someone in their lifetime to treat their own problems. Therefore, as you can see addictions, dependant alcoholics, and other types of alcoholics and drug addicts may alter. First all, any chemical that causes harm is a potential danger to your being.

In other words if you start out drinking when you are fourteen and continue through your lifetime without alcohol causing you trouble, or else landing you a spot in jail, then you are probably not an alcoholic according to few. The fact is the ones that are drinking and driving and getting caught are alcoholics according to the system although the level of alcohol in the blood plays a role in the determination.

The truth is the law sometimes over dramatizes and the system is out to make all the money they can, so we all might be alcoholics by the time they are done with us. Alcoholism and drug addictions are complex, in the sense there are too many misconstrued inputs and often the label is placed on individuals according to culture and history. If you parents drank alcohol then the system sometimes will claim you as an alcoholic.

The fact is, Jesus drink wine in moderation, so drinking in moderation is not a bad thing. The problem becomes a problem when the person has difficulty putting down the bottle and/or increases their intake as well as combining drugs with the alcohol to get an affect they was had. If someone will steal or lie to get alcohol or drugs then you know they have a real problem.

However, most alcoholics and drug addicts have bigger problems than addictions and this is often ignored. For example, people with mental illnesses often resort to alcohol and/or drugs to find relief of their symptoms. Now if a professional is treating this person for his or her diagnose and progress is moving along the person often feels healthy and the alcohol and drugs are out the door.

In my studies and opinions, I disagree with alcoholism and drug addictions if the person is able to stop once the mental illness is treated. This means that the person was suffering and the substances was a mechanism to help them cope.

On the other hand, if the person is treated for mental illnesses and his or her drug and alcohol habits continue, then I think you had better get out the chair and start talking ‘one day at a time.’ Alcohol was once known as the “Devils Drink.” The White men are the originator of the source, and since its beginning it has caused serious complications, including death, abuse, and other related crimes.

Drugs are optional since the system often makes them available by teaching individuals what the drugs contain. The root of all-evil is money, and if a person sees that he or she can gain, they may take advantage, but fall into a snare in between. The system is overwrought, since they put alcoholics and drugs addicts in jail and not seeking help for them.

The solution to humankind’s problem is helping and not hurting or promoting. If we can’t get along now, what makes you think you are going to heaven?

How Alcohol and Smoking Affects Erections

A night out with the boys until the wee hours of the morning, a party with friends, a nice romp in the hay with a girl. The usual companions to these popular pastimes are alcohol and tobacco. Indeed, the very idea of party or night out is inextricably linked with alcohol consumption, despite the fact that smoking is not that popular anymore.

However, while drinks and smokes make the party infinitely better, ending the party in a bed with someone can become a bit of a problem. It is a well-known fact that alcohol and sex don't mix well. True, a glass or two can be relaxing and even arousing, but a whole bottle of hard liquor is the fastest way to a limp noodle. Some young people can actually pour a lot of alcohol down their throats without missing out on bedroom performance, but heavy drinking means impotence sooner or later.

Smoking is just as bad for your sex life as alcohol. Although you will still be able to perform in bed, your lungs and heart will not be able to keep up with the increased effort. Pretty soon you'll find yourself wheezing and forced to assume a more passive role in order to save your strength. And this even before considering the negative effect smoking has on fertility in both men and women.

After sex, cigarettes are a nice touch to the afterglow of a shared orgasm, but various studies show that 40% of smokers are impotent. Smoking increases the risk of impotence by some 50% for men in their 30's and 40's. This means that many men who would otherwise be perfectly healthy, are now impotent simply because they liked to smoke. It sounds like a bitter tradeoff

Does Alcohold Decreases The Risk Of Diabetes?

Drinking Alcohol Really Does Decreases the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Older Women
It is absurd. For the longest time, we have believed that alcohol has no real benefits. However, recently, a study has found that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol really does decreases the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, and this is especially true among Older Women! There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

Recent studies have shown that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol (as compared to drinking too much alcohol or no alcohol at all) can lower the chances of getting type 2 diabetes. However, only a few studies on alcohol and type 2 diabetes have included women, and very few have included older women.

Previous studies on the effects of drinking moderate amounts of alcohol (1-2 drinks) and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes have mostly been done on men or both men and women who were younger than 55 years old. The researchers wanted to study how drinking alcohol affects older women’s (more than 50 years old) chances of developing type 2 diabetes. (see Diabetes Symptoms)

Questionnaires were mailed to the women in the study. The women were asked where they lived and if they had conditions that put them at risk for any other diseases. Waist and hip, height, weight, and blood pressure measurements were taken at the beginning of the study. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol were also reported if these conditions were diagnosed by a doctor. The questionnaire asked about how much each woman exercised and how much they ate.

The questionnaire also contained questions about how much alcohol the women drank, how often they drank, and what types of alcohol they drank, both currently and in the past. The researchers sent out two follow-up questionnaires every 3 to 5 years. These questionnaires asked the women whether they developed type 2 diabetes, what year they were diagnosed, who diagnosed them, and whether they were being treated by diet, drugs, and/or insulin.

Conclusion
The researchers found that blood pressure was lower in the women who drank moderately, but it increased in women who drank more. During the study, a total of 760 new cases of diabetes were diagnosed. The research shows, however, that drinking alcohol in moderate amounts did lessen the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is rather significant piece of news as we can now safely drink our favourite wine and not feel guilty about it!

A New Definition Of Drug And Alcohol Addiction And Treatment - Substance Abuse Has No Societal Boundaries

An addict is not considered an addict just because he drinks and drugs too much, nor because his life spirals downwards because of drugs. These are just predictable symptoms of the progressive disease. Perhaps if we had a new definition for addiction, it would not be so difficult to accept that individuals may be suffering from a disease that will eventually destroy their lives.

We have all heard that addiction is a disease, but how do we truly feel about this issue? When you hear the word "addict", do you think of a junkie, crack addict, prostitute, or a homeless person who begs for money on a street corner? When you here the word addict, do you think of a lowlife, who has unacceptable behaviors, and lower morals? Do you somehow believe that their life circumstance is their fault and that they could, "just say no?"

A successful CEO, attorney, doctor, or professional with a substance abuse problem, would not fall into the category of addict according to the stereotypical definition. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why a professional with a drug problem, alcohol included, does not easily consider himself to be addicted and readily seek addiction treatment . Success in other venues tends to convince the professional that he can also handle this problem as well, especially when he compares himself to addicts who have bottomed out and not entered a drug rehab. If the addicted professional is still semi-functioning and has not yet lost their job, house or family, his denial system will still be relatively intact.

Perhaps if we had a new definition for addiction, it would not be so difficult to accept that individuals may be suffering from a disease that will eventually destroy their lives. According to the American Medical Association, in order for a illness to be classified as a disease, it must meet one of the following criteria. It must be either progressive, predictable or terminal. Addiction qualifies as a disease by meeting not just one, but all three criteria. An addict is not considered an addict just because he drinks and drugs too much, nor because his life spirals downwards because of drugs. These are just predictable symptoms of the progressive disease.

Everyone knows that there are blood and urine tests to determine if drugs or alcohol are present in the body. Few of us are aware that there is now a test which determines whether someone has the DNA for the addiction. There is a “Y” factor in the genetic coding of alcoholics and addicts. This genetic makeup determines how the body processes, and breaks down alcohol or drugs in the system. This “Y” factor distinguishes the addict from the drug abuser.

An addict born with the DNA coding, or Y factor, is similar to the person who is born with the predisposition for cancer, diabetes, or lupus. As with cancer, when certain favorable conditions exist the diseases will activate and progress. For those with the addictive gene, once addictive chemicals are introduced into the body, the disease activates. It does not matter whether the addictive drugs are prescribed by a doctor or bought illegally.

There are exceptions to this genetic predisposition guideline. While the children of addicts will almost certainly have the addictive gene, in some instances, it may skip a generation. However, some who do not have the genetic coding for addiction, will also become addicted. Why? Drugs like crack cocaine have been designed in laboratories to intentionally cross over this genetic line, and become instantly addictive. Have you ever heard of a social crack cocaine smoker? This drug causes someone to bottom out at a much faster pace.

Drugs change the brain’s receptors sites. Enough drug usage can permanently alter the brain, and its ability to absorb vital nutrients. Our receptor sites are similar to loading docks in the brain, sending and receiving messages continually. These messages are sent through chemicals which are moved about though electrical surges. Not only do drugs alter the chemical balance in the brain, they eschew the pattern of energy pulses. But the most damaging effect of drug usage is permanent change in the cell walls, upon which other cells dock, much like how a key fits into a lock. If the lock is changed then the key won’t fit.

If you knew that you have the genetic coding for a disease, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to keep the disease from activating before the need for a drug rehab program? If you understood that your disease was actively progressing, wouldn’t you seek drug treatment? How can you help someone who does not yet realize that they need help? Family, friends, and co-workers are in a position to see the effects of drugs, long before the addicted has a clue.