If someone informed you that most likely you possessed a product in your home that was the nation’s third highest cause of deaths, would you remove that product from your home?
The majority of us would and probably without question. So why is it alcohol is still within arms reach of children and teenagers in over fifty percent of American homes? 
I would concur that parents would be more apt to remove alcohol or relocate it in their homes if they knew that everyday in the US over 13,000 teenagers and children engage in their very first sip of alcohol.
Alcoholism is defined by the repetitive consumption of beverages containing alcohol that leads to a direct addiction with it. Subsequently, over 14 million individuals in the US suffer from alcoholism or abuse it on a regular basis. This ailment does not discriminate as out of that staggering 14 million figure, some 3 million of those individuals are senior citizens over the age of 60. It effects all ages and from virtually any economical stature. Alcoholism has continued to result in quite a financial strain for the nation, a reported $200 billion every year citizens are fronting to endure the costs of treatment and fatal accidents resulting from drinking under the influence.
Individuals that engage in abusing alcohol run the risk of suffering from a plethora of severe medical conditions. Cancer runs wild among alcoholics effecting the kidneys, liver, throat and esophagus as well as cirrhosis of the liver. One person’s idea of socially drinking can vastly differ from another’s classification as alcoholism. Social drinking is when alcohol is consumed in a social atmosphere or celebration. It is only endured during those special moments with friends and family and is not exercised in an abusive fashion.
Characteristics of an alcoholic are:
* A person that is unable to refrain from drinking after one or even two drinks have been consumed.
* One that while drinking alcohol poses a threat to their well-being or the well-being of others. (Examples of this are drinking and driving or fighting and/or abusive while drinking)
* When alcohol consumption interferes with their daily lives as in not attending school regularly, work or routine engagements.
* When individuals drinking habits lead to problems within their marriages, relationships or friendships.
* Craving the “high” feeling associated with drinking and utilizing alcohol to gain that feeling or to feel “numb”.
While currently there is no cure for alcoholism, many with the proper tools have achieved a full recovery. Treatment should be sought after immediately following any of the preceding warning signs of alcoholism. The primary aspects of treating it are through counseling and prescription medication when needed.
Counseling is the first route taken and after a few sessions if their appears to be no improvement then the physician may entertain the idea of prescription meds. These two avenues can be utilized together for a few weeks to months for a full recovery. When severe alcoholism is present, the addict may require a detox program. Detoxing is performed in a hospital or rehabilitation facility where a procedure is done to allow all the alcohol ingested in the body to exit safely. This is beneficial for those who would experience withdrawal symptoms from not drinking and would have otherwise endured painful side effects.
Either option, sobriety waits in the wings for those in need of it, with continuing education of the public hopefully we will see a rise in those choosing sobriety rather than those in need of it.
One of the first challenges in getting help for yourself or a loved one, is knowing where to start. We can help with a free assessment and someone to talk with right now. Click Here For Immediate Help And AnswersLast 3 posts in Addiction Treatment
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You may want to check with your health insurance ploicy, to see if you have any substance abuse treatment coverage.
What many people don’t understand, is that with many health insurance companies, when you first apply for your policy, if you don’t add mental heath coverage, you may find that not only do you not have any coverage for the substance abuse counseling, but you may not have any prescription drug coverage for the medicine they may prescribe to assist you with your treatment.
Thank you for your comments. I don’t think that the majority of Americans are going to remove all the alcoholic beverages from their homes. Unfortunately, teenage drinking is still somewhat of a right-of-passage in this country. The good news is that not all teenage drinking turns into alcoholism. However, I definitely think parents should be aware of the dangers of teenage drinking. I also think they should take steps to educate their children about these dangers. Thanks again for your insights.
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