Drinking Signs of a Bigger Problem

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Drinking problems are common among people. Many individuals who would not even consider themselves addicts experience problems with drinking. Utilizing liquor to cope with stress is the first sign, but when drinking starts to affect one’s life with work and school, one may need to reconsider one’s relationship with alcohol. There are furthermore, many high functioning alcoholics who deal with a problem but find a way to fulfill duties all the while still experiencing a drinking problem that is harming their health.

What are some potential signs that your drinking problem may be bigger than you may think?

It is important then to understand oneself. It is important to see if a certain habit or substance negatively affects one’s life or if it a source of coping. These types of signs are signs of a possible issue that one should consider to rectify. In some cases, a certified Substance Abuse Counselor may be a way to find the help needed to re-direct one’s life.

The article, “‘I’m an Addiction Expert. These Are 3 Signs You Have an Alcohol Problem'” by NUNO ALBUQUERQUE reviews three key things he sees in his clients that possible identify a drinking problem. He lists the three total signs that drinking may be affecting one’s life negatively. He states,

“I have very few clients that go into residential treatment straightaway because they feel like they have a problem. Normally there are attempts to control or stop their drinking first. If you attempt to control your drinking, that implies to me that there is already a problem. When you say to yourself, “Tonight, I’ll only have three drinks,” and that becomes a theme, almost every night, that implies there’s a worry and you see your drinking as something you need to start observing a bit closer.”

“‘I’m an Addiction Expert. These Are 3 Signs You Have an Alcohol Problem'”. Nuno Albuquerque. November 15th, 2022. Newsweek.

To read the entire article, please click here

Commentary

Albuquerque points out that drinking issues usually are subtly noticed by a person when they start to think about limiting themselves to drinks even before they go out. These types of limits show that one is having issues controlling oneself. One must be held accountable. Other issues he points out is when those targets are especially missed. If one limits oneself to three drinks and has twelve, then issues are definitely on display. These dump into other parts of one’s social life in relationships, work and school.

Whether one is “officially” addicted, socially inclined to drink too much, or a “high functioning” alcoholic”, all three face issues with controlling alcohol in their life and how they choose to cope with problems in life. It is important to control intake and cope in other ways to avoid health issues, social distress and legal trouble.

Signs of Drinking Problems

Signs of drinking problems can be observed in individuals who display excessive alcohol consumption, or an inability to abstain from liquor, thereby compromising their daily functioning. In such cases, an individual may demonstrate a pattern of increased tolerance and withdrawal symptoms which are commonly associated with the development of physical dependency. Additionally, they may engage in impulsive behavior which is potentially deleterious to themselves or others while under the influence.

The deleterious effects of alcohol consumption on interpersonal relationships are undeniable. Regular drinking has been shown to undermine the ability to connect with others and to form strong social bonds. This may be due in part to diminished cognitive functioning, resulting from alcohol-induced neurobiological changes, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which can lead to impaired judgement and an inability to recognize and respond appropriately to social cues.

Limiting Drinking

Limiting drinking is an effective method of reducing the potential for alcohol-related harm. By moderating one’s intake and forming healthier habits, individuals can reduce their risk of developing a dependency on alcohol or engaging in hazardous activities while under its influence. Furthermore, limiting drinking can help to diminish the incidence of negative physiological and psychological effects associated with excessive alcohol consumption. When attempts to limit drinking or meet goals fail, it may be time to talk to a Substance Abuse Counselor in how to better avoid drinking itself.

When addicted, individuals need to learn new cognitive therapy skills to find other ways to cope with stress without drinking

The cessation of alcohol consumption can be achieved through a variety of interventions that focus on reducing the individual’s susceptibility to relapse. These include behavioral techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy; pharmacological approaches, including naltrexone and acamprosate; and psychosocial approaches, such as peer support and family therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one such approach, which seeks to modify maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to alcohol use. Additionally, pharmacological interventions can be employed to alleviate cravings by introducing medications such as naltrexone or disulfiram.

Ultimately, individuals need to learn how to cope with stress without drinking. Coping without drinking can be described as the process of abstaining from alcohol consumption, either in the short-term or long-term, to manage negative emotions and stressors. This behaviour may involve a range of adaptive strategies such as self-reflection, positive self-talk, relaxation techniques and problem-solving exercises. Such strategies are often employed in conjunction with social support networks and/or therapeutic interventions to aid the individual in avoiding relapse into unhealthy drinking habits.

Conclusion

In conclusion, alcohol addiction is a serious issue that affects millions of people around the world. It can have devastating effects on the individual, their family and friends, and society as a whole. If any signs of alcohol addiction are present, it is crucial to seek help from a professional health care provider as soon as possible. With the right treatment, recovery from alcohol addiction is possible and many go on to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be free from addiction and live life to its fullest potential.

A certified Substance Abuse Counselor can also help one with addiction. While not all counselors tied to facilities are licensed counselors, many are still able to aid an individual with addiction. Others may require one on one therapies with a licensed counselor, or meet in peer support groups. AIHCP offers a Substance Abuse Counseling Certification for qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Substance Abuse Counseling. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals. Please review and the program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.

Additional Resources

“Recognizing an Addiction Problem”. Mara Tyler. January 12th, 2018. Healthline. Access here

“Signs and Symptoms of Addiction”. Psychology Today Staff. Psychology Today. Access here

“Top 10 Ways to Eliminate Stress Without Alcohol”. Adl Jaffe. April 2nd, 2019. Psychology Today. Access here

“6 Alcohol-Free Ways to Unwind at the End of a Long Day”. Vivian Manning-Schaffel. September 23rd, 2021. EverydayHealth. Access here

Substance Abuse Counseling Program Article on the Rise of Underage Consumption

Posted on May 7, 2019January 11, 2023 by Dominick Flarey

Substance abuse among underage adults is becoming a national trend. Data shows this rise in the teen population. As a society, we need to answer this call and see where to root out this addiction. It definitely starts at home but good substance abuse programs and counselors are also a need.

Substance abuse is on the rise for teens. Please also review our Substance Abuse Counseling Program and see if it meets your professional needs

The article, “Data show underage substance abuse on the rise” by by Kenneth Anton states in regards the dates,

“The number of substance abuse related felony hearings tripled during the same period. It should be noted that most of the Substance abuse cases, whether pre-expulsion or felony hearing, were mostly at the high school level, yet the lower grades were not immune to the unfortunate effects”

To read the entire article, please click here

The article and data clearly shows that multiple addictions are on the rise in the youth and next generation. Please also review our Substance Abuse Counseling Program and see if it meets your professional needs.

Substance Abuse: Fruits of the Fallen Family

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Dominick Flarey

Sustance Abuse, the Family and Children

Bad family life leads to substance abuse among children and teens

Substance Abuse counselors no doubt encounter common themes with their patients. One common denominator would probably be bad family life. While not always the case, undoubtedly, it is probably usually the case.

The sad plight of the American family since the cultural revolution of the 60s has led to a decay of the traditional family and its values. Values that held strongly to a moral code, interfamily communication, order, and support. These values have been become weakened with the infusion of moral subjectivism and materialism.

The case of materialism is especially striking. Potentially due to worse economic times, families strive for the dollar over quality time. Without a home maker, children are less and less supervised by the parents and fall victim to idle time and lack of guidance, falling prey to various social “isms”. In this idle time, replacing the dinner table, family board games, and a close emotional tie is the rise of video games and the internet. Regular social norms that take place in the real world are now replaced with artifical ways of communicaton. These artifical ways of communication also open the children to a wave of information previously unattainable. A simple click of the mouse and the teen or child is flooded with information that may not be suitable. Of course, if the parents are too busy to find time, despite their own schedule, then these ideals from television and the internet become more of an influence over their child.

The situation is even worse is split homes. Divorce destroys the family structure and leaves children vulnerable to other sources. Furthermore, depression and unresolved grief may affect the child. These situations are breeding grounds for substance abuse.

What Can Be Done?

Regardless if a family is still married or divorce, parents must find time for their child. The simple gesture of love and its ability to help a child grow is the difference. Listening to your child, partaking in his or her interests, doing things outside, and just giving them a hug when they are sad can make the biggest difference. The question is how broken is this generation’s parenting skills? Do parents wish to take time and realize that their child is their primary vocation before “me” time at the bar or if divorced, dating. No matter how tired after work, a parent needs to make sure their child does what he or she is supposed to do, but beyond that, let them know you care and love them. Let them know that their concerns matter and let them know that you want to do things with them and be part of their life.

While some parents may form a friendship partnership with their children, it is sitll important that while being part of their life, there is a line between parent and child. If done in love, this line will serve as an important basis for serving discipline with love and forming of character. The child needs to see the parent as someone he or she can talk to and have fun with but also hold for the parent that revered sense of respect.

Ultimately, the solution is simple in preventing substance abuse, yet are we, as parents, willing to sacrifice the “time”.

If you are interested in Substance Abuse Counseling, then please review the program.

AIHCP

Substance Abuse Counseling Program – When Parents Invite Substance Abuse?

Posted on September 25, 2012October 19, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Substance Abuse and Early Drinking Trends

Substance Abuse can start from the early beginnings especially when parents unknowingly allow their children to drink under their supervision. Instead of removing the temptation to drink later, studies show it enhances the temptation. The European model of younger drinking ages just does not fit with America’s culture.

Meredith Bennett-Smith of the Huffington Post writes on this subject in her article, “Parents (Mistakenly) Believe Lettings Kids Drink Alcohol Early Discourages Later Use, Study Says” about the growing problem of early age drinking that is connected with parents who drink with their children.

“A surprising number of parents believe that early exposure to alcohol will discourage children from drinking in adolescence and help prevent alcohol abuse later on, according to a new study from the RTI International and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.”

To read the entire article, please click here

This alarming trend is another thing Substance Abuse Counselors must deal with when counseling parents and teens about the addictive nature of drinking.
If you are interested in substance abuse counseling program, please click here

AIHCP