The latest string of facts to emerge regarding alcoholism is staggering. A National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism study of over 43,000 American adults found that more Americans develop alcoholism each year than any other mental disorder.Over a one year period, nearly 2% became alcoholics in need of alcohol treatment and an additional 1% showed signs of regular binge drinking. The damage is believed to exceed over $180 million annually and contributes to nearly half of all car accidents, claiming 100,000 lives.”Alcohol can change gene expression in the brain. This is believed to be responsible for many of the hallmarks of addiction, such as tolerance, physical dependence and cravings, as well as the consequences of chronic alcoholism, such as neurotoxicity (brain damage),” said Dr. R. Adron Harris, director of UT Austin’s Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research.Just as a computer virus corrupts the system, alcohol consumption can also tinker with proteins and regions of the brain, leaving its mark. In his study, he found that 163/4,000 brain tissue genes (4%) were found to differ by 40% or more between alcoholics and non-alcoholics.The genes most susceptible to change were the sensitive “white matter” called myelin. Myelin is the insulation between the brain’s information-carrying cells, which would explain why cognitive deficiency is one of the effects of alcohol.One way researchers are looking into addiction treatment for alcoholism is by studying the way alcohol affects the inner-workings of the brain. For instance, researchers at the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in Bethesda, Maryland recently tested twelve volunteers and compared brain activity using magnetic resonance imaging.The study found that alcohol use caused volunteers to be unable to identify images of people’s faces who exhibited fear. The amygdala, which registers emotional reactions in the brain, lit up when fearful faces were shown to the sober volunteers; but after modest alcohol consumption, the threat-detecting brain circuits were significantly dulled.”At one end of the spectrum, less anxiety might enable us to approach a new person at a party,” explains Marina Wolf at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. “But at the other end of the spectrum, we may fail to avoid an argument or a fight,” she said. She added that the study results make a compelling case against those individuals who feel that the tendency toward poor decision making after alcohol use “doesn’t apply” to them.The scary thing about alcoholism is that one can actually die from alcohol related withdrawal symptoms, if not properly managed. Since heavy alcohol consumption reduces GABA neuroinhibitor production, there can be an uncontrolled firing of the synapses — resulting in hallucinations, shakes, convulsions, seizures and heart failure. This is certainly not the case for everyone who likes to pound a few drinks now and then, but for the daily, heavy binge drinker, a carefully monitored detoxification program is crucial.369 Niches Rolled Up Into 1 ProductTurn any hobby into a business. Discover24 totally unique business models.http://businessmodels.netbizint.com.au/index.php

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Alcoholism is prevalent in all areas of the world where alcohol is used as a beverage. This powerfully addictive drug has often been proven to be a fatal drug. Alcohol is responsible for many deadly cancers and other diseases. But the deadly effects of alcohol are felt more acutely in its impairing effects on the mind because a large portion of its victims are not the ones who drink alcohol.As many as 120,000 deaths per year in North America are a direct result of alcohol consumption. But even for those who use alcohol and do not die from it, there are many life altering consequences. In fact, most of us in society have suffered grave consequences from alcohol consumption in the form of broken families, abuse, lost loved ones on the roads, lost loved ones from disease, economic damages from missed work and damaged goods, and a variety of other things that can happen when we give up our judgement and willpower.There are many alcohol addiction symptoms. One of the first symptoms that an individual is addicted to alcohol is that they have an increased need in consuming this ingredient. If that person is unable to consume an alcoholic beverage, they may display apparent signs of irritability. The craving for this substance becomes so strong, that a person who is addicted to it may actually loss control of their temper. Once they are able to drink again, they may not be able to control exactly how much alcohol that they consume. Normally, the amount that one requires will be more and more each time that they drink.When an individual is displaying addiction symptoms related to alcohol, it is not uncommon for them to become physically ill, or experience physical withdrawal symptoms. This may include physical anxiety, vomiting, nausea, and similar symptoms. Many also experience episodes in which they are unable to remember certain things that they have done, or said. An individual experiencing this type of memory lapse may be unable to recall entire events, time periods, and more. Alcohol has devastating effects on an individual, mentally and physically.Many people, who suffer from alcoholism, will display a general lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. They may actually become withdrawn socially. When others approach the alcoholic in regards to the addiction symptoms that are being displayed, that person may come up with excuses for their behavior, or they may lash out. Many individuals displaying addiction symptoms that have been noticed by others will start to drink while they are alone, or may purposely hide their drinking activity. Alcoholics are generally annoyed when questioned about their drinking habits.It is not unusual for individuals who are addicted to alcohol to develop health-related problems. These problems may include difficulties with the heart, liver problems, medical conditions that affect the brain, and the central nervous system may be affected as well. In addition to these medical problems, an alcoholic may develop other types of addictions. These addictions may include smoking tobacco, prescription drug medication addictions, illegal drug addictions, and various other addictions.Alcohol addiction symptoms can be displayed in other areas of an individual’s life as well. Many alcoholics will develop personal problems. This includes problems with the relationships that they share with family members and friends. These individuals may develop a violent streak, and may show the signs of being quick tempered. Alcohol addiction symptoms may also include having complications at work. An individual may not perform work with the same quality and motivation that they once did. In addition to this, absenteeism may become an issue. Many individuals even develop legal complications in their lives. This may include financial problems, driving while under the influence of alcohol, and even domestic violence charges.If you recognize one of the above symptoms of alcoholism in your life or the life of another, pay close attention. If you recognize two or more of the above symptoms of alcoholism, start asking questions and being even more observant. If you recognize three or more of the above symptoms of alcoholism, offer your support and seek professional help immediately.

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It is no secret that teens across America experiment with alcohol everyday. Statistics say it is common for most teenagers to have experimented with drugs and/or alcohol by their freshman year of high school. It is an alarming change from even twenty years ago. Each year, kids are finding drugs and alcohol earlier than the generation preceding them.Being the most easily accessible, alcohol is sometimes found in their parents home, their friend’s homes or provided to them by someone of legal age. This opens the gateway to continued experimentation, eventual dependence and ultimately addiction. Tragically, it is possible for a teenager to be a full blown alcoholic before the day of their high school graduation.In the beginning years of Alcoholics Anonymous, there were requirements an alcoholic had to meet before being accepted as a “member”. (There are no requirements today other than a desire to stop drinking) The alcoholic had to be hopeless, on skid row and at least the age of 42. As the program flourished, they quickly found numerous individuals who were much younger yet suffered from the disease. Today, it is common to find many teenagers at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Many of them are there for themselves and not for the courts, their parents or any other reason other than to stay sober.Then there are those teens that are addicted to alcohol and may not realize it yet. They drink heavily most every chance they get and probably surround themselves with other teenagers that drink like them. They may be a part of crowd that is potentially, if not already, alcoholic. Most recovering alcoholics today share very similar stories of drinking heavily as a teenager and continuing on for years.If a teenager thinks they may have a problem, they probably do. It is vitally important to listen to a teenager or for that matter anyone, who is asking for help or questioning whether or not they have a problem. It should never be taken lightly. For them, it can very possibly be a life or death issue.There is a misconception, especially among non-alcoholics, that a teenager is too young to become an alcoholic. Some recovering alcoholics can look back through their teenage years and see that they too were drinking alcoholically then. It is true that most teenagers won’t come to grips with their drinking problems until much later in life. But for other teenagers, they have hit a bottom that wakes them up to the fact that they suffer from a disease and are an alcoholic. That bottom can take any number of different forms. It is different for everyone.It is possible for a teenager these days to have experienced the emotional bottoms that many long time alcoholics have experienced. Alcoholism does not discriminate against its victims. It is an all inclusive disease, crossing into all age groups. If a teenager thinks they have a drinking problem, they should be assisted in finding help. There are many young people Alcoholics Anonymous groups available today all across the country. They are living their teenage years as it was intended to be, free of alcohol and happy.

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Signs and Treatments of Alcohol Poisoning

Has the thought of alcohol poisoning been troubling you, want to know all you can about it? Here are the signs and treatments of alcohol poisoning.Ask every teen (above 18) and those in their 20s, and they will tell you the main reason they go to bars or clubs is because they want to drink and have a good time? But how good a time are you having when you are throwing up or can’t remember how it happened? This is a sign of drinking too much alcohol, more than your body can tolerate. You need to be aware of what you are getting into when consuming alcohol, its fine that you want to have a good time, but what are the risks involved? I’m sure most of us have heard of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is a serious and often fatal condition that results from drinking way too much alcohol. The body absorbs alcohol, but when there are extreme amounts of alcohol in the body, it directly affects the central nervous system. This could result in slow breathing, sluggish heart rate and can lead to choking, a comatose state or death.So how does alcohol poisoning occur? One of the reasons is drinking too much alcohol is too short a span and even due mixing different alcoholic beverages together (everyone who drinks should know never to mix drinks). Most people go on a sort of drinking binge and end up with alcohol poisoning. But alcohol poisoning doesn’t only occur by drinking alcohol, it can even occur by ingesting household products that contain ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and methyl alcohol. Any person with alcohol poisoning needs immediate medical care and should in no situation be left alone for any amount of time. But how do you know if a person is suffering from alcohol poisoning?Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol PoisoningHere are the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning:

• A state of stupor or confusion and disorientation.
• Excessive vomiting.
• Sudden seizures.
• Breathing is slow or irregular.
• Skin has become ghastly pale or blue-tinged.
• Shivering as a sign of low body temperature or hypothermia.
• Becoming unconscious.

Treatment of Alcohol PoisoningThe fastest method of getting treatment for alcohol poisoning is to get medical care for that person. This is the first step in treatment. If you notice any one with any of the symptoms mentioned, you need to call the emergency number in your area (like 911 in America). You will most probably be put in touch with the poison center that will guide you on what needs to be done. One of the things they will tell you is to not leave the unconscious person alone and not try to make them vomit, as there are chances of choking. Treatment will typically include:

• Monitoring the person carefully.
• Protecting the airway to allow for regular breathing and to prevent choking.
• Oxygen therapy.
• Giving the person fluids through a vein to avoid dehydration (especially when the person is unconscious.
• In case of methanol ingestion, dialysis on the kidney will be done to get the alcohol out of the system as soon as possible. Dialysis is also part of the treatment for isopropyl alcohol poisoning.

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In the modern world, dependence on alcohol has become a major concern all over the world. Help for those faced with this kind of problem has been administered in the various parts of the United States of America. The best way of alcoholism addiction treatment is by getting a long term therapy through orthomolecular intervention, a process that helps to save the addict’s mental and physical health.The centers that give alcoholism addiction treatment offer therapies to the addicts as a way of treating the condition. They start with psychological therapy and through this, those of poor character will have their morals completely restored. The therapies normally focus on helping the addict to become free of the habit by dealing with the anxiety and stress that causes the person to become addicted.Symptoms of alcohol dependence include sleeping disorders, craving, shaking, depression, anxiety and fatigue are all done away with in the centers that deal with alcohol dependence. People with this type of problem will be taught better ways of handling life challenges other that resorting to alcohol to reduce stress in life. Once a person has been helped to stop this habit they might face withdrawal symptoms such as shaking.The center will help the drinker to do away with these too. Abusers of this substance are given treatment for 4 to 5 days at Accelerate recovery centers which have proven a success as compared to the traditional methods of treatment. One advantage that the modern treating has over the traditional one is that it lasts a few days and uses positive reinforcement to treat as compared to the former that uses negative reinforcement to treat. Alcoholism addiction treatment however varies from one person to another.Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Alcoholism For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here ALCOHOLISM If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_GitunduAuthor: Peter Gitundu

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According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, June 1997, alcohol is the leading cause of death among teenagers. Teenage drinking contributes to the high rate of teenage car crashes, traumatic injuries, suicide and date rape. Alcohol is by far the most used and abused drug among America’s teenagers today. According to a national survey, nearly one third (31.5%) of all high school students reported hazardous drinking of five or more drinks in one setting.Twenty million American’s are alcoholics, and the children of these alcoholics are likely to inherit the disease. More than 40% of those who start drinking at age fourteen or younger become alcoholics. The problem I see is the lack of knowledge about alcoholism being an inherited disease. Children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to become alcoholics, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Teenagers, if you have a mother, father, or grandparent with the disease, then you might be susceptible to becoming an alcoholic. It is not a good idea to even have one drink. It is like playing Russian roulette. Abstinence is the best strategy against defying the odds of being another death statistic in the cogs of alcoholism.I came from an alcoholic background, and I know first hand the destructive affects of what alcohol can do. I had no way of knowing that I would become an alcoholic, even though my grandfather was an alcoholic. I didn’t know that at the age of seventeen, while drunk, I would be driving with my best friend and roll my car three times into a telephone pole. Fortunately for me, I wasn’t hurt, but my friend will have back problems for life. And I certainly did not know that I would most likely pass down the inherited gene to one of my three sons. If I had known these things, maybe, just maybe, I would never have had that first drink.I can’t tell you in a short article all the pain and suffering I put my mother through when I was a teenage drinker, or the anguish I put my husband through, but I can tell you this, I have been completely freed and forgiven through the love and saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have been alcohol free for over fourteen years!Teenagers please don’t let yourself become trapped within the depths of this insidious disease; instead become informed about the susceptibility of alcoholism being passed down from one generation to the next. Abstinence and education is the best and most effective means of preventing the use and abuse of alcohol.All it takes is one drink of alcohol if you carry the gene from a relative; that one drink is ONE too many! And even if you are not susceptible to becoming an alcoholic, alcohol is very dangerous and can make you do stupid things you normally would not do. Abstinence is the best policy.~~~Angie Lewis is the author of three marriage books offering marriage enlightenment tips and wisdom filled answers tackling such issues as adultery, pornography, emotions, beliefs, feelings, marriage, children, forgiveness, communication, submission and spiritual influence in the home. Love The Man You Married is a great teaching tool that every Christian wife and husband should read. ISBN: 1411677501Journey on the Roads Less Traveled is a book that will challenge the reader to go a step further in their faith and beliefs by helping them to identify with all the aspects of their character, namely the spiritual element of who they are and can become. This is Angie’s personal testimony of overcoming addiction and resentment in marriage. Very inspirational book! ISBN: 1413788904Besides writing for her own marriage ministry, Angie also writes the marriage columns for two online Christian Magazines. KeepinOn.net and EzraWeb.com.Please see Angie’s website for additional information about her books and online marriage ministry. http://www.heavenministries.com/Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angie_LewisAuthor: Angie Lewis

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While the world reeled at the news of the death of actor Heath Ledger from a lethal combination of prescription drugs – the trendy new mass killer on the celebrity drug scene – another celebrity with a decidedly untrendy alcohol addiction checked into an alcohol detox facility this week to confront her demons.We were surprised to read that 25-year-old Kirsten Dunst of “Spiderman” fame entered an alcohol detox and rehab center this week, exactly a year after Anna Nicole Smith died from the same kind of scenario that killed Heath Ledger – a lethal prescription drug combination. Dunst had been battling her alcohol addiction for some time, friends said, and finally realized it was time for detox and rehab.Prescription drugs seem to be the “trendy” way to go because almost every day we read how some celebrity somewhere – or someone in our own town – is heading for drug rehab or the morgue because of exotic cocktails of prescription opioids, benzodiazepines and psych drugs of some kind. Alcohol is often reported as part of the prescription drug mix, but it always sounds a little quaint. Alcohol? How old fashioned! Dying surrounded by prescription drug containers sounds way cooler than dying surrounded by empty beer cans and wine bottles.We tend to discount alcohol addiction because it just isn’t trendy, it isn’t “now”, it isn’t young and beautiful and glamorous. Sure, we all heard about Lindsay Lohan’s alcohol abuse, but it was glamorized by her simultaneous cocaine and prescription drug abuse. Same for a ton of other hot young Hollywood celebs. Straight ahead drinkers are supposed to be older, like Mel Gibson who was sent for alcohol detox treatment by a California judge, or 48-year-old Sean Young, best known for her roles in “Blade Runner” and “No Way Out”, who entered alcohol detox this week. Even Kiefer Sutherland, who not only needed alcohol detox but spent 48 days in a California jail as a result of multiple DUIs, at 41 years old is an “acceptable” alcohol abuser, okay to take note of and then just forget about.But Kirsten Dunst? At 25 years old? C’mon! Kirsten is America’s sweetheart. She’s Spiderman’s girl friend! She can’t be a “juicer.” What about Amy Winehouse, you ask, who’s only 24? We’re okay with Amy because she’s, well, British – and we all know Brits are massive drinkers – and anyway she’s a hard-rockin’ blues singer and booze is part of that package. Remember Janis Joplin and Southern Comfort? ‘Nuff said. Except to say that a modern medical alcohol detox program probably would have saved Janis’ life.But Kirsten Dunst entering alcohol detox and rehab?So take a moment, and reflect on the facts: Dozens, if not hundreds of celebrities battle alcohol addiction every year, both young and old, according to news stories. Many enter alcohol detox centers to recover the life they’ve lost. Also, alcohol addiction is this nation’s – and probably the world’s – number one addiction, and has been for as long as anyone has paid attention to such things. Something like 18 million alcohol abusers in America need alcohol detox and treatment right now, but according to federal surveys only a fraction are receiving the treatment they need. And don’t forget that America’s colleges and universities are so saturated with alcohol addiction and abuse that alcohol detox centers are being constructed right on some campuses.The need for alcohol detox in America literally dwarfs the need for any other type of addiction treatment. Alcohol abuse isn’t pretty, it isn’t neat and it isn’t trendy. And it strikes at families in every city, town and village, ruining lives and killing just as many people, if not more, than all other addictive drugs combined – it just takes a lot longer, unless it’s a drunken car crash, an excessive binge, or a despondent alcoholic suicide.Fortunately, a modern medical alcohol detox program followed by alcohol rehab offers the best chance, by far, for anyone with a drinking problem to permanently handle alcohol addiction and get one’s life back.Rod MacTaggart is a Florida-based freelance writer who contributes articles on health.info@novusdetox.comhttp://www.novusdetox.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rod_MacTaggartAuthor: Rod MacTaggart

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Technorati Tags: alcoholism america