Lesser of Two Evils? Is there such a thing?

The majority of drug users have someone who cares about what they are doing to themselves. Should you be more concerned about one drug as opposed to another? Is it a case of the lesser of two evils? That would be a difficult question to answer because addiction is based on a complicated mix of biological, social and psychological factors. One person may get hooked on marijuana after using it a few times because it helps them to relax. Another person may have no interest in the high that marijuana produces, preferring the effects of methamphetamine.

When determining the addictiveness of a drug, there are specific things that may have an impact. Look at the degree of intoxication produced by using the drug. Will the drug induce users to take it repeatedly? Will the amount of the drug fix have to increase for the user to achieve the same results? How hard will it be to quit using the drug, and stay away from it? What withdrawal symptoms will be encountered by stopping the use of the drug and how severe will they be?

The level of dependence is the common denominator for determining the addictiveness of a drug. Nicotine is probably the highest in dependence. Ask any smoker who has tried to quit. Heroin and Cocaine are pretty much neck and neck in the race. The body builds up a tolerance for both of these drugs, requiring ever increasing amounts the get the high it is seeking although Cocaine would have the highest reinforcement value for the feelings the drug causes. Alcohol would be the highest in intoxication and for an alcoholic the withdrawal symptoms are more severe than the rest of the drugs discussed. Caffeine ranks pretty high in more than one area. Certainly dependence would be an issue. Consider how many people don’t want to face a day before they’ve had at least one cup of coffee or a soda. It is something that is used over and over again. There are some withdrawal effects when you quit using it. Some days you crave more than others, depending on the stress of the situation. Marijuana, still a drug, probably ranks lowest in most areas.

If we had control over those we love, we would opt for no drug use at all. Unfortunately, not many people have that kind of control or influence over another. If someone you love has a drug or alcohol problem, there is help available. A Better Tomorrow can give your loved one back the life they enjoyed before the addiction began. They’re waiting for the call.


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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Fax: 800.401.8464
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Is there such a thing as moderation with a former addict?

Some people think that they can have a drink at a social event and it will be okay, after all it is just one drink and not like they intend on getting drunk in their mind. It may be just a single drink, but is it worth the risk of relapsing back to what you fought so hard to come out of?

It is not uncommon for a former addict to want to and even think they can use in moderation after recovery. Rumors tell us there are other former addicts that have been able to use in moderation and not wind back in to a full blown out addiction mode. Truth of the rumor is however, more have failed than not falling right back into their previous deadly lifestyle.

A.A and other 12-step programs stress more on the side of “Don’t risk your sobriety, it is not worth it” and define an alcoholic as a person who can never drink in moderation. Other programs are more lax on that. The important question that should be asked is – is it worth it? Is it worth the risk of throwing away all that you have gained? Is it worth risking what you are trying to rebuild? Is it worth the risk of your health?

You will hear arguments on both sides of this debate, some with some pretty impressive research, both having their own merits, but regardless of all the research in the world, nothing is more important than your path to a full and healthy life.

Only you know what exactly you put at risk if you pick up a drink. It could be your children, your family relationship, a marriage, your career, your heath, etc. If you can spit on those things and never look back, then go ahead and risk it. But is it really worth the chance?

When you are tempted to give it a try, think about how far you have come and what all you had lost due to your addiction. Nothing can be found at the bottom of the bottle.


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Wet Brain

One tragic consequence of consuming alcoholic drinks for years is a syndrome called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome or more commonly known as “Wet Brain.” “Wet Brain Syndrome” is known by several other names including Korsakoff psychosis, alcoholic encephalopathy, and Wernicke's disease. Wet Brain occurs when there is a severe deficiency of Thiamine, a form of Vitamin B1, in ones body due to malnutrition commonly associated with alcoholics. If caught on its early onset, the effects of Wet Brain can be partially reversed through large doses of Thiamine. In the late stages of Wet Brain, there is no treatment and the effects from it are permanent if not deadly.

Malnutrition occurs in alcoholics leading to the lack of Thiamine in the system through poor eating habits, damaged gastro intestinal system that does not allow for proper absorption of essential nutrients, and liver damage. Thiamine deficiency leads to significant brain cell death and serious structural damage in other areas of the brain such as the brain stem, cerebral cortex, and the pons.

Symptoms of Wet Brain include:
• Ataxia, an irregular gait – wide stance and short step
• Confusion, which often manifests as apathy to external surroundings and low voluntary verbal participation
• Confabulation – telling of events that did not happen, and believing them to be true
• Dementia
• Hallucination – visual, aural or tactile
• Loss of control over eye movements

Sadly, if left untreated, Wet Brain Syndrome can lead to coma or even death. The death rate due to Wet Brain is 20 percent. Prompt treatment will lead to a full mental recovery for about 20%, a recovery from ataxia for about 40% and a recovery from irregular eye movement for about 60%.


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Dangers of Underage Drinking

It is well known that the younger a child begins to drink alcohol, the higher risk they have of becoming an alcoholic in their adult years. Early drinking sets up a pattern to addictive drinking as adults. Youth reasoning behind drinking is merely to get drunk, not as a casual drink between friends, but for partying purposes. They do not have healthy boundaries set. It is up to parents to make sure there are strong boundaries set in order to raise their children into adults with healthy boundaries when it comes to drinking.

Alcoholism has no boundaries, no geographical boundaries, no economics status boundaries, and no age criteria as seen in this following clip from ITNNEWS and in the following newsprint from BBC News.

Although both the video clip and the news article is Britain based, the effects of alcohol is worldwide.





Parents who allow their children alcohol at home may be increasing the chances of future drinking problems, says England's chief medical officer.

Sir Liam Donaldson accused some parents of a "laissez-faire" approach and said letting children taste alcohol to ready them for adulthood was "misguided".
Evidence showed that this could lead to binge drinking in later life, he said.
New official guidance says under-15s should drink no alcohol, with under-18s drinking only under supervision.

Legally, parents and carers can give their children alcohol at home from the age of five onwards.

Middle-class obsession'

However, Sir Liam described the idea of a glass of watered-down wine for a child as a "middle-class obsession", and criticised the approach among some parents towards their children getting drunk.

He said: "Across England, 500,000 children between the ages of 11 to 15 years will have been drunk in the past four weeks.

"The science is clear - drinking, particularly at a young age, a lack of parental supervision, exposing children to drink-fuelled events and failing to engage with them as they grow up are the root causes from which our country's serious alcohol problem has developed."

He added: "The more [children] get a taste for it, the more likely they are to be heavy drinking adults or binge drinkers later in childhood."

He announced a major publicity campaign on the subject in England, which will get under way in January 2010.

Similar advice is expected in Scotland at around the same time. In Wales, a health spokesman said work was already under way to tackle drinking among young people.

The advice was welcomed by alcohol campaign groups, although Alcohol Concern said that the availability of alcohol at "pocket money prices" was a key factor in abuse and should be addressed by ministers.

Sir Liam said that he wanted to address the "ready availability" of cheap alcohol and called on supermarkets and corner shops to "take a stand".

He said that he would be able to "shout louder" about his suggestion for a 50p minimum price for alcohol - rejected by Prime Minister Gordon Brown - after he steps down next year.

Jeremy Todd, chief executive of the parenting charity Parentline Plus, praised the guidelines.

He said: "Parents can have a huge influence on their child's drinking choices.

Parental influence

"Rates of teenage drunkenness are higher amongst both the children of parents who drink to excess and the children of parents who abstain completely.

"Whilst parents have a greater influence on their children's drinking patterns early on, as they grow older their friends have a greater influence.

"It is therefore crucial for parents to talk to their children about alcohol and its effects."

Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said: "We know that adults who drink sensibly tend to pass these habits on and that some families choose to introduce alcohol to their children younger than 15 in a supportive environment."

He stressed that not drinking alcohol at all remained the "healthiest option" for children.

Alison Rogers, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said: "While Sir Liam's statement is very strong and gives clear clinical guidance, the issues of pocket-money pricing and easy availability of alcohol need to be addressed if it is to have any impact on the life-style choices we are making."


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
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Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Males vs Females with Alcohol

It’s a known fact that a male’s metabolism is different than a female’s. That is one reason why the male will lose more, on the same diet, than the female will. Proportion sizes of food for males are larger and the allowable daily calorie intake is larger. Of course, their bodies are mostly larger than the females too. But it is not all because of size. Alcohol metabolizes differently between the sexes too.
Females can consume less in a shorter space of time and experience the same effect as males who ingest more over a longer length of time. This occurs because the female body has more fatty tissue and less water than the male. Females, even though drinking less, experience more severe hangovers than males. Alcohol even affects their brains differently. Females are less sedated from alcohol consumption but their cognitive function and judgment are more impaired. Females become alcoholics at a faster pace than males, even though they may be drinking less. At the same time, there are more male alcoholics than female.

Besides brain damage, women tend to develop eating disorders, depression, cirrhosis, stroke and cardiovascular damage from alcohol quicker than the males do. The damage to the male’s organs is more severe but takes longer to occur.

When alcohol is consumed by adolescents there are some added concerns. The human brain continues to develop until age twenty one. Alcohol damages the female brain, liver and other body parts quicker than the males. Even with shorter histories of drinking, females may have more memory loss and more trouble solving puzzles, reading maps, understanding complex lectures or following a set of instructions. With younger females, alcohol can affect puberty and interfere with menstrual cycles.
All alcoholics will eventually lose brain cells and functions. The loss is more profound in the female. If alcohol is causing a problem for you or someone you know, there is help available. Call A Better Tomorrow today and begin the road to recovery.


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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The Truth about Functioning Alcoholics

Not all alcoholics are readily identifiable as such. The alcoholics who drink continuously until they pass out, then get up and repeat the process, are actually in the minority. These people are incapable of sustaining a job or a meaningful relationship. Their only motivation in life is their next drink.

Most alcoholics are functional to some degree. They are able to hold down a job and some are even able to pursue successful careers. You might even find some who serve on volunteer committees and appear, on the surface, to be the salt of the earth. Their public persona is totally intact. You don’t have to consume alcohol every day to be an alcoholic. Some people can stop for days, weeks and even months at a time. But when they do drink, they cannot control it once they start. When you look behind that facade you can begin to see the problems. Their roles as spouse, parent, driver or financial manager may not be so trouble free. A large number of functioning alcoholics suffer from some degree of denial. Because it is not an every day event, they feel like they are able to control it. Some are not even truly aware that their alcohol use is a problem. Typically, the more severe the addiction, the stronger the denial.

With alcoholism there is both a physical and a psychological dependence. Alcohol affects the body in several ways. It acts as a depressant to the central nervous system which results in a decrease of activity, anxiety, tension and inhibitions. It slows reaction time while impairing judgment and concentration. It irritates the gastrointestinal tract while eroding the stomach lining. Liver disease and cirrhosis will develop over time with continual use of alcohol and it can have negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Alcohol affects the nervous system and can result in degeneration and dementia. Chronic use increases the risk of cancer of the larynx, esophagus, liver and colon.

Several well known people have publicly acknowledged their alcoholism and got treatment before their lives were destroyed. Some of these better known recovering alcoholics include Betty Ford (wife of former president Gerald), Buzz Aldrin (astronaut), Elizabeth Taylor and Mary Tyler Moore (actresses), Robin Williams (actor), Keith Urban and Eric Clapton (singers), Joe Namath (football legend) and George W. Bush (former president). You are not alone, and help from A Better Tomorrow is as close as your phone.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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