Alcohol Abuse

Teach Kids How to Manage Peer Pressure

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Addiction, Raising Healthy Kids on March 9th, 2010

Peer pressure is one of the most powerful forces that a teen encounters in his early life. It is very disturbing to see most children straying from classes to hang out with their friends. These behaviors can be attributed to peer pressure; involving activities as harmless as going to the mall to those much more dangerous like doing drugs. How do you, as a parent, prepare yourself and your teen to face these real and probably unavoidable challenges?

peer presureIt is important first to teach your teen key issues like drugs, sex and alcohol and help him to make a stand on them. Inspire your child to be an advocate of these things; teaching him how to speak up and let others know he’s not a pushover. Teach your child to visualize him handling difficult situations. Sometimes, scripting out the reactions to some invitations can really help out in knowing what to do in these situations. These things usually follow when you teach your child the qualities of leadership. Encourage him to stand up to what he thinks is right.

Difficult situations and peer pressure truly tests our teens in the moments that they forget the consequences of making rash decisions. Giving in to something totally deviant from your character often causes distress, even depression.

There will be repercussions to going against the interests of your peers; some of these consequences are often a very big deal to most teens. Peer pressure is disabling and often times, we feel like we don’t have a choice anymore. But always remind your child that there is always a choice, and doing the right thing is the best choice.

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Common Questions Teens Ask About Alcohol

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse Prevention on February 23rd, 2010

Question: Is it really cool to drink alcohol?
Answer: Some people think it is because they thought everyone is doing it and so you need to do it as well to fit in. The truth is only less than a thrid of the teenage population do drink. This means that if we consider the choice of the majority, it is much more cooler not to drink.

alcoholQuestion: Does alcohol boost energy?
Answer: No. It is a depressant, so it naturally slows down your system and often makes you sleepy. That is why it is never safe to drink and drive. A driver’s skills are affected by the intake of alcohol.

Question: Does drinking alcohol improve sex?
Answer: The only thing that alcohol can do in relation to social situations is that it reduces inhibitions. This may make you try more interesting things while under the influence of alcohol. This does not mean, though, that sex becomes better. In reality, alcohol makes it difficult for the guys to have and keep an erection while it lowers sex drive for girls. Also, alcohol may make you forget to use a condom or influence you to proceed with sex wthout protection. This, of course, carries consequences like early pregnancy and contracting STDs.

Question: How can alcohol harm one’s body?
Answer: Significant alcohol intake may disturb sleep, thereby depriving your body of the sleep it needs to rejuvenate and recharge. Alcohol also causes nausea and vomiting. Serious diseases caused by too much drinking are cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer; pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas); hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart attacks; osteoporosis (loss of bone mass); and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (brain disorder) among others.

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Different Methods of Alcohol Testing

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Testing on February 18th, 2010

There are numerous methods for alcohol testing available but the most used and trusted are among these five: urine tests, blood alcohol tests, alcohol breathalyzer tests, saliva alcohol tests, and hair alcohol tests. Whether for job requirements or sobriety tests, these tests are among the most widely used methods worldwide.

urine blood testsUrine Tests

This test is able to detect alcohol ingestion mainly within a week or longer, depending on the frequency of the alcohol intake. Urine tests are highly reliable for results and can provide the most flexibility in testing for other substances such as drugs and nicotine.

Blood Alcohol Testing

Blood testing can accurately show the amount of alcohol that is present in the bloodstream at the time the sample was taken. This method of testing is the most accurate for testing for a person’s BAC (blood alcohol content) but it is one of the most expensive.

Saliva Alcohol Tests

This method of testing approximates the BAC through the saliva and can detect more recent drug use that other testing methods.

Breath Alcohol Testing

By estimating the person’s BAC by measuring the amount of alcohol in one’s breath, we can approximate the level of intoxication of a person. This test is widely used because of its mobility as you can take the breathalyzer anywhere.

Hair Alcohol Tests

Hair is able to absorb special markers called ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) which remain in the hair indefinitely as long as the person doesn’t shave or cut his hair. These markers are produced when alcohol is introduced into the bloodstream.

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Effects of Drinking on Your Driving

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse on February 17th, 2010

Alcohol is a dangerous substance when taken irresponsibly because it disrupts our concentration, coordination, observation, discipline and patience. Driving needs all of the skills mentioned and then some.

don't drink and driveThe legal limit of BAC (blood alcohol concentration) is 0.08 for most states, which approximately means two drinks for a 120-pound person.

At 0.02 BAC, the body experiences a slight reduction in visual functions, a decline in their abilities to track a moving object and a drop in the ability to multi-task. These changes, however subtle, are very crucial in emergency situations especially when behind the wheel of a vehicle. It can cause a distortion in the driver’s reaction time and decision making.

At 0.05 BAC level, drinkers might experience exaggerated behaviour, loss of minute-muscle control such their eyes being not able to focus quickly, have weakened judgement, poorer alertness and a release of inhibition. If someone with this level of BAC gets behind the wheel, he will have a reduction in coordination, diminished ability to track moving objects like the cars around him, a difficulty in steering the car and a lowered response-time to emergency situations.

At 0.08 BAC, studies show that the driver at the wheel would now have poor muscle coordination which leads to a loss of balance, slurred speech, poor vision, slowed reaction time and lowered hearing. This driver will find it very difficult to detect danger and exhibit poor judgement, reasoning ability, memory and self-control.

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Effects of Alcohol to Breastfeeding Moms and Their Babies

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Raising Healthy Kids on February 16th, 2010

One of the most prevalent breastfeeding taboos is drinking while breastfeeding. It is never a good thought that a nursing mother should be drinking at all. It poses many threats to the baby’s physical as well as mental development. What really are the effects of breastfeeding when under the influence of alcohol?

drinking and smoking pregnant womanDisrupted Sleep

Breastfeeding after alcohol consumption on a regular basis affects the baby’s sleeping patterns. While alcohol is known as a downer or a sedative for most drinkers, for babies it is quite the opposite. It disrupts the baby’s sleep making him agitated.

Less Breast Milk

Alcohol consumption also reduces the volume of the mother’s breast milk, making the release and availability of breast milk lesser by a considerable amount.

Liver Problems

Babies that are still developing their livers can experience serious problems if they were exposed to even the slightest alcohol content. Their livers are just not ready to take any amount of alcohol and thus can be damaging to the liver and its development.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Breastfeeding and drinking alcohol increases the chances of SIDS. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or sometimes called crib death, is a sudden death of a baby that is highly unexpected considering medical history and may remain unexplainable even after a forensic autopsy.

Slow Development

Studies have showed that alcohol consumption before breastfeeding causes a slow gain in weight for babies. It may retard the baby’s mental growth, inhibit motor skill development or lead to hyperglycaemia which could lead to several complications.

So, if you’re a drinker, you need to sober up once you decide to become a parent — for your baby’s health and proper development.

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Quick Guide to Alcohol Detoxification

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Rehabilitation on February 12th, 2010

Withdrawal from addiction is a road that is filled with many temptations, trials and tribulations. Alcohol abuse is a major problem for families and relationships in so many levels. If you’re drinking causes problems in your life (marriage, job, school, etc.), you need to detoxify – not as soon as possible, but NOW. First, you need to acknowledge the problem so you can start the road to recovery. Here are a few reminders as you journey towards full detoxification:

alcohol abuse1. Do not be afraid to seek professional help. Talk to a therapist, physicians, a pastor, even a trusted family member for encouragement and wisdom. Take the initiative and look for treatment centers.

2. Get help to make an outline plan to stop drinking. A deadline would be very helpful to visualize your goal.

3. Get rid of anything with alcohol found at home. Don’t give it away; drain it in the toilet or the sink. Stock your refrigerator with healthy alternatives like fruits, vegetables, fruit juices and the like.

4. If you’re going to detoxify, don’t do it alone. Always have someone you trust to be there for you in case something happens.

5. What out for physical symptoms like nausea, loss of appetite, headaches, sweating and tremors. Also be careful for psychological symptoms like depression, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, anxiety and mood swings.

6. Remember that detoxification is only the first step towards recovery. True recovery is a complete and utter separation from drinking alcohol. It is important to have accountability partners who keep your plan in check.

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