How to Learn About Drug and Alcohol Awareness Easily
How does alcohol affect the brain in terms of the way it elicits anxiety or depression? What most people don’t realize is that alcohol is a drug. It is in a category of drugs called “depressants”. What this does to someone who is already predisposed to depression is going to make them feel worse. While many use alcohol as a way to escape, it is really just a one way ticket to bringing on a whole other range of problems, including psychological ones.
Alcohol can even affect heart rate, and can create the possibility of causing heart disease and other problems with our internal organs. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to pancreatic cancer, liver disease and eventually death. This is mostly due to the strain and stress it puts on our internal organs to function normally.
The response to stress is different in each individual. Some people cope with stress better than others. People with poor coping skills tend to use drugs and alcohol as a way to escape or retreat from their problems without having to actually deal with them head on. Rather than processing an issue and taking personal responsibility, alcohol or drugs can temporarily “stuff” or mask problems, which gives the user the illusion that everything is fine. The reality is, everything is not fine. Until one faces their internal demons, problems don’t go away on their own.
Alcohol and drug users can benefit greatly by learning more effective stress management techniques. These skills might include relaxation exercises or learning to get proper exercise. Other stress management skills could include improving ones diet, getting more rest, taking daily breaks, or learning some simple meditation techniques.
Other skills that help improve stress are skills in communication and listening as well as empathy. Most alcohol and drug users will say they have a hard time letting other people know how they are feeling and what is wrong. Gaining skills in speaking more effectively can be a huge step.
Many of these skills can be gained in an Online Drug Class or Alcohol Awareness Class
For those under 21 considering Minor in Possession Classes might be the wise choice. These programs are educational in nature and can help the participant really understand the effect of alcohol and drugs as well as teach some useful strategies for curbing additive behaviors. Early prevention is the key to change. Get started making those changes today.
Teenage Substance Abuse? 15 Signs of a Troubled Youth
Troubled teens throw families into utter chaos. Every teenager goes through mood changes and volatility so it can be hard for some parents to decide on what is in the normal range for teenage behavior. As a psychiatrist that specializes in helping families with addicted teens or young adults, I try to educate families on what are the warning signs that they may have a troubled teen on their hands. Here are 15 signs of a troubled teen:
1. Is your teen using drugs or alcohol (teen substance abuse)?
2. Is your teen having significant mood swings?
3. Does your teen isolate in their room right after school?
4. Has your teen’s school performance changed for the worse?
5. Is your teen skipping classes and blowing off homework?
6. Has your teen quit eating with the family and quit participating in family activities?
7. Is your teen losing weight?
8. Has your teen’s sleep pattern changed?
9. Does your teen seem depressed or anxious?
10. Has your teen withdrawn from their former group of friends?
11. Is your teen hanging around with friends that seem like a bad influence?
12. Is your teen breaking rules and being defiant of authority?
13. Has your teen gotten in any legal trouble (shop lifting)?
14. Does your teen seem agitated?
15. Is your teen lying a lot?
The most likely reasons you may have a troubled youth is that your teen either is abusing drugs or alcohol (teenage alcoholism or teenage drug abuse), suffering from anxiety, or depression, or your teen has developed an eating disorder (or a combination of these). Most of the other warning signs stem from these conditions. Anxiety and depression can lead to a teen using drugs and alcohol in an attempt to feel better or, conversely, teenage alcoholism or teen drug abuse can actually cause anxiety and depression. RJ, is an 18 year that I saw in my practice. His parents brought him to me because he was skipping school and told them he felt very depressed. He had already been kicked out of 4 schools due to skipping classes and not turning in homework assignments. His parents had sent him to several alternative school environments and were at their wit’s end. On evaluation he was suffering from clinical depression and an Anxiety Disorder.
However, he also suffered from teen drug addiction and teenage alcoholism. With a patient like RJ, is unclear if his depression or anxiety came before the drug and alcohol use or after the abuse. He had been abusing drugs and alcohol since he was 14 years old. He also had a family history of depression. To give him the best outcome, I withdrew him from drugs and alcohol with medication that prevented symptoms of withdrawal. I then prescribed an antidepressant that also helps anxiety. Antidepressants are not addicting. I also worked with the family and helped to teach both parents to set boundaries with their son and let him suffer the consequences of any drug and alcohol use. They also agreed to go to Families Anonymous meetings. RJ participated in group therapy with other kids his age who suffer from addiction. RJ, one year later, has maintained his sobriety and is going to a school that has a self paced program. He continues to take antidepressants and is not depressed or anxious. He gets along much better with his parents now who have learned to set limits with him. RJ has done well because his treatment has involved getting him off drugs and alcohol so he did not suffer withdrawal. His therapy has involved dealing with addiction and learning new coping skills and communication skills. The antidepressants have helped with depression and anxiety so that he can function at a higher level. His parents have learned to raise their expectations of him by setting limits if he doesn’t honor basic responsibilities. A successful outcome with a troubled teen demands a multi-factorial approach.
Life After Drugs: A Life Worth Living
In the article Relax and Recover Part 1, I whole heartedly endorsed the 12 step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. And I think that deserves repeating. Both the Big book of AA and the basic text of NA outline a clear path to recovery that has helped millions of people worldwide achieve sobriety. As the coordinator of a treatment program it has been my experience that those who follow the suggestions outlined in the book, obtain and utilize a sponsor, work all 12 steps, and attend meetings regularly, greatly increase their chances of a successful recovery. I would also like to mention the positive aspects of working all 12 steps. Most of the relapsing that I have witnessed occurs after step3 or step5. The relapse rate for those that make it all the way through step 12 is vastly decreased. So go to meetings, follow the suggestions in the book, get a sponsor and don’t stop working steps until you get to 12.
Alcoholism and other drug dependencies are primary illnesses, and once the disease is in remission the afflicted person can begin to live a productive life again. However many people that suffer from addictive disorders also have another mental health illness such as depression, bipolar, or anxiety. But most people with multiple or co-occurring mental health disorders that learn how to treat them, can move on to lead meaningful, sober lives.
The next thing to consider is quality of life and this is where I place a lot of the focus in my practice. The usual outcome for the addict who puts down the drugs, and then feels miserable on a daily basis, is relapse back to drug use. The rational being, if sobriety feels this bad I may as well get high. And after abusing alcohol and other drugs for many years, even the most basic and simple joys of life can be hidden from view. Feelings of increased self-esteem, purpose and meaning can suddenly be replaced by anxiety, stress, emptiness and confusion. Therefore it is necessary to not only put down the drugs but to also increase wellness, the healing of mind, body, and spirit that leads to wholeness.
I am writing a series of articles that will discuss specific techniques, life style changes, and ways to reframe perceptions to assist one on their journey to wellness. Addiction and other mental health disorders are chronic illnesses that we will have the rest of our lives however we can learn to live that life feeling well and whole.