Alcoholism
Using Alcohol to Combat Stress
Stress is a part of everyday life. For many, responses to stress include irritability and a sense of being overwhelmed. Healthy ways to deal with stress include a balanced diet, exercise and adequate sleep. In some cases people self-medicate when either specific events or ongoing circumstances become too much to bear. During the holidays as family tensions and financial concerns tend to rear their heads this self-destructive behavior can become harmful. And what begins as an attempt at celebration can end with too much alcohol.
More Americans Are Binge Drinking, Dying
You don’t have to be drunk every day to have an unhealthy drinking problem. Many Americans are not alcoholics but a growing number are binging on alcohol. Alcohol abuse occurs on a spectrum of misuse, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a surprising number of Americans are overdoing it. Full Story
Elderly at Greater Risk of Alcohol Impairment
As Baby Boomers become senior citizens and health care advances extend the quality and quantity of life, Americans are living longer lives. This generation brings with it those who have healthy lifestyles along with those who suffer from substance abuse. With such a large percentage of Americans losing some regular mobility and possibly memory with age, comes a greater chance that those who already suffer from alcohol abuse will suffer even greater impairment as senior citizens, according to a new study from Baylor University. Full Story
Working Through Alcohol Dependency
Not every alcoholic has trouble holding down a job. In fact, high-functioning alcoholics often appear successful on the outside. But upon closer inspection, it’s evident that a problem exists as many of these individuals can’t make it through the day without a drink. Like a trusty friend, they rely on alcohol to help them function, and the drug starts to occupy a central role in their day-to-day life. Full Story
Secret Alcoholics
You may remember having shared a few drinks with a colleague after work on a few occasions. The colleague was drinking responsibly and only having a few drinks at the holiday office party. The colleague may also have looked well-groomed, was a responsible person, and was a friendly and competent worker. That is why it can be so surprising to find out the colleague later went through alcohol addiction rehabilitation. Full Story
Alcohol’s Harmful Effects on Senior Adults
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 5.4 million Americans suffer from this type of dementia. They believe that by 2050 nearly 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s. Other senior citizens will inevitably battle some memory loss due to aging. Younger adults are already looking ahead to what they can do to prevent some of this cognitive loss. Full Story
Does Living Closer to the Bar Increase Your Risk of Alcohol Abuse?
A recent Finnish study suggests that people who live close to businesses that serve alcohol are more likely to develop behaviors considered risky compared to those who are far removed from such establishments. Full Story
Alcoholism is Twice as Deadly for Women vs. Men
According to a new German study, the disease of alcoholism may be two times as fatal for women as it is for men. The recent news post shows that female alcoholics were twice as likely to die from the disease as men were in the German population. Full Story
A Growing Senior Population Will Require More Vigilance Against Alcohol Misuse
The giant baby boom generation is entering their golden years. As the over 65 demographic grows, health experts predict that alcohol abuse among seniors could prove to be a serious problem in the near future. National health agencies report that while seniors are not the most likely to binge drink, seniors who do over indulge may do so more than once a week. That kind of behavior is dangerous for seniors for a number of reasons. Full Story
New Study Links High Alcohol Use With Those in Assisted Living Centers
Assisted living is a concept that became popular in the 1990s. It was designed for individuals who, because of disabilities, are not able to reside on their own, yet don’t need round-the-clock care. Here, there are three times as many women as men in assisted living and over 75 percent have lost a spouse. According to drugfree.org, evidence suggests that 70 percent of these residents are also known drinkers. Full Story