Addiction
Parents Play Crucial Role in Teen Substance Abuse
Two research studies can give parents something to celebrate. For parents who lament that their children are more easily influenced by friends rather than them, these findings reveal that parents are the greater influence when children choose to use or avoid alcohol or drugs. But influence by parents and other family members can also be detrimental when children see their parents or siblings abuse substances. 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
Five Minutes of Screening Could Help Patients Who Misuse Alcohol
Government statistics tell us that around 30 percent of American adults misuse alcohol. Alcohol misuse takes a toll on physical health, family finances, inter-personal relationships and work productivity. Misuse of alcohol makes it one of the foremost causes of unnecessary and preventable deaths in this country. A national task force on alcohol abuse prevention suggests that doctors could help lower those statistics by taking a few extra minutes to screen patients for alcohol misuse during regular visits. 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
Could Drinking in Moderation Increase Your Risk of Cancer
We are probably all familiar with the dangers of excess drinking. But moderate drinking is very socially accepted. What the judicious drinker might not realize, though, is that the habit could elevate the risk for certain types of cancer. Full Story
Alcohol Consumption and Stroke Risk
Alcoholics risk alienating their family, losing their job, and damaging their health. Now researchers from the University of Lille Nord de France have found evidence that heavy drinkers also risk having a stroke at a younger age than most people.
Alcohol Consumption Could Increase Risk for Certain Types of Cancer
Many are aware of the laundry list of health risks that go alone with heavy alcohol consumption. What they may not be aware of is the fact that cancer is also on that list. Alcohol can lead to accidents which cause injury as well as long-lasting health problems. Weight gain is a common problem, as is a rise in blood pressure, the potential for birth defects, liver damage and the potential for alcohol addiction. It has been known for some time that alcohol is linked to cancer, but new research shows how the breakdown of alcohol in the body, may actually produce a deadly carcinogen. Full Story
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The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One
A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.
