Why Do Only Some People Become Addicted to Alcohol?Alcohol AbuseBy PromisesApril 21, 2013The fact that some people are able to take substances without becoming addicted has long been a hot topic of research. This difference between individuals could suggest a biological or genetic marker for the development of addiction, which could therefore lead to a much more effective approach to treatment. A new study has looked at…
Top 10 Myths about Drug and Alcohol TreatmentAlcohol AbuseBy PromisesApril 8, 2013For alcoholics, drug addicts, and their families, treatment and rehabilitation offer the hope of redemption and healing. But substance abusers and the people who love them are often unsure what exactly to expect from treatment, and their tentative sense of optimism is often tempered by uncertainty and trepidation. Complicating things further, misconceptions about the rehabilitation…
The Impact of Stress on Alcoholism RecoveryAlcohol AbuseBy PromisesMarch 29, 2013Essentially all adults in the modern world are intimately familiar with stress, a reaction in the mind and body that produces effects such as increases in normal blood pressure and heart rate, as well as an increased susceptibility to the distorting influence of anxiety and fear. For several reasons, alcoholics typically have unusually elevated stress…
Seen an Alcoholic Gait? It’s Brain Damage–Alcoholic Cerebellar AtaxiaAlcohol AbuseBy PromisesFebruary 9, 2013You may have seen an alcoholic gait before. It’s the unsteady, staggering walk of a long-term alcoholic. The cause of the alcoholic gait is brain damage called alcoholic cerebellar ataxia. Ataxia refers to a loss of coordination, making it impossible to control various body movements. Anybody can develop ataxia-related problems that affecting normal speech, hand-eye…
Alcohol’s Effect on the Immune SystemAlcohol AbuseBy PromisesJanuary 11, 2013Heavy use of alcohol is known to cause such ailments as liver damage and heart problems, but now researchers have found that it can damage the very system that keeps bodies safe from illness and disease. Each time an individual drinks enough to get drunk, they are lowering their body’s defenses against illness, preventing nutrients…
The Signs of Alcoholic DenialAlcohol AbuseBy PromisesDecember 20, 2012Today many treatments for alcohol addiction are available and recovery is possible. The bad news is that in order to become well, the person affected must admit that a problem exisits. Denial presents the greatest obstacle to recovery. By it, a person insulates themselves from any need to change. The first form of denial is…
Environmental Factors That Can Increase Risk for Alcohol AbuseAlcohol AbuseBy PromisesOctober 24, 2012Though alcohol addiction is a behavioral illness, many experts agree that environmental factors figure largely in how a person thinks about and interacts with alcohol. Environmental factors such as product availability, social attitude and advertising can all play a part in whether or not a person will abuse alcohol. Socio-economic factors may also contribute, but…
Lipstick & Liquor: Powerful Documentary About Women Who DrinkAlcohol AbuseBy PromisesOctober 16, 2012Long hidden due to shame and stigma, the issue of women who drink to dangerous levels is finally brought to light in a documentary film that goes into great detail about who these women are and why they started on the path of self-destructive drinking. Lipstick & Liquor, which debuted at the Reel Recovery Film…
3 Steps for Setting Healthy Boundaries with an AlcoholicAlcohol AbuseBy PromisesOctober 12, 2012Almost everyone has a friend or relative suffering from addiction to alcohol or drugs. The closer you are to an addicted loved one, the harder setting boundaries with an addict is. Addicted loved ones may lie, cheat or steal to cover their tracks. Even people with otherwise rock-solid boundaries can find alcoholics and addicts pushing…
Facial Features May Not Reveal Fetal Alcohol SyndromeAlcohol AbuseBy PromisesAugust 21, 2012Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that can significantly alter the development of a child and affect cognitive and behavioral functions. The cognitive and behavioral problems follow a child throughout his or her life, creating challenges in academic and professional achievement as well as personal relationships. A new study provides new information about the…
