Posts Tagged ‘alcohol-related consequences’
Unlikely Creatures Provide Insight Into Alcoholism Treatment
Monday, May 24th, 2010
C. elegans worms exhibit alcohol withdrawal like humans
Who knew the brain of worms was similar to those of humans – similar enough to scientifically test the effects of alcohol on the human brain?
In a new study researchers initially pondered the “cure” for a hangover, but discovered more about how the brain adapts to different levels of intoxication while watching worms go through alcohol withdrawal.
The study unearthed a brain molecule that actually leads to hangovers and researchers believe it causes withdrawal symptoms from alcohol as the brain readjusts from intoxication.
The lead researcher on the study, Lindy Holden-Dye from University of Southampton’s School of Biological Sciences, explains the significance of this research lies in that the words show the “effects of the withdrawal of alcohol and enables us to define how alcohol affects signaling in nerve circuits which leads to changes in behavior,” prompting investigation into how to best tackle withdrawal.
The reporting article from Yahoo! News explains, “This study identifies where and also how alcohol consumption affect the nervous system and the brain in a way that hasn’t been revealed until now,” going on to quote professor Holden-Dye as saying “This is leading to new ideas for the treatment of alcoholism. Our study provides a very effective experimental system to tackle this problem.”
This study could help make initial treatment for alcoholism more effective, making those critical first days and weeks more easily managed by both the individual and those caring for him or her. Also of importance, the observation of the brain’s adaptation to alcohol levels gives even more credo to the much needed mass understanding that addiction is a brain disease rather than a matter of personal strength – a misunderstanding still hindering the recovery of millions of people.
Let’s hope more studies like this come out and become embraced by the public to help recovery experts better understand how to effectively treat withdrawal symptoms of an addict.
Read more about the study here!
Tags: alcohol withdrawal, alcohol-related consequences, alcoholism
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April Marks Alcohol Awareness Month
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Thought we’d let this one slip by? Not a chance. With all the allocated months out there for racial and cultural understanding, eco-samaritans and diseases without cures, it’s easy to miss April’s significance in the fight against alcohol addiction.
Though this month’s marker hasn’t been particularly publicized, it’s a step forward in not only awareness, but in prevention. We’re all for getting people to look around, look at themselves and look at potentially hazardous habits that can spiral into something much more, and recognize Alcoholism as a disease.
In the United States, an estimated 15.1 million people suffer with Alcoholism; of these, an estimated 4.6 are women. Annually, an average of 100,000 people die from alcohol-related fatalities, be they from deteriorated health or alcohol-induced action or vulnerabilities. Lastly, but of special importance, the US annually spends $185 billion dollars on alcoholism-related problems.
This disease is 100 percent curable, but the general populace hasn’t yet realized what it takes to make it happen. Alcoholism itself is not something to be ashamed of; continuing to needlessly suffer without treatment is.
April should seek to promote better treatment, and, like we have done through AIDS Awareness, Alcohol Awareness should seek to end the stigma attached to this disease and accentuate the need for better treatment and continuing care.
If you think your loved one may be an alcoholic, aid him or her in receiving help through intervention. During this process you and the rest of those who care will understand the disease, how to overcome its effects on your lives and how to help your loved one heal and grow. This process continues into the individual’s treatment, which we can help you select, and even after he or she completes the program.
If you yourself have a problem with alcohol and are unsure of where to turn, our trained clinicians can listen to your story, point you in the right direction, lead you to the correct treatment facility, work with you, your family and your budget and keep you on the right path with continuing care for a brighter, healthier future.
Whichever case you fall into, it’s never too early to seek help or advice regarding alcohol or any kind of substance abuse. The sooner you identify the problem, the sooner you can implement the solution and regain control over your life, your family and your health.
Tags: addiction intervention, addiction intervention resources, alcohol awareness month, alcohol-related consequences, alcoholism, alcoholism and holidays, intervention, women alcoholics
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Commercials for Drugs
Monday, July 27th, 2009
An article in the New York Times this weekend talked about the commercials put out by the prescription drug community. With all the hubbub as of late with prescription pain killers and their disasterous potential (and addictive) side effects, more and more awareness is being brought out by the government about pharmaceutical companies and their advertising. Considering in our not-too-distant past we could see ads for cigarettes on TV- and that beer commercials are some of the highest-budgeted in the advertising industry- this is a little bit of a non-shocker.
However- when you think about it- why are we talking about regulating ads for Cialis and Latisse when alcohol commercials are so prevalent in prime-time television and sporting events? Alcohol is linked to 75,000 US deaths a year, according to a government study- and that’s the third-leading cause of mortality. Even more shocking- the fact that half of Russian deaths in the 90s are blamed on alcohol-related consequences. So who’s the bigger criminal? The prescription drug market trying to get us to buy more restless-leg-syndrom drugs? Or the TV regulators that consistently allow alcohol ads- that kill 75,000 Americans a year- to have prime television real estate? This should be an easy call.
So, government, get rid of the “Just Say No” campaign and get to the bottom of this- stop allowing drug and alcohol companies to determine their amount of mind-share. We deal with enough problems already with people making their own decisions- the last thing we need is more convincing.
For help with a drug or alcohol problem, contact us directly at 877-320-0247.
Tags: addiction, alcohol, alcohol advertising, alcohol-related consequences, alcoholism, assistance in recovery, beer advertising, pain medication, prescription advertising
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