What Is Binge Drinking?

There are many people who are able to drink in moderate and healthy amounts. However, there are also many people who are not. Though in some cases it constitutes an alcohol addiction, this is not always true. There are many people who do not have alcoholism that will participate in negative and dangerous drinking behaviour. One extremely common form of dangerous drinking is binge drinking.

Binge drinking is defined as consuming enough alcoholic beverages in a short period of time to accumulate a BAC of at least .08. This amount, when driving in the United States, becomes illegal, as the drinker is quite impaired in this state. The BAC stands for "blood alcohol content." This means how much alcohol is in the bloodstream? An individual with a BAC measured at .10 has a tenth of one percent of their blood's volume consisting of alcohol. This may not seem like a lot, but it is. To give you an idea, a BAC of less than .50, less than one half of one percent of volume, is considered the lethal dose of alcohol.

Many factors play into the BAC level. Averages that instruct how many drinks would reach a certain BAC are often vague, as there are so many variables. A person's weight can influence the number quite a bit. More weight and more muscle mass are able to better absorb the alcohol consumed. While the average person may be heavier, some people will be affected by less drinks, reaching a high BAC level after only a couple of drinks. Certain individuals simply have a higher or lower tolerance for alcohol than others. Also, the BAC gradually reduces over time. One of the best ways to ensure safety while drinking is to give each drink time before starting another. The time varies per drink, but it is suggested that each drink be equivalent to about an hour of drinking time.

Unfortunately, this guideline is rarely adhered to, as many drinkers are binge drinkers. Whether the individual is an alcoholic, with a disease causing them to be dependent on drinking, or simply has a habit of drinking in a dangerous manner, the situation can cause great harm. Often, people will advocate or encourage others to drink as quickly as possible, insisting that it is cool. In other circumstances, people will try to quickly consume as much alcohol as they can before heading to another establishment or event, possibly one where they can't drink. Often, individuals brag to one another about how many drinks they have consumed in one night, eliciting responses of laughter or admiration, rather than fear or concern. Our culture has a backward view of what is important and what is the healthy way to live. 

Whatever the case, it may be necessary to seek out alcohol treatment. It can be done in a residential treatment setting, or as an outpatient, while living in their own home. Either way, this process can greatly assist the drinker to see the consequences of their actions and avoid great possible dangers in the future. Binge drinking is a very serious occurrence and, if not approached in the correct way, could result in legal trouble, injury, or death. If you or someone you know is having difficulty with binge drinking, please find out more information about alcohol rehab, as it could save a life.

What Can Trigger A Relapse?

After drug and alcohol treatment, addicts still feel strong urges to continue their substance abuse. These urges are based purely on desire and sometimes can overrule all logical reasoning. This is referred to as a trigger. There are many triggers out in the world. Some are specific to each individual, and some are a uniform way of functioning. Completing drug treatment is a huge step toward living a healthy and productive life without drug abuse. The trick is maintaining this sobriety. One way to avoid a drug or alcohol relapse is to identify the different things that can trigger it.

There are some very common causes of drug relapse. These negative feelings (also found in other aspects of everyday life) such as anger, sadness, loneliness, guilt, fear, and anxiety can cause an addict to feel like they need to run and hide from them, and the only way they know how to do that is through drug use. Even positive feelings can trigger a relapse because they make the addict want to celebrate. 

Other ways that relapses can be triggered is through the physical body. Being in the presence of drugs and/or alcohol, around users of drugs or alcohol, or in places where you used or bought can be overwhelming and cause a lot of internal conflict. If you purposefully place yourself in situations just to show that you can do it, you may be placing yourself in unnecessary danger. Also, many people think that they will be fine after treatment, and that they don't need to worry about a relapse. This is a problem because they may fall back into their old patterns, and eventually fall back into drug use. If you allow yourself to become completely exhausted, you are not following the healthy patterns you have established, like rest, nutrition, and exercise. If you begin to pity yourself or expect pity from others, you are not being independent, and are therefore not taking care of your needs.

Dishonesty is another common problem for recovering drug addicts. Usually, it begins with small, unnecessary lies being told to those who are close to you. Then you begin to widen the spectrum and are soon making excuses for not attending meetings or for hanging out with old friends that still use drugs or alcohol. Someone might do this because they feel that they are the only people who have changed. Well, you can only expect to control yourself. Just remember to be honest and patient with yourself and others.

Drug relapse is never your fault, just as drug addiction is not your fault, but it can be avoided. Through drug treatment, you can find yourself. Through real life experience you can test your strength. It is important to know your limits and to respect your mind, body, and soul through sobriety. Don't wait until you relapse to express how you're feeling after you finish rehab. Counseling is provided to allow this transition to be more comfortable and understood.

Why Are Women Less Likely to Seek Treatment?

When it comes to substance abuse issues, there are certain differences between men and women. In recent decades, more research has been done on the subject, and new information has come to light concerning gender-specific alcohol addiction and drug addiction matters. Studies have shown that men are more likely to develop drug and alcohol problems than women, due to a variety of reasons. Another aspect of gender-related substance abuse differences is that women are less likely than men to seek drug treatment or alcohol treatment for their addictions.

Women and the Social Stigma of Substance Abuse

One of the main reasons why women are less apt to seek rehab treatment for substance abuse than men is because there exists a social stigma for women that have drug or alcohol problems. It is more socially acceptable for men to take drugs or drink alcohol in excess than women. Because of the differences between body mass and other physical traits, women typically drink less than men when they do drink, and overall they drink less frequently.

Aside from the fact that overall, women drink less than men, there are certain mental, emotional and interpersonal issues that men may not face. Family responsibilities and economic issues have a lot to do with why women are less likely to go to rehab treatment. Being a mother, earning less money overall than men, and the shame or embarrassment they may feel from being in drug rehab or alcohol rehab all factor into the equation.

Overall, women are judged more harshly when they develop drug or alcohol problems. Going to drug treatment or alcohol treatment admits to the rest of the world that they do indeed have a substance abuse problem, and many women are afraid of facing the criticism associated with them going to rehab. What is interesting however, is that even though women are less likely to have substance abuse problems, once they begin to drink or take drugs their problems progress more quickly than men.

The Benefits of Rehab

Although many women may fear the harsh judgment they might face from going to rehab treatment, what is most important is that drug rehab is a positive thing. Even if people will criticize a woman for going to rehab more than a man, this should be the least of one's worries if they have a drug addiction or alcohol addiction. Rehab treatment saves lives, but unfortunately many people do not receive the treatment they need. It is estimated that nearly 25 million Americans have problems with substance abuse, yet only 3 to 4 million ever go to drug rehab or alcohol rehab.

As more research is being conducted, and because of the fact that drug addiction and alcohol addiction are now considered to be diseases, going to drug rehab or alcohol rehab is becoming much more common. Having to drop everything and be committed to a facility for months at a time can be difficult, but there are also many other options that do not involve inpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment that allows patients to return home after they participate in rehab programs and support groups such as AA and NA have proven to be extremely successful and effective alternatives to residential drug treatment.

Alcohol Now 3rd Leading Cause Of Death

Sixty-six percent of the total population in the United States consumes alcohol on a regular basis. It is not hard to believe, then, that alcohol is statistically shown as the 3^rd preventable cause of death in the U.S.. Alcoholism is a serious and understated matter that is affecting more and more people each day. Treatment centers like Ambrosia Treatment Center are located all over America to assist those with an alcohol addiction, or an addiction of any sort. By taking a closer look at alcoholism and what causes it, perhaps we can gain an understanding about how to prevent alcohol dependence and unnecessary deaths because of it.

There are many possible causes linked to alcoholism. Chemical dependence, or addiction, forms after an extended period of drinking over a long period of time. This over-consumption and abuse of the substance may be directly linked to a person's daily stressors in life. They may use alcohol in excess to hide from their depression or anxiety, social pressures, or family/friend troubles. Also, a person is more susceptible to addiction if they have a family history of alcoholism. A general guideline for the avoidance of drinking in excess limits no more than 15 drinks per week for men and no more than 8 drinks per week for women. Of course, this varies from person to person, but keep these guidelines in mind.

Drug use, namely alcohol, depression, and suicide tend to go together. It has been shown that ninety-six percent of alcoholics who commit suicide are drinking alcohol up to their time of death. About thirty percent of all suicides also feature alcoholism, and seven percent of all alcoholics will commit suicide. One way to prevent this and other causes of death so strongly related to alcohol is recognizing this developmental disease early on, and intervening on behalf of those who may be in danger of developing this potentially fatal disease.

So, there are all sorts of causes, but what do you do if you or a loved one is an alcoholic? Get treatment. As I mentioned above, there are treatment programs all over America that can help with alcohol addiction. Ask for information from an alcohol treatment center and decide how you want to handle your addiction. All we can hope for is to spread the awareness that alcoholism is a chronic illness and brain disease. It has been recently discovered that most cases of alcoholism are established before the addict is even twenty-five years old.

Alcohol treatment, such as the programs at Ambrosia, allow for the alcoholic to undergo detox and rid their bodies of the toxins and carcinogens found in alcohol. After detox, they will proceed to a longer term alcohol drug addiction treatment, which will allow for a deeper examination of the individual's underlying causes of addiction and what they want for their future. Rehab will allow the addict to get their lives back on track. They will be better able to set goals and live a healthy and productive lifestyle – something they may have lost hope for.

Alcohol Now 3rd Worldwide Leading Cause of Injury & Death

It is nothing new that alcoholism is an addiction that has the ability to destroy lives. People can become so enveloped in their alcohol addictions that they lose sight of the important things in life - family, work, school, and other responsibilities, and become wholly preoccupied with alcohol. In the United States, alcohol surpasses all other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription painkillers as the number one drug problem in the nation. According to a recent study conducted by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), alcohol is now the third leading cause of disease and injury worldwide.

Alcohol, Disease & Injury
Based on research gathered mainly from the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study, alcohol has been found to cause more than 200 diseases and injuries. When people think of alcohol and disease, liver problems are usually the first that come to mind. It is widely known that alcohol can cause serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. But what many people do not realize is that alcohol affects nearly every single organ in the body. It can cause heart disease, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal problems, and several types of cancer. Researchers recently found that alcohol consumption by women can make them much more susceptible to breast cancer.

When people consume alcohol, their behavior changes. This is not true only of alcoholics, alcohol affects everyone that consumes it in different ways. Their judgment becomes impaired, and they may do certain things that they would otherwise not do if they were sober. Traffic accidents due to alcohol abuse are among the major problems of alcohol-related injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety, roughly 40 percent of all traffic deaths are due to driving under the influence. In addition to traffic-related injuries, violence and domestic abuse while people are intoxicated are also a major problem. Alcohol affects not only the person drinking it, but those around them as well.

Global Alcohol Abuse
It is estimated that around 2.5 million deaths per year are due to the harmful use of alcohol. In the age group of 15 to 29, roughly 320,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes, which makes up about 9 percent of all deaths in that range. The global burden of alcohol is large, and it continues to grow. After high blood pressure and tobacco, it places third for disease and injury. The amount of alcohol consumed varies from region to region. Some nations drink more than others, and some engage in more reckless drinking behaviors. On average, drinkers in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa consume the most alcohol worldwide. They drink the most, and they also engage in some of the most dangerous drinking behaviors, such as drinking in large quantities, drinking to get drunk, and binge-drinking for extended periods of time.

The figures recorded by the CAMH may even be an underestimate, considering that 30 percent of alcohol consumed around the world is unrecorded. This includes alcohol that is brewed at home and produced illegally, including moonshine operations. When alcohol is so readily accessible and socially acceptable, it is hard to not drink irresponsibly for many people. Even though only half of the world drinks alcohol, the half that does causes a large amount of disease and injury. Alcoholism is a serious disease and it causes a lot of damage. If you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol abuse, there are many different options for alcohol treatment. From support groups like AA to inpatient rehab treatment, there are programs out there to help everyone who is struggling with alcohol addiction.

Alcohol Has Lasting Effects On The Brain

It has always been noted that the drinking age is set at 21 due to the completion of brain development, but studies have shown that the brain actually finishes developing around the age of 25. Recent evidence suggests that excessive alcohol use has a negative and lasting effect on the brain. Disorders that are commonly linked to alcohol related brain damage are a result of continual alcohol abuse starting at a young age. The disabilities of memory and learning loss that can follow a lifetime of alcohol abuse may be physical and/or psychological, and there is no doubt that they will have a notable effect on the user and their community. Because it is hard to identify an alcohol addict before they are addicted, it is similarly difficult to get early treatment for the resulting brain disorders. 

The best way to avoid detrimental changes in brain function is to use alcohol only in moderation, or not at all. The age where the most change in general brain function occurs is in young adults under 25. Although the drinking age is 21 years old, the hippocampus and front structures of the brain are not fully developed until approximately age 25. These areas of the brain work with memory and learning capabilities. Through excessive alcohol abuse, young adults' brains are structurally changed by notably shrinking, and there are some significant changes to the white matter tracks.

Research shows that the age at which a person starts drinking regularly is a pivotal point in their future complications with alcoholism. However, research has also shown that the legal age for drinking does not affect this epidemic. This is because young adults will most often find ways to get alcohol regardless of what age they can legally buy it. In Australia for example, the legal drinking age is 18 years old, but health reports have shown very similar alcohol related brain damage to that of the United States.

The only way to treat this disease is to prevent the cause – alcohol abuse – completely. Researchers have emphasized early intervention at an early age being the key. In a person's young adult years, their brains are much more susceptible to change, development, and also damage. By recognizing and confronting the signs of risky drinking behavior in young adulthood, the specific brain damage caused from repetitive, excessive, and extended drinking can be prevented.  It is a tragedy that many young people suffer for their lack of education about what can happen in the future. Memory and learning ability loss caused by alcohol is preventable, and potentially reversible if  it is caught early on. If you or a loved one feel as though you may have developed or are in the process of developing an alcohol dependence, do not hesitate to get some sort of treatment. The worst thing you can do is live in ignorance and suffer the consequences later on. 

What Drives Alcohol Addiction?

There are many different factors that play a huge part in an alcohol addiction. Let's take the average American's lifestyle, for example. We'll name him John. John is born into a lower-middle class suburban household. His mom has various get-togethers with her friends, where the kids play while the adults have a few drinks and talk. His dad is a huge sports fan who goes out to the bars almost every night of the week to see or regale a “big game.” John goes to school with kids who have similar home lives. As he grows up, he sees alcohol in the grocery stores, in his home, in his friends' houses, on t.v., on billboards, in magazines. When John reaches high school, he joins his school's sports teams. Through these people and some of his other friends, John starts getting invited to parties. At those parties, everyone is drinking. He wants to fit in, so he grabs a red plastic cup and fills it at the keg. Before he knows it, he is out of control and loving it. John may or may not get into trouble with his parents or with the law. He will go to college and experience or of theses parties. He turns 21, and goes out for drinks with his already 21 year old friends, or his parents. After college, John might get married and become a big sports fan. Do you see where this is going? Alcohol is everywhere. It is something that is ingrained in our culture. But, if that is all it takes to become an alcoholic, why isn't everyone?

What really needs to be examined here is, what is alcohol dependence and what drives this addiction? When a person develops a destructive pattern of abusing alcohol, this is considered an alcohol dependence or addiction. This disease affects over 14 million people in the United States alone. Many people wonder if it is a hereditary disease, and how it is caused to begin with. There is no single origin of the dependence alcohol causes. It is viewed and treated as a mental disorder, being the result of a complex grouping of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors in a person's life. So, no, it is not always hereditary (although it can be), but a child with alcoholic parents or guardians is much more likely to become an alcohol addict simply because of the environment they grew up in.

If you think you have a problem with alcohol addiction or know someone who might, don't wait to contact an alcohol treatment center for help. There are so many great treatments out there to take advantage of. Many alcohol treatment programs focus on relapse prevention, short-term behavioral goals, and cognitive therapies. It is important to go to alcohol rehab and learn about ways to work through your alcohol dependence. Don't wait any longer to get the life you want back on track!

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Facility

Dual diagnosis refers to someone who has both a drug/alcohol addiction and a mental illness. In recent years, many studies have been done in attempt to further the knowledge and reasoning towards co-occurring diseases. Because of the way the two diseases – drug addiction and a psychological disorder – interact with each other, it can be challenging to determine which symptoms are caused by which disease. Drug use may mask the symptoms of a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, or mental illness can cause drug use symptoms to become less intense or altered in some way. These studies have shown that 37% of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers in America have at least one other co-occurring serious mental illness. Also, of all Americas diagnosed as mentally ill, 29% abuse drugs and/or alcohol. These numbers are astounding. Because dual diagnosis is so common, medical professionals are making a huge effort to learn about and help those in need.

Dual diagnosis treatment can be more complex than basic drug rehab because of the way both the substance and the mental illness are affecting one's body. These are two extremes, and sometimes two extremes can exacerbate each other, making it extremely difficult to differentiate between the two. Drug relapse is very common when working with dual diagnosis. Merely detoxifying one's body and attending therapy just will not suffice for many people who suffer from mental illness along side their drug addiction. If they receive just the traditional drug treatment and alcohol treatment, they are not going to treat their coexisting condition. This condition may be the root of the cause of drug and alcohol abuse. By not treating a mental illness, you may be setting yourself up for a relapse, whereas by not treating the drug addiction, you may be allowing the psychiatric condition(s) to become more pronounced. With these two difficulties being so intertwined, it is important to treat both of them completely.

Because dual diagnosis is a complete bond of two very different medical conditions, a person suffering from both cannot expect to admit themselves to a mental health facility and also receive treatment for their drug addiction. Adversely, one cannot admit themselves to a traditional drug treatment center and expect their psychiatric issues to be treated as well. A dual diagnosis patient needs to receive specialized care focused toward treating both a drug addiction and a serious mental condition. Fortunately, dual diagnosis drug rehab centers are known for being very detailed and organized in order to help patients receive proper assessments of their individual condition. This will not only help a person to decipher which symptoms are cause by what, but it will also allow for a better and faster treatment.

It is not that dual diagnosis treatment is harder to handle than regular drug and alcohol addiction treatment, it is just more mentally complex. Dual diagnosis facilities have a strong focus on excelling in areas where a traditional drug treatment facility might fail for specific individuals. Where some people suffering from dual diagnosis might have trouble staying on the path to recovery, dual diagnosis facilities are there to provide new light.

Inpatient Drug Rehab Treatment

When someone has an addiction to drugs or alcohol, sometimes the most effective way to get their lives and physical and mental health back in order is through treatment. There are many different programs available for drug addicts and alcoholics. For some who have serious addictions that are taking control of their lives, inpatient treatment is often recommended. Depending upon the individual and the inpatient rehab treatment center they attend, the drug rehab treatment or alcohol treatment they will receive can vary greatly. There are many different programs aimed at helping individuals recover from their addictions, and they involve a variety of different exercises and sessions with licensed treatment professionals.

Before anyone considers going to inpatient drug treatment or alcohol treatment, it is important first to fully understand what is inpatient treatment. Before being accepted into an inpatient rehab treatment center, you must undergo a series of assessments and evaluations that measure the severity of your addiction and also focus on the emotional or mental issues that may be driving your alcoholism or drug addiction. Some people may be referred to outpatient treatment instead of inpatient treatment. The decision is based on the criteria gathered from the evaluations and the diagnosis of the substance abuse counselor.

There are many benefits of inpatient treatment over outpatient treatment. For severe addicts and alcoholics, some of these benefits may be necessary in order to stay clean during their recovery process. In an inpatient rehab treatment center, the patient is there for 24 hours a day, and often for months at a time. During this period, they are under the direct supervision of doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists. Being in such a structured environment allows for much less of a chance for relapse. In outpatient treatment, recovering addicts still have to face the constant temptations of daily life – triggers, stress, peer pressure, and others that may provoke a relapse. While on an extended stay at a treatment center, the alcoholic or addict can focus solely on their recovery and not the everyday stress presented from the outside world.

In addition to the benefits of isolation in inpatient drug treatment and alcohol treatment, patients are also under constant medical supervision. This can be crucial in the most severe cases of addiction. When an individual develops such a strong dependency on drugs or alcohol, their body can go into shock during the detoxification process. Depending upon the excess of their addiction, this shock to the central nervous system from stopping the use of drugs or alcohol can be extremely detrimental to one’s health, and even fatal in some cases. Under the constant monitoring of medical professionals, those in treatment can also be sent to the hospital for instant medical care if necessary. Sometimes being in a controlled environment during the rehab and detox process can save a recovering addict’s life.

It is common for drug addicts or alcoholics to refuse treatment because they feel that it is a failure on their part that they could not get clean on their own. These feelings of regret and shame for their drug oralcohol abuse do nothing but feed into the vicious cycle of addiction. It is important for anyone with the desire to get sober and free from their addiction that treatment can be a second chance at life and an opportunity to move on and lead a healthy and happy life in the future. Denial does nothing but fuel the fire of addiction, and admitting defeat is the first step toward recovery and living a life that is not controlled by the preoccupation with drugs or alcohol.

Inpatient Drug Rehab Treatment

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

This time of year brings about holiday cheer and the reunion of family and friends. It is a time of joy, fun and celebration. In lieu of the holiday season, December has become an important month for other reasons as well. It is also drunk and drugged driving prevention month. Around the holidays, bars and restaurants are busier, parties are attended, and drinking is encouraged. Because of this, December is the month chosen for awareness towards drunk and drugged driving prevention.

It is common knowledge that drunk driving is common around this time of year, but drugged driving is a new concept for some. Like drunk driving, drugged driving presents extreme and deadly risk for everyone on the road. In 2010, 1 in 3 drivers who were killed in a motor vehicle crash tested positive for illicit or prescription drugs. Everyone at Ambrosia Treatment Center joins the staff and administrator David Strickland of the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) in observing prevention this month and working to stop drunk and drugged driving all year.

Because December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, it is a time to bring awareness towards the consequences of drunk and/or drugged driving and preventative ways to avoid these consequences in the future. A few important tips geared toward preventing fatalities and accidents this December (and always) are 1) designate a sober and responsible driver before parties and celebrations begin 2) never serve anyone underage 3) plan parties that provide non-alcoholic beverages and refrain from serving alcohol for the last few hours of the party and 4) be prepared to help people get home if need be.

The idea behind making December the month of drunk and drugged driving awareness is meant to deter people from taking part in risky activities that would lead to drunk and drugged driving. December is the month with the highest amount of drunk and drugged driving incidents. To show your support, avoid both driving and letting friends and family drive under the influence. Also, displaying a red ribbon (the symbol of substance abuse prevention) on your vehicle will shown support for drug awareness. We ask you to turn your attention to preventing drunk and drugged driving accidents and plan ahead this December, and always.

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month