How to Tell Your Parents You Have an Alcohol Problem

According to Worldometers, more than one million deaths have already been caused by alcohol this year. That is more than one million people that could be living at this very moment if alcohol had not been involved in the situation that took their lives. Identifying and mending an alcohol addiction should be done as soon as possible to avoid becoming another statistic to add to that list. If you aren't sure about how to tell your parents about your alcohol problem, these tips might help.

 

1. Be Blunt About the Problem

When you first decide to let your parents in on your addiction, it's imperative that you do not try to sugarcoat the problem or downplay the severity of the situation. They need to know exactly how serious the issue is so that they can help you begin taking the proper steps to recovery. Be as open as possible, and try to include every detail you can think of that concerns your addiction. This will help them with choosing the correct path to assist you in getting better.

 

2. Have Answers to Any Questions

Realistically, there's a very good chance that your parents might already have a sneaking suspicion that you have a drinking problem. However, they may have never felt it was appropriate to ask any questions that they have about it since you never chose to disclose the problem to them. Expect them to question the nature of the problem. Try to block out the shame you feel when answering them so that you can provide truthful and blunt answers.

 

3. Explain that You're Ready for Recovery

Once you've told your parents about your addiction, they'll more than likely be very relieved with your honesty. However, they are going to want to immediately help you into recovery. Disclose that you are ready to engage in recovery so that they can begin the steps to helping you into your recovery process without delay.

 

4. Expect an Emotional Response

Not only will you more than likely be emotional when telling your parents about the addiction problem, but they probably will be too. There could be bouts of anger, sadness, guilt, and even tears of joy. Telling your family about this type of problem is an emotional process. Don't be surprised if tears are shed or if a shouting match comes up.

 

5. Tell Them You are Ready for Help

Now that you've told your family that you have a problem, emphasize the fact that you are ready for help. They will more than likely be open and willing to help you through the steps to begin the alcoholism recovery process. Emphasize how important it is that you begin the process as well. An alcohol problem must be addressed as soon as the addict is ready and willing. If you feel that you are ready to recover, do not waste any more time. You could end up changing your mind down the line, and it's impossible to help an addict that does not want to recover. Don't wait around to become another one of the alcoholism statistics in America. Get the help you need today to get your life back on track.

 

Source:

Real Time World Statistics: Deaths Caused By Alcohol This Year Meta: How to tell your parents you have an alcohol problem can be a frightening challenge, but being prepared for their reactions and questions is a good start.

What to Expect on the First Day of Alcohol Rehab

The scariest thing about an inpatient alcohol rehab treatment program is the fear of the unknown. If you are planning on admitting yourself or a loved one into an inpatient program, knowing what you or your loved one should expect throughout the first day can relieve your anxiety and make you feel confident in your decision to proceed with treatment. Alcoholism statistics show that alcohol rehab centers that utilize reality-based therapy treatment, management of withdrawal symptoms, and evidence-based practices exhibit the best success rates. Once you have found a facility that uses these practices and has a high success rate, this is a breakdown of what you should expect within the first 24 hours of being admitted into the program.

 

Step #1: The Intake Process

You cannot expect to feel comfortable the minute you walk through the doors of an alcohol rehab center, but as you start to feel familiar with your surroundings, you will feel comfortable and at peace. The first thing you will go through when you enter a program is intake. During the intake process, you will speak with therapeutic and medical professionals to discuss your mental and physical health. Expect to be asked a lot of questions, and be prepared to give the answers. After the question and answer portion of intake, you will meet with a medical professional and complete a full physical. The doctor will take your vitals, labs, and schedule testing to determine the cause of symptoms you are exhibiting. If you have a medical condition that requires medication, the staff will verify what medications are needed to stabilize your condition to ensure they are on hand. You are not permitted to bring your own prescribed medications into the center unless they have been approved by the doctor first.

 

Step #2: Meeting With Your Therapist

Once your physical is done, you will then meet with your alcohol abuse therapist to discuss your history of substance abuse. You will discuss what your reasons are for seeking treatment, and what your future goals are once you are in recovery. Your therapist may list alcoholism causesand ask you to identify which causes you believe pertain to your situation. By understanding what has propelled your addiction, you and your therapist can start creating a plan so that you can live a sober life.

 

Step #3: Inspecting Your Bags

While honesty is the best policy, addiction is an illness, and it is common for patients to try and bring contraband into the facility for when times get tough. Having your bags inspected is an inevitable part of treatment. Your bags will be checked for alcohol, drugs, weapons, contraband, and electrical devices that are not permitted. If you want to avoid feeling like you have attempted to smuggle contraband into the facility, review the facility's cheat sheet to see what is and is not permitted before you arrive on day one.

 

Step #4: Getting Your Tour

After you pass your inspection, you will be taken to your room. You may share a room or have a private room depending on the center you choose. The staff will give you a tour to show you where you will have group sessions, counseling sessions, and medical treatments. You will also go over the center's rules and be asked to sign a form showing you understand these rules.

 

Step #5: Settling Into Your Room

Your first day is all about settling in. After you tour the property and acknowledge that you know the rules, you will be taken to your room where you can put up your belongings. If there is time, you may have a group counseling session where you can meet other patients. If the center is pressed for time, you may be directed to the dining room where you will enjoy your first meal in treatment. Your first day in alcohol treatment may not be as clear cut if you are exhibiting withdrawal symptoms. If you fall ill, you may receive detox treatment before you settle in. Now that you know what to expect, it is the time to take the leap for the sake of your future. Meta: What to expect on the first day of alcohol rehabilitation usually begins going through the intake process and getting familiar with your surroundings.

The Definition of an Alcoholic and How to Spot One

The simple definition of an alcoholic, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary, would be one that is affected with alcoholism. More complexly, alcoholism is a disorder identifiable when a person exhibits a dependence on alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has reported that 1 in 4 people who drink above the recommended maximum number of drinks per day and week are already suffering from alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse problems. What's even more frightening is that it has also reported some unsettling US alcoholism statisticswhich state that 1 in 13 adults (or 14 million people) are considered to be abusers of alcohol, or suffer from alcoholism. Alcohol addiction is a crippling condition, but the good news is that in most cases it can be easily spotted. There are differences between people who abuse alcohol and those that suffer from a full blown addiction. Abusers of alcohol might exhibit behavior such as drinking in risky situations, getting hurt or hurting others while drinking, blacking out, and more. Signs of alcohol addiction will probably include those same signs, but other indicators will be present as well. These are some of the most common ways to spot an alcoholic.

1. Inability to Stop Drinking After Starting

A person suffering from alcoholism will exhibit a strong inability to stop drinking. With alcoholics, there is rarely a limit in mind, and it is often difficult for them to determine where or when to draw the line. Even if an alcoholic begins to drink and wants to stop at a certain point, they are rarely successful at staying true to this desire. Additionally, an alcoholic will experience uncontrollable urges to drink. Emotional or stressful events in their life will probably worsen the urges, and they experience more intense binges when going through difficult times.

2. Withdrawal Symptoms Occur When Not Drinking

An alcoholic will experience withdrawal symptoms if they do not drink for a certain period of time. The period of time depends on how heavily they depend on alcohol and how crippling the addiction is. Likewise, the symptoms will be worse depending on the severity of the addiction. Common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Insomnia
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Anxiety
• Headache
• Sweating
• Shaky hands

In more severe cases, hallucinations might be experienced, but they usually cease after 48 hours at the most.

3. Continuing to Drink Regardless of Its Effect on the Abuser's Life

A person might be an alcoholic if they continue to drink, even when it begins to take a toll on other areas of their life. Their work ethic might begin to deteriorate, or they might begin missing work altogether. Their financial situation might begin to plummet. There are many ways in which an alcohol addiction can affect all other areas of a person's life.

4. Drinking Alone

Many alcoholics will exhibit a habit of drinking regardless of whether they are around people or not. Many might do it because they feel ashamed or guilty about their excessive drinking when they do it in the company of others.

5. Making Up Excuses to Drink or Hiding It

Coming up with excuses to drink or trying to keep drinking private is another one of the common signs of alcoholism. For example, an addict will find something such as a "happy hour" or an unopened liquor bottle as a viable excuse to begin drinking. They might view these occurrences as opportunities that won't soon happen again. Additionally, hiding the alcohol habit is a very strong indicator of a drinking problem.

Sources:

1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Moderate & Binge Drinking
2. WebMD: Alcohol Withdrawl

How To Help A Friend Who Has An Alcohol Problem

As many medical experts know, alcohol abuse and addiction can be very problematic conditions. This is the case for many reasons, including the fact that alcoholism can impair one's health while problematizing the user's ability to attain or maintain stable income. Alcoholism can also have a profoundly negative impact on the user's relationship given the fact that the user's loved ones often pour economic resources into her or his recovery, an activity which can entail resentment and estrangement. If you are attempting to help someone who has an alcohol addiction, you should learn as much about the problem as you can.

United States Alcoholism Statistics

To gain a deeper understanding of how widespread and pervasive alcoholism is, it may help to briefly review some statistics regarding alcohol use in America. Here are several:

• In 2011, 51.5% of adults aged 18 and older were currently regular drinkers, meaning that they consumed at least 12 drinks within the past year.
• In 2011, 13.6% of adults aged 18 and older were current infrequent drinkers, meaning that they consumed 1-11 drinks during that year.
• In 2010, there were 15,990 alcoholic liver disease deaths.
• In 2010, there were 25,692 alcohol-induced deaths (excluding homicides and accidents)

Alcohol Statistics For Teens

In addition to gaining a general understanding of how alcoholism affects Americans, it is important to know how alcohol consumption affects young people. Here are some statistics:

• By the age of 15, 50% of teens have consumed at least one drink.
• By the age of 18, more than 70% of teenagers have consumed at least on drink.
• On average, young people consume around 5 drinks on one occasion. This activity can constitute binge drinking.
• Every year, 5,000 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related homicides, car crashes, alcohol poisoning, suicides, and other types of injuries like burns, falls, and drowning.

Once you gain a general understanding of alcoholism and alcohol use, you will be better equipped to help an individual struggling with the problem. Here are three strategies that can help you:

1. Don't Be An Enabler.

As many professionals know, enabling is a process in which an individual engages in activities or exhibits attitudes that directly or indirectly help an addict continue their addictive behaviors. To determine whether you are an enabler, consider the following questions:

• Do you ever call in sick for an alcoholic when they are too hung over to go to school or work?
• Do you ever bail an alcoholic out of jail or pay any legal fees he or she has entailed?
• Do you ever drink with the alcoholic in an attempt to strengthen the relationship?

2. Suggest That The Alcoholic Attain Help.

This is a relatively straight-forward strategy that should be sought out with care. In some cases, a family or group of friends can schedule an intervention in which they lovingly confront the alcoholic and make strong suggestions regarding her or his need to attain help. This type of intervention generally includes a clear outline of the debilitating actions and/or behaviors that the alcoholic has been engaging in. It also offers a prearranged treatment plan which includes clear goals, steps and guidelines. Finally, it spells out what every family member and friend involved will do if the loved one will not select a treatment option.

3. Encourage Other Interests And Social Activities.

Like most people, alcoholics have interests that stimulate them intellectually and emotionally or contribute to a sense of general livelihood and joy. Suggesting that they engage in such activities-whether it be novel writing or playing baseball-can help facilitate the recovery process by encouraging the addict to become engaged in non-alcohol related activities. Used individually or together, these steps can help you bring an end to a loved one's alcohol addiction. If you suspect that you or someone you love has an alcohol addiction, be sure to consult with a medical professional to attain the advice and counsel you need.

5 Common Mistakes That Alcoholics Make After Rehab

Completing a rehab program, whether it's a residential inpatient program or a series of outpatient treatments, is just the first step in the path to recovery. Rehab is where people can get sober, dig deeply into the root causes of alcohol abuse, and make plans for how to live without alcohol. After rehab, these convictions and changes in mindset are put to the test. Recovering alcoholics often make several mistakes that hinder their progress toward living without alcohol, and avoiding these mistakes can help increase the chance of a successful recovery.

1. Failing to Establish Continued Support

Rehab isn't the ultimate solution to alcoholism. Even after completing rehab, people are likely to struggle with the desire to return to patterns of alcohol abuse. Because of this, individuals must have a plan in place to step right into a setting that provides ongoing support during the recovery process. This is often called aftercare, and it may go on for years after completing rehab.

Many individuals choose to attend 12-step programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous. Others get outpatient treatment or counseling on a regular basis to address issues as they arise. In addition, most rehab programs encourage people to connect with a sponsor, which is someone who will be a positive influence and provide stability and accountability during the transition back to daily life.

2. Returning to the Same Environment

Alcohol abuse is often at least partially caused by environmental triggers. These are specific places or situations where the alcohol abuser would almost always end up drinking. After rehab, going back to these places can cause a huge internal struggle. Although the individual wants to stay sober, all of the unconscious cues are creating an urge to stick with the previous habits and have a drink or two.

Because of this, it's important to make plans during rehab about how to avoid environmental triggers. Some ideas include taking a new route to and from work to avoid bars and liquor stores, or even moving to a new home or apartment for a fresh start. On a less extreme level, individuals can at least have a friend or family go through their home and remove all alcohol and drinking paraphernalia before they return home from rehab.

3. Staying Close to Friends who Drink

Just as the physical environment can be a trigger that leads to relapse, so can people. Often, alcohol abusers going into rehab had been spending much of their time with friends drinking. When returning to spending time with these people after rehab, it's all too easy to slip back into old habits, especially if the friends are still drinking heavily. Instead, people should seek out circles of friends who are happily living sober lives.

4. Having Too Much or Too Little Free Time

The transition back into daily life is a delicate balance, and many people upset the balance after rehab. Having too much free time can be a problem because boredom often leads to drinking, which used to fill a large amount of time. On the other hand, having too little free time can leave recovering alcohol abusers feeling stressed about all of the activities and responsibilities, which also encourages alcohol use.

The best strategy is to choose a handful of new and enjoyable activities to help fill free time. These may include exercising, cooking, gardening, volunteering with a local organization, or spending time with friends and family who are good influences. People who are not working should consider getting a job as well, which helps build self-worth in addition to passing time productively.

5. Giving Up After a Minor Relapse

Although it would be ideal if this were not true, recovery often includes setbacks. Many people who go through rehab don't manage to completely avoid alcohol in the months following treatment. However, it's important to remember that one minor setback doesn't have to trigger a full-blown relapse. Having one drink is not a sign of failure, but rather, a sign that more work is needed. By acknowledging that the drink was a mistake and seeking help from their support network, individuals can get back on the path to an alcohol-free life.