Alcohol Awareness newsletter

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Alcohol Awareness Losing control Alcohol abuse on a small scale can lead to full-blown alcoholism. People who continue to abuse alcohol often find they have to drink more to get the same effect. This warning sign of alcoholism is called tolerance. In time you may need a drink just to feel normal. These signs add up to dependence – a hallmark of alcoholism. It’s best to uncover problems before they get that far. Your drinking may be putting you at risk for alcoholism if: You know alcohol is damaging your relationships and your health, but you drink anyway. You repeatedly neglect important work and family functions – for example, missing your kids’ events or deadlines at work. You have legal troubles, such as getting arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) or being drunk and disorderly. Getting help The effects of alcoholism can be devastating. Heavy drinkers are more likely to have heart disease, liver disease, depression and several types of cancer. Family and work relationships usually suffer. And of course, drinking too much alcohol on even one occasion can lead to injuries or death from a car crash, drowning or other type of accident. When Terry’s family realized she was losing control of her drinking, they persuaded her to get help. Your doctor is a good place to start finding the counseling or treatment you need. You can also contact the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Helping Kids Say “No” to Drugs and Alcohol Believe it or not, your kids listen when you tell them about the hazards of substance abuse. Learn to talk to them about the dangers. Teens have a way of making their parents feel pretty useless at times. But whether you know it or not, you are the biggest influence in your children’s lives when it comes to drugs and alcohol. About 2 out of 3 kids ages 13 to 17 say that one of the main reasons they don’t do drugs is that their parents would be disappointed in them. Here are some ways you can help your kids avoid tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs: Know their friends. Teens are usually offered drugs by friends. Get to know your children’s friends and their parents. Ask where your kids are going when they leave the house, who they’ll be with, and what they’ll be doing. Let them know you’ll be checking on them. Be involved. The “danger zone” for drug use is between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. So try to be there when your children get home from school. If you can’t be there, call. Get them involved in supervised after-school and summer activities. Bored kids are more likely than others to get in trouble. Talk to your kids about drugs. Tell them often that you don’t ever want them to use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. Listen, too. If you’re a good listener, your child is more likely to talk to you about drugs. Establish rules. Set a curfew and enforce it. Let your kids know what the consequences will be if they drink or do drugs. Reward good behavior. 2 2
Alcohol Awareness Be a good role model. Kids learn a lot by watching their parents. If you have a substance abuse problem, get help so you can set a good example for your children. Teach your kids how to handle peer pressure. One strategy kids can use to stay clear of drugs and alcohol is REAL: Refuse, Explain, Avoid, Leave. } Refuse. A simple “no” often works. } Explain. A teen might say “I can’t risk getting kicked off the team” or “Smoking makes me sick.” Be firm but polite. } Avoid. Teens can decide to stay away from parties where drugs are likely to be used. } Leave. If teens are feeling pressured, they can learn to just walk away. Or they can suggest another activity, such as playing a sport or going to a movie. Recognizing the Signs of Alcoholism Do you worry that you or someone you love may have a drinking problem? Learn how to recognize the signs of alcoholism. Having a glass of wine with dinner every night or drinking a few beers at a ball game doesn’t mean that you have an alcohol problem – does it? Drinking in moderation – up to one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men – may be no cause for concern. But unless you examine your drinking habits, how can you be sure? It can be hard to tell how alcohol is affecting your life. For one thing, people often have a hard time admitting they drink too much. But ignoring how you use alcohol can do serious harm to your health. Why worry? Heavy drinking raises your risk of certain types of stroke and cancer. It also can cause other diseases and conditions, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), pancreatitis, stomach ulcers, malnutrition, and problems with your immune system. Your alcohol use also can put others at risk. For instance, drinking during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome – a range of various birth defects. It can also cause serious physical, mental, and behavioral problems for your baby. Drinking and driving puts everyone on the road in danger. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02 percent can impair driving skills. If a 160-pound man drinks just two beers, his BAC will be twice that amount, or 0.04. Driving starts to be impaired at this level. Smaller people can reach this level by drinking even less. Review your risk At every age, men are more likely than women to have drinking problems. Alcoholism also runs in families. However, having a parent with alcoholism doesn’t always mean you’ll have it, too. Have a heart-to-heart Ask friends and family about how they view your drinking. They may have noticed that you’re anxious or depressed. Or they may see that you’re not sleeping well, you lack self-esteem, or you’re not doing well at work. Plus, you may have been in traffic accidents or gotten tickets because of your drinking. These are all possible signs of a drinking problem. 3 3
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Alcohol Awareness newsletter

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