Sober Summer Spectacular!

For recovering alcoholics, summer can prove a difficult season to keep sobriety in check. Aside from pool parties, BBQs and other social summer gatherings, the season simply screams relaxation, fun, and freedom; making the urge to drink all the more appealing. By making a point to prepare yourself for a sober summer stretch, you stand better equipped to ward off cravings, triggers and temptation along the way.

Let’s Get Physical

Immerse yourself in physical activity to keep your mind focused. Options may include anything from jogging and weight lifting to extreme sports such as rock climbing or skateboarding. Each of these activities require dedicated concentration and can not be performed while under the influence. The more active you make yourself, the more motivated you will be to retain your sobriety. Set goals - Crush goals - Repeat.

Hobbies

Select a hobby that holds your interest and requires your attention. Something as simple as knitting holds a number of benefits, keeping your fingers and thoughts in constant motion. Other options to consider include painting, writing, learning an instrument or woodworking. When you are able to create something, you thoughts will pull harder towards the betterment of the project at hand rather than towards the liquor store.

Wanna Play A Game?

Invite some close friends over for a stay-at-home game night! Select a date and time that works for everyone and pick out some food and board games for entertainment! Heck, you may even choose to indulge with some karaoke! Supply your own drink selection for the event while assigning specific entrée and snack items to attendees. Be sure to specify that you will not permit alcohol use during the party to avoid the presence of any unwanted beverages. Tally the scores and provide prizes to the winners!

Take A Trip

If you’re like most people, a vast majority of your state remains a mystery. Set out a map of the area, blindfold yourself and point out a spot to visit! Use the internet to locate area attractions and let the road take you. You never know who or what you’ll run into!   

Need Help?

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse, Above it All treatment center is the place to call. With a team of seasoned addiction specialists available to answers your questions and concerns, you can count on Above It All to have you on the fast track to recovery in no time. 

Alcohol Poisoning – Effects on the Human Body

Chances are, if you’re one of the many people who drink alcohol, that you’ve experienced an episode (or two) of overindulgence. Most drinkers can relate to hangover symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue, etc. But consumption to excess can also lead to alcohol poisoning; a condition with a risk of death due to: seizure, choking on your own vomit, or breathing difficulties. Even in cases where death is avoided, brain damage is still a potential effect. 

What Happens?

Alcohol is classified as a depressant, which when ingested, works to depress our nerves – the very same nerves that control breathing. In order to combat the effects of alcohol, our bodies must release a number of chemicals. However, despite the positive intentions, these chemicals can cause fatigue and nausea. With a few too many cocktails under our belts, we often experience slurred speech, blurred vision and coordination difficulties. Because alcohol also inhibits the gag reflex, those who become unconscious after a night of excess may lose the ability to control their vomit, posing a heightened risk of asphyxiation. To boot, even when a person becomes unconscious, blood alcohol levels will continue to rise.

What are the Signs?

Though the symptoms associated with intoxication and poisoning are quite similar – nausea, headache, mental confusion, blurred vision – when a person overdoses, they fall into a deep unconscious state, from which they are unable to be awakened. Irregular or slowed breathing may become apparent, body temperature may drop and vomiting will often increase. Once blood sugar levels have dropped low enough, skin tones may appear pale or a slight shade of blue. Seizures may sometimes follow.

Need Help?

Struggling with alcohol abuse? Pick up the phone and call Above it All treatment center! With a team of seasoned drug and alcohol specialists available to address your questions and concerns, you can count on Above it All for the information, guidance and support you’ve been searching for. Call today!

Alcoholism – What Are The Warning Signs?

Alcoholism is an equal opportunity disease. It does not cater to differences in sex, age, religion, social status or race. Safety is not a luxury of any establishment or creed. We are all affected, whether personally or via friends, family members, co-workers, or the community at large. In this entry, we will discuss some of the warning signs associated with this disease in an effort to better address the issue head-on.

Drinking Alone

One of the most common warning signs of alcohol abuse is drinking alone. Individuals who drink by themselves are no longer drinking for social reasons; rather, they are attempting to cope with life in their own way. Alcoholics often choose to drink solo to avoid friends and family members finding out exactly how often they drink. 

What We Do Is Secret

Drinking in secret is yet another alcoholism warning sign. Those suffering from alcohol addiction will often use discarded bottles and drinking cups as alcohol containers in an effort to conceal the fact that they are drinking throughout the day.

The Shakes

Trembling or “the shakes” is another alcoholism warming sign. When an alcoholic awakes in the morning, their system is still in shock from a lack of alcohol – causing their bodies to tremble.

Excuses, Excuses

Alcoholics will always find a reason to drink. Instead of recognizing that they suffer from alcoholism, they will often come up with ways to celebrate or console themselves alongside an alcoholic beverage. Making excuses for excessive and regular drinking is a very common sign of alcoholism.

1-2-3-GO!

Many alcoholics find difficulty stopping once drinking has commenced. Instead of calling it a day following 1 or 2 social beers, an alcoholic will empty the entire case throughout an evening. Alcoholics also experience difficulty reducing their intake amount to smaller quantities.

Hygiene

Physical appearance can often take a back seat. Alcoholics may appear unshaven, unkempt, and dirty at their place of employment or social gatherings. Where once the individual took pride in their outward appearance, now little-to-no effort is made.