Alcohol use effects the human body in a variety of ways that
inhibit our ability to perform routine tasks. Driving after consuming even one
drink can be extremely dangerous – enhancing the risk of auto accident-related
injury and fatality. Alcohol use also serves to inhibit academic performance.
In the U.S. the legal drinking age is 21. If you are concerned about teenage
drinking, it is important to open a discussion on the topic.
Effects
Alcohol acts as a depressant. As such, individuals who drink
will experience slowed brain activity. Even just a drink of two may cause the
drinker to act confused or out of character. Drinkers will often experience
mood swings and a loss of balance.
Legal
As stated above, the minimum drinking age in the U.S. is 21.
This restriction pertains to the purchase, possession and consumption of any
alcoholic beverage. According to the Underage Drinking Prevention Project, the
only exceptions are when a minor is in a private establishment, requires alcohol
for medical reasons, is using in conjunction with a religious ceremony, or
possesses it on the job for purposes of lawful employment.
Laws will vary between states. As such, it’s important to
educate yourself on regional restrictions.
Education
Regular alcohol consumption often serves to inhibit poor
academic performance. Studies show that high school students who regularly
consume alcohol are at a 5X higher risk of dropping out of school that those
who abstain altogether.
Sex
Alcohol use in minors offers a heightened risk of dangerous
sexual activity. Because drinking works to lower user inhibitions, many young
people may be more easily swayed into unprotected sex. This works to heighten
the risk of unplanned pregnancies, and STDs.
Discuss
Alcohol addiction treatment helps thousands of people across the United States achieve lasting sobriety every year. Although many people still view alcoholism as an issue of willpower, clinical alcohol addiction treatment is necessary for long-term recovery. It is a neurological disease which requires holistic medical treatments and long-term care.
ReplyDeletealcohol addiction rehab
Like many people, at the start of the year, I made a resolution to decrease my alcohol intake.
DeleteDrink Less in Seven Days by Georgia Foster has really helped me stick to this resolution. Georgia is a clinical hypnotherapist and alongside the written version of the book, there are also 4 "Hypnosis Hub" recordings that readers are encouraged to access to help them with the program.
One of the great things about Drink Less in Seven Days is that Georgia (and I"m going to call her Georgia because she kind of feels like a friend) is totally non-judgemental about how much you drink, why you drink, why you feel you drink too much etc. I feel that this is an area where people carry a lot of shame and negative feelings and to have someone who approaches an emotional issue like this with absolute objectivity is helpful in driving the desired behaviours. She's on your side!
There are two main parts to Drink Less in Seven Days. The first is how your amygdala (the part of your brain that deals with emotions and fear/stress responses) can actually work against your efforts to quit or reduce your drinking. It shows you how to move your decision to drink away from this very instinctive part of your brain to your prefrontal cortex which is the part of your brain that is more concerned with considered decision-making.
I found this part of the book fascinating, particularly the parts where she spoke about silencing your inner critic.
However, it was the second part of the book, where Georgia broke down different personality types. what triggers them to drink and how to circumvent these triggers that I found most useful. (Also fascinating, if like me you love a good theory of behaviour and the ability to proclaim "Yes!!!! That's me!"). Because it makes total sense right? If you drink out of social anxiety (which is me a little bit) your methods to success will likely be different to someone who drinks because everyone around you is (also me a little bit).
The biggest take away for me was starting to understand what triggers my wanting to drink and learning alternative strategies should I decide not to. I think a really important thing about Drink Less in Seven Days is that it is NOT about quitting drinking altogether. It is about cutting down to a level that you are comfortable with, whatever that is for you. And this feels more manageable than quitting altogether.
The cru of this type of book though is does it work?
So here's the real deal. I started this program in January. It's now March and I can count the times I have drunk alcohol on one hand. During this time I have been to pubs, bars and restaurants, entertained at home and been entertained at other people's homes so it's not like I have been hiding myself away. I have been around alcohol and people drinking as much as I ever was.
Will I drink again? Almost definitely. For me, this experiment was never about giving up altogether. And I have far too much fun making cocktails for this to give it up completely! However, I feel that moving forward I will be able to drink in a more mindful considered way.
Thank you to Georgia Foster for a thoroughly fascinating book that does exactly what it says on the cover!
Here's a link to The 7 Days To Drink Less Online Alcohol Reduction Program.
John
I remember growing up in another time when we drank as teens as we were trying to be rebels but the age has gotten soo much younger- it scares me to think what my teens could be getting exposed to
ReplyDeleteI found your this post while searching for some related information on blog search...Its a good post..keep posting and update the information.
ReplyDeletedrug alcohol treatment center
Wonderful illustrated information. I thank you about that. No doubt it will be very useful for my future projects. Would like to see some other posts on the same subject!
ReplyDeletedrug alcohol treatment center