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!
Reading these posts makes me sad but also makes me understand what is going on in an alcoholics mind! Thank you for all the information!
ReplyDeleteLike 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
Alcohol abuse can lead to certain states wherein we are being controlled by the alcohol. That's why as someone who is involved with alcohol abuse, we must be responsible enough to think of the possibilities and consequences that may happen when we drink. For more info, you can visit this link http://seasonsmalibu.com/alcohol-and-drug-abuse-treatment/
ReplyDeleteIf the above signs apply to the drug use of an addict, then there is a minimal chance that they will hit “rock bottom” and seek recovery help on their own. Drug addiction interventions
ReplyDeleteDue to recent advances in neuroscience and psychology, rehab clinics are able to use a variety of proven methods in their drug addiction treatment programs for quit your drinking habit.
ReplyDeleteAlcohol rehab center in new york
Thanks a lot for the plethora of info! We have to design program for addicts in which we have to include that how long does alcohol stay in your blood and harm to circulatory system.
ReplyDeleteI like how to said about Alcohol Poisoning – Effects on the Human Body
ReplyDeleteMaybe, you want to check it out also---> https://www.the-alcoholism-guide.org/AA-Introduction-meetings.html
I hope it helps..
tRY this also---> Genetics and Alcoholism
ReplyDelete