How To Determine When
Someone Needs Professional Help

Many people drink excessively but how to define when a drinker has reached the point that they need an intervention or professional help is a more difficult decision to make.

Experts are no longer categorizing alcoholics just by the fact that they drink so much alcohol that it affects their lives but now alcoholism can be divided into varying degrees of alcoholism. Experts are now defining alcohol use by the level of harm the alcohol is causing.

Alcohol is a drug that affects a persons mind, body, and spirit. Although, alcohol is a legal drug, addiction is a common problem and carries with it a multitude of social and psychological issues. Using these new categories, it is possible to get help for the alcoholics at earlier stages.

For definition purposes the term one drink is referring to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 90-proof liquor.

Moderate Drinking: Moderate drinking particularly red wine appears to offer health benefits. Moderate drinking is defined as equal to or less than two drinks a day for men and equal to or less than one drink a day for women.

Hazardous (Heavy) Drinking: Hazardous drinking puts people at risk for adverse health effects. People who are heavy drinkers generally consume the following: More than 14 drinks per week or 4-5 drinks at one sitting for men. More than seven drinks per week or three drinks at one sitting for women. Frequent intoxication in either men or women.

Harmful Drinking: Drinking is considered harmful when alcohol consumption has actually caused physical or psychological harm. This is determined by the following: There is clear evidence that alcohol is responsible for harm to the person. The nature of the harm can be identified. Alcohol consumption has been persistent for at least a month and has occurred regularly for at least a year. The person is not alcohol dependent.

Did You Know

In recent years, the Justice System has begun to hold drunk drivers responsible for the damages they have caused. This goes beyond holding them legally responsible and now including monetary restitution to the victims and their families.

Another new weapon that is being used in the war against drunk driving is an intolerant legal system. It is a waste of time these days for a drunk driver to get an attorney and try to get a reduced sentence by pleading to a lesser charge. Although the laws differ from state to state, most states no longer allow even first time offenders to get way without feeling the consequences of their driving under the influence.

In most states now even a first time offender faces a lengthy suspension of their license and at least a weekend in jail. In order to get their license back, most states require the offenders to attend a DUI school, which includes an assessment with a professional counselor.

Many states have passes what is called the Habitual Violator Law, which provides felony penalties for three DUI convictions. These violators lose their licenses permanently if not for many years and lose their civil liberties such as the right to vote or own a weapon.

Many times once a person is drinking to the point of needing professional help he or she does not realize the place they are in and it is up to family and close friends to recognize the signs. Once the drinking comes to the point that it begins to cause problems at work such as absenteeism or loss of productivity that can be a sign that the drinking is out of control. Tolerance is another sign that the person is drinking too much. After a period of time it takes more and more alcohol for the person get the same level of intoxication and this tolerance will eventually lead to addiction.

Interesting Facts

Talk to someone if you find that drinking is becoming a problem. Seek the assistance of Alcoholics Anonymous. That's what they are there for.

Some other signs to look for include the person drinking alone, making excuses to drink, showing signs of withdrawal, and drinking more than they had planned. An alcoholic will black out once they reach a level of alcohol in their body that cannot be processed fast enough. Typically once a person drinks to the point of blacking out on a regular basis they can be correctly identified as an alcoholic.

Alcoholism in the News

09/04/2008
Women who binge drink at greater risk of unsafe sex and sexually transmitted disease (EurekAlert!)
( Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research ) Binge drinking (5 or more alcoholic beverages at one time) is associated with risky sexual behaviors. A new study examined this association by gender at a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. Binge drinking increased the risk of unsafe sexual behaviors and having an STD for women patients.

Women who binge drink at greater risk of unsafe sex and sexually transmitted disease (EurekAlert!)

09/04/2008
More off-premise alcohol outlets can lead to more injuries among neighborhood children (EurekAlert!)
( Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research ) Injuries are the leading cause of death among children ages one to 14 in the United States. A first-of-its-kind study shows that numerous off-premise alcohol outlets in neighborhoods can reduce overall guardianship of children's activities, leading to increased injuries.

More off-premise alcohol outlets can lead to more injuries among neighborhood children (EurekAlert!)

09/05/2008
Man charged in restaurant deaths had suffered brain injury, court hears (CBC via Yahoo! Canada News)
A Maple Ridge, B.C., man accused of killing two women after crashing a truck into a sushi restaurant had suffered a recent head injury that required brain surgery, the court heard Friday.

Man charged in restaurant deaths had suffered brain injury, court hears (CBC via Yahoo! Canada News)

09/05/2008
For Even Healthy Men, Alcohol Seems to Lower Heart Attack Risk (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)
FRIDAY, Sept. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Suppose you're a healthy, physically fit, nonsmoking male. Your risk of heart attack is already low. Would having a drink or two of alcohol a day provide any additional protective benefit?

For Even Healthy Men, Alcohol Seems to Lower Heart Attack Risk (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)

09/05/2008
When sex becomes an addiction (CNN.com)
"Californication" star David Duchovny made headlines for voluntarily entering rehab last week. But it wasn't for drugs or alcohol. It was for another dependency, one that affects millions of Americans but is seldom discussed: sex addiction.

When sex becomes an addiction (CNN.com)

09/05/2008
For Even Healthy Men, Alcohol Seems to Lower Heart Attack Risk (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)
FRIDAY, Sept. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Suppose you're a healthy, physically fit, nonsmoking male. Your risk of heart attack is already low. Would having a drink or two of alcohol a day provide any additional protective benefit?

For Even Healthy Men, Alcohol Seems to Lower Heart Attack Risk (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)

09/05/2008
When sex becomes an addiction (CNN.com)
"Californication" star David Duchovny made headlines for voluntarily entering rehab last week. But it wasn't for drugs or alcohol. It was for another dependency, one that affects millions of Americans but is seldom discussed: sex addiction.

When sex becomes an addiction (CNN.com)

09/05/2008
Man charged in sushi crash had brain injury (CTV British Columbia)
The man charged with murder and attempted murder after driving his truck through a sushi restaurant in Maple Ridge, B.C., last week, finally made his first court appearance in court Friday.

Man charged in sushi crash had brain injury (CTV British Columbia)

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Better Your Health

Alcoholism is a Widespread Problem


◦	What the Bible Says About Alcohol Abuse

◦	The Difference Between Alcohol Dependence And Alcohol Abuse

◦	What is the Attraction To Alcohol

◦	FAQ's About Alcoholism Pt 1

◦	FAQ's About Alcoholism Pt 2

◦	A Brief Summary Regarding Alcoholism

◦	Alcohol Abuse and the College Campus

◦	The Brain And Alcohol

◦	Health Risks For Women Alcoholics

◦	Holiday Survival Guide For The Alcoholic

◦	How A Child See's Alcoholism

◦	Alcoholism Detoxification Steps

◦	Alcoholism and the Workplace

◦	The Children of Alcoholics

◦	Common Questions About Alcoholism

◦	Tests for Alcohol Use

◦	Do All Alcoholics Need a Rehab Center

◦	The Dangers and Penalties Of Drinking and Driving

◦	The War On Drunk Driving

◦	How To Determine When Someone Needs Professional Help

◦	Some Facts About Alcoholism

◦	Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

◦	Diet Hints To Assist With Alcoholism Withdrawal

◦	Helping Someone To Overcome Alcoholism

◦	Alcoholism Risk Is Linked to Early Aged Drinking

◦	A Portrait Of An Alcoholic

◦	The Symptoms of Alcoholism

◦	Basic Facts About Alcoholism

◦	Hard Facts About Alcoholism

◦	Cautions Concerning Non Alcoholic Beer

◦	The College Campus And Alcoholism

◦	Dangers of Alcoholism

◦	Alcoholics Anonymous Steps 1-6

◦	Alcoholics Anonymous Steps 6-12

◦	What Causes An Alcoholic Blackout

◦	New Shot to Treat Alcoholism

◦	Alcoholism's Physical Effects

◦	Group Support For Alcoholism

◦	Threats From Alcoholism

◦	The Truth About Alcoholism

◦	Treating The Three Main Issues In Alcoholism

◦	Treatments for Alcoholism

◦	Vitamins and Supplements For The Alcoholic

◦	Recovering From Alcoholism

◦	Help Your Teen Avoid Becoming An Alcoholic

◦	What Is Alcholism

◦	Family Members Drinking Too Much

◦	Explain Alcoholism

◦	Who Are The Alcoholics

◦	Women Fighting The Consequences of Alcoholism

◦	Al Anon Support For The Alcoholic's Family

◦	Health Consequences Of Alcoholism

◦	Medications Used For Treating Alcoholism

◦	Screening Tests For Alcoholism

◦	What Is The Difference Between Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism

◦	How to Stop Drinking Alcohol without AA

◦	The Truth About Alcoholics Anonymous

◦	Alcoholism - Curable or Just Controllable

◦	The Causes of Alcoholism

◦	So How Much Drinking Really Is Too Much?

◦	Is Alcoholism Hereditary

◦	What Children Need to Know About Alcohol

◦	How to Recognize When Children are Drinking

◦	What You Need to Know about how to Set Up an Intervention for an Alcoholic

◦	How to Quit Drinking Without Gaining Weight

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How To Determine When Someone Needs Professional Help

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How To Determine When
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