It took more than a few years but Emily finally made up her mind that she had it with her husband’s abusive and excessive drinking. She was fed up from seeing Barry come home after midnight from drinking instead of spending quality time with her and their three daughters. She was also exhausted from the third DUI Barry recently received. In addition she was fed up from manufacturing reasons for Barry when he couldn’t show up for work due to his problems with drinking. Not only this but she was nervous and depressed about the fact that their relationship was going downhill due to Barry’s unhealthy drinking. And lastly she was worn-out from the uncertain financial mess into which he had put his family due to his unhealthy drinking behavior. In short, Emily felt that her mental health was drifting away due to Barry’s drinking problems.

When Abusive Drinking Motivates a Person to do Something Positive About an Individual’s Drinking Problem

One Wednesday afternoon when Emily was pondering what she could do about her husband’s unhealthy and abusive drinking, she got to the point that she frankly had to do something constructive to cut into the damaging cycle of Barry’s abusive and unhealthy drinking behavior.

So she looked on the Internet under “alcohol rehabilitation” and located many rehabilitation facilities that were all located less than twenty miles away from where she and Barry resided. Because she didn’t know anything about these rehab clinics, she finally determined that she needed to call some of them and ask some relevant questions. When she called each rehab facility she identified who she was and stated that her spouse was involved in careless drinking behavior. She also stated that Barry, her husband, had a comprehensive health insurance program at his place of employment and that residential or outpatient alcohol addiction rehabilitation would be covered if a physician in the company health plan suggested the rehab.

At one rehab facility, Emily was stunned that she was able to talk directly with a healthcare practitioner who suggested that she come to the rehabilitation clinic to discuss her husband’s hazardous and excessive drinking behavior in much more detail.

Emily Talks to a Therapist About Her Husband’s Abusive and Hazardous Drinking

When Emily got to the rehab clinic, she filled out some forms and then after about ten or fifteen minutes got to see a psychologist. After listening to Emily talk about her husband’s careless and abusive drinking, the psychologist in an encouraging but firm way explained to Emily how she more likely than not played a part in her husband’s excessive and abusive drinking through the months and the years by justifying his behavior instead of letting him go through the consequences of his unhealthy drinking behavior.

Emily Learns That She Has Been Enabling Her Husband’s Careless and Hazardous Drinking

More to the point, the therapist told Emily that she may have been unintentionally enabling Barry’s hazardous drinking behavior. The healthcare professional also stressed the fact that even though Emily could not control Barry’s conduct, with the support and encouragement of the treatment team at the healthcare center she would not only be able to learn how to stop contributing to Barry’s hazardous and abusive drinking but she could also learn how to encourage him to schedule an appointment at the rehab clinic so that he could discuss his hazardous and abusive drinking behavior with a physician.

Fortunately after Emily revealed this to Barry, and he saw that she was not joking, Barry told her that he had been extremely disturbed by his abusive and unhealthy drinking behavior and that he was very relieved to hear that Emily wanted to do something helpful about his excessive and abusive drinking behavior. Consequently, he made an appointment to see a counselor at the local alcohol treatment clinic. Needless to say this enhanced Emily’s self image.

Barry Agrees to See a Counselor About His Hazardous and Irresponsible Drinking

While simply calling a rehab program does not mean that an individual’s unhealthy and abusive drinking behavior will end or that one’s warning signs of alcoholism or the alcohol abuse signs one manifests will simply fade away, scheduling an appointment is evidently a much needed component in the treatment process. And since Barry was serious about getting professional assistance for his excessive and careless drinking, the likelihood of a successful recovery was substantially enhanced.

One of the alcohol abuse facts that somehow escapes several individual’s consciousness is that hazardous drinking repeatedly adversely affects relationships. Stated more explicitly, to a fairly great extent, careless and irresponsible drinking is to relationships what drug abuse is to a person’s health or what faulty brakes are to the safety of the driver of a vehicle. In all of these instances, the outcome is commonly a calamity.

When the connection between hazardous and abusive drinking and relationships is investigated more carefully, nevertheless, you will find some logical reasons why abusive and hazardous drinking and relationships don’t go together in a beneficial or healthy manner.

Abusive and Irresponsible Drinking Diminishes a Person’s Inhibitions

First, careless and excessive drinking lessens a person’s inhibitions. This many times means that an individual who has been drinking has less control over what he or she does and says. The outcome is that individuals in a relationship who have been drinking are much more likely to engage in insensitive and cross verbal abuse and/or physical abuse that may possibly not have taken place if neither individual was drinking.

Irresponsible and Excessive Drinking Adversely Influences a Person’s Reasoning, Problem Solving, and Decision-Making Skills and Abilities

Second, unhealthy and abusive drinking negatively has an effect on an individual’s decision-making, problem solving, and reasoning skills. Indeed, if a person uses incoherent decision-making, reasoning, and problem solving skills and abilities, this regularly negatively influences the options someone makes as well as her or his actions. Such a circumstance, it is stressed, is a disaster waiting to happen when relationships are concerned because of the number of decisions and troubles that need to be tackled on a recurring basis.

Abusive and Irresponsible Drinking Regularly Influences the Drinker’s Finances in an Adverse Way

Third, hazardous and abusive drinking generally impacts the drinker’s finances in a very harmful manner. At the end of the day, whether a person buys his or her alcohol at a pub, liquor store, sports event, restaurant, or drinks at home, irresponsible drinking isn’t cheap. And if cash is spent on drinking rather than on credit card bills, the mortgage, utilities, the rent, food, car or truck payments, and so on, essential issues in a relationship are possibly right around the corner.

Abusive Drinking Usually Reveals Itself at a Person’s Place of Employment

Fourth, irresponsible and excessive drinking frequently manifests itself at the workplace. To the extent that this happens, a person’s ability to make a living is critically placed in a dangerous situation and this, in turn, negatively has an effect on a person’s relationships.

Irresponsible Drinking Typically Contributes to Troubles With the Law

Finally, careless and irresponsible drinking frequently contributes to difficulties with the law. Undeniably one or more DWIs, for example, can’t do anything but negatively affect a relationship from an emotional and from a financial viewpoint.

You Need Inspiration and Motivation to Get Alcohol Rehabilitation So You Can Stop Your Heavy and Irresponsible Drinking And Discover More Self Esteem and Happiness

So what is the message to be taken away from this discussion? First, if you want to have solid, loving relationships in your life, stay away from careless and irresponsible drinking. Second, if you are a drinker and you are in a relationship, if you want to keep this relationship or perhaps make it stronger, then make sure you always drink responsibly or not at all. And third, if you have alcohol problems that are negatively affecting your relationship, please seek more alcohol information and consider getting alcohol rehab.

Conclusion

To bring this discussion to a conclusion, it can be seen that excessive and irresponsible drinking negatively has an effect on a person’s relationships because it lowers an individual’s inhibitions and contributes to spiteful and nasty interchanges and/or violence.

It can also be seen that careless and abusive drinking negatively impacts an individual’s reasoning, problem solving, and decision-making skills and abilities, thus leading to unsuitable options and actions.

In a very related way, abusive drinking frequently adversely impacts the drinker’s finances, consequently affecting the money management skills of the individuals who are actively involved in the relationship. Moreover, irresponsible and unhealthy drinking frequently adversely affects a relationship mainly because of alcohol-related work difficulties.

And finally, careless and abusive drinking habitually contributes to alcohol associated problems with the law such as DWIs, jail time, and fines and penalties. Apparently, such legal predicaments negatively affect most loving relationships.

Barry used to brag to his drinking pals how he could remain employed at a demanding and fulltime job and get smashed virtually every night. Sadly, after involving himself in this unhealthy lifestyle for about five years, he began to display different alcohol related problems.

Barry Begins to Display Several Alcohol Related Difficulties

For example, he had a very hard time getting up for work because he felt so worn-out when he awoke. Furthermore, just about every morning Barry had a dreadful hangover. Without a doubt, the mixture of his hangovers and his lack of get-up-and-go did not make it easy for him to get up and feel like he wanted to go to work. To make matters worse, around a week ago he got his third driving under the influence arrest in the past six months.

To further complicate things, at his place of employment his last two performance evaluations were not up to his usual high standards. And lastly, his relationship with his girlfriend had gotten worse due to his depression, angry outbursts, financial difficulties, and his lack of patience.

Although Barry was only twenty seven years old, he simply began looking like he was in his mid thirties. Unfortunately, this is what excessive and careless drinking can do to an individual. And from a realistic perspective he realized that he was suffering from the negative outcomes of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependency and that he was too young to fritter away his life to careless and excessive drinking. So at first he tried to drink in moderation. Sadly, he soon realized that he lost all control after ingesting his first drink. Stated somewhat more forcefully, after his first drink he invariably proceeded to get smashed. Since this was an event that was repeated again and again, this greatly worried him. In fact, he began to wonder if he was displaying some of the signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse.

Barry Decides Schedule an Appointment to See His Family Doctor

After talking about his excessive alcohol drinking and his excessive and hazardous drinking with his girlfriend, he finally made up his mind to make an appointment to see his physician. When Barry saw his doctor, he genuinely confirmed that he has been drinking in a hazardous manner, that he may be exhibiting alcoholic signs, and that he wants to abstain from drinking. He said that drinking responsibly and in moderation doesn’t work well for him and, as a consequence, he wants to learn how he can develop an alcohol-free lifestyle.

Barry also told his healthcare professional about his depression and how this mental health problem was negatively influencing his relationship with his lady friend. His physician referred Barry to Doctor Rako, a drug and alcohol addiction specialist, who influenced Barry to enter into a drug and alcohol treatment clinic as an in-patient for alcohol detoxification and alcohol rehabilitation. The good news is that Barry would also be able to get medical treatment for his depression at this treatment clinic.

Refraining From Drinking Was the Best Decision Barry Had Ever Made

After four months of comprehensive rehabilitation, Barry left the residential treatment facility and continued his recovery via outpatient therapy and via going to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Encouraged to change his life in a healthier way, Barry bought some vitamins at a health store and a cookbook. He then joined a fitness center and started working out two or three times per week. Within nine months Barry was a new man. He was in shape, he was eating nutritious meals, he now looked younger than he was, he wasn’t depressed anymore, and most significant of all, he remained sober for numerous months. He also didn’t resort to angry outbursts, he became more patient, and he became a more compassionate person in his relationship with his girlfriend. Stated briefly, abstaining from drinking was the best decision Barry had ever made.

Samuel was a forty-nine-year-old fashion designer who was tired of feeling depressed on a daily basis and sick of his abusive and hazardous drinking behavior. Stated simply, he hated the hangovers he went through on a regular basis, he was mad at himself for spending his hard-earned money on a worthless habit, he was tired of going through shattered relationship after shattered relationship due to his irresponsible drinking, he was sick of feeling weary every morning, and he missed his old drive for doing the things he enjoyed.

Additionally he hated the fact that he had to go to court for his second DUI, he was disgusted with how physically unfit he was, he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related attorney fees, he was irritated with the many times he failed an alcohol test at work, and he was bored with his drinking buddies.

On top of the observable alcohol-related health predicaments he now experienced, conceivably the most regretful part of his drinking behavior was the unreliable and fraudulent person he had turned into. In his heart of hearts he knew that he had been lying about his drinking behavior to his relatives, family, and friends and he also knew he had been dishonest with himself about the “positive” consequences of drinking. What is more, he rationalized guzzling four or five drinks before going to social events and he also rationalized needing one or two drinks the first thing in the morning so that he could deal with the “pressures” at his job.

His Depression and His Abusive and Hazardous Drinking Lead to Important Life Changes

Clearly Samuel was sick of putting up with the negative consequences of his depression and his hazardous and excessive drinking and finally determined that something important had to change in his life. So he made up his mind that he would stop drinking, start focusing on becoming a more healthy person, start exercising, get professional counseling, develop a new circle of friends, and involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies. Simply put, Samuel got to a critical time in his life during which he saw that he hit a low point in life and was now prepared to begin the slow road that leads to recovery.

One of the ways that Samuel implemented his “plan” was by requesting a transfer at his place of employment. When his request was approved, he moved 950 miles away to a new city. If nothing else, this unquestionably made making new friends and dissociating himself from his old friends and pals much simpler. Then he phoned a healthcare professional in his new city and made an appointment for a comprehensive examination.

Samuel Meets With a Physician About His Irresponsible and Heavy Drinking and His Depression

After meeting with the doctor and taking a number of lab tests, it was determined that Samuel had crossed the line from alcohol abuse to alcohol addiction and therefore was in need of alcohol therapy and alcohol detoxification. At this time, the healthcare professional made it a point to go over the different signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term effects of alcohol with Samuel. The doctor then told Samuel that it was concluded that he was clinically depressed and in need of therapy for this medical condition.

Samuel Decides to Build Up His Body by Working Out, Eating Wholesome Foods, Drinking Distilled Water, Vitamins and Minerals, and Living an Alcohol-Free Way of Life

Due to his readiness to follow through with the treatment protocol, after ten weeks of residential rehab, Samuel was ready to begin rehab on an outpatient basis. At this point in time, he started working at his new job and over the weeks began building up his body by taking vitamins, eating nutritious foods, exercising, living an alcohol-free way of life, and drinking distilled water. Samuel also tackled his spiritual life by joining the local Calvinist church and going to regular services.

After around seven weeks of outpatient treatment during which time he never went through an alcohol relapse, Samuel quit going to alcohol rehab and instead began going twice per week to local AA meetings. Attending these meetings helped Samuel follow through with his alcohol-free style of life, they provided him with the support he wanted, and they served as a faithful reminder of the negative outcomes that are correlated with unhealthy drinking.

After going to AA meetings roughly six-and-a-half months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started going out with Joyce, a young woman he met at church. It clearly surprised Samuel how much more prepared he was for a dating relationship now that he had his unhealthy and excessive drinking under control. In point of fact it also astonished Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his careless and excessive drinking. Life was now worthwhile and loaded with potential that he could have never hoped for or accomplished when he was engaged in excessive and hazardous drinking just a few short months ago.

A Success Story That is a Tribute to the Value of Alcohol Treatment and the Power of Positive Change

Samuel’s success story is a demonstration of the relevance of alcohol rehabilitation and the power of change. As Samuel thought about his newfound self worth and drive for involving himself in healthy, worthwhile activities, he was actually thankful that he made up his mind to do something productive about his unhealthy and abusive drinking rather than giving into his depression and into the lure of his alcohol addiction. The result: he is in charge of his life rather than letting himself languish under the control of his alcohol dependency, he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, his life now has a positive direction, he is involved in a wholesome relationship, and he likes his new job responsibilities.

Barry used to brag to his drinking pals how he could remain employed at a demanding and fulltime job and get smashed virtually every night. Sadly, after involving himself in this unhealthy lifestyle for about five years, he began to display different alcohol related problems.

Barry Begins to Display Several Alcohol Related Difficulties

For example, he had a very hard time getting up for work because he felt so worn-out when he awoke. Furthermore, just about every morning Barry had a dreadful hangover. Without a doubt, the mixture of his hangovers and his lack of get-up-and-go did not make it easy for him to get up and feel like he wanted to go to work. To make matters worse, around a week ago he got his third driving under the influence arrest in the past six months.

To further complicate things, at his place of employment his last two performance evaluations were not up to his usual high standards. And lastly, his relationship with his girlfriend had gotten worse due to his depression, angry outbursts, financial difficulties, and his lack of patience.

Although Barry was only twenty seven years old, he simply began looking like he was in his mid thirties. Unfortunately, this is what excessive and careless drinking can do to an individual. And from a realistic perspective he realized that he was suffering from the negative outcomes of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependency and that he was too young to fritter away his life to careless and excessive drinking. So at first he tried to drink in moderation. Sadly, he soon realized that he lost all control after ingesting his first drink. Stated somewhat more forcefully, after his first drink he invariably proceeded to get smashed. Since this was an event that was repeated again and again, this greatly worried him. In fact, he began to wonder if he was displaying some of the signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse.

Barry Decides Schedule an Appointment to See His Family Doctor

After talking about his excessive alcohol drinking and his excessive and hazardous drinking with his girlfriend, he finally made up his mind to make an appointment to see his physician. When Barry saw his doctor, he genuinely confirmed that he has been drinking in a hazardous manner, that he may be exhibiting alcoholic signs, and that he wants to abstain from drinking. He said that drinking responsibly and in moderation doesn’t work well for him and, as a consequence, he wants to learn how he can develop an alcohol-free lifestyle.

Barry also told his healthcare professional about his depression and how this mental health problem was negatively influencing his relationship with his lady friend. His physician referred Barry to Doctor Rako, a drug and alcohol addiction specialist, who influenced Barry to enter into a drug and alcohol treatment clinic as an in-patient for alcohol detoxification and alcohol rehabilitation. The good news is that Barry would also be able to get medical treatment for his depression at this treatment clinic.

Refraining From Drinking Was the Best Decision Barry Had Ever Made

After four months of comprehensive rehabilitation, Barry left the residential treatment facility and continued his recovery via outpatient therapy and via going to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Encouraged to change his life in a healthier way, Barry bought some vitamins at a health store and a cookbook. He then joined a fitness center and started working out two or three times per week. Within nine months Barry was a new man. He was in shape, he was eating nutritious meals, he now looked younger than he was, he wasn’t depressed anymore, and most significant of all, he remained sober for numerous months. He also didn’t resort to angry outbursts, he became more patient, and he became a more compassionate person in his relationship with his girlfriend. Stated briefly, abstaining from drinking was the best decision Barry had ever made.

<p>Russ dropped out of high school when he was seventeen years old and eventually found employment at a local paint manufacturer. For the past six years he has gained a reputation as a conscientious and hard-working individual who seldom calls off work due to sickness.</p> <p>Just about five-and-a-half months ago he started going out with a woman named Emma. They seemed to get along real well immediately and looked like they had a lot of fun with one another.</p> <p><strong>The Heavy and Excessive Drinking Begins</strong></p> <p>When Russ met Emma, he hardly ever drank. This circumstance changed when Emma and Russ began seeing each other on a fairly normal basis. In reality, their relationship was going fine until Emma called Russ one night about 4:30 AM and said that she had to breakup and that she couldn’t explain the reason at that moment.</p> <p>The next morning before he went to work, Russ drove to Emma’s apartment and found out almost immediately that Emma had already moved out. Russ took this extremely hard. In fact, he was astonished because they seemed to be getting along so very well.</p> <p><strong>When Heavy and Abusive Drinking Leads to Work Problems</strong></p> <p>So what did Russ do? Instead of working through his grief and anguish, he started getting intoxicated nearly every night. It didn’t take long for his buddies at work or for his boss to notice that Russ was coming to work late at least twice per week and that he routinely called off sick. What is more, some of the workers made an appointment with staff in Human Resources Department and said that Russ constantly came to work with a strong odor of alcohol on his breath or on his clothes.</p> <p>Russ’s supervisor heard about all of this from Human Resources and also from Russ’s fellow employees. So one Wednesday afternoon he called Russ into his office. He told Russ that he had recently noticed an extreme change in his attendance, behavior, work performance, and in his sick time.</p> <p><strong>When a Manager Can Motivate a Worker to Get Help For His or Her Irresponsible and Hazardous Drinking</strong></p> <p>Russ’s boss also said that a number of his co-workers reported him to Human Resources because he had been coming to work with a noticeable smell of alcohol. His boss then stated the following: “Russ, your co-workers are not reporting you to the HR Department to get you into any trouble or because they don’t like you but rather because they are concerned about you. And I care too. I don’t want to meddle with your life outside this company, but it is apparent that you are manifesting some of the obvious signs and symptoms of abusive drinking. As a result, I want you to go and see someone in the employee’s assistance program to discuss your drinking and your depression."</p> <p>"Russ, I'm no physician or a psychologist, but I have seen quite a few of my relatives and friends suffer through some really negative <a href="http://www.alcohol-addiction-info.com/Teenage_Drug_and_Alcohol_Addiction_Videos.html">alcohol side effects</a>. Not only this but I have also seen the <a href="http://www.alcohol-information.com/Signs_of_Alcohol_Poisoning.html">signs of alcoholism</a> first-hand in my own family. When individuals suffer from <a href="http://www.alcoholics-info.com/What_Health_Problems_Can_Alcohol_Cause.html">problems with drinking</a>, these difficulties not only affect the drinker, but they also make an impact on his or her neighbors, relatives, family, co-workers, and friends."</p> <p>Russ respected his boss very much and as a consequence followed through with his suggestion the next morning when he called and scheduled an appointment with a therapist in the employee’s assistance program.</p> <p><strong>Russ is Still Depressed But Feels Some Hope That He Will Get His Life Back on Track</strong></p> <p>Although Russ didn’t necessarily feel any better or less depressed about the hurt he still has about Emma, he felt some comfort knowing that his manager and his fellow employees cared about him and wanted what’s best for him. This gave Russ some emotional relief for the first time in several weeks and he honestly felt some hope that he would get back on track with his life.</p>

Russ got expelled from high school when he was fifteen years old and eventually got a job at a local brewery. For the past seven-and-a-half years he has gained a reputation as a hard-working and diligent person who infrequently calls off work due to illness.

Approximately four months ago he started going out with a woman named Emma. They appeared to get along real well immediately and looked like they had a lot of fun with one another.

The Hazardous and Heavy Drinking Begins

When Russ met Emma, he rarely drank. This situation totally changed when Emma and Russ started dating on a fairly regular basis. In reality, everything was going fine until Emma called Russ one night about 4 AM and said that she had to stop dating him and that she couldn’t explain the reason at that particular time.

The next morning before he went to work, Russ went to her apartment and immediately discovered that Emma had already moved out. Russ took this particularly hard. In reality, he was bewildered because they appeared to be getting along so very well.

When Hazardous Drinking Leads to Work Problems

So what did Russ do about Emma? Rather than working through his pain and agony, he began getting drunk almost every night. It didn’t take long for his coworkers or for his manager to notice that Russ was coming to work late at least three times per week and that he constantly called off sick. Moreover, some of his fellow employees made an appointment with staff in Human Resources Department and stated that Russ again and again came to work with a noticeable smell of alcohol on his clothes or on his breath.

Russ’s supervisor heard about all of this from Human Resources and also from Russ’s fellow employees. So one Monday morning he called Russ into his office. He told Russ that he had recently noticed a definite change in his sick time, attendance, behavior, and in his work performance.

When a Supervison Can Motivate a Worker to Get Help For His or Her Hazardous and Excessive Drinking

Russ’s supervisor also said that a number of his fellow employees reported him to Human Resources because he had been coming to work with the strong smell of alcohol. His supervisor then stated the following: “Russ, your fellow employees are not reporting you to Human Resources to get you into any trouble or because they dislike you but instead because they are concerned about you. And I am concerned too. I don’t want to meddle with your life outside this company, but it seems very clear that you are exhibiting some of the normal signs and symptoms of excessive drinking. As a consequence, I want you to go and see someone in the employee’s assistance program to discuss your drinking behavior and your depression.”

“Russ, I’m no doctor or a counselor, but I have seen several of my friends and relatives suffer through some very bad alcohol side effects. What is more, I have also experienced the signs of alcoholism first-hand in my own family. When people have problems with drinking, these problems not only affect the drinker, but they also make an impact on his or her relatives, co-workers, family, friends, and neighbors.”

Russ respected his boss a lot and as a result followed through with his recommendation the next work day when he called and scheduled an appointment with a healthcare professional in the employee’s assistance program.

Russ is Still Depressed But Experiences Some Hope That He Will Get Back on Track With His Life

Even though Russ didn’t automatically feel any better or less depressed about the sadness he still feels for Emma, he felt some reassurance knowing that his supervisor and his co-workers cared about him and wanted what’s best for him. This gave him some psychological relief for the first time in quite a few weeks and he actually felt some hope that he would get his life back on track.

On an annual basis, how many alcoholics fail to get the professional alcohol treatment they require? How many people die each year from a condition that is 100% preventable, such as alcohol poisoning? How many individuals are the victims of alcohol related crime or violence each and every year? How many individuals get injured or lose their lives in alcohol related traffic accidents every year? How many people face serious consequences in their lives because they received a “drunk driving” conviction? How many junior high, high school, and college students lose their lives every year due to an alcohol overdose? How many children are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome? How many people’s lives are cut short due to hazardous and irresponsible drinking? How many individuals lose their lives every year because of drinking problems?

Why Would Anyone Want to Drink in an Abusive and Irresponsible Manner?

So what’s the point in asking these questions? Basically to highlight the destructive and devastating nature of unhealthy drinking. Indeed, and based on the above questions, I wonder why anyone would choose to drink in an excessive and irresponsible manner.

Stated differently, with the host of employment issues, financial problems, legal proceedings, relationship difficulties, and health dilemmas that are correlated with alcoholism and chronic alcohol abuse, why would any person with common sense want to drink in an excessive and hazardous manner? In fact when some of the above topics are looked at more closely, careless and hazardous drinking makes even less sense and becomes more illogical.

Wouldn’t you think that chronic alcohol abusers would be able to see some of the alcohol symptoms that they manifest? In a similar way doesn’t it seem reasonable to think that many more families would involve themselves in an alcohol intervention for the person in the household who is an alcoholic or an alcohol abuser? Not only this but wouldn’t you think that individuals who drink excessively would try to learn more about their drinking behavior by reading about various alcohol related statistics?

After reviewing the medical research literature, the point is so critical that it needs to be said again: With all of the damaging and debilitating outcomes that are directly or indirectly correlated with repetitive and continuous alcohol abuse and alcoholism, why would any individual want to engage in abusive and unhealthy drinking?

What Can be Done About the Extensive Nature of Alcohol Dependency and Alcohol Abuse in the U.S.?

So what can be done about the extensive nature of alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse in the U.S.?

1. Our students need more relevant and more meaningful preventative and educational approaches and methods so that more students at all grade levels, including those at college, are “reached.
2. In a similar manner, our students need to learn how to become problem solvers in life rather than getting easily drawn to the “instant gratification” and the “quick fix” of a drug or alcohol abuse “buzz” or “high”.
3. People who are alcohol abusers or alcohol dependent need to look look at themselves honestly and ask why they are not getting the professional alcohol rehab they need.
4. Society needs to get the message to more people about the damaging and unhealthy outcomes of abusive and hazardous drinking.

There’s Room For Optimism if Those Who Engage in Careless and Abusive Drinking Can Become Motivated to Get the Alcohol Rehab They Require

There’s a lot of room for optimism and hope if individuals can start drinking responsibly and those who engage in abusive and excessive drinkingcan become motivated to get the alcohol rehab they require. Indeed, why put your loved ones through pain, turmoil, and suffering because of your repeated and continuous drinking when you have the power to control your life by drinking responsibly or even quitting drinking if you can’t control your drinking behavior?

Russ got suspended from high school when he was fifteen years old and eventually got a job at a local chemical plant. For the past four years he has gained a reputation as a hard-working and diligent person who almost never calls off work because of illness.

Approximately eight months ago he started dating a young lady named Emma. They seemed to get along real well right away and gave people the impression that they had a lot of fun together.

The Irresponsible and Hazardous Drinking Begins

When Russ met Emma, he almost never drank. This circumstance totally changed when Emma and Russ started seeing one another on a fairly normal basis. In truth, everything was going great until Emma called Russ one night around 4:30 AM and said that she had to stop dating him and that she couldn’t explain the reason at that moment.

The next morning before he went to work, Russ drove to her apartment and found out right away that Emma had already moved out. Russ took this very hard. In point of fact, he was surprised because they seemed to be getting along so very well.

When Hazardous and Heavy Drinking Leads to Problems at Work

So what did Russ do about Emma’s leaving? Instead of working through his pain, he began getting intoxicated just about every night. It didn’t take long for his buddies at work or for his supervisor to notice that Russ was coming to work late at least once per week and that he time after time called off sick. Not only this but some of his co-workers made an appointment with staff in Human Resources Department and mentioned that Russ continually came to work with a strong odor of alcohol on his clothes or on his breath.

Russ’s boss heard about all of this from Human Resources and also from Russ’s fellow employees. So one Monday morning he called Russ into his office. He told Russ that he had recently noticed a clear-cut change in his behavior, attendance, sick time, and in his work performance.

When a Manager Can Motivate an Employee to Get Help For His or Her Hazardous and Irresponsible Drinking

Russ’s manager also articulated that a number of his fellow employees reported him to Human Resources because he had been coming to work with the strong odor of alcohol. His supervisor then stated the following: “Russ, your co-workers are not reporting you to the Human Resources Department to get you into any trouble or because they don’t like you but rather because they care about you. And I care too. I don’t want to butt into your personal life, but it is apparent that you are exhibiting some of the common signs and symptoms of problem drinking. As a consequence, I want you to go and see a counselor in the employee’s assistance program to discuss your drinking situation and your depression.”

“Russ, I’m no doctor or a psychologist, but I have seen quite a few of my relatives and friends experience some very negative alcohol side effects. Not only this but I have also witnessed the signs of alcoholism first-hand in my own family. When individuals have problems with drinking, these difficulties not only affect the drinker, but they also make an impact on his or her neighbors, co-workers, family, friends, and relatives.”

Russ respected his boss quite a lot and consequently followed through with his recommendation the next work day when he called and scheduled an appointment with a therapist in the employee’s assistance program.

Russ is Still Depressed But Feels Some Hope That He Will Get His Life Back on Track

Although Russ didn’t necessarily feel any better or less depressed about the sorrow he still feels for Emma, he felt comfort knowing that his boss and his fellow employees cared about him and wanted what’s best for him. This gave Russ some psychological relief for the first time in a number of weeks and he truthfully felt some hope that he would get his life back on track.

Approximately five months ago I had dinner with a thirty-five-year-old male named Alexander who suffers from acute depression, has relationship issues, and who is drug and alcohol dependent. As explained by Alexander, it is his alcoholism and drug addiction and his severe depression that had the most to do with his continual relationship issues.

I recall hearing that a history of mental health issues, chemical dependency, and unhealthy and abusive drinking routinely take place in the same family. What is more, I remember hearing that in such situations, a person needs to get treatment for both medical conditions and that addiction and mental health problems many times occur in the same person.

As affirmed by Alexander, he is so overwhelmed by his relationship difficulties and by both of his medical conditions that he basically has little or no drive to do much of anything. What is especially unfortunate about this is that earlier in his life, Alexander managed to finish four semesters of graduate school in criminology.

Alexander’s condition makes me question if he is an illustration of a person who can look in the mirror and see his drug abuse and alcohol drinking problems and do something healthy about these difficulties or if he is a person who has to hit life’s bottom before he gets drug and alcohol dependency counseling that results in long lasting sobriety.

The Need For a Counseling Protocol He Can Believe In and a Physician He Can Trust

If it would be beneficial I would assume that I could recommend more than a few blogs and websites that could possibly help him learn more about drug abuse symptoms, the stages of alcoholism, substance abuse information, and relationship problems. In my humble opinion, however, Alexander needs to find a treatment protocol he can believe in and follow over the long term and find a therapist he can trust.

I could be mistaken but it seems to me that Alexander more likely than not needs to look in the mirror regarding his drug addiction signs and alcoholic symptoms and understand the fact that he cannot abuse drugs or even drink responsibly if he wants to get sober, stay sober, and start on the path to long-term recovery.

It may be asked how therapy would help his drug and alcohol dependency. For starters, there are quite a few newly produced doctor-prescribed medications that can help Alexander through his withdrawal symptoms, through the alcohol and alcohol detoxification process, and help him avoid a drug or an alcohol relapse.

Second, Alexander would learn to acknowledge the fact that there is entirely nothing productive about substance abuse and excessive and careless drinking and that messing around with one or both conditions is the road to legal problems, shattered relationships, financial difficulties, a premature death, deteriorating health, and poor work and school performance.

Third, treatment for his relationship difficulties and his depression might help him manage these mental health problems more effectively and perhaps create less of a need for him to engage in addictive behavior.

The Relevance of Support Groups Like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous

There are feasibly numerous friends, other individuals, and family members who would like to help Alexander with his drug abuse and his excessive and abusive drinking. He probably would experience greater sympathy from a recovery group such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, however, instead of getting guidance from individuals who do not drink or who have never taken drugs.

When Individuals Accomplish Things They Like and About Which They Are Zealous

There’s a philosophical viewpoint that proclaims that individuals who do things they like and something about which they are dedicated arrive at an astonishing place in life. Stated more exactly, when people do what they enjoy, they hardly ever experience an uneventful life or boredom. If they get involved in something that is worthwhile, furthermore, they become more complete and experience more pleasure and joy in life and in their relationships.

When this is examined in more detail it becomes apparent that this positive perspective is the exact opposite of a life that is rooted in drug and alcohol addiction because such a lifestyle removes the satisfaction and joy that life has to offer.

Since Alexander lacks the determination to carry out much of anything in his life, it is apparent that he desperately needs some hope for a healthier existence. And the sad thing is that hope is all around Alexander if he could only get to the place in life to get the counseling he requires for his acute depression and alcoholism and drug addiction and remain in his treatment protocol.

More Positive Relationships, A Wonderful Life, Self Respect, and Productive Change Are Possibilities

Alexander is simply too young to be defeated in life. He doesn’t realize this right now but if he can learn how to abstain from drugs and alcohol through alcohol and drug rehabilitation and get the counseling he needs for his severe depression, he can turn his life around and start living with direction, self-respect, and passion.

More solid relationships, beneficial change, self respect, and a wonderful life are certainly possibilities for Alexander if only he could become inspired to get the professional rehab he requires, follow through with his therapy regimen, live his life in an addiction-free and healthy manner, and learn how to cultivate a more positive attitude about life.