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4 Common Alcoholism FAQs

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alcoholism, substance abuse

1. What is alcoholism? This is a type of substance abuse disorder that involves alcohol. It is a chronic condition that is progressive. Someone with this condition has a problem with controlling their intake, and they continue to drink even though it has devastating consequences on their life and loved ones.

2. How is there a problem when I can hold my liquor? This type of substance abuse does not mean that you drink and black out every day. Some individuals can consume a larger amount of alcohol without showing the effects because of a variety f factors including body weight and frequency of alcohol consumption.

3. Can I have alcoholism if I don't change after drinking? The truth is that alcohol affects different people in different ways. Some people become angry drunks, others may get giggly and happy, while still others may just feel tired and want to take a nap. The frequency and amount of alcohol that is consumed is an indication of whether you need treatment for alcoholism or not.

4. Does heavy drinking or regular drinking mean I have this condition? Not necessarily. Alcohol abuse is a form of substance abuse but this alone does not define alcoholism. In order to be diagnosed as an alcoholic you must have an addiction to alcohol. Some problem drinkers or those that abuse alcohol are not addicted in spite of this.

Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse are treatable and it is possible to achieve a full recovery when the right treatment program and methods are chosen.

Tips to Help You Handle a Crisis With Someone Who Has Schizophrenia

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schizophrenia, crisis management

Crisis management can be crucial if you or someone you care about suffers from schizophrenia. This form of mental illness can involve psychotic episodes and psychosis, and there have been cases where someone with this mental disorder has become aggressive and violent due to the voices and other symptoms that can occur. When someone with schizophrenia starts to slide downwards there is no immediate change that is drastic. It may be possible to deescalate things early in the episode so that a full blown crisis does not develop. One important tip is to speak softly and use simple sentences that are easy to understand. Yelling or being loud and aggressive will not help. In fact this will just make things worse by escalating the crisis and making the symptoms more severe.

Crisis management for a loved one with schizophrenia includes understanding what the early warning signs are. When these signs are recognized as soon as they occur it can be easier to prevent a full blown crisis with early intervention and treatment regimen adjustments. Signs of an impending crisis can include sleeplessness, suspicion that may be severe enough to be classified as paranoia, unpredictable behavior, sudden outbursts, and an increase in delusions or in auditory hallucinations such as voices to name a few. The goal of crisis management with schizophrenia is to help the individual regain control. This means not doing anything that agitates the individual or escalates the situation. Usually the individual is already fearful about the loss of control so it is very important to stay calm and to be as soothing as possible when a crisis is impending.

5 Coping Tips to Help A Loved One With A Mental Disorder

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mental disorder, coping tips

1.One of the most effective coping tips for helping a loved one who has a mental disorder is to remember that these conditions can not be cured. There are treatments that can help but there is no cure available for a mental disorder right now.

2. Take care of yourself. Those who have a loved one with mental illness can find themselves run ragged and worn out if they are not careful. You must take care of yourself before you can be a caretaker for someone with a mental disorder.

3. Reasoning with someone who is delusional is pointless. No matter how hard you try to reason a delusion is not going to respond in a rational manner and will not go away just because of reasoning. Don’t try to bring the person back to reality or attempt to ground them to the present situation because this will not work.

4. Separate your loved one from the disorder that they suffer. It is common to feel negative emotions due to the disorder and that is okay. Love the friend or family member even while you hate the disorder that they have and the symptoms that they exhibit.

5. Other coping tips for mental disorders include understanding that no one is to blame and that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Unfortunately mental illness carries a stigma of shame, even though this is a medical condition no different from diabetes or a broken bone. There is nothing to be ashamed about and no one to blame when you have a loved one who has mental illness.

Common FAQs About A Substance Abuse Intervention

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substance abuse, intervention

What is an intervention? An intervention is a professional process used in order to make the individual with the problem face reality and admit that they need help. It is a meeting where friends and family address the ways that the alcohol or drug use by the individual affects everyone who cares about the person.

Why does substance abuse treatment need to be arranged ahead of time? The goal of this type of meeting is to get the individual to see that they have a problem and they need help. The chance of successful treatment and a full recovery are highest when the individual goes directly from the intervention into the treatment program. If there is any delay the individual could retreat back into denial and then refuse to go later on.

Why is a professional needed for an intervention? Professional assistance should always be used for an intervention. Friends and family members who have been negatively affected by the substance abuse may have some deep emotions that can include anger and resentment. Without a professional present the meeting can quickly turn ugly and escalate into something negative instead of having a positive influence that leads to change.

What role will friends and family members play in this process? Each person who will attend the intervention will usually be asked to draw up a letter to the target of the meeting. This letter should detail how substance abuse has caused harm to the family member or friend. During the meeting each individual will address the person at the center of the intervention in the hope that this individual will be willing to accept treatment.

5 Ways to Help A Family Member With an Addiction

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addiction, substance abuse

1. Discuss the problem with your family member. Any addiction is a cause for concern, and some may be deadly as well as devastating every aspect of daily life. If your loved one admits that there is a problem then professional treatment can be sought. If the individual is in denial then additional efforts may be necessary.

2. Arrange for substance abuse treatment and then present this as a fact to your loved one. It may be more difficult for them to refuse help when this is presented as a fact and the arrangements are already in place.

3. Do not enable your loved one with the addiction. We often want to take care of those that we love, and to make things easier for them. If you enable the substance abuse you are not helping your family member and you could make things worse instead of fixing it for them.

4. Arrange for an intervention. This step may help bring your loved one to their senses and make them realize what their addiction is doing to those close to them that they care about. Often the individual will not be honest about the complications that their drug or alcohol use has on others until an intervention is performed.

5. Seek professional assistance from your family physician. Discuss your substance abuse concerns and brainstorm with your physician about how to get your family member the help that they need and deserve. The physician may be able to come up with solutions that you have not considered up until this point.