Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Drug and alcohol abuse are serious problems that can have a negative impact on every aspect of your life. Drug and alcohol abuse is generally the precursor to addiction, but not always.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse is Situational

Drug and alcohol abuse typically occurs in response to life situations and may only be temporary, but generally needs to be interrupted before it leads to addiction. Life situations that can trigger drug and alcohol abuse include loss of a loved one, job loss, poor health, divorce, major move, exposure to trauma or abuse whether physical, mental or emotional. Any of these experiences or a combination thereof can result in a person increasing the use of drugs or alcohol to cope, relieve stress or escape.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse can lead to Addiction

Many of the events surrounding drug and alcohol addiction can be so traumatic that an individual uses drugs and alcohol to “check out” of life. In this event, the drug and alcohol use needs to be interrupted before it spirals into addiction. Generally family members, loved ones and friends will notice and encourage the person to get help. A good counselor or therapist can help someone address the underlying reasons for turning to drugs and alcohol. Support groups and journaling may be suggested to help move through overwhelming emotions the person is using drugs and alcohol to suppress.

Drug and alcohol abuse doesn’t always lead to addiction but for people who have family history or display addictive t...

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Mixing Alcohol and Medications

Combining alcohol with medications of any kind can have severe health consequences. Alcohol is a depressant and has the ability to react to other depressant-like medications whether over-the-counter or prescription medicines. Be aware that mixing a cocktail, a glass of wine or a beer can enhance a medication’s sedating effects. Medicines such as opiate painkillers, even the synthetic opiates, sleep medicines, sedatives, anti-anxiety, and over the counter liquid medications such as cough syrups and liquid laxatives combined with alcohol can cause synergism. Synergism means that the alcohol doubles or triples the effects of the medications. Some symptoms that might indicate a problem with synergism might be: memory problems, loss of coordination, unsteady gait or frequent falls, changes in sleeping habits, unexplained bruising, being uncertain about yourself, irritability, sadness, depression, unexplained chronic pain, changes in eating habits, problems breathing, problems finishing sentences, incontinence, lack of interest in activities.

Ask your physician and pharmacist any questions you might have before accepting any new medication, especially if you drink alcohol on a regular basis. Write down answers if you have to. Many liquid over-the-counter medications already have alcohol in them, such as Nyquil, some Robitussin formulas, some liquid laxatives, etc. Some formulas have up to 10% alcohol in them. Women tend to have less water in their body and less muscle mass than men; therefore levels of medications can affect them differently. Women should reduce their intake of alcohol when taking prescriptions or OTCs that have alcohol in them.

Attribution: We are your primary location for outpatient alcohol and drug addiction treatment services. Contact me now for more information or visit our website. This is where recovery begins. Serenity Treatment Center

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