Online Alcohol Awareness Classes: 2010

Monday, December 13, 2010

Colorado Minor in Possession Classes

Online Alcohol Class offers the most comprehensive Colorado underage consumption course available. We offer Level 1 (8 hour), Level 2 (16 hour), and Level 3 (24 hour) web-based Minor in Possession and Minor in Consumption Courses. These are suitable for anybody located in:

Sunday, December 12, 2010

North Carolina Minor in Possession Classes

If you are a North Carolina resident and are looking for a Minor in Possession Class, here's some options for you:

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The Costs of Drinking and Driving

As a counselor for alcohol awareness classes, I always pose the question to my students why they didn't choose to call a taxi instead of deciding to risk their lives and the lives of other people and drive drunk. How many do you think considered taking a taxi or phoning somebody to give them a ride home? Think about that for a moment. Do you think most do? 50%? Even less?

The answer will probably surprise you - about 10% That means 9 out of 10 didn't even considered alternative transportation. In this day and age, with so much government resources spent toward promoting education and punishing behavior, how can so few people not consider this option?  The following is a true story from one of my students in my alcohol awareness class.

Keith's Story

It was a snowy winters night just before Christmas. Keith had just returned from college and was anxious to visit with his old pals. The plan was to get together at a friend's house and then go out for a few drinks.

Keith was the high school jock, one of the most popular kids in his class. He never was a big drinker, but really enjoyed socializing. When he was a high school snior he always chose to be the designated driver. His 1st real experience with alcohol occurred while joining a fraternity at university.

Keith, driving his dad's new Lexus LX 430 picked up three of his buddies and they headed to the football field at their old high school to meet up with some others. They started with a couple of beers and then began making bets, where a loss meant a shot of liquor. The drink of the night was vodka. After a couple od hours and several drinks it was time for the party to be over.

Now 6 friends jumped in the sedan with Keith. It was packed and the windows quickly steamed up. The first sign he should not have driven was he could not get the key to work the ignition. Second, he ran over the small concrete parking barrier because he put the transmission in "Drive" rather than "Reverse". There was considerable damage to the front-end. Third, may have been the flashing red and blue lights around the block. The police had already arrested their other friends who had left just five minutes earlier.

Alerted by the sound of the Lexus going over over the parking barrier, a police car went to take a look.  Keith was behind the wheel. The police made him perform both a field sobriety test and a Breathalyzer. While he was able to touch his nose, he could not stand on one leg, nor could he walk a straight chalk line. His blood-alcohol level was 0.25%, three times the legal limit.

Keith's Punishment

Keith's punishment: suspension of his right to drive for 180 days, a $500 fine, almost $2,000 in attorney's fees, a mandatory alcohol awareness class, and an overnight in jail. A fifteen dollar Edit taxi ride would have been a lot cheaper, don't you think?

When I asked Keith why he made the decision to attempt to get behind the wheel that evening he told me, "my friends were relying on me. I drove. Moreover I would never let them drive my dad's new car." Interesting thinking, huh?

Keith admitted there were other people  that he could have called to pick him up, including his parents. His father, who had brought him to the alcohol awareness class, said if Keith had called him to pick everyone up, he would have been proud of his child for his responsible actions.

People are rational beings. The issue lies with the effect drinking has on our mind and our ability to make rational decisions. If you realized before getting behind the wheel that, like Keith, you WOULD get caught, and it would cost you thousands of dollars and more, rationally, I know you would find alternative means of transportation.

Alcohol is a really serious drug and should be used with care. If you, or anyone you know, suffer from an alcohol problem, it is essential to seek out help as soon as possible. There are groups like Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous. There also are both in-person and online alcohol awareness classes available.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Finding a Florida Alcohol Awareness Class

If you're in Florida, here's a bunch of options for a regional Florida Alcohol Awareness Class:

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Finding a California Minor in Possession Class

Often students need to find a local minor in possession class. Here's a list of resources for California Minor in Possession Classes:

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

New York Minor In Possession Classes

Lots of people look for New York Minor In Possession Classes. Here's a list of useful resources:

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Five Myths About Drinking Problems

Getting to the truth behind your justifications for your drinking problem is important to breaking down the wall of denial. These are often asked by my alcohol class students when they take my alcohol awareness classes.

Myth #1: I can quit drinking anytime I want to.

Maybe you can; unfortunately it's more likely you can’t. Regardless it’s only an excuse to continue drinking. The reality is, you don’t want to stop. Telling yourself you can quit makes you feel in control, despite all evidence you have and in spite of the damage you're doing to yourself.

Myth #2: My drinking is my problem. I’m the one it hurts, so no one has the right to tell me to stop.

It’s true that the decision to quit drinking is ultimately up to you. But you are deceiving yourself if you think that your drinking hurts no one else but you. Alcoholism affects everyone around you—especially the people closest to you. Your problem is their problem.

Myth #3: I don’t consume on a daily basis, so I certainly am not a person with a drinking problem OR I limit my drinking to wine or beer, so I can’t be an alcoholic.

Alcoholism is not defined by what you drink, when you choose to drink, or the quantity you drink. It’s the effects of your drinking that define a issue. If your drinking alcohol is leading to troubles in your home or work life, you are a problem drinking and most likely are an alcoholic—whether you drink everyday or only on Saturdays and Sundays down shots of tequila or stick to wine, drink three cans of beer a day or three fifths of Jim Beam.

Myth #4: I am not an alcoholic because I have a job and I'm doing OK

You do not need to be a bum and drinking out of a brown paper bag to be an alcoholic. Many alcoholics are able to hold down jobs, get through school, and provide for their families. Some people are even able to excel. But just because you’re a high-functioning drinker this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not putting yourself or others at risk. Eventually, the effects will mean you have to pay the piper.

Myth #5: Drinking is not a “real” addiction like being a drug addict

Alcohol is a drug, and alcoholism is every bit as damaging as drug addiction. Alcoholism causes changes in the body and mind , and long-term alcohol abuse can have devastating effects on your body, your career, and your relationships. Alcoholics go through physical withdrawal when they stop drinking, just like drug addicts do when they stop.

Admitting that there’s a big issue can be painful for everybody in the family not just the alcohol abuser. But don’t be ashamed. You're not the only person dealing with this Alcoholism affects numerous families, from every social class, race, and culture. But you can find support accessible for your and your loved one. You can educate yourself about drinking by taking an online alcohol class.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

When Someone You Love Has a Drinking Problem

Often when I teach my alcohol awareness classes, I am asked by pupils what to do when someone you live is an alcoholic.

If you are having this experience you may be having difficulties with a number of agonizing emotions, including shame, worry, rage, and self-blame. The dilemma may be so overpowering that it may seem easier to ignore it and pretend that nothing is wrong. But you realize that something is wrong, and eventually, denying it will be more harmful to you, other family members, and the person who can't stop drinking.

What You Should Not Do

Don't try to punish, threaten, bribe, or preach.
Don't attempt to be a martyr. Avoid emotional appeals that might just boost feelings of guilt and the desire to consume or use other drugs.
Don't permit yourself to hide or make excuses for problem drinker or shield them from the deserved penalties of their behavior.
Don't do their work for them, leaving them with no feeling of importance or dignity.
Don't hide or throw away liquor bottles, flush down the toilet drugs, or keep them away from situations where drinking is present.
Don't argue with the user when they are drunk or high.
Don't try to drink along with the alcoholic or use drugs with the drug user.
Above all, don't feel guilty or responsible for another's actions.

Handling a loved one’s alcohol problem can be an a trying experience. It’s vital that you take care of yourself and get the support you need. It’s also critical to have people you can speak truthfully and openly with regarding what you’re going through.

A excellent place to start off is by entering a group such as Al-Anon, a nationally recognized group for families coping with an alcoholic. Hearing others with the same problems can be a tremendous source of comfort and support. You can also turn to trusted friends, a therapist, or people in your faith community. You can find out about drinking problems by taking an alcohol awareness class.

You can't force a person you love to stop abusing alcohol. As bad as your want, and as hard as it is to watch, you can't force a person to stop drinking. The decision is up to them and only them. Don’t expect the person to stop drinking and remain sober without assistance. they will need treatment, support, and new coping skills to overcome their alcoholism. Recovery is an long-term process.
Stopping drinking is a bumpy road, requiring time and patience. An alcoholic will not all of a sudden become a different person once sober. And the problems that led to the alcohol abuse in the first place will have to be faced.

Admitting that there’s a big problem can be agonizing for the whole family, not just the alcoholic. But don’t feel shame. You're not the only person dealing with this Alcoholism affects millions of families, from every social class, race, and culture. But there is support readily available for both you and your loved one. You can learn more about drinking by taking an online alcohol class.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

How to tell if you are Dependent on Alcohol

Alcoholism is the most severe type of problem drinking. Often when people come to one of my alcohol awareness classes, my alcohol class students wonder how to spot the signs and symptoms of alcoholism.

Alcohol dependence entails all the signs or symptoms of alcohol abuse,but it also entails another element: physical dependence on alcohol. There’s a fine line between alcohol misuse and alcoholism, but if you rely on drinking to function or experience physically compelled to drink, you’ve crossed it.

Tolerance: The 1st important warning indicator of alcohol dependence.

Do you have to drinkconsumea lot more than you used to in order to get buzzed or to really feel relaxed? Can you drink a lot more than other men and women without getting drunk? These are indicators of tolerance, which can be an early forewarning sign of alcohol dependence. Tolerance means that, over time, you need more booze to really feel the very same effects you used to with smaller amounts.

Withdrawal: The 2nd main warning indicator of alcohol dependence.

Do you require a drink to steady the shakes in the morning? Drinking to ease or avoid withdrawal signs or symptoms is an indicator of alcohol depdendence and a huge red flag. When you drink heavily, your body will get used to the alcohol and experiences withdrawal signs and symptoms if it’s taken away. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

Nervousness or jumpiness
Shakiness or trembling
Sweating
Nausea and vomiting
Sleeplessness
Despression symptoms
Irritability
Fatigue
Damage of appetite
Aggravation

In extreme cases, withdrawal from alcohol can also include hallucinations, confusion, seizures, fever, and agitation. These signs can be dangerous, so talk to your medical doctor if you are a major drinker and want to stop.
Other signs of alcoholism:

You’ve lost control over your drinking.
You frequently drink much more alcohol than you wanted to, for longer than you intended, or in spite of telling yourself you wouldn’t.
You want to give up drinking, but you can’t. You have a persistent desire to cut lower or quit your booze use, but your projects to give up have been unsuccessful.
You have given up other actions simply because of alcohol.
You’re spending much less time on activities that used to be essential to you (hanging out with loved ones and friends, heading to the gym, pursuing your hobbies) because of your booze use.
Booze will take up a great deal of your energy and attention. You invest a lot of time drinking, pondering about it, or recovering from its results.
You have few if any pursuits or sociable involvements that don’t revolve around drinking.
You drink although you know it’s leading to problems. For instance, you recognize that your booze use is harmful your marriage, creating your depression worse, or inflicting well being problems, but you carry on to drink anyway.

If you or somebody you know have these symptoms, seek professional help. Also know that there are online alcohol class options to take voluntary and involuntary courses on alcohol rehabilitation.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Medical Marijuana Overruns Our State

What did I run into that almost made me crash my car in my little suburban town, you might wonder You know those annoying folks who position themselves on street corners frantically gesturing for you to pull in to McDonalds or Arby's? maybe you have seen the person dressed up like a chicken waving you into KFC, or maybe someone with a sign for Verizon or new model homes. Well, here's a new one for you. I saw a guy dressed in a marijuana leaf costume pointing me toward "Cannamart". This cute little moniker borrowing from the King Kong of all megastores, WalMart, is of course medicinal marijuana "dispensary".

In our little town of sixty thouand, there are currently nine medicinal marijuana dispensary outlets. I can tell you that our little town is certainly on the conservative side, yet for some reason we need half a dozen marijuana stores. God forbid one would need to drive one town over where a population of 50,000 is serviced by 60 dispensaries. That was not a typo my friends, indeed there are sixty
In Los Angeles, California in mid-2010 there were 186 "pot shops" operating within the city limits. It is estimated that due to market over-saturation, more than fifty cannabis shops had closed in the past 90 days. Those numbers sure didn't scare those Southern California business owners who had more than 400 approved applications for dispensaries within the city limits that were planning to open at the same time the fifty were going out of business.

For sure I am confident almost all of these wanna be pot shop owners have an MBA and drew up a solid marketing plan as part of a detailed business plan. A late-night comedian joked that there were more pot shops within the Los Angeles city limits than public schools, and even more incredibly Starbucks. Who knew how critical this medicine was and how many possible ailments it could remedy?
Why didn't the FDA approve its use years ago? I mean, you can get a recommendation for its medicinal use for just about any ailment. Loss of appetite-check, sleep problems-check, stress-check, back pain-check.  It would seem the only ailment left out is the only true one - the psychological and physical problem that you just ran out of marijuana!

Don't misunderstand me. I am open to the idea there are medicinal qualities for marijuana. It is scientifically proven to help with glaucoma and pain management. And there is no reason for arguing the actuality that for most men and women, marijuana does stimulate your appetite.

I have yet to see any proven study on what percent of buyers have a legitimate reason for using marijuana. The above-mentioned real-life conditions where THC would ease the suffering, usually applies to an older group of clientele. How many people in their 20s have glaucoma? Yet according to one study, in the state of Nevada, the mean age of a patient with a recommendation for medicinal marijuana was 40. There are a lot more minors with recommendation - 17, than octogenarians - only seven.

Getting a prescription should be much harder which will be a subject for another article. There are stores,  pot shops, where you can walk in one door, see a doctor who has no file of your medical history, complain about chronic pain or loss of appetite, and bam, you have a recommendation.

According to a local news channel, the state was receiving more than 1,000 applications to open a marijuana dispensary every day. According to the report, as of August 26, 2010 Nevada had a backlog of between 60,000 and 70,000 applications. You thought your job was hard imagine looking at your inbox with 70,000 applications still to go through. Think you can work hard and you can bust them out by Friday. Holy smoke, another thousand every day!

Marijuana is attempting to join alcohol and tobacco among "accepted" drugs. States legalized marijuana for medical purposes through votes of the general public. The problem - no regulations were in place when those laws were voted in. Should marijuana be legalized for recreational purposes? Is it truly medicinal? Those are topics for future discussion.

This is absolutely a very serious topic.   It is important to observe that like alcohol and tobacco, marijuana is a drug. If you or another person you know may be addicted to marijuana or other drugs, it is vital to seek help. There are many alcohol and drug awareness courses one can attend, as well as a variety of support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). For people who would prefer to take a course in the privacy of their own home there are also online alcohol classes and alcohol and drug courses.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

10 Tips to Stop Drinking Alcohol

Frequently when people come to one of my alcohol awareness classes, they know that they need to stop drinking alcohol. But they don’t know exactly how they should stop. Here are some ideas that you might find useful:

1. Don’t associate with people who are drinkers or who might tempt you to drink.

2. Don't go to places where you might be tempted to drink. Don't go to the taverns where you used to drink alcohol and don't hang out with people who might encourage you to drink.

3. Look through your cabinets and search for and throw away every single bottle of alcohol. If you have a spouse or roommate who drinks alcohol, kindly ask them if they would drink when you're not around.

4. Advertise it to the world that you want to quit drinking. Try to get support and encouragement from your family friends, and people who have been in your shoesand can help you with your goal.

5. Get help with the psychological and emotional issues related to your drinking Many people begin drinking alcohol to get away from problems. Or some people find that their alcoholism is something that has been going on in the family for some time. Find a professional therapist you feel comfortable talking to about your problems.

6. Find positive and interesting hobbies to keep you busy. Sometimes something as simple as a distraction can push away the thoughts of drinking.

7. Give yourself reachable goals and take it one step at a time. possibly you can't stop all at once, so maybe you could just gradually slow down your drinking day by day.

8. Reward yourself when you don't consume alcohol. For every day, week, or month that passes and you don't drink, celebrate with a gift! Give yourself incentives to keep going.

9. Visualize yourself and how you will feel when you've completely ended your drinking. Visualization is super powerful in instilling into your subconscious that you are committed to this goal. Do these visualization exercises in the morning and at night.

10. Find yourself an alcohol class so you can find out more about your drinking and it’s effects on you. Knowledge is power!

Remember that stopping drinking is hard. Sometimes it takes more than willpower... don't forget to seek professional medical advice!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Get Healthier by Giving Up Alcohol

Often when I teach alcohol awareness classes students have the question , "Is alcohol really that bad for you?" This article will talk about some of the main physical benefits of not drinking anymore, and then will discuss the mental and psychological advantages of quitting drinking.

You are not going to hear too many arguments in favor of consuming alcohol. Of course some studies will say a bit is good for the cardiovascular system or that a glass of red wine everyday makes for a healthy heart and increases longevity. Science, however, is not conclusive about any beneficial effects of alcohol. In regards to the wine hypothesis that is still under debate, grape juice and grapes themselves proved to be equally effective.

There are many proven positive effects when one stops drinking alcohol. There are numerous studies that show how not drinking alcohol improves your physical and mental health. Non-drinkers have far less chance of developing cirrhosis of the liver, pancreas damage and many forms of cancer. Alcohol dehydrates your body. After you stop drinking, one of the earliest positive physical effects you will see is that you skin will become clearer, more vibrant and younger This happens in only a few days of stopping drinking. It's incredible what being hydrated will do for your appearance. An increase in energy is another effect that you will feel in the first week of quitting.

While the physical effects on your body are very important, it is positive state of mind and mental effects that will be most noticeable. If you ever have quit a substance that you had been using often or sometimes abusing you know that at you begin to realize that you do feel better. You are proud of the fact you have stop using and even more pleased that you feel good about it. Improved self-regard gives a huge boost to those who quit drinking.

You will find that when you stop drinking you will have more time - for work, sports, friends, and family. Life is all about getting involved in personal relationships with other human beings. As you begin to feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically you will become more involved in your life, and those who care about you will also enjoy the benefits as you reconnect on a healthy, upbeat level.

As you reenter life after alcohol old hobbies may regain the pleasure you once knew, and the idea of trying out something new will sound exciting. New interests like art, athletics or social clubs could invigorate and bring fullness to your life. Having a positive self-image will most definitely make you more optimistic. Healthier brain cells working in unison make life more pleasurable.

In closing, I encourage each of you to quit drinking for 30 days. See if you feel better. You might need an alcohol class to help you determine how to do this. Be aware of your moods, good and bad (there may be some strong ones at the beginning if you are a heavy drinker).

Despite its legal status, it is important to be know that alcohol is a drug and its use should be controlled. If you or anyone you know seems to be suffering from alcohol dependence, please have them seek help immediately. There are online alcohol class options to take voluntary and involuntary courses on alcohol rehabilitation.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Who Should Take Alcohol Awareness Classes?

Many people who take an alcohol class expect to be bored and to have the topics not apply to them They come in expecting alcohol as a legal, harmless drink that somehow got them into trouble. Almost no student sees himself as having a problem.

Most people drink alcohol. It is estimated that more over 50% of all Americans aged 12 and older have consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. Among this group of current drinkers almost a quarter admitted to have indulged in binge drinking (5 or more drinks in one day ). Of those adults under the age of 25 the number of binge drinkers increased to more than 40%.

Most of my students think that "only alcoholics need alcohol classes . They think that "street people" and "bums" are typical alcoholics. Many people have a mental picture that all alcoholics are "complete losers." This is not reality People who abuse alcohol come from all walks of life, from corporate CEOs, teachers, attorneys, firemen. You name it. There is no race or profession where alcoholism does not exist.
Heavy drinking is binge drinking 5 or more times in a single month. Many of my students, especially those under 25, were shocked to learn that they have regularly engaged in binge drinking, and that this behabior is abusing alcohol, regardless of how old you are.

One of the most significant aspects of an alcohol awareness class is meet the realities of alcohol - the risks to your mind and body, as well as learning drinking patterns and how each student fits in. With court-mandated alcohol classes, you have a group of people who have all had at least one problem situation in their life related to alcohol. That is why they are sitting in my classroom in the first place.

As the alcohol class proceeds I slowly see the recognition on their faces as the students try to place themselves within the national patterns. There is not a student that cannot relate to the topics at hand. Recognizing and admitting there could be a problem can be the toughest challenge people who drink face. This doesn't mean that all drinkers have a problem. In fact most people can master their drinking and do not have a problem.