Online Alcohol Awareness Classes: January 2011

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Why Does the Super Bowl Focus so Much on Drinking?

As a counselor for alcohol awareness classes I am very familiar with the part alcohol plays in our community and is meshed in our culture. My aim in teaching about alcohol is trying to get my students to get more educated about alcohol and its effect on the human body. I try to make them understand about drinking and its effects on not only your body, but in addition those close to a person addicted to alcohol.
At this time of year I always believe about another type of "alcohol awareness" - the powerful pitch to advertise alcohol during the Super Bowl. The ads from Budweiser, Coors, and Heineken have become to many, more important from a viewing standpoint than the game itself. When people think "Super Bowl" they think football, television ads and alcohol - and not necessarily in that order.

Let's All Drink to the Super Bowl

Nobody should be surprised that "Super Bowl Sunday" ranks right up with the 4th of July and December 31 as the days where the most people are arrested for drinking and driving.
In one of my recent alcohol classes I polled each person in my class if they drank during the Super Bowl, and if they drank how much they consumed. The results probably don't shock you. Out of twenty students, 90% had drank alcohol during last year's Super Bowl. The couple that didn't - one was working and the other had pneumonia.

A Super Binge

Of the rest who had consumed alcoholic beverages, according to their recollection, during the Super Bowl they averaged 8 beverages each. Of course they said that the Super Bowl lasts forever and most of them were sure that they were sober enough to drive by the end of the game. Almost half of the 18 admitted to being intoxicated during the game. One feel asleep before the final whistle.

Super Bowl DUI

Only one of my students that session was attending class to handle a Super Bowl DWI, but throughout the years many of my students were requred to take an alcohol awareness class from a DWI obtained after watching the Super Bowl.

Avoid becoming a statistic. I urge all of you to make sure you have a designated driver for the Super Bowl if you plan on consuming alcoholic beverages. Remember, a cab is ALWAYS cheaper than a DUI.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

How Can You Tell When Your Drinking Has Become a Problem

Often when I run alcohol classes clients ask me, "How how can you find out if you are an alcoholic?" Let's look at some crucial indicators that your regular drinking habit has turned into full-blown alcoholism.

Let's commence by asserting that no person has 1 drink of alcohol and it instantly it becomesa problem. Heavy drinking and drinking problems are developed over long periods of time. Of course the span of time will differ from person to person.

Your Genes Can Play A Role

And as is the case with numerous health problems, genetics play an crucial role. If one or more of your mother and father or other close relatives is an alcoholic you as well may have a genetic predisposition toward alcoholism. However, even though your parents may be alcoholics, there is no reason you also must endure this illness.

Deciding not to drink is personal. It is a decision in which your genes have no say.Deciding not to consume in excess is also personal.

You have the capability and control over what you do. Even if you do not believe you have an issue, I ask you to re-think your drinking.

Are You a Heavy Drinker?

Excess drinking is a pattern of drinking seen in almost all alcoholics. Heavy drinking is defined as having five or more alcoholic beverages on the same occasion five or more instances in the past month.
Being a recovering alcoholic, I can certainly tell you that almost every time I partook in the drinking of alcohol, I had five or more drinks - normally a lot more.

Recent data has shown that around 17 million U.S. residents can be defined as heavy drinkers. That's practically 7% of everybody 12 and older If you only look at those of legal drinking age, 21, almost 12% are considered to fall into the pattern of heavy drinking.

If you drink heavily it is quite likely you have a drinking problem and should seek help from a group like Alcoholics Anonymous, or if you prefer, try taking an online alcohol awareness course.

Are You Embarrassed by Your Drinking?

Even with commonpublic perception, most heavy drinkers feel shame or guilt about their heavy drinking and alcoholic tendencies. Even when they are in the beginning stages of alcoholism, while they still deny themselves that they are addicted to alcohol, drinkers feel guilty.

They also tend to become embarassed in front of their friends,their family and their work colleagues, because of their behaviors after getting drink. Perhaps it is getting a DWI, or just making a total ass of themselves due to their drunken state.

Again, if you feel ashamed by the amount you drink or how often you drink, it is critical you think about whether or not you are an alcoholic The odds are, you do.

What Have You Got to Hide?

Many problem drinkers are what we term "closet alcoholics." This group tends to hide their drinking from as many people as they can. They may only go to bars far away from their homes and work. Or they may prefer to drink just in the privacy of their own home. Some problem drinkers go to extreme measures to disguise their addiction to alcohol. Alcoholics have been known to keep a container hidden in their office drawer for a quick shot in their latte. Some conceal a flask in their automobile or closet. A surprising number of alcoholics go so far as to fill water or 7 Up bottles with vodka.

Seriously, if you are a "closet alcoholic" and exhibit any of the symptoms listed above, I suggest you look for help immediately Finally, I challenge each of you to stop drinking for 30 days. Check if it helps you to feel better. Be aware of your moods, good and bad (you may exerience signifant mood shifts).
It is essential to be aware that alcohol is a drug and its use must be controlled. If you or anyone you know may be suffering from alcohol dependence, please have them seek help immediately. You can learn more by taking an alcohol awareness class.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

What to Do When Your Teenager Drinks

Among the many nightmares that parents encounter is catching your teenager has been drinking. This might have happened when you smell alcohol on their breath after they came home from a date. Or possibly it's actually catching them drinking at a party, or in your basement Sometimes another mother or father will contact you saying they caught your teen drinking with theirs. It could even be the horrible situation where you are contacted by the police who have captured your kids drinking, or even worse drinkingand driving. When you learn that your child has been drinking it can elicit several distinct responses. Some teen parents are afraid and confused. "How could Bobby have started consuming alcohol? I thought this was a nurturing home". Others are indignant. "I TOLD Will what would happen to him if I found him with alcohol!" And others encounter denial. "It must be Tammy's friends. They're the ones at fault!"

But irrespective of the reaction, once you find out that your child is a drinker it's time to put being afraid, indignant, or acting as if it isn't happening away and start working on with the issue. The first action is to develop a plan. The plan is composed of 3 different parts: when, what and follow-through.

When

The when means that you act once your plan is determined AND you are ready to confront them. You don't want to have your confrontation with your teen when your emotions are out of control. It is crucial you deal with them in a rational manner. The same goes for their state of mind. Don't deal with them if they are drunk or high. Wait until they sleep it off. After you wait their emotional reaction will be something you can deal with.

But although you do want to wait for the "right moment" to speak to your teen, you also shouldn't wait too long. You ought to plan on having your dialogue with them within 1 day of your finding out.

What

Your next task is to create your plan of what you are going to say and do. In general this should fall in the following categories:

Letting them know the rules and penalties of drinking. Particularly tell him or her the consequences they face today and the punishments they will receive if they break the new rules. For example, if the punishment is taking away the cell phone for 6 months you might tell them that if they do it again will add an additional 3 months to the losing their phone.
Telling them that they are going to be carefully monitored. Frequent calls, stricter curfew restrictions, a GPS tracker on their auto and drug testing are all potential ways to more strictly monitor their activities.
Tell them the help they are going to receive for their drinking problem. This may perhaps include one-on-one or group counseling. This can include a minor in possession class or minor in consumption class. Or perhaps visiting your church's pastor. Make sure they know this aspect isn't about punishment but about understanding the problem and helping to learn how to prevent it in the future.
Telling them there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Tell them that you love them and this isn't a everlasting black mark on their record. If things go well you can once again have a joyful close family.

Follow Through

Finally, you need to plan your long-term goals What I mean is to make sure all you tell your child is something you are going to really do. Make sure you follow through on your steps once you tell them. And if you feel you need support, perhaps counseling such as an alcohol class will help.Parents need support to deal with hard circumstances such as these.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Maryland Alcohol Awareness Classes

Some people say it's hard to find a legitimate Maryland Alcohol Awareness Class. Here are some definite options for you:

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Colorado Alcohol Classes

Finding an alcohol awareness class that works in Colorado can be very difficult. Fortunately here are some resources to help:

Monday, January 10, 2011

Another Taxi Ride to Avoid Being Arresting for Drinking and Driving

As a counselor for alcohol awareness classes, I always inquire of my students how come they didn't choose to call a cab instead of choosing to risk their lives and the lives of others by driving while intoxicated What percentable of them regarded taking a taxi or phoning somebody to pick them up and take them home? Think about that for a minute. Do you think most do? Most people? Some People?

Probably Not Going to Pass

The answer should surprise you - about ten percent. That means nine out of ten never considered alternative transportation. In this day and age, with so much cash invested toward promoting education and punishing behavior, why do so few not think of this? Following is a genuine account from one of my students in my alcohol awareness class.

Dustin's Story

Dustin and his older brother , Curtis, hadn't gotten together in nearly 10 years. Like many brothers these guys were really quite different. While Dustin was shy and reserved, a control freak, while his brother lived wild and care free. In fact, Dustin was picking his brother up at the bus station as Curtis had just been released from jail.

Their first stop was a local bar, because Curtis needed to "get ripping drunk." Regrettably for Curtis, neither sibling had much money and they were forced to leave after a couple of drinks, with Dustin promising more drinks at home. Dustin's wife, Sherri, had made dinner and all three continued to drink a several beers each and three bottles of wine with dinner. In spite of the fact that Curtis had drunk almost 2 bottles himself, Dustin was feeling the effects and passed out on the couch while his companions continued to chug the inexpensive wine.

When the clock struck midnight he was awakened by Curtis, who was asking for the keys to the car. Apparently, they had exhausted their supply of alcohol and Sherri and Curtis were making an alcohol and fast food run.

Alcohol-Impaired Decision

One significant effect alcohol is to alter the decision-making process. While Dustin thought he had "slept-off" the effects of alcohol on his body, and that he was just feeling "different" because he had been awakened in the middle of his REM cycle of sleep, he made an "alcohol-induced decision."

Ever-the responsible one, Dustin refused to give his brother the keys to the car as his honey and brother were totally intoxicated. After much pleading, and drinking two energy drinks, Dustin said he would drive. The three of them hopped into Dustin's Ford Escort and headed to the convenience store where they bought a case of beer and a box of Franzia wine, Sherri's favorite.

After a quick stop at Taco Bell they were driving back to the house. Beer cans littered the back seat as Curtis continued to put back Budweiser like a man dying of thirst. Three blocks from home Curtis panicked as he saw the red and blue lights of a police car in his rearview mirror.

Acting Like A Dopamine - Alcohol's Minion

When the policeman walk up to the car Dustin asked, "Was I driving too fast, sir?" The officer directed his flashlight into the vehicle and observed the empty beer cans in the back of the car. He asked Dustin if he had been drinking that night. Dustin confessed to having some beer and wine with dinner, but that was many hours earlier. The officer asked Dustin to step out of his vehicle.

The officer advised him there had been a distinct odor of alcohol in the car and Dustin tried to clarify that his brother had been drinking and he was very sorry. Regardless the policeman conducted a field sobriety test that he surprisingly passed. He then requested Dustin to submit to a Breathalyzer test.

Feeling confident after his success with the field sobriety test. So he agreed. His blood-alcohol-level was almost twice the legal limit. Dustin was immediately arrested.

The other two were completely drunk and unable to drive, and they had spent all their money on alcohol and food. They both spent the night in the drunk tank with Dustin, but were allowed to go home once they had sobered up the next day. Dustin wasn't nearly as lucky. He got to spend a full 48 hours behind bars.

High Costs of a DUI

Following his conviction of driving while intoxicated (DWI) Dustin was required to take an alcohol class. His legal costs, increased insurance premiums and fines ended up costing Dustin almost seven thousand dollars.

I asked Dustin if he had thought of getting a cab to take them to the store and to get late-night munchies. He and the rest of the class burst out in laughter. Not one of my students ever had considered taking a taxi from their own home to go buy alcohol or fast food.

Perhaps, after reading this story, you will consider this option.

Alcohol is a serious drug and should be used rationally. If you, or anyone you know, suffer from an alcohol problem, it is important to seek help immediately. There are groups like Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous. There also are both classroom and online alcohol awareness classes available.