He Got Caught Now He Has to Take a Drug Alcohol Class

I have a son in high school who like a lot of high school boys is testing his boundaries and seeing what he can get away with. Last week was a holiday party and he decided that he was going to throw a party at a local hotel.

When the party was broken up by the police, he got a citation for being under age and under the influence of alcohol. The citation came with a pretty hefty fine for someone with no income. It also requires him to attend an alcohol awareness class over two weekends of the month.

I am glad this happened and think it will be a good experience for him. He needs to learn that there are consequences for his actions and that when you make poor decisions you will get poor results. He is really upset about the whole situation but mostly, he is embarrassed. I suggested he take an online alcohol class for privacy but also so he could start immediately.

I Learned About My Alcohol Behavior in an Online Alcohol Class

If I am to be honest, I did not really think I had a drinking problem. Yes, I enjoyed a few drinks after work, and drank more freely on the weekends but so did my friends. There were times when I drank too much, but I never considered myself "a drunk" like my father. 

One particular Friday night, we were celebrating a big merger when a few drinks turned into more drinks and I was arrested for public intoxication. Part of my sentence was to enroll in an alcohol awareness class.

This turned out to be a problem because no one offered any courses near me; and the closest one was a three hour round trip drive. I was not sure what to do until a friend suggested that I find an online alcohol class about alcohol awareness.

Not only was the price lower then what I would have paid in person but it was convenient and well written. It also met my sentencing requirements but more importantly, in the privacy of my own home- the class helped me open my eyes. I was able to be more honest with myself and see why I was abusing alcohol. It got me to turn around my life.

How Alcohol Awareness Classes Taught Me How Not to Destroy Myself

I used to drink now and again when I was younger, but I didn't care for the taste that much. It gradually got to the point where I didn't even go to the bars with my friends. Several months ago, a good friend of mine died and I started drinking again just to make the pain disappear.

I ended up doing some stupid things that got me in trouble with the law. I am so thankful that a judge looked at the cause rather than the effects of my actions. He ordered that I undergo alcohol awareness classes. I was so grateful for this, and I ended up learning a lot about myself in the process.

The online alcohol class helped me understand that it is better to deal with grief than try and bury it in alcohol and destructive behavior. Not only does that not work, but it is not honoring my friend either. I still miss him deeply, but I know he would be proud that I'm longer destroying myself because of him.

An Alcohol Awareness Class Saved Me from Getting Fired

My office has a zero tolerance policy but they offer one time rehabilitation. It wasn't even my normal day to work but I came in to cover a shift for a sick employee. Our time clock system assigns random drug tests and my number was up that morning. I drank a lot the night before and some was still in my system so I tested positive for alcohol.

I need this job and will do whatever it takes to keep it. I had no idea that drinking the night before would still be in my system the following day. I had to take an alcohol awareness class.

I have learned my lesson and won't repeat the same mistake twice. I am grateful and relieved that I wasn't fired.

Helping the Alcoholic by Not Helping

If you think one of your friends or family members needs an alcohol awareness class, you need to understand that no one gets help until they are ready. As a drug and alcohol counselor for ten years I saw time and time again, addicts and alcoholics ordered by the judge to attend rehab or counseling. The individual showed up and went through the motions, but never really engaged and got anything out of the treatments.

Addicts typically don't get better unless they truly want to get better. So if you are frustrated that you can't help your friend or family member, remember that it's not up to you to save them. Your power is limited and you can only help yourself. This may mean attending Al-anon meetings or setting boundaries with that person.

The paradox is that you may help these people best by not trying to help them at all. It is possible that when you step out of the "parent role" they may come to the realization that they are being self-destructive and want to stop.

Being Aware That You Have a Problem with Alcohol

How do you know if you have a problem with alcohol? Alcohol is a prevalent part of our culture and many people drink daily. How would you know if you have a problem or potential problem with alcohol?

If you've ever pondered this question, an 8 hour alcohol awareness class could be exactly what you need.

The rub is, you have to be open to it and self aware but you may also need more information. It isn't easy realizing that you may have an alcohol problem. Too often there are mitigating factors people use to brush away the truth and keep them in denial.

Denial is strong and may prevent you from realizing you are giving yourself the brush off. Instead of seeing yourself clearly, you might look at circumstances and make more excuses. Excuses that sound legitimate and real to you. An online alcohol awareness class can help you break this self destructive habit.

I know because I did it for years. So if you are thinking that you might need some help, but don't think you really need that much, maybe you should try the class. Why not? That way, you'll at least have more  information to assess yourself more honestly.

You Can Drink Too Much Without Even Knowing It

Just about anyone who ever has been drunk understands that sometimes alcohol takes effect more quickly than we realize. You don't need to have taken an alcohol class to come to this conclusion. Whether we do not know the potency of the beverage we drank or the fact that our metabolism is slow, there are times when the powerful effects of alcohol seem to come out of nowhere.

Drinking at a bar with a group of friends or at a holiday party are situations where it is easy to drink more than you are aware of. When you meet good friends at a bar and catch up over a few cocktails, time flies by quickly and before you know it you are definitely buzzed. Or, if you are at a holiday party feeling a little shy or nervous, the eggnog or champagne slips down too easily and on an empty stomach too. You can drink more than you intended when glasses are being filled and the environment is designed for drinking and merriment.

When this happens, it would be wise to call a taxi or get a ride with a friend. Don't allow yourself to drive. If you feel buzzed, or even slightly buzzed, don't drive. Remember, alcohol gets more potent as time passes and you may be the victim of drinking too much without knowing it. Make the smart decision and find safe transportation home.

Stay Sober this Holiday Season and Still Enjoy Beverages

My entire life I have enjoyed drinking during the holiday season. As a kid, it was the one time of year I got to drink eggnog. Man, I still love a good nog!

From eggnog I graduated to sips of champagne to drinking beer, wine and champagne, to getting drunk at every gathering I went to drinking whatever was available!

Now, as a recovering alcoholic, I choose to stay sober during the holiday season. Yet I can still enjoy my beverages. Following are a few of my holiday favorites.

Eggnog – I like it plain like a milkshake.

Daiquiris – the virgin kind – eggnog daiquiris are delicious so are fresh strawberry, peach and banana.

So relax, enjoy the company of those you love and care about in complete sobriety. Appreciate them for who they are and the fact that they are sharing their time and life with you. Serve fun non-alcoholic beverages for the whole party to enjoy. Starbucks does!

Maybe an Alcohol Class is All You Need to Stop Drinking

Have you ever been concerned or told that you are drinking too much? If so, more than likely you have a drinking problem. Of course it does not feel like a "problem" because you enjoy it and the rituals surrounding it.

As a recovering alcoholic and a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol classes, I see first-hand the problems that seep into the lives of those who abuse alcohol. I also see the denial that keeps the problems growing and spiraling out of control. Addiction happens over time, it's progressive. Therefore, I always discuss the self-awareness of addictive behavior.

Virtually, all of my students should have some inkling there is a problem when they've been involved in an alcohol-related incident. However, remarkably so, some continue to remain in denial. Many are not ready to look at the power alcohol has over them and their rationalizations to continue drinking. Students blame the problems on their boss, spouse, stress, government, etc. anything to keep them from taking personal responsibility.

However, alcohol classes (either in class or online) help them address their denial. Mostly, since other students who are in the same shoes, confront them. I see people go from serious denial to anger to acceptance in less than 24 hours of alcohol awareness treatment.

If you think you might have a drinking problem, I urge you to take an alcohol awareness class. If you prefer to maintain total anonymity there are online alcohol classes too.

Don't Risk a DUI: Take a Taxi!

Trust me when I tell you that the best $50 you'll ever spend will be on a taxi home after getting drunk. By driving home in a drunken state you are jeopardizing your life and future as well as the lives of others.

Why then do so many people avoid spending the $20-$50 it would cost to take a taxi? As a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol awareness classes I often discuss this principle with my students. Not surprisingly almost all agree they wished they had paid for a cab. They provide interesting excuses including, "I didn't have enough money on me", "I wasn't sure how to call a cab at that hour", "I didn't want to leave my car there over night", and my personal favorite, "I thought I was OK to drive".



At best, drinking and driving can result in a DUI violation which will cost you thousands of dollars. Heavy fines, increased insurance premiums, alcohol classes and counseling are only the tip of the iceberg.

At worst, you can permanently injure yourself or even kill yourself and others due to the "excuses" that allowed you to drink and drive. Imagine how the rest of your life would look if you killed your best friend or another innocent person because you were too cheap to take a cab ride? I have looked into the eyes of people with these stories. The regret and despair are unshakable.

Next time you are out on the town and know you have had too much to drink, please do the most responsible thing and call a taxi. Just think how fun a karaoke cab would be! 

A DUI Can Make Your Insurance Rates Skyrocket

With the cost of living so high already, and the economy in turmoil, you have to do whatever you can to save money and protect your future. You think things are tough now, try adding the increase in auto insurance premiums if you get a driving under the influence (DUI) violation.

With the bombardment of information you know that drinking and driving is both illegal and dangerous. You also must know that getting a DUI is expensive. Not counting all of the fines and fees for alcohol classes and attorneys, one place that will continue to hit your pocketbook month after month is auto insurance.

As a counselor for alcohol awareness classes, I often discuss the effect of a DUI on insurance rates with my students. Can you guess who sees the biggest increase? The answer is minors. Get a DUI and be under the age of 21 and if you can even keep your insurance, you are looking at an increase of $1,500 per year!

One DUI class student became a high-risk driver and his insurer boosted his premiums by $450 per month. While that may seem exorbitant the average increase is 20-40%.

Do yourself a favor and save money on insurance. Don't drive after consuming alcohol.

A Hobby can Help You Stop Drinking

If you're somebody who has a drinking problem, the worst times are probably when you are bored or feeling anxious. Often when you are just sitting and thinking is when you're tempted to grab an alcoholic beverage.

But a healthy distraction such as a hobby can thwart the temptation to drink better than almost anything. When you have a great project in front of you, like wood working or weaving, you'll feel excited to work on that and stay busy rather than crack open a beer in front of the television.

Another benefit is that handiwork takes skill and concentration. You will quickly realize that as you get further into your project, you want to be careful with your work and avoid mistakes. So staying sober means that you'll have better, more precise results of your craft making.

To learn other ways of staying sober, take a 24 hour alcohol awareness class or online alcohol class.

How to Watch Football Without Drinking

Another exciting football season is in full swing.

If you are like me you watch games with a bunch of your friends. There is usually plenty of food and drinks to be had. Beer drinking is very much a part of watching the game. Not to mention the countless high priced commercials for beer.

But what are you going to do if you are trying to cut back on your alcohol intake. Or what if you've decided not to drink alcohol again for the rest of your life. If you've attended an alcohol awareness class you probably learned that it's a good thing to stay away from events or parties where alcohol is being served. But what if you are a huge football fan? What are you expected to do? Just watch the game at home while sipping bottled water?

Here's a few hints on how to handle this situation. First, make sure that you watch the game at somebody's house rather than in a bar. Bars are associated with drinking and if you can avoid them, you've done a good job. Second, tell your host ahead of time that you won't be drinking alcohol. Next, bring a non-alcoholic alternative such as sparkling water, root beer, or sweet iced tea to the game. Finally, make sure that you always have a full non-alcoholic beverage in your hand at the event. That way you never have to worry about somebody offering you a new beer if you're done with your drink.

You can definitely watch football and other sports in the company of your friends without drinking. Just follow these simple tips and you should have no problems. If you feel tempted, there are lots of great online alcohol classes that can help you conquer these situations.

Improve Your Nutrition by Cutting Alcohol Consumption

You probably have read that alcohol is basically empty calories. You also may have heard that drinking a glass of red wine every day is good for you.

When it comes to alcohol there are many facts and myths. A good alcohol awareness class can explain them in more detail, but we'll give you some of the basic facts in this article. Alcohol is called "empty calories" for a very good reason. On average alcohol is mostly sugar and carbs. That means it contains no protein, no vitamins and no micro-nutrients. One drink has been shown to reduce blood sugar in Type-2 diabetics; however, alcohol is lethal if more is consumed.

Alcoholic beverages have marginal nutritional value when combined with other foods or drinks. Fruit and juices are examples. But, when alcohol is mixed with juices which only slightly improves the nutrition, there is a lot of additional sugar added.

What About Red Wine?

Some studies have shown that a glass of red wine every day is good for your heart and reduces the chance of heart disease. There are other studies that show no added value to your heart from red wine.

Red wine may be the most nutritional alcohol beverage. Would you care to guess what nutritional value a glass brings to your daily requirements for vitamins and minerals?

From a glass of red table wine you get about 1% of your daily requirements for riboflavin, vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium. You get 2% of the required daily intake for manganese. That is it!

Not only are alcoholic beverages empty calories, booze also has the ability to inhibit the absorption of vitamins and other minerals. So if you are looking to boost your health, it is a good idea to strictly limit your intake of alcohol (especially during the holidays). If you want to learn more about how alcohol affects your health, consider taking a 12 hour alcohol awareness class.

Use Your IPad to Take an Alcohol Awareness Class

New smart phones and tablets are certainly wonderful devices. Now you can do things that you used to only be able to do with a computer or laptop anywhere.

If you've been arrested for a DUI or other alcohol related offense, you might be required to take an alcohol class. Did you know that you don't have to sit in a room with a bunch of other people to take this class? Many judges allow you to take the class online. And because of the advances in technology you can actually take the class using your iPad.

This means that instead of having to be stuck going to class every night and taking precious time out of your day driving back and forth. You can take the class wherever you are right from your iPad. As long as you have internet access your alcohol awareness class is just a click or touch away!

An Alcohol Awareness Class Can Save You on Car Insurance

It might seem very strange that the idea of taking an 8 hour alcohol awareness class will save you money on car insurance. But once you understand what you're going to learn in an alcohol awareness class, you'll see how you'll get the savings.

First, when you take an alcohol class, you're going to learn the very severe consequences of drinking and driving. A DUI is going to cost you a lot in terms of both money and time. You'll more than likely lose your license, have to pay a huge fine, spend some time in jail and be required to take an alcohol awareness education class.

But something will follow you for the rest of your life and that's a very high car insurance bill. After a DUI your insurance costs go up astronomically. This means you'll be paying thousands of more dollars per year.

Once you understand all this, you'll be more careful when you drive. You'll be less likely to drink and drive and you'll save lots of money in insurance costs.

Why Don't Alcohol Advertisers Have to Promote Alcohol Awareness Classes?

It's a known fact that alcohol kills. It causes numerous diseases and sabotages our health. It's also a leading cause of death due to DUIs and other alcohol related accidents. So why don't alcohol advertisers have to promote alcohol awareness classes?

It's not as crazy as it sounds. Cigarette companies also sell a product that causes much harm. It took years of lawsuits and legal wrangling but now they have to pay billions of dollars to state governments. And much of that money goes towards tobacco prevention programs. The theory here is that while the harm in the past can't be prevented, future harm might avoided by educating people.

Likewise, since alcohol can cause such harm, why don't alcohol manufacturers have to do the same sort of preventative education? Why aren't they forced to promote alcohol awareness education and teach people about the risks of alcohol use? Do we have to wait for decades and lawsuits like we did with the cigarette companies?

Why Don't More Celebrities Take Alcohol Awareness Classes?

It's a well known fact that many celebrities have drug or drinking problems. You can't pick up a tabloid magazine or go to a celebrity gossip website without reading about some actor who was arrested for a DUI. Or you might watch an online video of a famous actress stumbling into the gutter in front of a Hollywood nightclub.

Wouldn't it be better if these talented people, who make their living by entertaining, learn something about their addiction problems? Wouldn't it be great if there was a reality TV show where they talked about their experience taking alcohol awareness classes? Wouldn't it be inspiring to read about actors and actresses who were learning something about themselves and at the same time inspiring their fans?

Sure that's far fetched. Some people will never change and continue acting foolish for years. That is until they realize that their acting career is also going down the tubes.

Take an Alcohol Awareness Class on a Cruise

Most people who go on vacation are just in it to relax and unwind from their busy lives. Maybe they want to sit by the pool and read a book, or to socialize with other vacationers, or maybe they want to do some sightseeing. But there's another thing that you can do when taking a vacation such as a cruise. You can take an alcohol awareness class!

Now it might seem sort of silly to use that time off to learn but it's actually a great option during your downtime. Since an online alcohol awareness class can be taken anywhere with an internet connection (including on a cruise ship), you can spend 30 minutes here or an hour there becoming more educated.

What's more, instead of coming back from your cruise with a sunburn, 15 extra pounds and some cheap memento, you can come back with something far more important. You return home with more knowledge about your drinking problems and what you can do to get better.

How to Avoid People Who Drink

The absolute key to staying sober, especially in the early days of sobriety, is to stay away from alcohol. This means not only do you have an alcohol free home but also that you stay away from people who are drinking.

If getting together with friends for a drink after work is a regular part of your life, you will need to find a new activity to replace it with. Starting a new hobby or challenge is a good idea. This could be anything from cooking for your family every night, going to the gym, or taking a photography class. You need something to focus on besides your friends and drinking at the bar.

Another thing to do is to communicate. Make sure your friends and family members are aware that you are avoiding alcohol. Loved ones are very accommodating in helping someone they care about stay sober.

A third thing you can do to avoid people who are drinking is to find activities you can enjoy doing alone such as gardening or jigsaw puzzles.

If you or someone you care about has a drinking problem I urge you to seek help. If you prefer to maintain total anonymity there are alcohol awareness classes too.

Is Is She Cultured or Does She Just Want to Get Drunk?

There are many options for going on a first date. Going to the movies, going bowling, having a picnic together or even going to a museum. But what if the girl you are dating says she wants to go wine tasting? Is she somebody who really enjoys the nuances of different wines such as the delicate aroma, color and subtle hints of flavors? Or is she somebody who just wants to get drunk?

It's an important distinction. Something I've learned in alcohol awareness classes is that people often create hobbies for themselves that mask a bad habit. For example, somebody might like to brew beer in their basement. They say they do it because they like the authentic flavor of homemade beverages. But it could also be the case that they want an excuse for drinking all the time.

The same can said for a potential date that says they want to go wine tasting. Is it that they really appreciate the differences between merlot and cabernet grapes? Or do they just want an excuse to drink glass after glass of red wine in an environment that this is considered socially acceptable? There are certain signs that are dead give aways. For example, does she always seem to be drinking a glass of wine when you come to pick her up for a date? Or does her trash always seem to be filled with empty bottles? Or is she saying how "Napa" is her favorite place to visit.

In any case, there's nothing wrong with drinking wine if it's done in moderation. But to join a hobby just because it creates an opportunity to drink,  is never a good idea. If you've know a girl who acts like this, consider suggesting that she take a 12 hour alcohol awareness class. Or better yet, maybe she's somebody you should stay away from.

Four Things to Keep You Sober

As a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol awareness classes, I have discovered four keys to help my students stay sober. There is no greater goal for an alcohol class than to prevent relapse and recidivism.

By far the most important factor in staying sober is not to have alcohol in the house. There is no way a person with a drinking problem will be able to continually resist the urge to drink if booze is a constant, physical presence in the home. While it may be possible to stop for a while, eventually the mind will relent and you will drink again. Again, the rule is no alcohol beverages in your living quarters.

A second key factor in staying sober is not to associate with people who drink. This includes a spouse or significant other. If you want to stay sober, do not hang around with those who are drinking. At least early on in your sobriety you can't go hang out in bars and try to stay sober. This is just like having booze in the house. Don't tempt yourself. Don't go to parties where alcohol is being served. Don't put yourself in a vulnerable position to relapse.

The third key is to find activities that you can do instead of drinking. This means that instead of watching sports or bowling with friends, where drinking is common, pick something where the participants usually don't drink. Take an evening spin or yoga class, join a rock climbing club or take your pooch to the dog park. These are good examples where drinking isn't an integral part of the activity.

A fourth key is to be open about your drinking problem. Even if you don't want to broadcast your problem to everyone, find at least one person you can share with. You need to be held accountable for your actions. You need someone to share your experience with.

Those four rules plus a good alcohol awareness class form the basic platform necessary to get sober and live an alcohol-free life.

Alcohol Class Could Save You from a DUI

With all of the advertising and education on how horrible the combination of drinking and driving is, it is a wonder that people continue to do so. The statistics are alarming.

People die and lives are ruined. This does not happen once in a blue moon. This happens every day. This happens every hour. This happens every 15 minutes! And these facts aren't hidden, we all know the terrible statistics.

So, the big question is why do people continue to drink and drive? As a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol classes I often discuss this very subject with my students. As almost all of them have had an alcohol-related incident, everyone in the room can speak about their problems and experiences. Some have gotten a DUI and many others have driven while drunk but weren't caught.

Many report believing they were "ok". It is very common for drinkers to underestimate themselves as we know by now that alcohol affects judgment. Have you ever convinced yourself you were safe to drive? If you answered "yes", take a second to think about why you do it.

There is no good reason to drink and drive. Do not ever let yourself believe it is okay and that you can manage to get behind the wheel without any risks. Either you will eventually get into an accident and possibly kill yourself or somebody else. Or you will be arrested and thrown in jail. If that happens to you, consider yourself very lucky.

Alcohol Class Could Save You from a Bar Fight

Do you have a story of a friend, family member or colleague who did something stupid while they were heavily intoxicated? I bet you do. Alcohol has different effects on different people, but one thing it has in common with all who drink heavily and get very inebriated is that it causes you to do dumb things.

Have you ever been in a bar-fight? If you have, I bet you were drunk. As a counselor for both in person and online alcohol classes, 100% of my students who admitted to being in a bar fight also admitted drinking heavily at time.

Alcohol decreases inhibitions while simultaneously intensifying our emotions. This is why many people cry or fight while intoxicated. Sometimes they say things too, like how much they love someone, or how much they hate someone. Basically, the truth can come out.

It also increases the tempers of some drinkers. This is the difference between the "happy drunk" and the "bad drunk." The best way to steer clear of a bar fight is to not visit bars and not consume alcohol. If you do go, do not get overly inebriated so that your cooler head will prevail if provoked.

An Alcohol Class is Good Start if You Worry About Drinking Patterns

Are you an alcoholic? This is not such a simple question. Seemingly the answer should be yes, no or maybe. As a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol classes I firmly believe that people who have drinking problems are aware of them. Of course denial is the first stage of alcoholism – but that does not necessarily mean you are an alcoholic.

Every Day Drinkers

Is everyone who consumes alcohol every day an alcoholic? Is everyone who has a drinking problem an alcoholic? The answers to both of these questions are no.

If you have one beer or glass of wine every day you neither have a drinking problem nor are you an alcoholic. However, if you drink to the point of intoxication every day you most definitely have a drinking problem and should stop drinking and seek help immediately. The line is drawn when someone is unable to alter their drinking habits despite evidence of it's problems.

Drinking to the point of intoxication is a good sign you have a problem and could be an alcoholic. Other signs include: how much time you spend on alcohol - either thinking about it, purchasing it, or consuming it. In other words do your urges to drink increasingly consume your time and interfere with work, relationships, and other activities? Have people made comments to you about your drinking? Have they asked you to cut down or stop? Have you tried to stop and failed? Does your personality change when you drink? Do you become more moody or boisterous after a few drinks? Are you able to consume more alcohol than many of your friends? Does alcoholism run in your family?

If you or someone you care about might have a problem with alcohol,  I urge you to seek help as quickly as possible. If you prefer to maintain your anonymity or want to be on a flexible schedule, sign up for an online alcohol class. While change might feel scary, take small steps. Big changes come from changing one small thing. Start with an online alcohol class.

Go Sober for October

I am challenging all of my loyal readers to go sober for October. There are many good reasons why you should not touch a drop of booze for this entire month. Can you name some?




Not only is it beneficial for your health to give your liver a break and lighter on your wallet, put away up for that trip you've wanted to take, but how about the calories you safe for your waistline if those reasons are not enough.

For Your Health!

The best reason to give up drinking for a month is for your health. Not only do alcoholic beverages contain a lot of sugar but all alcoholic beverages are filtered through the liver. Many people drink every day. Alcohol is loaded with empty calories consider all of the empty calories you will save. One organ that will thank you is your liver. It does not like having to process poison from your body. Yes, alcohol is a poison.

Many people who take this challenge experience a slight weight loss, clearer skin and eyes, improved quality of sleep, and a feeling of wellness. If you haven't challenged yourself with an alcohol free month, try it. Your body will appreciate it.


For Your Wallet
Alcohol is expensive and getting more costly by the day. Three drinks at a bar a week will set you back about $20. That is $80 for the month or about $1,000 in savings if you abstain for a year.

Even if you drink at home you can figure on a $1 a drink. That is $12 a month or about $150 per year. You could use that money to buy something nice for yourself or perhaps take an 8-hour, level 1 alcohol class which may actually help you make the decision to quit drinking all together.

Alcohol Classes or Banning Booze on Campus?

This is the sixth in a series of blogs looking at the problem of binge drinking on college campuses. As a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol classes I have many college students attending our alcohol classes. Some are them are in class for minor in possession (MIP) violations, while others have incurred driving under the influence (DUI) or other alcohol-related problems.

Every one of these students attest to the fact that binge drinking is rampant on campus. So the question begs to be asked: what should be done? Should college campuses be dry? Should alcohol awareness classes be mandatory for incoming freshmen?

We know that adolescents have been given the clear message that alcohol consumption is not healthy. So, what is the motivation for a student to drink unsafe amounts of alcohol despite knowledge of its harmful effects?

There are a lot of alcohol education programs in the U.S., additionally there are even online alcohol classes available to this tech savvy generation. Students know that binge drinking is high risk behavior that drastically increases the possibility of harmful consequences such as sexual assault, violence, drunk driving, and future alcohol dependency. If those are not frightening enough how about the fact that for most, alcohol consumption is illegal!

These students know the risks and how they can get in trouble with school authorities and the law. So why do they they persist in binge drinking anyway? That will be the subject of the next entry into this blog series.

Drug Classes Teach About How to Avoid Gateway Drugs

How do you avoid using gateway drugs? Every drug class and drug counselor will tell you – abstinence. If you never try them you are guaranteed not to become addicted to a drug.

It has long been believed that tobacco is a gateway drug. Once your body experiences the joys and horrors of addiction to nicotine, you start to crave other addictive substances such as marijuana and alcohol. Often times, these substances are used together. How often do you see someone with a cocktail and a cigarette?  Once addicted to alcohol or marijuana, which are also considered to be gateway drugs, you are more likely to try more potent drugs such as cocaine or heroin. The theory is, "if you liked that, you will really like this." Besides, most of your friends are trying it.

Experts continue to claim marijuana is "the gateway drug". While I agree that marijuana is a gateway drug, I say that all drugs are gateway drugs! Think about that for a moment.

Drug use is a slippery slope and most people are unaware of or minimize how far they've slipped. We know that drug abuse kills but what we fail to consider is how drug abuse started out as a simple and fun way to hang out with friends. No one starts out with the goal of becoming addicted. Many drug users do not consider themselves addicted even though they think about the next time they will use, and look forward to it. Or feel a slight tension when they are not able to use. Whatever the case may be, I encourage you to stop immediately. If you stop now, then you never will become an addict. If you don’t, there is a good chance you will.

If you or someone you care about is using drugs, please seek help immediately. A good place to start is an anonymous online drug class. This will raise your awareness about your own use of gateway and/or stronger drugs.

Why Athletes Could Benefit from Drug Class

Professional athletes usually have very short careers. Even if one manages to sustain a long career they always end before the age of 50, usually before the age of 40, and many before the age of 30.

To stay on top for the few short years they have, athletes do whatever it takes to “stay in the game,” including taking performance enhancing drugs, anti-inflammatories  (like cortisone) as well as prescription medications to ease pain.

Athletes are drawn to prescription stimulants because these drugs give them a boost of focus and energy. Seeking a competitive edge, some players feign symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to get “legal” amphetamines.

Does Major League Baseball have a problem with stimulants? You bet it does!

The number of players getting “therapeutic use exemptions” from baseball’s amphetamines ban, quadrupled in recent years. While some players undoubtedly have a legitimate medical need for ADHD medications, it appears that others are merely looking for ways to evade the amphetamine ban.

I would like to see MLB and other organizations work harder toward keeping athletes from using prescription drugs. Just because it is available, and teams have on-staff physicians, does not mean that these should be doled out like Halloween candy. Therefore, I believe it would be very beneficial if MLB mandated drug classes for all players. They are our heroes after all.

Why Not Take a Drug Class?

As a counselor for both in-class and online drug classes I can tell you there is nothing funny about addiction. That said, I want to start this blog entry with a joke: "How can you tell an addict is lying? Her lips are moving."

The human brain is a powerful organ. It can convince the rest of the body to what it wants and when it wants. Deception and denial are sentinel features of active addiction.

Addiction leads people to commit crimes and to lie to loved ones and practitioners -- not to mention to themselves -- in order to satisfy the illness's obsession with chemicals or behaviors that deaden or otherwise alter feelings.

Think You’re Safe?

You may think just because you smoke a joint now and again for pop a Percocet here and there you are ok. Guess again! It's not just people addicted to the "hard stuff" who are in denial. There are millions of people equally addicted to legal substances, including but not limited to alcohol and nicotine.

If you think you are drinking, smoking or using drugs too often, I encourage you to take a drug class. Drug classes will not only educate you about the drugs and their effects on the human body, but help you gauge the nature of your use patterns. If you prefer to maintain total anonymity, there are online drug classes too.

Lung cancer kills 160,000 Americans each year, more than prescription painkillers and, despite the fact that it kills far more women than breast cancer, it gets much less attention. My mother, who died at 58 of lung cancer, never had to lie or commit crimes to buy her drugs, but the illness drove her to deception in myriad ways, not the least of which was to ignore her health. She smoked until the last weeks of her life and hid her cigarettes the way an alcoholic hides bottles or an addict hides a stash.

Those outside of the illness of addiction see the crimes and lies and conclude that "these people" must be morally depraved: thus the long-standing and persistent cultural conviction that addiction is a failure of willpower and morals. It can be tempting for physicians to take the lies personally and turn against their patients in anger.

Having lived with many people addicted to various drugs, including both my parents, I understand this temptation. After all, if we addicts respected you, wouldn't we tell you the truth?

Well, hell -- in active addiction, we can't spot the truth if it falls on us, which it often does. Distortion of reality is part of addiction. As the late author David Foster Wallace, himself a recovering alcoholic and nicotine addict, once said, addiction is the only illness that tells us we're not sick.

Social stigma throws up additional disincentives for an active addict to face the truth. For several years I was reluctant to admit to my physician that I was having a terrible problem with my medications: I knew if I mentioned the A-word I would be kicked out of the practice into a psychiatric hospital -- thus being forced to deal not only with the complications of drug withdrawal but also with I didn't know how much debilitating pain. Call me proud, but I also couldn't bear to see the look in the clinic staff's eyes when my chart was labeled with the Scarlet A.

In the end, after seeing my father die at 68 of gastrointestinal cancer that was untreatable because of his severe alcoholic cirrhosis, I decided I had to get help. I was able to hire a physician to manage an outpatient detox for me. I was lucky -- not everyone is so fortunate.

Facing the Truth

Dr. Capretto of Gateway told me it's hard to tell how many Pennsylvanians need addiction treatment and can't get it, but, according to a report from the Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance, in 2009 more than 800,000 people in our state couldn't get treatment because of financial constraints. Those who want to get sober who have neither the cash nor insurance to cover medically supervised detox and those on Medicare -- which, unbelievably, does not pay for treatment centers -- have to sweat it out on their own, a dubious and sometimes risky proposition, especially if they've been taking popular sedatives such as Xanax or Ativan, or even alcohol, withdrawal from any of which can cause life-threatening seizures if not monitored.

I'm not suggesting that society tolerate dishonesty or criminality. My point is that those caught up in addiction usually can't recognize that they're being dishonest. Instead of censure and punishment they need help healing from "this problem." Those who love people who are addicted also need help understanding addiction, so they can learn to protect themselves and to recover from the prolonged damage it can cause in families and communities.

Finally, we need to learn how to talk sensibly with our children about addiction prevention. Regina Labelle, chief of staff in President Barack Obama's Office of National Drug Control Policy, told the summit audience, "It's hard to talk to kids about prescription drug abuse."

But why? Kids are imaginative and intelligent creatures, and metaphor and story always work well to explain tough subjects. In my experience, speaking to them about addiction is a matter of letting them know that an internal switch exists inside the body and mind that gets flipped once we're exposed to chemicals or behavior that change or suppress one's feelings. With greater and more frequent exposure to drugs and alcohol, people with a genetic predisposition to addiction run the risk of flipping that switch permanently. Once the switch is soldered to "On," it can never be turned off. So it's important for kids to learn to deal productively with feelings and to be extremely careful about their exposure to these substances and behaviors.

I've been talking to my son about this disease that runs in his family for three years. He understands that when he goes to high school this month, he needs to be especially alert about drinking and drug use.

I'm not too worried. He's a competitive soccer player who, when injured, is vigilant even about how much ibuprofen he takes. He knows substances and behaviors can change feelings. He knows addiction can kill. So far, he wants to experience life as it is.

And this part of the message is equally important, and often forgotten: If the switch gets flipped, it's important to get help, no matter what it costs, and sooner rather than later. Effective help exists, and it saves lives.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/perspectives/addicts-are-not-low-lifes-649550/#ixzz246n3kAG3

Alcohol Classes Keep People Sober and Save Lives

The best way not to kill anyone after drinking and driving is to have never consumed a drink in the first place. I believe that alcohol awareness classes, administered often and at an early age, beginning at 11 or 12, will help reduce future alcohol consumption and drunk driving.

Less alcohol consumption means fewer DUIs and fewer fatal accidents caused by drinking and driving.

New research shows that in 2010, more than two-thirds of the 10,228 drunk driving deaths (7,145 or 70 percent) involved drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or higher.

The most frequently recorded BAC among all drinking drivers in 2010 fatal crashes was .18, more than twice the legal limit in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. On average, there was one alcohol-related death every 51 minutes.

Not surprisingly, the age group with the highest percentage of drivers with BACs of .08 was 21 to 24 years old. The alcohol impairment rate among drivers in fatal crashes in 2010 was four times higher at night than during the day.

A higher percentage of fatal crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers occurred on weekends (31 percent), compared to 16 percent during the week.

What do these statistics mean? I challenge my loyal readers to let me know. Do you think alcohol classes will help keep people sober and thus save innocent lives?

http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1078518_most-drunk-driving-deaths-caused-by-drivers-with-twice-legal-bac-limit

College Binge Drinkers Should Take an Alcohol Class

Do you think binge drinking is a problem on American campuses? If not, start lining up your evidence because the majority of evidence points to a major problem with binge drinking among college students.

Is this a new problem? Certainly not. Is it worse now than ever before? Who knows. But the fact remains that it is a big problem that affects many college students.

Are you ready to take a look at this from a very deep perspective? If not, quit reading now. If you are ready begin by asking yourself if alcohol should be banned from college campuses. I know how radical a thought this is, but just think about any possible reasons why this might be a good idea.

Keep in mind that the vast majority of students on college campuses are under 21, the legal age to consume beverages in the United States. This simple fact, legality, is often overlooked, yet still a good reason why, perhaps alcohol should be banned on campus.

This is the third in a series of blogs looking at the nature of binge drinking on college campuses. In our next one we will take a deeper look into how harmful alcohol is for college students.

Hsu told CBS Atlanta in an email that researchers involved wanted to specifically focus on the motivation for a student to drink unsafe amounts of alcohol despite knowledge of its harmful effects.

“There are a lot of alcohol education programs in the U.S., and students are aware that [there are] negative consequences to binge drinking … like being at higher risk for sexual assault, violence, drunk driving, future alcohol dependency,” she said. “They know that they can get in trouble with school authorities and with the law. If they persist in binge drinking despite this, there must be some kind of other positive motivation for doing so.”

Monica Swahn, a professor at the Institute of Public Health at Georgia State University, was alarmed by the findings and their allusion to a dichotomy between student knowledge of the negative effects of drinking and the desire to enrich their social lives.

“These findings make me distressed as a public health professional, especially knowing that binge drinking is associated with so many adverse consequences,” she said to CBS Atlanta. “Addiction, poor academic performance, violence, drunk driving, suicide, sexually transmitted diseases – the list is so long of what’s linked to alcohol abuse, especially in the late teens and early 20s.”

Steven Liga, director of the Middlesex County, N.J. chapter of the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence, noted to CBS Atlanta that expectations of a college experience centered around alcohol have made class after incoming class of college freshmen see drinking as an unavoidable part of higher education.

“They think drinking is part of the culture – what they’re supposed to do. They start out doing that because everybody else started to do that at the same time,” he said, noting that the shared experience creates a feeling of community. “They feel a part of something, especially coming in as a freshman in a new place. It’s easy not to feel a part of something, so they gravitate to it. Freshman [gravitate] toward a drinking party. It’s an equalizer. Everyone is new, and social inhibitions – that feeling that you don’t belong – disappear.”

These expectations also lead to feelings of pressure regarding binge drinking.

“At the end of the survey, students were given an open comment box and could whatever they wanted. … [Q]uite a number wrote that they did not want to binge drink,” Hsu recalled. “But they felt pressured to do so because ‘everyone’ … does on campus. At the same time, they would associate binge drinking with high status, saying that rich, white kids in fraternities were the ones to drink.”

Liga noted that, while the frequency of such binge drinking incidents may not necessarily be increasing, the level of consumption is all the same in danger of rising.

“What people are hearing about are more and more cases of extreme drinking,” he said. “It’s not just four or five drinks several times a month – it’s, ‘Let’s see how many [drinks] I can do in a short amount of time.’ That’s where the funnels come in, and beer pong.”

That mentality, combined with a lack of student knowledge regarding what they are drinking – and how much of it – could lead to serious problems with binge drinking.

“Most kids don’t realize they’re drinking as many drinks as they are,” he said, adding that red Solo cups, a college party staple, have enough room for the equivalent of multiple drinks. “It’s very easy to binge drink, particularly going into social situations where someone is trying to fit in.”

Hsu mentioned that the objective of the study was to delve into why students engage in behavior they know to be risky, and found that the main differences were between what she called “subjective” or temporary happiness and “objective well-being.”

“Binge drinking is objectively bad, a dangerous and self-destructive behavior. In our study, students who binge drank often missed class because they were hung over, or felt hung over in class. They put themselves at risk for sexual assault and harassment,” she said. “On the campus where the study was conducted, students have been suspended, expelled, arrested, physically harmed, and even killed as a result of intoxication. Studies show that students who binge drink are at risk of becoming alcoholics for the rest of their lives.”

Swahn asserted that these studies highlight the importance of discouraging drinking activity in minors for as long as possible.

“Addiction, poor academic performance, violence, drunk driving, suicide, sexually transmitted diseases – the list is so long of what’s linked to alcohol abuse, especially in the late teens and early 20′s,” she said. “It’s about trying to figure out how to delay the age at which they drink … to delay alcohol use as long as possible.”

And for Liga, who works in an organization geared toward addiction prevention, the emphasis falls on how to break the stigma of drinking as an integral part of the college experience.

Consistently scheduled activities that offer legitimately fun opportunities for students interested in sobriety are one part of the potential solution.

“It’s important for people not to just give up on colleges – to not simply say, ‘There’s going to be tons of dangers drinking and there’s nothing we can do about it.’ We know that’s not true,” Liga observed. “Part of that [solution] is going to be the way the school handles drinking infractions, whether they are being proactive or not regarding interventions with students when they see problems developing and doing something about it early.”

Swahn agreed, while additionally pointing out the influence of one crucial unit – family.

http://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2012/08/28/study-college-binge-drinkers-happier-than-sober-students/

Binge Drinking on College Campuses

As a college graduate I can personally attest to the binge drinking that goes on at college campuses across the country. This does not mean that all college kids binge drink, however, there most certainly is a problem with binge drinking on college campuses.

Many think that binge drinking is a rite of passage, especially if you are part of the Greek system. They think these are just a few years of your life and the binge drinking will not hurt.

How wrong they are!

Do students who engage in binge drinking enjoy themselves? From my own personal experience, combined with those of friends, colleagues and students in my alcohol education courses, I would say that the answer is a resounding yes. I never even considered being sober during my four years of college.

I binge drank two or three times per week while at the university. There were certainly plenty of my peers who consumed far me than I. There were a few that already had reached an advanced state of alcoholism. Yes – they were not even 22 years old! They already had problems functioning, fulfilling their educational responsibilities.

One friend failed out after one semester with a 0.7 grade point average. That never would have happened had he been sober!

Alcoholism is a serious issue. If you think you may have a drinking problem please seek help. If you prefer to maintain anonymity, there are online alcohol classes too.

Opioids Go Mainstream!

Whether you are rich or poor, black or white, tall or short, skinny or chubby, there is no way to guaranty you will not become addicted to something in your lifetime. No one is immune from addiction.

I will not be the first to say that a major factor in the drug problem in America today stems from the fact that opioids are not readily available. Until very recently these powerful narcotics were only available to cancer patients and patients who were terminal. If you were looking for pain relief it was aspirin acetaminophen, or maybe a codeine-based medication if you went to a physician.

Today doctors prescribe opioids as if they were aspirin. That wouldn’t be so bad except that while they are very good at getting patients on these drugs, they can’t help them get off. I know doctors take the “necessary” precaution of warning their patients as to the dangers and addictive nature of the medicines, but they know that many of their patients will, and are becoming addicted to these powerful painkillers.

Most People Benefit from Drug Awareness Classes

If you or someone you care about is addicted to prescription medication, please seek help immediately. The first decision should be to quit using drugs. The second should be to take a drug class. If you prefer to maintain anonymity, there are online drug classes too.

Are You Ashamed to Take a Drug Class?

One of the hardest steps toward becoming sober is fear. There are many kinds of fear and every person is different. One of the most common fears is that you have to come clean about your addiction. Your friends, family and coworkers who drank alcohol or used drugs with you in the past will need to know why you have stopped.

Many people choose to try lying when they first become sober. They will tell their cronies they are quitting to lose weight or because they want to be able to pass a drug test.

It is easy to “save face” if you decide to start drinking again because you gave up on your diet or didn’t get the job you hoped for. You can “hide” the true reason - because you are so addicted to the drug of choice that you cannot quit.

Just Quit

If you successfully quit using weight loss or employment the logical argument becomes now that I have not drank or used in six months or a year, I feel great. I don’t want to go back to that lifestyle.

3 Reasons to Take an Alcohol Class

Do you drink alcohol? If not, this blog entry may not be for you. What we will discuss in this article is why anyone who drinks should take an alcohol class.

1. Basic Training – Either a classroom or online alcohol class can provide extensive information about the basics of drinking. It will educate you on alcohol, its properties and chemical make-up. And it will educate you on how alcohol affects each part of the human body. You will learn the basics about how even a small amount of alcohol can negatively affect your mind and body.

2. Self-Assessment – Taking any alcohol class, including an online alcohol class, can help you gauge whether or not you have a drinking problem. Alcohol classes explain the different patterns of drinking and help the student evaluate his or her own pattern of consumption. Maybe you have a drinking problem, maybe you don’t.

3. Action – An alcohol class can help motivate you to take action to cease aberrant behavior. This is not fiction – thousands of students have quit drinking after having taken an alcohol class. One of the primary focuses of both in-class and online alcohol classes to prevent recidivism. In layman’s terms, that means to help you quit drinking and stay sober!

If all of those reasons seem hard to grasp how about this one – you will feel much better in the near and long-term future if you quit drinking right now!

An Alcohol Awareness Class Can Help You Stop Drinking Today

As a recovering alcoholic I can tell you there is no better time to begin your sobriety than right now. Sometimes quitting a terrible habit like drinking alcohol to excess happens with a snap decision. It happened for me, and it certainly can happen for you.

As a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol classes I often discuss the benefits of a life without alcohol to my students. Please believe me when I tell you that the benefits far outweigh any pleasure you derive from alcohol.
 
Quitting is One Stage

It has been said there are three stages to addiction – denial, anger and acceptance. The human brain is an amazing organ and can help us rationalize all sorts of aberrant behavior.

Again, having counseled thousands of students from my alcohol class I can attest that once one’s addiction takes hold, the addict is cognizant of the situation. Denial is a very short phase and sometimes anger does not have to happen. It is possible to go straight to acceptance.

I went from being a serious alcoholic who got intoxicated daily to quitting. An alcohol class helped me and it can help you too!

If You Sneak a Drink, You Need an Alcohol Awareness Class

Have you ever hidden the fact that you were drinking alcohol? I am not talking about hiding it while you and your friends drank a beer in your basement in high school. It is common for adolescents to hide their drinking when they are first experimenting with alcohol. What I am referring to is known as the “closet drinker.”

What exactly is a closet drinker? A closet drinker is anyone who as a young adult or adult hidden their drinking behavior because they thought they would be criticized or chastised for drinking or drinking too much.

• If you sit at your desk and take a few belts out of a bottle of booze, you are a closet drinker.
• If you pound a beer quickly and then grab another to make it seem like you only have one beer, you are a closet drinker.
• If you drink vodka because you think it will not be detectable on your breath, you are a closet drinker.
• If you hide alcohol anywhere (other than from your kids because you don’t want them drinking), you are a closet drinker.
• If you drink while you drive, hiding the booze in a brown paper bag, you are a closet drinker.
• If you mix your alcohol in a Gatorade bottle and drink while driving, you are a very dangerous closet drinker!

While one or all of the above-mentioned “closet drinking” activities may seem ludicrous, believe me when I tell you, they are all very common.

As a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol classes I always discuss the nature of hiding drinking behavior with my students. Given that virtually all of my students have been charged with an alcohol-related offense, many have personal experiences with “closet drinking.”

This will be the first in a series of articles dealing with the problem of “closet drinking.” We will use real-life experiences and discuss what to do if you, or someone you care about is a “closet drinker.”

Mabry’s Story 

Mabry is a 45-year-old geologist. She is married and has three children between the ages of 4 and 12. In a private counseling session after her alcohol class she disclosed to me that she and her husband are “closet” drinkers. You see, she knows her husband hides his alcoholism from her. He drinks in the garage while he works and gets rid of the recyclables away from home. Rooting through his trunk she found numerous empty vodka bottles.

Despite her being aware of his problem, she truly believes he is unaware that she too is suffering. She hides her drinks. They drink together, but she has hidden locations for extra “pops.” They do not discuss their relative problems.

Mabry was shocked when her husband asked her if she had a drinking problem after her arrest for driving under the influence (DUI). She admitted that she drinks and drives all the time, as does her husband.

It seems like her DUI conviction turned on the light. She wants to stop drinking, but knows that she must also address and confront her husband. I am hopeful that together they might be able to support each other and quit their destructive, addictive behavior.

If you or someone you care about has a drinking problem, I urge you to seek help immediately. An alcohol class is a good place to start. If you prefer to maintain total anonymity there are online alcohol classes too.