Friday, November 30, 2012

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.

Monday, November 26, 2012

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! 

Friday, November 23, 2012

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.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

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.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

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.

Monday, November 12, 2012

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!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

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.

Monday, November 5, 2012

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?

Friday, November 2, 2012

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.