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!