Tuesday, August 21, 2007

An Article from sheryll plaza

What Is Alcohol?

Alcohol is created when grains, fruits, or vegetables are fermented. Fermentation is a process that uses yeast or bacteria to change the sugars in the food into alcohol. Fermentation is used to produce many necessary items — everything from cheese to medications. Alcohol has different forms and can be used as a cleaner, an antiseptic, or a sedative.

So if alcohol is a natural product, why do teens need to be concerned about drinking it? When people drink alcohol, it's absorbed into their bloodstream. From there, it affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), which controls virtually all body functions. Because experts now know that the human brain is still developing during our teens, scientists are researching the effects drinking alcohol can have on the teen brain.

How Does It Affect the Body?

Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows the function of the central nervous system. Alcohol actually blocks some of the messages trying to get to the brain. This alters a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing.

In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. More alcohol causes greater changes in the brain, resulting in intoxication. People who have overused alcohol may stagger, lose their coordination, and slur their speech. They will probably be confused and disoriented. Depending on the person, intoxication can make someone very friendly and talkative or very aggressive and angry. Reaction times are slowed dramatically — which is why people are told not to drink and drive. People who are intoxicated may think they're moving properly when they're not. They may act totally out of character.

When large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time, alcohol poisoning can result. Alcohol poisoning is exactly what it sounds like — the body has become poisoned by large amounts of alcohol. Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures, and even death may result.


Why Do Teens Drink?

Experimentation with alcohol during the teen years is common. Some reasons that teens use alcohol and other drugs are:

  • curiosity
  • to feel good, reduce stress, and relax
  • to fit in
  • to feel older

From a very young age, kids see advertising messages showing beautiful people enjoying life — and alcohol. And because many parents and other adults use alcohol socially — having beer or wine with dinner, for example — alcohol seems harmless to many teens.

Why Shouldn't I Drink?

Although it's illegal to buy alcohol in the United States until the age of 21, most teens can get access to it. It's therefore up to you to make a decision about drinking. In addition to the possibility of becoming addicted, there are some downsides to drinking:

The punishment is severe. Teens who drink put themselves at risk for obvious problems with the law (it's illegal; you can get arrested). Teens who drink are also more likely to get into fights and commit crimes than those who don't.

People who drink regularly also often have problems with school. Drinking can damage a student's ability to study well and get decent grades, as well as affect sports performance (the coordination thing).

You can look really stupid. The impression is that drinking is cool, but the nervous system changes that come from drinking alcohol can make people do stupid or embarrassing things, like throwing up or peeing on themselves. Drinking also gives people bad breath, and no one enjoys a hangover.

Alcohol puts your health at risk. Teens who drink are more likely to be sexually active and to have unsafe, unprotected sex. Resulting pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases can change — or even end — lives. The risk of injuring yourself, maybe even fatally, is higher when you're under the influence, too. One half of all drowning deaths among teen guys are related to alcohol use. Use of alcohol greatly increases the chance that a teen will be involved in a car crash, homicide, or suicide.

Teen drinkers are more likely to get fat or have health problems, too. One study by the University of Washington found that people who regularly had five or more drinks in a row starting at age 13 were much more likely to be overweight or have high blood pressure by age 24 than their nondrinking peers. People who continue drinking heavily well into adulthood risk damaging their organs, such as the liver, heart, and brain.

How Can I Avoid Drinking?

If all your friends drink and you don't want to, it can be hard to say "no, thanks." No one wants to risk feeling rejected or left out. Different strategies for turning down alcohol work for different people. Some people find it helps to say no without giving an explanation, others think offering their reasons works better ("I'm not into drinking," "I have a game tomorrow," or "my uncle died from drinking," for example).

If saying no to alcohol makes you feel uncomfortable in front of people you know, blame your parents or another adult for your refusal. Saying, "My parents are coming to pick me up soon," "I already got in major trouble for drinking once, I can't do it again," or "my coach would kill me," can make saying no a bit easier for some.

If you're going to a party and you know there will be alcohol, plan your strategy in advance. You and a friend can develop a signal for when it's time to leave, for example. You can also make sure that you have plans to do something besides just hanging out in someone's basement drinking beer all night. Plan a trip to the movies, the mall, a concert, or a sports event. You might also organize your friends into a volleyball, bowling, or softball team — any activity that gets you moving.

Girls or guys who have strong self-esteem are less likely to become problem drinkers than people with low self-esteem.

Where Can I Get Help?

If you think you have a drinking problem, get help as soon as possible. The best approach is to talk to an adult you trust. If you can't approach your parents, talk to your doctor, school counselor, clergy member, aunt, or uncle. It can be hard for some people to talk to adults about these issues, but a supportive person in a position to help can refer students to a drug and alcohol counselor for evaluation and treatment.

In some states, this treatment is completely confidential. After assessing a teen's problem, a counselor may recommend a brief stay in rehab or outpatient treatment. These treatment centers help a person gradually overcome the physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.

What If I'm Concerned About Someone Else's Drinking?

Many people live in homes where a parent or other family member drinks too much. This may make you angry, scared, and depressed. Many people can't control their drinking without help. This doesn't mean that they love or care about you any less. Alcoholism is an illness that needs to be treated just like other illnesses.

People with drinking problems can't stop drinking until they are ready to admit they have a problem and get help. This can leave family members and loved ones feeling helpless. The good news is there are many places to turn for help: a supportive adult, such as your guidance counselor, or a relative or older sibling will understand what you're going through. Also, professional organizations like Alateen can help.

If you have a friend whose drinking concerns you, make sure he or she stays safe. Don't let your friend drink and drive, for example. If you can, try to keep friends who have been drinking from doing anything dangerous, such as trying to walk home at night alone or starting a fight. And protect yourself, too. Don't get in a car with someone who's been drinking, even if that person is your ride home. Ask a sober adult to drive you instead or call a cab.

Everyone makes decisions about whether to drink and how much — even adults. It's possible to enjoy a party or other event just as much, if not more so, when you don't drink. And with your central nervous system working as it's supposed to, you'll remember more about the great time you had!



source: http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/alcohol/alcohol.html


Friday, August 17, 2007

THE PROs OF ALCOHOL (MODERATI0N)

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there is convincing evidence that "low to moderate alcohol intake" results in a decreased risk of coronary heart disease. However, the WHO cautions that "other cardiovascular and health risks associated with alcohol do not favour a general recommendation for its use."

Moderate alcohol consumption has been found to be associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, angina pectoris, bone fractures and osteoporosis, diabetes, duodenal ulcer, gallstones, hepatitis A, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, intermittent claudicating (IC), kidney stones, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, metabolic syndrome, pancreatic cancer, Parkinson's Disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), rheumatoid arthritis, and type B gastritis. Also it has been suggested that moderate consumption can reduce dementia risk, facilitate memory and learning, and even improve IQ scores.

However, a study of red wine published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that alcohol-free red wine had the same health benefits as the alcoholic wine, and that the alcohol may actually shorten the benefits.Flavonoids believed to be protective against coronary heart disease and some types of cancer, are present in wine due to its fermentation from grapes. These left the blood more quickly when alcohol was consumed.

Moderate drinkers tend to have better health and live longer than those who abstain from alcohol or are heavy drinkers[citation needed], but this average difference may possibly be explained in part by the fact that a fraction of abstainers from alcohol are ex-alcoholics or those who have health problems or take drugs that preclude the use of alcohol.


source: wikipedia.com

BRAIN +- ALCOHOL

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Harmful Byproducts Resulting from Alcohol Metabolism

Potentially toxic products resulting from the breakdown, or metabolism, of alcohol. The major alcohol-metabolizing enzymes are alcohol dehydrogenase and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Alcohol dehydrogenase converts alcohol to acetaldehyde, which can react with other proteins in the cell to generate hybrid molecules known as adducts. CYP2E1 also generates acetaldehyde, as well as highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules called oxygen radicals, including the hydroxyethyl radical (HER) molecule. Elevated levels of oxygen radicals can generate a state of oxidative stress, which through various mechanisms leads to cell damage. Oxygen radicals also can interact with fat molecules (lipids) in the cell in a process known as lipid peroxidation, resulting in reactive molecules such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE). Both of these can react with proteins to form MDA-protein and HNE-protein adducts. MDA also can combine with acetaldehyde and protein to form mixed MDA-acetaldehyde-protein adducts (MAA). HER also interacts with protein to form HER-protein adducts.

* Also referred to as “breakdown,” “oxidation,” and “degradation.”

Source: Tuma, D.J., and Casey, C.A. Dangerous byproducts of alcohol breakdown—Focus on adducts. Alcohol Research & Health 27(4):285–290, 2003 /http://www.niaaa.nih.gov

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Alcohol Impairs Reproductive Functions

ALCOHOL ALERT: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism No. 26 PH 352 October 1994


The human reproductive system is regulated by many hormones. The most important are androgens (e.g., testosterone) and estrogens (e.g., estradiol). They are synthesized mainly by the testes and the ovaries and affect reproductive functions in various target tissues. Other reproductive hormones are synthesized in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Although men and women produce many of the same hormones, their relative concentrations and their functions vary.

In men, reproductive hormones are responsible for sexual maturation, sperm development and thus fertility, and various aspects of male sexual behavior. In women, hormones promote the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and distribution of body hair; regulate the menstrual cycle; and are necessary to maintain pregnancy. Chronic heavy drinking can interfere with all these functions. Its most severe consequences in both men and women include inadequate functioning of the testes and ovaries, resulting in hormonal deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, and infertility .

Alcohol is directly toxic to the testes, causing reduced testosterone levels in men. In a study of normal healthy men who received alcohol for 4 weeks, testosterone levels declined after only 5 days and continued to fall throughout the study period . Prolonged testosterone deficiency may contribute to a "femininization" of male sexual characteristics, for example breast enlargement .

In addition, animal studies have shown that acute alcohol administration affects the release of hormones from the hypothalamus and pituitary . Even without a detectable reduction of testosterone levels, changes in these hormones can contribute to the impairment of male sexual and reproductive functions. Alcohol also may interfere with normal sperm structure and movement by inhibiting the metabolism of vitamin A, which is essential for sperm development.

In premenopausal women, chronic heavy drinking can contribute to a multitude of reproductive disorders. These include cessation of menstruation, irregular menstrual cycles, menstrual cycles without ovulation, early menopause, and increased risk of spontaneous abortions. These dysfunctions can be caused by alcohol's interfering directly with the hormonal regulation of the reproductive system or indirectly through other disorders associated with alcohol abuse, such as liver disease, pancreatic disease, malnutrition, or fetal abnormalities.

Although most of these reproductive problems were found in alcoholic women, some also were observed in women classified as social drinkers, who drank about three drinks per day during a 3-week study. A significant number of these women had abnormal menstrual cycles and a delay or lack of ovulation.

Alcohol also affects reproductive hormones in postmenopausal women. After menopause, estradiol levels decline drastically because the hormone is no longer synthesized in the ovaries, and only small amounts are derived from the conversion of testosterone in other tissues. This estradiol deficiency has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in po stmenopausal women. Alcohol can increase the conversion of testosterone into estradiol. Accordingly, postmenopausal women who drank were found to have higher estradiol levels than abstaining women. Studies have shown that in postmenopausal women, three to six drinks per week may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease without significantly impairing bone quality or increasing the risk of alcoholic liver disease or breast cancer.

Is alcohol good for your heart?

Studies have shown that moderate drinkers – men who have two or fewer drinks per day and women who have one or fewer drinks per day – are less likely to die from one form of heart disease than are people who do not drink any alcohol or who drink more. It's believed that these smaller amounts of alcohol help protect against heart disease by changing the blood's chemistry, thus reducing the risk of blood clots in the heart's arteries.

If you are a nondrinker, however, you should not start drinking solely to benefit your heart. You can guard against heart disease by exercising and eating foods that are low in fat. And if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, have been diagnosed as alcoholic, or have another medical condition that could make alcohol use harmful, you should not drink.

If you can safely drink alcohol and you choose to drink, do so in moderation. Heavy drinking can actually increase the risk of heart failure, stroke and high blood pressure, and cause many other medical problems, such as liver cirrhosis.

If an alcoholic is unwilling to get help, what can you do about it?

This can be a challenge. An alcoholic can't be forced to get help except under certain circumstances, such as a violent incident that results in court-ordered treatment or medical emergency. But you don't have to wait for someone to "hit rock bottom" to act. Many alcoholism treatment specialists suggest the following steps to help an alcoholic get treatment:

  • Stop all "cover ups." Family members often make excuses to others or try to protect the alcoholic from the results of his or her drinking. It's important to stop covering for the alcoholic so that he or she experiences the full consequences of drinking.
  • Time your intervention. The best time to talk to the drinker is shortly after an alcohol-related problem has occurred – like a serious family argument or an accident. Choose a time when he or she is sober, both of you are fairly calm, and you have a chance to talk in private.
  • Be specific. Tell the family member that you are worried about his or her drinking. Use examples of the ways in which the drinking has caused problems, including the most recent incident.
  • State the results. Explain to the drinker what you will do if he or she doesn't go for help – not to punish the drinker, but to protect yourself from his or her problems. What you say may range from refusing to go with the person to any social activity where alcohol will be served, to moving out of the house. Do not make any threats you are not prepared to carry out.
  • Get help. Gather information in advance about treatment options in your community. If the person is willing to get help, call immediately for an appointment with a treatment counselor. Offer to go with the family member on the first visit to a treatment program and/or support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
  • Call on a friend. If the family member still refuses to get help, ask a friend to talk with him or her using the steps just described. A friend who is a recovering alcoholic may be particularly persuasive, but any person who is caring and nonjudgmental may help. The intervention of more than one person, more than one time, is often necessary to coax an alcoholic to seek help.
  • Find strength in numbers. With the help of a health care professional, some families join with other relatives and friends to confront an alcoholic as a group. This approach should only be tried under the guidance of a health care professional who is experienced in this kind of group intervention.
  • Get support. It is important to remember that you are not alone. Support groups offered in most communities which holds regular meetings for parents, spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic's life. Support groups help family members understand that they are not responsible for an alcoholic's drinking and that they need to take steps to take care of themselves, regardless of whether the alcoholic family member chooses to get help.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The Drink - A poem about drink and drinking alcohol, a powerful drug.

The Drink

I remember the Campari ads;
"drink this and have a great time",
"drink this and be beautiful",
"drink this if you need a rhyme".

The people in the adverts,
were always young and oh so bright,
slim, exciting and attractive,
their clothes seemed to fit just right.

But where are they now ?
I bet they're drinking even more,
because there's plenty the ads didn't say,
I think I should even up the score:

Because The Drink is a dreadful thing,
it will make you obese and make you fat,
and the more that you drink, the more you will drink,
it's addictive, it's as simple as that.

And what is that snow in your hair?
I bet you love those little white flakes.
Want to get rid of your dandruff?
Staying off the grog is all that it takes.

I know they wheel out their tame doctors,
"drink two glasses of red wine every day".
Ever wondered who sponsors their research,
ever wondered how they get their pay?

Watch out for that lunchtime drink,
it will take your sweet breath away,
and when you've had one too many,
it's so very hard (hic) to have your say.

The Drink definitely improves your athleticism,
you think you're twice as good as you are,
there are times you can beat a speeding bullet,
but watch out for that falling star.

What a really stupid saying:
"Let's have one more for the road",
take a life when you've been drinking,
and you'll never repay what is owed.

Drink makes you fall over,
it's staggering the effect that it has,
you simply lose your sense of balance,
(and your chic, your style and your pizzazz).

So, please raise your glasses,
and find a new circle of friends,
because if you're not that careful,
the gutter is where your journey ends.

And the seeds of greatness,
don't grow in the bottom of a vodka glass,
so let's think to your glorious future,
and not drink to the glories of your past.


Copyright Allen Jesson :) 2001
www.agiftofpoetry.com

ARE YOU AN ALCOHOLIC?

1. Do you lose time from work due to drinking?
2. Is drinking making your home life unhappy?
3. Do you drink because you are shy with other people?
4. Is drinking affecting your reputation?
5. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
6. Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of drinking?
7. Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking?
8. Does your drinking make you careless of your family's welfare?
9. Has your ambition decreased since drinking?
10. Do you crave a drink at a definite time of day?
11. Do you want a drink the next morning?
12. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
13. Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?
14. Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
15. Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble?
16. Do you drink alone?
17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking?
18. Has your physician ever treated you for drinking?
19. Do you drink to build up your self-confidence?
20. Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of drinking?


If you have answered YES to any one of the questions, there
is a definite warning that you may be an alcoholic.


If you have answered YES to any two, the chances are that you
are an alcoholic.

If you have answered YES to three or more, you
are definitely an alcoholic.


(These questions were made up by Dr. Robert V. Seliger for use
at John Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MD, in deciding whether a patient
is alcoholic.) Copyright © Recovered Alcoholic Clergy Association, 2000

Friday, August 10, 2007

Overcoming Alcoholism, Smoking and Drug Addiction

An Inspiring Story from one of Alcoholics Nucleus Members

It's been more than 5 years since i decided to stop smoking, doing drugs and drinking alcohol. I consider it as one of my greatest achievements in life.

It was an abrupt withdrawal from an addiction that started when i was in my Junior high.
I even skip classes back then just to attend drinking sessions or sometimes attend class drunk as early as 7am and get scolded by teachers for smoking insde the school premises.

I started using drugs when i was a senior student in high school.
I guess like most typical teenagers, there's a certain time in our lives when we feel like "its me against the world"... and unfortunately encounter people with the same kind of thinkin and get bad influence from them. I easily get into a fight... I chose not to listen to whatever other people say and stand by my decisions though sometimes it's pretty obvious that i'm wrong.

Though God says we should accept everyone the way they are, I think its still wiser if you choose the right kind of people to associate yourself with.

I've learned that when i met my "real" friends in college who brought me towards the light.
I could still remember that dawn of January 12, 2002 when I said to myself and my friends that it would be the last time i'd get drunk and do drugs come what may.

I simply stood by that decision and though it was really hard i tried not to be in places where i used to hang out. Basically tried to keep myself away from everything and everyone who would consciously or unconsciously encourage me to go back to my old habits.

I suffered a lot, It wasnt an easy job, but i think "conviction" would be the right magic word to use.

A lot of alcoholic people say its hard and those who are extremely addicted says its next to impossible to actually rehabilitate yourself and to keep away from alcohol or in other cases drugs. But i think all we need is to believe that we can do it and live a clean life.

When i finally lived a clean life, i started to have a better disposition in life, making sound decisions, and learned to appreciate the things and people around me.
Slowly but constantly moving on... away from my old rotten spirit.

I dont regret that i have ever gone through all those experiences, because everything that happened to me molded me to what i am now, my mistakes serve
as my guide to do right this time. And what's important is now and tomorrow...

So if you're still in the dark, dont be scared to come out so people can help you...

Understanding Alcoholism

Alcohol consumption is common in most parts of the world and most people consume alcohol sparingly or in moderation. In some people, however, alcohol consumption can become a chronic disease, or long-term illness, that has serious medical consequences. It is uncertain what causes this to happen in some people but not in others.

An estimated 17.6 million Americans have a problem with the overuse of alcohol. About half of them are alcoholics—or alcohol dependent in medical terms. Many people feel that not being able to stop drinking is a personal weakness. It isn’t; alcoholism is a chronic disease. Individuals with alcoholism suffer from an addiction, typically becoming preoccupied with drinking and not able to control how much or how often they indulge. Though they might be aware of the risks involved in consuming too much alcohol, they are often unable to resist, despite the known dangers.

Alcoholism becomes worse over time if drinking continues, and can lead to death or other serious medical problems. Like diabetes or depression, alcohol dependence can be treated.

An individual with alcoholism might not immediately recognize that he or she is affected by a disease that can be successfully treated with psychosocial support and medication. If you believe you or someone you know might have a problem with alcohol dependence, you should learn all you can about the disease and its symptoms.


source: http://www.campral.com

Alcoholics Nucleus

Currently, our members age range is 15-27
Thats why we consider our Organization "Junior" level , Follower of AA
But we want to make it known to everyone that there is no age limit
whatsoever for as long as you are willing to be a part of the campaign.

Alcoholics Nucleus is open to all alcoholics who wants to change
and to all those who support the drive for an alcohol-abuse free society.
Alcoholics Nucleus is currently working on putting up
an online forum as well as the official website which hopefully
would be up and running soon.


Meanwhile,
Please S
upport the Alcoholics Nucleus blog

You can:
*E-mail your essays, articles, artwork, poems or any resource
that you think may be helpful.
*E-mail a request to be one of the authors of this blog.
*Share your experiences and inspire others.