Heather is a sixty-four-year-old woman who is the top administrator in the human resources department at a large metal polishing company. In order to help diminish the costs associated with work related injuries, increasing absenteeism, employee alcohol abuse and alcoholism, poor employee work performance, and excessive sick days, Heather and the other company leaders put into operation numerous programs that made the work atmosphere considerably more productive, safe, and healthy.

As an illustration, ten years ago Heather and the other company administrators put into operation an Employee’s Assistance Program so that all the workers had access to first-rate counseling for their personal problems that could harm their work performance, personal well being, and their health.

The Company Administrators Build a Forward-Looking Exercise and Workout Room Complete With Exercise Charts, Mirrors, Weights, Scales, a Professional Trainer During Business Hours, and Exercise Equipment

As another illustration, about six-and-a-half years ago Heather and the other company administrators built a state-of-the-art workout and exercise room complete with weights, many different types of exercise equipment, exercise charts, scales, mirrors, and a personal trainer during business hours.

In addition, just about three years ago Heather and the other company executives invested in a distillation system that filters all the drinking water that is available throughout the building. In the same way, a year-and-a-half ago, Heather and the other company administrators started a “walking club” that targets workers who want to improve upon their cardiovascular system.

Top Management Establishes a Weight-Watchers Class and Hires a Weight-Loss Professional to Oversee the Program

As another example, around two-and-a-half years ago, Heather and the other company administrators launched a “Weight-Watchers” class that at this moment in time meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM. In addition, the company executives hired a weight-loss nurse to administer the program.

In a similar way, a year-and-a-half ago Heather and the other company executives established a “Stop Smoking Club” for workers who want to learn how to quit smoking.

In the last ten months, in combination with the Employee’s Assistance Program, Heather and the other company executives instituted an “Anger Management” class for employees who want to control their anger issues.

The VIPs Institute a Drug and Alcohol Testing Program

In the last three months, Heather and the other company executives initiated a drug and alcohol testing program that is related to their drug and alcohol abuse prevention program. Indeed, Heather is the main person in the company responsible for getting the message out to all the workers about the drug and alcohol testing program as well as the drug and alcohol abuse prevention program.

One of the essential components of the drug and alcohol abuse prevention program is a class entitled “Alcoholism and Depression” that meets every Tuesday after work. The main idea with this class is informing workers that excessive drinking and depression routinely take place in the same person. It is hoped that knowing this information can help an individual address both medical issues and get the alcohol therapy and mental health therapy he or she requires.

Top Management Implements an Alcohol Statistics and Facts Class

Another fairly recent enhancement to the drug and alcohol abuse prevention program is a class entitled “Alcohol Statistics and Facts.” The rationale behind this alcohol statistics facts class is the reality that more than a few individuals do not grasp the full impact of the effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse without first learning about some of the alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency statistics and facts that are available. As a consequence, one of the goals of this class is to provide a variety of alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse facts and statistics in order to help employees gain a better comprehension of the plethora of problems that are associated with hazardous and irresponsible drinking and how they can stop these difficulties from transpiring.

Most recently, Heather and the other VIPs, by way of suggestions from employees, developed a class that centers directly on acute drinking entitled “What is Alcoholism”? This class meets every Wednesday morning an hour-and-a-half before work and focuses generally on the differences between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency, on the stages of alcoholism, and on the kinds of rehabilitation that are available for people who have alcohol drinking problems such as people who drink in an irresponsible manner.

Although every single one of these preventative maintenance and health programs was anything but inexpensive, top management thinks that they are many thousands of dollars ahead by providing all of their employees with healthy, safe, and more productive working conditions.

Heather is a fifty-nine-year-old woman who is the director of the human resources department at a large metal coatings company. To lessen the costs associated with work related injuries, poor employee work performance, excessive sick days, employee alcoholism and alcohol abuse, and increasing absenteeism, Heather and the other company leaders created several programs that made the work environment significantly more productive, healthy, and safe.

As an example, fifteen years ago Heather and the other company leaders instituted an Employee’s Assistance Program so that all the workers had access to top shelf therapy for their personal problems that could adversely affect their work performance, health, and their personal well being.

The Company Leaders Erect a Forward-Looking Exercise and Workout Room Complete With Scales, Mirrors, a Professional Trainer During Business Hours, Weights, Exercise Equipment, and Exercise Charts

As another example, about seven years ago Heather and the other VIPs constructed an avant-garde workout and exercise room complete with weights, a professional trainer during business hours, many different types of exercise equipment, scales, mirrors, and exercise charts.

Not only this, but approximately three years ago Heather and the other company administrators invested in a purification system that filters all the water that is obtainable throughout the building complex. In a similar way, three-and-a-half years ago, Heather and the other company leaders started a “walking club” that is principally intended for employees who want to learn how to boost their cardiovascular system.

Top Management Starts a Weight-Watchers Class and Signs Up a Weight-Loss Nurse to Supervise the Program

As another illustration, nearly a year-and-a-half ago, Heather and the other company executives established a “Weight-Watchers” class that at present meets every weekday at 4:30 PM until 5:50 PM. Furthermore, top management signed up a weight-loss healthcare professional to run the program.

In a similar way, a year ago Heather and the other company administrators initiated a “Stop Smoking Club” for employers who want to learn how to quit or cut back on their smoking.

In the last six months, in combination with the Employee’s Assistance Program, Heather and the other company leaders initiated an “Anger Management” class for employees who want to learn how to better deal with their anger issues.

The Company Leaders Establish An Alcohol and Drug Testing Program

In the last five months, Heather and the other VIPs instituted a alcohol and drug testing program that is linked with their drug and alcohol abuse prevention program. In point of fact, Heather is the primary individual in the company responsible for getting the message out to all the employees about the drug and alcohol testing program as well as the drug and alcohol abuse prevention program.

One of the essential elements of the drug and alcohol abuse prevention program is a class entitled “Alcoholism and Depression” that meets every Tuesday after work. The main idea with this class is informing employees that excessive drinking and depression many times occur in the same person. It is hoped that comprehending this information can help an individual address both medical problems and get the alcohol rehab and mental health counseling he or she needs.

The Company Leaders Start an Alcohol Statistics and Facts Class

Another fairly recent enhancement to the drug and alcohol abuse prevention program is a class entitled “Alcohol Statistics and Facts.” The rationale behind this alcohol statistics facts class is the reality that several individuals fail to grasp the total impact of the consequences of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency without first hearing about some of the alcohol abuse and alcoholism statistics and facts that are available. As a consequence, one of the goals of this class is to provide a range of alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction facts and statistics to help workers gain a better comprehension of the huge number of difficulties that are linked to irresponsible and excessive drinking and how they can avert these difficulties from happening.

Most recently, Heather and the other members of upper management, through feedback from employees, started a class that focuses directly on acute drinking entitled “What is Alcoholism”? This class meets every Friday morning an hour before work and focuses primarily on the differences between alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse, on the stages of alcoholism, and on the forms of treatment that are available for people who have alcohol drinking problems such as people who drink in an excessive manner.

Although each and every one of these preventative maintenance and health programs was relatively expensive, the company executives feel that they are many thousands of dollars ahead by providing all of their workers with a healthy, safe, and more productive working situation.

Daniel had been engaging in fairly heavy drinking behavior since her junior year in college. Now, ten years later, she drank more than ever. One Monday evening when she wasn’t feeling all that well, Daniel made up her mind to stay home, loosen up, and watch TV.

While trying to find a special program to watch that would grab hold of her interest, she without delay got interested in a program about young adult and adolescent drinking predicaments.

When Widespread Alcohol Addiction Signs and Symptoms are Manifested by Alcohol Dependent Individuals

The spokesperson went over the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction and then discussed the topic of alcohol addiction symptoms and alcoholism warning signs. When the spokesperson discussed a person’s alcoholic behavior and some of the more common alcoholism signs and symptoms that alcohol addicted people reveal, Daniel got quite disturbed because it almost seemed as if the narrator was talking explicitly to her.

After watching the television program, Daniel promised herself that she would call her physician the following morning and make an appointment to discuss her drinking circumstance.

When the following morning arrived, true to her word, Daniel called her doctor and made an appointment. In the meantime, she went on the web and did a search for alcoholic symptoms. Especially difficult were the following signs or symptoms: making excuses to drink at virtually every opportunity, major relationship and employment difficulties, sneaking a couple of extra drinks before social events, sleep problems, and increasing irritability.

In short, since Daniel manifested all of these signs she went further in her Internet search and found a number of blogs and websites that articulated various alcohol addiction warning signs and symptoms.

One of the signs that really took hold of her interest was the following: “Do you often drink after making a promise to yourself that you won’t?” While Daniel never accepted the fact that she may have a serious drinking difficulty, after reading about the different alcoholism warning signs and symptoms, she couldn’t counter the fact that for the past two or three months, she frequently tried but was not successful at significantly lessening her drinking or stopping entirely.

When Family Members Exasperate You by Frowning Upon Your Irresponsible Drinking Behavior

Another alcoholic sign that took hold of her curiosity was the following: “Have people at your place of employment pestered you by taking a dim view of your drinking behavior?” When Daniel read this she instantly reflected on a recent spat she had with her boyfriend about her excessive drinking. What is more, Daniel without a doubt thought about a recent argument she had with her parents about her abusive drinking. Due to the fact that Daniel frankly believed that she didn’t have a drinking issue, when others talked about her drinking she as expected got upset and annoyed.

A third alcohol addiction symptom was the following: “Do you need a drink when you first awaken in the morning?” Until now, Daniel had been dishonest with herself about her drinking situation. After reading about the aforementioned alcoholism warning symptoms, however, she knew if she was really frank with herself that she was facing a major drinking issue, especially given the fact that she now thought that she needed a drink the first thing when she woke up to decrease her tension.

What is more, the next alcoholism warning sign really got her thinking about her drinking situation: “Do you drink to steer clear of pain or worries?” When she thought about her life for a few minutes, she realized that just about in every difficult circumstance in the past four or five months, she told herself that she needed a drink to help cope with the stressful situations in her life.

The final alcoholism warning sign that made her feel especially stressed about her drinking behavior was the following: “Has your energy declined since you started drinking more repeatedly?” When Daniel read this sign she clearly recognized that drinking had become a serious difficulty in her life because of her lack of energy and also because she quit pursuing her dreams and her goals.

Conclusion: When Getting Down in the Dumps Turns Into Something Electrifying and A Sense of Expectation

After thinking about all of these unhealthy alcohol dependency signs and symptoms, Daniel at first felt sad. Then something electrifying occurred. She realized that she was going to see her health care professional about her problem drinking and she also reflected on the fact that that she would discuss all of the above alcohol dependency warning signs and symptoms with her. In fact, for the first time in quite a lot of months, Daniel sincerely felt a sense of hope because she was dealing with her drinking problems and was at last ready to make the required alterations so that she could get back the life that was drifting away.

How do you recognize that you have a drinking problem? When is it clear that you are involving yourself in abusive drinking?

If you have ineffectively struggled to stop drinking or if you sworn to yourself that your drinking days are behind you and then you recognized that you were drinking in a hazardous manner just a few days later, the probability is extremely good that you have drinking problems. The major point of emphasis is that if you have made an effort to quit drinking and cannot get this done, then your drinking is controlling you, instead of the other way around.

In a similar manner, if it takes greater amounts of alcohol to get the same “high,” you probably need to recognize the fact that you have a problem with your drinking.

You may be telling yourself that the justification for your drinking is so that you can decrease your nervousness or get rid of the pain that you feel. In a similar manner, you may be trying to steer clear of an unsafe circumstance and may be looking for something better, more constructive, or less mournful.

As you maintain your drinking, nonetheless, you will grasp the fact that drinking does not bring forth the same high and you will also comprehend that drinking doesn’t help eliminate whatever was causing your discomfort in the first place.

As you continue to drink in an abusive manner, unfortunately, you may become alcohol dependent and, as a result, you may add another key difficulty to deal with rather than becoming aware of more successful and beneficial ways of dealing with your alcohol-related predicament.

An Alcohol Assessment is Probably Required

If you have figured out that you have a drinking problem, perchance the healthiest thing you can do for yourself is to call your physician or healthcare provider and arrange for an appointment for a physical and for an appraisal of your drinking circumstances.

If you sincerely believe that you have a dangerous problem with your drinking, it might be a good idea to get prepared to find out that you need to get alcohol counseling.

At this juncture, what are your choices? You can unquestionably refuse to see your health care practitioner and persist with your pattern of hazardous drinking.

It certainly doesn’t take a genius, nevertheless, to have a handle on the fact that chronic, excessive drinking, if left untreated, will go downhill over time and more likely than not set in motion an early death. Accordingly, your most expedient alternative is to face your drinking circumstance and get the alcohol counseling you require.

The Facade of the Functioning Alcohol Addicted Person

It is ironic to note the fact that numerous alcohol dependent people lead busy and active lives and have vehicles, jobs, pets, houses, families, and any number of material possessions similar to non-alcoholics.

Many of these “functional” alcohol addicted people may have never been cited for drunk driving and may have been fortunate enough to avoid all alcohol-related legal predicaments. Despite this good fortune, then again, these alcohol dependent individuals need to drink in order to live on a regular basis while keeping their facade as they associate with the outside world.

Ask anyone who has seen them when they are bingeing or in a drunken stupor or ask a family member about the problem drinker’s alcohol dependency, however, and they will be quick to affirm the truth of the drinker’s situation and the facts about the alcohol addicted person’s drinking circumstances and about his or her alcohol generated issues.

Why Do Alcohol Dependent People Fail to Address Their Drinking Difficulties?

As alcohol addiction research and statistics on alcohol abuse have accentualted, no matter how obvious the alcohol generated difficulties seem to those who interact with the alcohol dependent individual, alcoholic people frequently deny that drinking is the root of their alcohol-related issues. Not only this, but alcohol dependent individuals regularly blame their alcohol-related problems on other people or upon other situations that surround them rather than seeing their part in the problem.

The root of the predicament is that alcohol dependency is a disease of the brain. Once the problem drinker has become dependent on alcohol, he or she often resorts to denial, manipulation, and deceit as a way of coping with the fact that his or her drinking is out of control. And to make the situation worse, the experience of alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually circumvents the alcohol addicted individual’s rare attempts to abruptly stop drinking. As bleak as the alcohol dependent individual’s life is, to the contrary, the good news is that professional help is typically accessible – if the alcohol addicted person reaches out and gets alcoholism treatment.

Summary

Admitting the fact that drinking is causing problems in your day to day functioning is perhaps the easiest way to determine if you have a problem with your drinking. Stated another way, if your drinking is causing issues with your health, at work, in your relationships, with your finances, at school, or with the legal system, then you have a drinking problem that needs to be addressed.

If you have a problem with your drinking, what is more, this means that you are engaging in irresponsible drinking.

While some individuals may be able to recognize their “alcohol signs,” pinpoint their problems, and significantly reduce the amount and rate of their drinking, others, nonetheless, need to deal with their drinking problems by getting professional alcohol rehab. Additionally, due to their propensity to deny the facts and distort the truth, alcohol addicted individuals certainly need professional alcohol treatment for their hazardous drinking.

Dante was a sixteen year old high school junior who was exhibiting quite a few alcohol-related difficulties at school. Therefore, the principal explained to him that he had to see Miss Johnson, the school psychologist, before he would be allowed to come back to class.

Later that day when Dante went home after school, he had to explain his school suspension to his Mother and Father. His Mom and Dad were “fairly conventional” and told Dante that getting suspended from school was not a practical educational plan of action. They informed Dante that failing to graduate from high school would likely be like a lead weight around his feet that could conceivably impair his educational aspirations for the remainder of his life. In addition, Dante’s Mom and Dad were very dismayed that he was drinking in the first place and drinking with his friends in the second.

They informed Dante that although he may be a teen, he needs to understand fairly promptly that drinking is the route to pain, ill health, failure, and financial problems.

It was clear that his parents were absolutely in agreement with Dante’s principal and informed Dante that he had better come to the realization that he needs to see Miss Johnson, the school therapist. After his talk with his Mom and Dad, Dante at long last agreed to see Miss Johnson the next school day. So Dante called the school and scheduled an appointment to see Miss Johnson the next day during his first period class.

The Therapist Asks Dante if He Understands Why His Recent Alcohol-Related Activities Caused Quite a Bit of Apprehension By the School Administrators

When Dante went to see Miss Johnson, she promptly looked at all of the alcohol-related issues Dante had experienced and asked him if he comprehended why his recent alcohol-related actions caused quite a bit of concern by the school administrators.

Quite frankly, Dante wondered why the principal suggested that he see a school therapist. As he expressed to Miss Johnson, why should he see a professional therapist about his drinking activities? In view of the fact that almost all of his peers drink about as much as he does, fundamentally, drinking shouldn’t be such a big deal. Stated differently, if almost everyone is drinking, why is this such a major concern?

Miss Johnson asked Dante when he started to drink. He said that some of his older classmates introduced him to drinking beer when he was twelve or thirteen years old and getting ready to enter junior high school.

Miss Johnson informed Dante that while his classmates may in fact drink more than he does and that they may be a bad influence on him, the facts are that he is the one who is getting kicked out of school due to alcohol-related delinquency, absenteeism, and fighting, not his friends. What is more, Miss Johnson also emphasized the fact that Dante, and not his buddies, is the one who is failing and who is missing one day of school every week due to his alcohol related problems. Lastly, Miss Johnson highlighted the fact that because of his drinking situation, Dante is getting into a damaging cycle of alcohol abuse that can finally destroy his hopes, dreams and aspirations.

In short, Dante’s involvement with teenage alcohol abuse was starting to short-circuit his ability to conduct himself like a responsible young man. As verbalized by Miss Johnson, “Just because most of your classmates drink wine coolers, beer, hard liquor, or wine does not mean that it is the best thing in the world for you.”

Dante Learns That Ultimately He Must Be Accountable For Himself In Order to Avoid Dangerous, Damaging, Unhealthy, and Destructive Situations In the Future

Miss Johnson informed Dante that one’s buddies can undeniably influence a person in a negative manner, but that the individual herself or himself has to in the end be responsible for himself or herself in order to keep away from damaging, unhealthy, destructive, and dangerous circumstances in the foreseeable future.

Luckily, Miss Johnson was quite organized for her meeting with Dante. She showed him reports and research studies she had highlighted that summarized diverse drinking statistics and facts that targeted most people in general. Then she showed Dante a lot of information that applied particularly to teens.

For example, Miss Johnson highlighted the difference between alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse and informed Dante that people who continue to drink in a hazardous manner frequently become dependent on alcohol.

Miss Johnson also discussed the concept of binge drinking that she defined as follows: consuming four or more drinks in one sitting for females and drinking five or more drinks in one sitting for males.

The Psychologist Articulates Numerous Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependency Statistics and Facts

Then Miss Johnson articulated various alcohol facts and the following eight alcohol abuse statistics:

1. According to one study, almost 11% of 8th-graders, 22% of 10th-graders, and 27% of 12th-graders stated that they involved themselves in hazardous drinking.

2. Between 48% and 64% of the individuals who pass away in fires have blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication.

3. Pre-teens who are drinking alcohol by 7th grade are more likely to report substance abuse, delinquent behavior, and academic problems in both junior high school and high school.

4. In the U.S., more than 50% of all homicides and incidents of domestic violence are related to alcohol.

5. In the U.S. among drivers between the ages of 15 and 20, deadly crashes involving a single vehicle at night are three times more likely to be related to alcohol than to other fatal crashes.

6. In the United States, more than 40 percent of the individuals who start drinking before the age of 13 will develop alcohol abuse or alcoholism at some time in their lives.

7. In the U.S, by the time they are high school seniors, 80% of teens have tried alcohol and 62% have been intoxicated.

8. Treatment for alcohol addiction has been shown to reduce criminal activity up to 80% among long-term offenders, has increased their rate of employment, decreased their homelessness, and reduced their health care costs.

Dante Receives A Meaningful Jolt of Reality About the Short Term and the Long Term Results of Teenage Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

After Miss Johnson stated the aforementioned alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse facts and statistics, it was evident that what Miss Johnson revealed to Dante was a real shock to him. Why? Because for the first time in his young life, someone not only made the effort to put in plain words the short term and the long term outcomes of alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, but she also made the effort to support what she was saying with alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse facts and statistics that related to everyone in general, and principally to today’s youth.

In actual fact, it was almost as if a light went on and Dante instantaneously understood why he should not be engaging in hazardous and excessive drinking with or without his pals anymore. Dante thanked Miss Johnson for her concern and for the material she went over.

Miss Johnson then asked Dante how he felt about getting a physical examination and an alcohol appraisal for the alcohol abuse or alcoholism treatment he would probably need.

Dante thought about this for few minutes and then agreed to get a thorough physical examination and to go through a thorough assessment of his drinking circumstances so that he could start an alcohol abuse or alcohol dependency treatment program promptly.