Tag Archives: alcoholism

Alcohol and Memory

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Alcohol and Memory

Alcohol and Memory     

Everyone knows that alcohol has a profound effect on memory. It’s no big secret that after a night of partying your memories can be a little hazy. But what is the connection between alcohol and memory? How does alcohol affect your ability to remember?

Alcohol and Memory: How alcohol affects the memory

Alcohol primarily interferes with the ability to form new long-term memories. Memory formation and storage take place in several stages, proceeding from sensory memory (which lasts up to a few seconds) to short–term memory (which lasts from seconds to minutes depending upon whether the information is rehearsed) to long–term storage. When someone attends to sensory information, it is transferred from a sensory memory store to short–term memory. The transfer from short-term memory to long term memory depends on many different factors including rehearsal, depth of processing attention, motivation, and arousal. Alcohol impairs the transfer of information from short term memory to long term memory.

Alcohol and Memory: Blackouts

One of the more extreme effects of alcohol on memory can be seen in blackouts. These are periods of alcohol-related amnesia. Most people experience one of two types of blackouts-en bloc blackouts and fragmentary blackouts. En bloc blackouts happen when you are unable to recall anything from the blackout period, even when your memory is prompted. Fragmentary blackouts are classified as being able to remember certain things during the blackout period, but having gaps in your memory. Fragmentary blackouts seem to occur with lower blood alcohol content then en bloc blackouts. Sometimes, when prompted, a person can remember certain things that happened during a fragmentary blackout.

The important thing to remember about blackouts is that they are not the same as “passing out” or losing consciousness. Blackouts are periods of time when the drinker is completely conscious, having conversations and performing sometimes amazing feats, but later they have absolutely no memory of the events that transpired.  Total amount of alcohol ingested does not seem to be the determining factor when people blackout. Whether or not a person will blackout seems to depend on how quickly they consume the alcohol. Surveys suggest that a person can drink the same amount or more alcohol as he or she did when the blackout occurred and not experience memory loss, provided they drink the alcohol over a longer period of time.

Enough alcohol will prevent the brain from recording new memories. These periods of amnesia are primarily “anterograde,” meaning that alcohol impairs the ability to form new memories while the person is intoxicated, but does not typically erase memories formed before intoxication. During the blackout, the brain is not recording anything going on, which is why you are unable to recall it later. Alcohol affects the hippocampus area of the brain, which is involved in memory storage.

Though repeated episodes of blacking out will lead to permanent changes in the brain, blackouts are more psychosocially damaging than physically damaging. Many people report engaging in high-risk behavior during a blackout. They drive while intoxicated, get into fights, or engage in unprotected sex. During a blackout, normal restraint of emotions, impulses, and desires is impaired and that may result in enormous harm to self and others.

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-2/186-196.htm

http://www.livescience.com/14952-alcohol-blackouts.html

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alcohol Addiction Facts

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                                     Alcohol Addiction FactsEven though alcoholism is the most common addiction in the United States, many people are unaware of the alcohol addiction facts. Everyone should have an understanding of the following alcohol addiction facts so that we can work together to move towards a cure for this deadly disease.

  • Alcohol addiction or alcoholism is a disease; it is not a moral failing or a matter of will power.
  • Even though it is illegal to consume alcohol before the age of 21, roughly 5,000 people under the age of 21 die from an alcohol-related incident including car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other related injuries every year in the United States.
  • It is estimated that 20% of teens in the United States can be labeled as “problem drinkers”. In fact, it is estimated that 25 percent of the alcohol consumed in the United States, is done so by those too young to purchase it legally.
  • Another important alcohol addiction fact is that alcohol is one of, if not the most, dangerous drugs to quit. One out of three people suffering from severe alcohol addiction who try to quit without medical help will die due to complications from alcohol withdrawal. All those who are suffering from alcohol addiction should seek medical help to quit.
  • It is possible to have a problem with alcohol, even when it has not progressed to the point of alcoholism. Problem drinking means you drink too much at times, causing repeated problems, but you are not completely dependent on drinking. Both problem drinkers and alcoholics should seek professional help.
  • One of the most important alcohol addiction facts is that alcohol addiction has little to do with what kind of alcohol you drink, how long you have been drinking, or even exactly how much you drink.
  • Alcohol addiction affects people from every type of background, but here are several characteristics that can increase the risk that a person will develop alcoholism. These are known in the scientific community as “risk factors.
  • Children of those who suffer from alcohol addiction are 4 times more likely than others to suffer from alcohol addiction themselves.
  • “Binge Drinking” defined as five or more drinks in a sitting for men and four for women, can increase chances of developing alcohol addiction

These alcohol addiction facts can seem scary but the important point is that there is help available. Thousands of facilities in the United States offer alcohol and drug rehabilitation and treatment services, ranging from short-term residential or in-patient hospitalization to long-term, outpatient counseling and therapy. Treatment can be effective in helping people learn to live a life of sobriety. There is no cure for alcohol addiction, but the disease can be treated and people can live in remission. It is possible for those with an alcohol addiction to recover and live a normal life. If you or someone you know has an alcohol addiction, you should seek help from addiction professional as soon as possible. Untreated alcohol addiction can be deadly.

http://drugabuse.com/library/get-the-facts-on-alcohol-abuse/

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alcohol Abuse in the Music Industry

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Alcohol Abuse in The Music Industry

Drug and alcohol abuse in the music industry has long been sort of an accepted part of the culture.  How many famous musicians have overdosed on drugs and alcohol? How many more have waged battles against addiction, checking in and out of rehab so many times we’ve lost count?

The culture not only tolerates substance abuse, it almost demands it. Many people in the music industry worry if they turn their back on the party they will lose what makes their music good or what makes them appealing to their fans.

But the culture of drug and alcohol abuse in the music industry is undergoing a major transition across the entire musical landscape, according to artists, managers and others in the industry.  There is a higher degree of awareness now, and people are starting to recognize that even recreational use can kill you.

I recently spoke to a women who had spent her entire career working for the music industry. She said,

“It used to be so common, 20 years ago, to drink and do drugs on the job. We’d have entire days devoted towards a certain type of alcohol-like beer Wednesdays or vodka Fridays. Every executive had a full bar in the office and drinking was almost a requirement of the job.”

Then, she says, the landscape started to change.

“The constant drinking slowed, started to become taboo. There was still a group of us who did cocaine every day, but we could no longer do it out in the open. We started going to the bathroom together. Everyone knew what we were doing, but we couldn’t do it on our desks anymore. Executives stopped offering us drinks when we walked into the office. Things just changed.”

Kate* is now in a sober living facility after spending 90 days in an inpatient treatment center.

Part of the change may have to do with the economy, Kate says.

“Everyone is worried about the bottom line, and everyone has to be accountable. When the music industry stopped making as much money, everyone started to focus on productivity.”

More artists have also gone public with their addictions, and addiction is recognized for what it is- a disease. Gratuitous alcohol abuse in the music industry is no longer encouraged and rewarded as it once was.  It is now considered cool for artists to take care of themselves and live a healthy lifestyle.

In the mid-1980s, Aerosmith broke down the door that made it okay for big-name artists to go public with their sobriety. In the years since, several other artists have made their sobriety known.

In the 90’s, the Safe Harbor Room-a backstage area that provides a support system to artists and crew members struggling with addiction issues was instituted at the Grammy Awards. Today, Safe Harbor Room program has been extended to South by Southwest, the NAMM convention, Coachella, Ozzfest, the CMA Awards and other events.

Other programs, like Road Recovery, have made it easier for artists to use a drug-free road crew.

Sources:

http://www.today.com/id/5033438/ns/today-entertainment/t/music-industry-coming-grips-addiction/

http://musicians.about.com/od/beingamusician/tp/Five-Tips-For-Coping-With-Addiction-In-The-Music-Industry.htm

http://www.codyenterprise.com/news/opinion/article_561c10dc-5c20-11e1-b7b9-001871e3ce6c.html

 

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alcohol and Diabetes

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Alcohol and Diabetes

Alcohol is processed in the body in a very similar way to fat. Alcohol can also provide the body with almost as many calories as fat too. This means that drinking alcohol in anyone with diabetes can cause the blood sugar to rise. If someone who has diabetes chooses to drink alcohol they should really do it occasionally and only when their diabetes and blood sugar levels are under control.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the person has high blood glucose or high blood sugar. The reason for this is because their body doesn’t produce enough insulin or because the body doesn’t respond correctly to insulin or a mixture of both. People with high blood sugar will usually experience frequent urination, become very thirsty and become very hungry.

What are the effects of alcohol on diabetes?

Normally, the liver releases glucose to maintain blood sugar levels. But when someone drinks alcohol, the liver is busy breaking the alcohol down, so it does a poor job of releasing glucose into the bloodstream. This can lead to a drop in blood sugar levels if someone is drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. Each alcoholic beverage takes about 1-1 ½ hours to finish processing in the liver. For that entire time, the risk of low blood sugar exists. So, if someone has 2 drinks, they double that time to 2 to 3 hours that they are at risk for low blood sugar. The more alcohol consumed, the bigger the risk for serious low blood sugar.

Alcohol affects diabetes in many ways; here are a few of them:

  • Drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol can cause the blood sugar to rise and excess alcohol can actually decrease the blood sugar level causing it to drop into dangerous levels.
  • Beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates that can raise blood sugar
  • Alcohol stimulates the appetite which can cause overeating and can affect blood sugar control
  • Alcohol interferes with the positive effects of oral diabetes medicines or insulin
  • Alcohol can increase triglyceride levels
  • Alcohol can increase blood pressure
  • Alcohol can cause flushing, increased heart rate and slurred speech

Alcohol can also affect other medical conditions someone with diabetes may have, like diabetic nerve damage, diabetic eye disease, and high blood triglycerides.

All of these effects don’t mean that someone with diabetes cannot drink alcohol. Diabetics who take medication to control their blood sugar levels can first ask their doctor about drinking alcohol. For those that do drink limiting the amount they drink is the key; one drink for women and two drinks for men. Even two ounces of alcohol can affect the liver’s ability to produce glucose.

Alcohol and diabetes really don’t go hand in hand. Diabetes is the inability to process a substance almost exactly like alcohol. Luckily drinking can be moderate and diabetes can be managed as long as the person who is diabetic is knowledgeable, careful and aware. The safest bet when it comes to alcohol and diabetes though is for a person not to drink.

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Why is alcoholism a chronic disease?

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Why is alcoholism a chronic disease?

Alcoholism is not only a chronic disease it is also progressive and in some instances fatal.

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism is the physical dependence on any mind or mood altering substance and the continued use regardless of consequences. Alcoholism is not a moral deficiency but rather a disease of the mind, body and spirit. Most people who become alcoholic cannot stop using drugs or drinking simply because they want to or “will” themselves to. Most people who suffer from addiction or alcoholism must seek outside help or an outside solution to help them get sober and then remain sober as they journey into recovery.

Like diabetes and cancer, alcoholism is a primary disease. This means that it is not a symptom of another disease, nor is it a personality flaw, moral weakness, mental illness, or lack of willpower. Alcoholism is not the result of drinking too much. Rather, the body of an alcoholic responds quite differently to the ingestion of alcohol than does the body of a non-alcoholic.

How is alcoholism progressive?

There is no cure for alcoholism, but there is treatment. Since alcoholism is a progressive disease, it always gets worse without treatment – it never gets better. Alcoholism causes biological, psychological, social and spiritual problems, and as the disease progresses, the person’s ability to function declines. All of the body is affected. Personality changes are the result from brain impairments to the person’s thinking and functioning. They think, feel, and behave differently than before, yet regard the way they are acting as normal. Social or relationship problems begin to happen in the family, the community, and at work. The alcoholic may handle the loss of his or her spouse and family due to chemical dependency, and withdraw from social contacts which do not involve drinking.

Why is alcoholism a chronic disease?

A non-chronic disease has a relatively quick onset, and the affected person is very aware of its sudden presence. But alcoholism is a chronic disease, meaning that it develops gradually over a period of time – sometimes measured in years. This helps to understand why there may be a long period of time between being well and acknowledging the presence of the disease. Problems or symptoms are present, but they are typically attributed to some cause other than chemical dependence, for instance, a bad marriage, working too hard, “unfair” supervisors, etc. People with alcoholism and family members deny that they have this disease for a long time. It is important to realize that such denial is not the same as lying. Rather, it is a matter of being convinced that problems or symptoms are due to something (anything) other than alcoholism. Denial of the disease is part of the chronic disease process, and breaking through that wall of denial is an extremely difficult process.

So why is alcoholism a chronic disease?

Because it gradually persists without any acknowledgement from the alcoholic that they have it. Alcoholism is not a moral failing but a disease that is in the worst way possible very fatal as well as chronic and progressive.

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alateen and Al-Anon Resources

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Alateen and Al-Anon Resources

Alateen and Al-Anon Resources

Addiction is known as a “family disease”. This is because it doesn’t just affect the addict or alcoholic. Loved ones of the addict/alcoholic are often caught up in the destruction as well. Luckily there are groups that address the family members of an alcoholic or addict specifically. Alateen and Al-Anon resources can be very helpful to the families of recovering alcoholics.

The family group idea is nearly as old as Alcoholics Anonymous. Early AA members and their wives visited AA groups around the country. The visiting wives often told the mates of the newer members of Alcoholics Anonymous about how they benefited from trying to live by AA’s Twelve Steps, and how it had helped to improve family relationships that often remained difficult after the alcoholic had become sober. Al-anon was founded in 1951, and the Twelve Steps were adopted as guiding principles.

Teenage children in the families of alcoholics soon realized that their problems differed from those of adult members. In 1957, Alateen grew out of this need. There are now over 1,700 Alateen groups worldwide.

Alateen and Al-Anon Resources: On the Web

Local Alateen and Al-Anon resources can be found through the website at http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/. The website can tell you about group meetings, what you can expect, and where to find a meeting in your area. Group members share their experience, strength, and hope with each other. Anyone who has been affected by another person’s drinking or drug use is welcome to join. There are no dues or fees in Alateen and Al-Anon meetings.

There are also a number of on-line meetings that can be used to supplement attendance at regular face-to-face meetings.

Alateen and Al-Anon Resources: On the phone

Alateen and Al-Anon meetings can also be found by calling the hotline at 888-4AL-ANON (888-425-2666) from 8 am to 8pm ET, Monday through Friday. There are also phone meetings which, like the online meetings, can be used to supplement regular face-to-face Alateen and Al-Anon meetings.

Alateen and Al-Anon Resources: Starting your own group

If there is no Alateen or Al-Anon group in your community, you may want to start one, along with one or two other people who need and want help. Any two or more relatives or friends of alcoholics who meet to solve their common problems may call themselves and Al-Anon or Alateen group, provided they have no other affiliation is a group.

You must decide on a group meeting place, day, and time. Then contact the World Service Office at Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. announcing your decision to start a group. You will be given registration information and instructions on how to complete it. The form can be downloaded from the website. When your group is registered, a group number is assigned and a packet containing introductory materials will be sent to the group’s current mailing address. After the registration process is completed the group contacts the local district or Al-Anon Information Service (AIS) to be included in the local meeting directory and the area web site.

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

5 Signs Your “Party-Animal” Friend Might Be an Alcoholic

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Party Animal Personality

5 Signs Your “Party-Animal” Friend Might Be an Alcoholic

There is a group of you. Maybe it is a group of three, possibly four. You all work different jobs, maybe two of you work the same job and you enjoy going out for drinks on the weekend. And you all love having a good time, I mean that is what life is about right? Fun with friends? But there is that one person, that one friend in your group on the weekends that you would consider the “party-animal” and their drinking is turning into a head tilting, embarrassing mess. You and your friends have begun having conversations with each other about the “party-animal” friend’s drinking and you begin to wondering if they might be an alcoholic. They quite possibly could be but you don’t know what an alcoholic is. You know the homeless drunk that you see when walking down the street but that isn’t your “party-animal” friend. Maybe your friend just needs to grow up? Or maybe it something more serious? Well, here are some signs that may help you to figure out what is really going on with your friend.

5 signs that your “party-animal” friend might be an alcoholic:

  1. Pay attention to your friend’s tolerance for alcohol. An increased tolerance for alcohol is a big indicator that your party animal friend might be an alcoholic. Overtime their system doesn’t respond to the same amount you would probably drink while out. As a result of this they drink more and more frequently.
  2. Look at how your friend considers drinking as a part of their daily routine. An alcoholic person often sets up a schedule for their alcohol. For instance if they visit a bar or liquor store daily after work your party animal friend may be an alcoholic. You will also notice that your friend makes excuses just to go get a drink.
  3. Passing out or blackouts are severe indicators that your party animal friend might be an alcoholic. Passing or blacking out can happen to anyone and everyone but it is unlikely and is unusual if it happens more than once. Someone who blacks out or passes out from drinking too much could very well be an alcoholic or be on their way to being an alcoholic.
  4. Bring up your party animal friend’s drinking to them and see what happens. Usually someone who might be an alcoholic responds very negatively and defensively. They will constantly deny or lie about the issue and never face the facts about their drinking.
  5. Keep track of how often your party animal friend becomes drunk whenever alcohol is available. Ordering “doubles” of drinks, gulping, or becoming quickly intoxicated are all indications that your party animal friend might be an alcoholic.

Everyone has that one friend that likes to get a little bit out of control and they are fun to be around and they are our friends. But if you think your party animal friend might be an alcoholic it is best if you care about them and talk to them about cutting back or quitting all together.

Sources:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2046129_recognize-signs-alcoholism.html

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Obesity and Alcoholism

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Obesity and Alcoholism

It is fairly well known that indulging in copious amounts of alcohol can lead to a number of health problems physically and mentally. Alcohol can act as a toxin on the body and destroy most of the organs in the human body. Most people don’t think about the fact that alcoholism can lead to obesity too and obesity leads to even more health problems for someone with a drinking problem.

What is obesity?

Obesity is used to describe someone who has accumulated enough body fat for it to become a problem to their health. People who have a body mass index or BMI of more than 30 would be considered obese. It is important to remember that being overweight and obesity are different. To be overweight means that a person is just heavier than expected which could be due to extra muscle; when someone is obese it means they specifically have too much body fat.

What are the dangers of being obese?

  • Obesity is preventable and yet it still causes many deaths today. The dangers of obesity include:
  • Obesity puts pressure on the skeleton and can lead to chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis.
  • Individuals who are obese are more likely to have heart problems.
  • Obesity increases the chances of developing type two diabetes.
  • Obesity can cause many people to suffer from sleep apnea.
  • Obesity can cause people to become more likely to develop certain cancers such as breast and colon cancer.

So what obesity and alcoholism?

Alcoholic beverages are usually filled with tons of calories that carry no nutritional value to a person’s body. If someone is consuming a few drinks per week on top of what they are normally eating it can quickly cause them to become overweight and then obese. Another problem with drinking is that the calories in alcoholic beverages don’t help with hunger in fact they can make you more hungry, so a lot of the times someone who has been drinking will then eat a large meal adding on even more calories. Also someone who drinks more than normal doesn’t engage in as many healthy activities while doing so which can lead to obesity.

Obesity and alcoholism

Alcoholism can easily lead to obesity. Someone suffering from alcoholism could consume an extra 1000 to 3000 calories per day on top of their diet. Not only that, but someone with alcoholism is not exactly engaged in physical activity very often. People with alcoholism quite frequently suffer from malnutrition also. This is because they are getting plenty of calories through their drinks but they aren’t getting the right nutrients their body needs to stay healthy. Obesity and alcoholism perpetuate a negative cycle of more drinking. Obesity is used to justify alcoholism and those who are obese usually suffer from low self-esteem which can lead to symptoms of depression, causing someone who is an alcoholic to want to drink more due to the comfort it provides. This comfort is short lived because it just adds on the misery.

Obesity and alcoholism can continue to fuel a negative cycle of negative behaviors or they can be used to change a person’s lifestyle. Both alcoholism and obesity can be treated. No one has to continue to suffer the mental, physical and emotional consequences of obesity and alcoholism.

Source: http://alcoholism.about.com/od/health/a/blniaaa050222.htm

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alcoholism and Insomnia

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Alcoholism and Insomnia

Alcoholism and Insomnia are tightly linked. Insomnia can happen with regular alcohol abuse and also when you are withdrawing from alcohol. It seems counterintuitive, since drinking alcohol can cause you to feel sleepy, but alcohol abuse can seriously disrupt your sleep patterns. It can cause dehydration and act as a stimulant as well, preventing you from getting healthy sleep. While alcohol can help you fall asleep initially, many people find that it disrupts the second part of sleep. Alcohol is actually said to be worse for your sleep quality than caffeine.

Alcoholism and insomnia is prevalent even when the alcoholic is in recovery. Alcoholics with both short term and long term abstinence can experience sleep problems for many months after they stop drinking. When an alcoholic is in recovery, however, the problem seems to stem more often from inability to fall asleep rather than inability to stay asleep. In this way, it is exactly the opposite from the type of insomnia that is commonly experienced by active drinkers.

Alcoholism and Insomnia: The Danger

One of the biggest dangers of the link between alcoholism and insomnia is that is can worsen alcoholism during active drinking and it can be a factor in relapse during recovery. In active drinking, alcoholism and insomnia can cause a person to drink more and more alcohol just so they are able to sleep at night. Insomnia also gets worse as alcoholism progresses, so it becomes a vicious cycle.

In recovery, alcoholism and insomnia can be a factor in relapse. The insomnia can increase daytime drowsiness and psychological distress. Some alcoholics cannot handle the added psychological stress, and they end up relapsing. Trying to refrain from drinking can take a lot of vigilance, self-control, and self-worth. It becomes even more difficult to do if you are exhausted.

Alcoholism and Insomnia: The Facts

Alcoholism and insomnia are so connected because of alcohol’s effect on the body. Here are some of the ways that alcohol can interrupt sleep:

  • Alcohol dehydrates the body.
  • Alcohol produces adrenaline in the body, which acts like a stimulant and disrupts a person’s sleep.
  • Alcohol interferes with normal sleep patterns by disrupting particular neurotransmitters in the brain which control or regulate sleep.
  • Alcohol can be associated with sleep apnea; a disorder in which the upper air passage narrows or closes during sleep causing you to wake up many times during the night gasping for air.
  • A person whose body has become dependent on alcohol will commonly have insomnia when they quit drinking because alcohol is a depressant.
  • Alcoholics and recovering alcoholics often have poor sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene refers to behaviors that constitute good sleep habits, such as keeping a regular rising time, avoid napping, and refraining from stimulants like caffeine in the evening.
  • Sleep can be improved in recovering alcoholics through using and approach that emphasizes good sleep habits, relaxation, and stress management.
  • Alcoholism and insomnia can lead to relapse in recovering alcoholics; so many treatment centers address this issue specifically through cognitive-behavioral therapies and non-narcotic pharmaceutical treatment.
  • Insomnia occurs in 36-72% of alcoholic patients and may last for weeks to months after initiating abstinence from alcohol.

Sources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15018094

http://www.oasas.ny.gov/admed/fyi/fyiindepth-insomnia.cfm

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alcoholism and Cocaine

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Alcohol and Cocaine

It is not uncommon for someone who has a problem drinking to also have a problem with drugs including cocaine. In fact in a lot of ways alcoholics find cocaine to be the perfect match with their drinking. Why? Because cocaine dulls the effects of being drunk and allows them to stay awake longer to drink more. While this is help for someone in the grips of alcoholism it can very possibly be fatal in the worst case scenarios.

Alcoholism is a disease that creates an irresistible and overpowering thought about getting drunk or high. Alcoholism is chronic, progressive and fatal. This means that alcoholism if not treated only gets worse, never goes away and can kill the person who doesn’t stop drinking or using drugs. Alcoholism merely perpetuates the use of alcohol and cocaine. Just because someone has alcoholism doesn’t mean they don’t do drugs. Alcoholism merely means that someone has the disease of addiction that causes them to continue using a substance such as cocaine despite all the negative consequences they may be experiencing in their life.

Cocaine is a powerful, addictive, and illicit drug. Once someone has tried using cocaine they cannot say to what extent they will continue to use it. Some of the street names for cocaine are:

  • Coke
  • Dust
  • Snow
  • Girl
  • Powder
  • White pony
  • Rock
  • Crack

Cocaine is a drug extracted from the leaves of the South American coca plant that was originally found in the Andes Mountains. It is a very potent stimulant that affects the body’s central nervous system. Cocaine looks like a white powder and can be injected, smoked, sniffed, or snorted as well as taken orally. Cocaine is the second most used illicit drug in the United States. Everyone and anyone can end up using cocaine. Cocaine creates a sense of euphoria and exhilaration in its users. Cocaine users feel invincible, carefree, alert, and euphoric and have tons of energy. The come down or loss of this high usually leaves cocaine users feeling agitated, depressed, anxious, paranoid and with no appetite. The effects of cocaine last around an hour to two hours.

Having alcoholism and doing cocaine can really create a problematic situation for someone in the grips of an addiction. Cocaine is an extremely hard drug to quit just because of the intense craving to want to do more cocaine. Luckily there is cocaine treatment for alcoholism and cocaine detox for alcoholism. These places can really give someone with alcoholism and a cocaine addiction the chance to start off on the right foot in a safe place. Having an addiction to more than one substance doesn’t end well. Using alcohol and cocaine will lead down to a path of unpredictability and unmanageability. That’s why treatment for alcoholism and cocaine is the perfect and most efficient place for someone who has not managed to stay sober on their own either from drugs or alcohol. Alcoholism and cocaine can be a deadly combo so it is best if someone is suffering from alcoholism recognize that cocaine is just another part of the problem and get help.

Source: http://alcoholism.about.com/od/coke/a/cocaine.htm

 

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.