Good Reasons to Stop Drinking

By : Damien Carter


According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), there are nearly 14 million Americans who are considered problem drinkers (including 8 million who have alcoholism) and 76 million people who are exposed to alcoholism in family settings. Here are good reasons for people who have drinking problems to quit drinking.

1. Stop drinking,for your and others' life safety
Every year, roughly one third of pedestrians 16 and older who were killed in traffic accidents were intoxicated. Drinkers are more likely to take risks that they might not take when they're sober. They may drive drunk and injure themselves or others.

2. Stop drinking, avoid unplanned pregnancy
People who are drunk also take other risks they might not normally take when they're sober. For example, people who have impaired judgment may have unprotected sex, putting them at greater risk of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or unplanned pregnancy.

3. Stop drinking,for your family happiness
Alcoholism causes damage to many families, each situation is unique. Some parents with alcohol problems might abuse their children emotionally or physically. Others neglect their kids by not providing sufficient care and guidance.

4. Liver disease resulting from binge drinking could become big killer
Deaths from cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol abuse have doubled in the past 10 years and the condition in young people has increased eight-fold. Cirrhosis is killing more women than cervical cancer and more men than Parkinson's disease.

5. Drinking too much accumulates fats
Alcohol is a great source of calories but it doesn't have the necessary vitamins and minerals. One thing for sure, if you get to the point of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, you will lose weight because one of the complications of alcohol abuse is malnutrition.

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. It can be hard for some people to talk to others about these issues, but a supportive person in a position to help can refer you to alcohol counselor for evaluation and treatment.

Click to find more to Stop Drinking Fast

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Alcoholism Treatment and Rehab

By : Jonathan Huttner


Alcoholism is certainly, as described by the American Medical Association, a disease that is progressive, chronic and if left untreated, can be fatal. The question many alcoholics and their families battle with is how to best treat the disease of alcoholism.

Alcoholism refers to the chronic consumption of alcohol regardless of negative consequences. The person can not stop drinking due to their mental obsession and physical cravings, both related to their alcoholism. The person can not stop drinking even though they experience a decline in their physical and mental health, a decline in their finances, their performance at work and their personal relationships. The alcoholic is completely preoccupied with their next drink.

Due to the many medical and psychiatric issues associated with recovery from alcoholism, initial treatment should begin in an alcoholism rehab or alcoholism treatment center, specializing in the treatment of alcoholism.

The first step in the treatment of alcoholism lies in alcoholism detox. Alcohol detox is a combination of managing the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal, existing medical problems resulting from alcoholism, as well as, any existing psychiatric issues. Alcoholism detox programs have come a long way in their ability to manage the symptoms of withdrawal through the use of detox specific medications. These medications greatly reduce the chances of seizure, while reducing the patients’ anxiety and pain. Please note that no detox is a pleasurable experience, but everyone can be made comfortable.

After the person is no longer exhibiting any symptoms associated with withdrawal, they may then be transitioned to the alcoholism rehab or alcoholism treatment level of care. Alcoholism treatment or alcoholism rehab is a combination of group and individual psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, family therapy, relapse prevention and medication management. These services are all focused on providing the person the tools they require to achieve long term sobriety.

Jonathan Huttner is one of the the principals at Lakeview Health Systems, an addiction treatment, alcohol and drug rehab facility. Addiction treatment information and free live help 24/7 is being provided online at RecoveryConnection.org.

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Alcoholism

By : B. Steele


While many people still try and define addicts as different from alcoholics, the fact of the matter is that the definition of addiction or alcoholism is almost identical. Maintaining a belief that addiction is a disease of the brain and understanding the other aspects associated with addiction and alcoholism speaks to what needs to be provided in drug rehab programs. The most effective course of treatment lies in entering a drug rehab, addiction treatment center or facility for the treatment of alcoholism. This treatment should be matched to the alcoholic’s particular set of needs. It should also be the alcoholic’s decision to comply with the addiction treatment or alcoholism treatment regimen.

Since the medical profession has come to see drug addiction and alcoholism as primarily the same disease, there is little difference in drug addiction or alcoholism treatment. It is important to state, that the recognition that drug addiction or alcoholism is a brain disease does not mean that the addict is simply a victim. There is no shortcut in overcoming alcoholism and drug addiction. The speed of the alcoholic’s progress is directly proportionate to the commitment and effort he or she puts in.

Alcoholics as well as addicts are told to give up trying to use their own power, to admit powerlessness and depend on a higher power to help them. This is the twelve-step approach to getting an alcoholic to stop using and maintain himself or herself in a state of recovery. It is probably the most respected alcohol abuse program offered in the world, although it is no guarantee of success. Associating with other alcoholics can help the patient out of denial and into striving for recovery. Denial is absolutely the biggest problem with alcoholism as well as other addictions. Hearing similar stories to their own is often illuminating in this regard.

Symptoms of the disease include but are not limited to sneaking drinks, lying about the amount consumed, irritability when alcohol is not available, mood swings, loss of appetite, a puffiness of the face, job loss and a high number of accidents or traffic tickets. Alcoholism signs can also include the inability to remember portions of the events of the previous evening or feeling anxious in a social situation where alcohol is not available. If the warning signs of alcoholism help create interest in exploring possible alcohol addiction and finding help, the good news is that help is available.

Studies on the disease have shown that there are a number of factors that can cause alcoholism, which can be psychological, social, genetic or physiological. There are many steps a person can take to cope with the alcoholism of a loved one and there are support groups that focus on helping people in this type of situation. After the person is no longer exhibiting any symptoms associated with withdrawal, they may then be transitioned to the alcoholism rehab or alcoholism treatment level of care. Due to the many medical and psychiatric issues associated with recovery from alcoholism, initial treatment should begin in an alcoholism rehab or alcoholism treatment center, specializing in the treatment of alcoholism.

Copyright © 2007 B. Steele

B. Steele is a realtor in Nevada and a contributing editor for http://www.Best-Free-Help.com She has worn many hats during her career-mostly in sales of some kind. Among her work experiences she lists: retail fashion owner, restaurant owner, sales manager at a weekly newspaper, etc. She enjoys working with the public and training other sales people. Visit: BEST-FREE-HELP.com Today!

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Easy Weight Loss -- 5 Steps to Lose Weight

By : Michael Smith, MD


Is it easy to lose weight? Yes. Losing weight is easy. I see it everyday. Patients of mine come into the office as happy as can be because they lost 15 pounds on the newest easy weight loss plan.

It's easy but can you keep it off?

My patients may feel great but none of them keep the weight off. Just as quickly as they lost weight, my patients following easy weight loss plans, gain it back...fast!

Gaining weight, specifically re-gaining weight lost while dieting, should be the focus of weight loss programs. Other things, like easy weight loss, are distracting and costly for all of us. Every year thousands of obese and overweight people do not lose weight because of easy weight loss distractions.

Why are fast and easy diet plans so attractive? Well, what could be better than losing weight and looking good fast? How about lasting healthy weight loss?

Why do you think diet plans focus solely on losing weight and say very little about keeping it off? Because it's easy to lose weight and it's next to impossible to prevent weight re-gain.

Diet plans take the easy road and provide dieters a quick short lived solution.

From Atkins to the Zone, weight loss diets have perfected colorful ways to disguise one simple easy weight loss principle. All diets can lead to easy weight loss by following this one easy principle.

Low carbohydrate diets, low fat diets, negative calorie diets, low energy density diets--all apply this one principle. And this one principle leads to easy weight loss. Do you know what it is?

To experience easy weight loss...eat fewer calories.

Holding other things constant, like exercise, simply eat fewer calories and you will lose weight easily. Whether or not you keep the weight off depends on how easily you lost it.

The Easy Weight Loss Steps

1. Week One -- Cut calories by 100

2. Week Two -- Cut additional 150 calories (total=250)

3. Week Three -- Cut another 150 calories (total=400)

4. Week Four -- Final cut 100 calories (total=500)

First month weight loss total = 2-4 pounds
500 calories cut = 1-2 pounds/week of weight loss
End of second month weight loss total = 6-12 pounds

The chance of keeping the weight off = 5%

To accelerate weight loss and weight re-gain, just cut more calories...fast. Or you can hold off on the weight loss plan above and learn more about weight re-gain and how to prevent it. Stay tuned for Weight Re-gain Prevention.

Until then, healthy living!

Michael Smith, MD

Chief Medical Consultant

Diet Basics Website

Dr. Michael Smith is the Chief Medical Consultant for Diet Basics, a content rich website dedicated to the online dieter. Dr. Smith and Mark Fugua, the Chief Editor and Wellness Leader, are moving the site forward into the second phase of content, "Keep Weight Off!"

Visit the site today and learn how to prevent Weight Re-gain and Diet Shock. Start with the Diet Basics Education page.

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Weight Loss Diets with Negative Calorie Foods

By : P. Mehta


Negative calorie foods are said to use more calories to digest than the calorie content of the foods themselves, resulting in a negative calorie balance. It is therefore natural to consider a diet containing these foods for weight loss.

A diet is a combination of a balanced selection of foods designed for medical or nutritional reasons. A good diet should include all major food groups. The weight loss diets (with or without negative calorie foods) are made to reduce body fat and weight. Some of the popular weight loss diets are: Atkin's diet, cabbage soup diet, grapefruit diet, Hollywood diet, negative calorie foods diet, Pritikin diet, the South beach diet and the zone diet.

Most of the weight loss diets promote to eat a particular food group and restrict other food groups. Such diets may show temporary results. If you follow these restricted diets for a long time, you may develop some health problems at later stage as these diets do not contain all the necessary nutrients needed for your body.

The secret to losing weight is to eat and drink the right kind of foods until you are satisfied. Skipping of meals is not the answer for weight loss, it can rather deteriorate your health. A healthy weight loss diet plan should include vegetables, fruits, grains, lentils and beans in your diet. Following is a sample daily diet plan that is good for keeping healthy weight and good health, irrespective of whether you follow a diet plan with negative calorie foods or not.

- Skim milk and skim yogurt.

- Salads or boiled vegetables or vegetable soup as starter.

- Whole-wheat bread/tortila, whole grain cereal and rice.

- Whole grains like kidney beans, chick peas and lentils.

- Lightly cooked green vegetables.

- Any dessert with minimum sugar.

- Lean variety of meat (it is better to avoid).

- The dinner should be light. If you had bread for lunch then have rice for dinner.

Include as much negative calorie foods as possible in the above diet plan. If you are meat eater, choose from a lean variety and restrict to one serving in a day.

A diet with negative calorie foods as main ingredients can include foods that are loaded with carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers necessary for keeping you fit. The diet with negative calorie foods can be tailored for fast or gradual weight loss. The fast weight loss diet that can lower the weight up to two pounds per day, is not recommended for long term. The gradual weight loss diet can reduce one pound in a week and can be followed until desired weight is achieved. The diet can be made according to ones needs. The negative
calorie foods will not give you much benefit if you are eating foods loaded with fats and sugars. If you eat a serving of potato fries, don't think that you can reduce the calories gained from fries by simply eating some negative calorie celery.

Copyright 2004, www.NegativeCalorieFoods.com

For more information on negative calorie foods, negative calorie recipes and diets, visit the web site: Negative Calorie Foods, Recipes, Diet.

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