Harmful Alcohol Consumption Is A Global Issue

Reducing Harmful Alcohol Consumption Globally Will Improve the Health and Well-being of Humanity as a Whole

Alcohol abuse is a rampant problem throughout the U.S. leading to millions of people not only suffering from issues with alcoholism but also having fatal repercussions from their disease. Recently in 2016, it was reported that 3 million people died from alcohol consumption which equals roughly about 1 in 20 deaths globally. Alcohol abuse affects us not only on an individual level but it decreases the well-being of the entire world.

Consuming alcohol on a harmful level can cause fatal injuries, diseases, cancers, mental disorders and a wide range of other conditions. All of these issues add up to very high health and social costs all over the world for people who have alcohol problems. It is estimated that alcohol consumption accounts for up to 5 percent of the global disease burden.

Although in the past it was believed that a small amount of alcohol was beneficial for your health, recent studies have proven that no amount of alcohol is safe for your overall health. Researchers now understand that the risks of alcohol consumption far outweigh any potential benefits. Educating people about the significant risks of drinking alcohol may help to reduce the negative impact that it has on humanity.

The World Health Organization agreed on measures to help reduce the harmful use of alcohol to improve health globally. Countries can use both existing alcohol taxes as well as pricing strategies, banning volume discounts and actions on marketing alcohol to help reduce the overall consumption level. It is also crucial to create widespread knowledge that there are no health benefits associated with alcohol and that it is more closely associated with serious diseases.

Changing the binge-drinking culture that exists in many countries may help improve health throughout the world and reduce the cost that alcohol has on our lives.

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Should Celebrities Make their Sobriety Public?

Often people in the public eye try to maintain as much of their life private as they can and don’t reveal personal details about themselves. Going through an addiction, hitting rock bottom and recovering can seem shameful to some and they may not feel ready to talk about it. However, for those celebrities who are comfortable sharing their experiences with sobriety, it can be a great step toward breaking the stigma surrounding addiction.

One of the issues that can be very isolating for people with addictions is the feeling that you are going through it alone. People may feel that no one else in their lives has lost control and they are the only ones dealing with this problem. Hearing celebrity stories of addiction and recovery can help them feel that they are not alone and that even those with successful lives struggle with the same issues.

Celebrity stories of sobriety can also be motivating and inspiring. Someone who is not sure they are ready to get help may hear a story about addiction recovery and finally feel prepared to take the next step to get help. Public stories of recovery help create awareness and can reach people in need of some inspiration.

One of the most positive aspects of being public about sobriety is that it helps normalize the discussion of addiction and mental health issues. People can feel afraid to speak out about their addiction because they fear being judged, shamed or ridiculed for what they have been through. Talking about addiction, especially when it is a famous celebrity, can help break the cycle of stigma and silence.

Not everyone should feel obligated to share their story about addiction and sobriety, but doing so can be a great help to people who need to hear about it for themselves or their loved ones.

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The Dangers of Rapid Detox

When a person decides to quit an addiction they may be fearful of detox and want the process to be over quickly. Even though some treatment centers may advertise rapid detox, quitting a dependency should be a more gradual process in order to be safe. In fact, rapid detox is less effective and even hazardous to your health and safety.

Some treatments may offer patients a “rapid detox” in which they are sedated with general anesthesia and given an opiate blocker such as naltrexone to force the body through detox. Although patients may believe they can be fully detoxed this way, the reality is that their bodies are still processing through withdrawal symptoms. Going home after rapid detox often means you are still faced with serious symptoms and strong cravings that could lead to relapse.

Since patients of rapid detox are told to leave early, they are not provided with access to medical assistance and monitoring as they are still going through the process of withdrawal. They could experience dangerous side effects and not have any help available to keep them stable. People often suffer severe consequences from going through rapid detox and some have even died as a result of the experience.

The only way to get through detox safely is to go through the whole process naturally in the safety of a treatment center. There is no “quick fix” for an addiction; it is a long process to recover and detox itself should take at least a week or two to complete. Going through gradual detox is more comfortable, effective and more importantly the safest option for the patient.

If you truly want to recover from an addiction, spending the time to get rid of a dependency is a crucial first step and it needs to be done correctly in order to successful become sober.

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Is There a Normal Amount of Stress?

Everyone experiences stress in their daily lives but too much repeated stress can cause physical and mental health problems. People with too much stress can start to develop symptoms of anxiety and other issues that interfere with their functioning. In our hectic modern lives, keeping stress levels down is a crucial skill that is essential to good health.

However, a certain amount of stress is also necessary to keep us engaged in the world and stimulated enough to feel happy. Our bodies need a little stress so that our nervous system is functioning and the body is using stored energy. The right amount of stress can be difficult to balance as many people become overwhelmed with stressors very easily.

There are good kinds of stress that our bodies need to experience from time to time situations that we feel we can control. Challenge stress such as exercising, performing tasks at work or other situations that we know will turn out okay can be good for our health. On the other hand, stress that causes us to lose sleep or makes our heart rate increase is “threat” stress that can be harmful to our health.

Every individual may have a unique balance of stress levels that is optimal to their health. Some people may be predisposed to react to certain challenges in a way that affects their stress levels differently. In that sense, the amount of stress that one individual can handle varies greatly from person to person.

A normal amount of stress can be different for everyone but certain strategies can be used to reduce stress and interpret situations in a new way so that they feel less like threats. Some people can learn to change their responses to stressors and minimize the negative stress they experience in their life.

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Is This the Key to Successful Opioid Recovery?

With the rampant abuse and addiction to opioids, it can be difficult to pinpoint one single cause or a specific solution that will help people quit. People may start using opioids for a number of different reasons depending on their situation and there can be a wide range of factors that can be helpful in recovery. However, one common theme in many situations with opioid abuse is the workplace and employment.

The opioid epidemic is currently creating a crisis in the workplace in a number of different ways. People who are injured on the job and are given prescription opioids may start to become addicted. Some may need to take time off work because of their injury and end up losing their job because of their absence.

Employment or issues with employment may be one of the keys involved in the opioid crisis for many Americans. Those struggling with addiction may find it difficult to find work which causes them to continue their drug abuse. The cycle of job loss and unemployment is something to consider in both the causes of opioid addiction and solutions for recovery.

Employment and the Opioid Crisis

The workforce and the rising opioid epidemic have become two closely connected issues that influence each other. Drug addiction, especially opioid abuse, has been a significant factor in the slow recovery of the employment economy. Addiction has also led to stagnant labor markets and has proven to be very costly to the U.S.

There also have been rising issues of employees struggling with opioid addiction who are failing to perform well on the job. Others are unable to find gainful employment because they cannot pass the employer’s drug test, leaving a shortage of employees for some companies. Even those who had been successful employees in the past are starting to struggle at work when they develop an opioid addiction.

Another issue related to employment is that many individuals who are dealing with an addiction may find it hard to get back on their feet if they have lost their job. Once their opioid abuse progresses it may cause them to lose their employment and be unable to find more work due to their issues with drugs. The use of opioids is one of the key factors driving issues with unemployment which leads to even more drug use.

Getting Sober and Back to Work

One of the biggest factors in resolving issues with addiction is finding steady employment that can be maintained through sobriety and dedication to a strong work ethic. People going through opioid recovery need to learn how to work again be able to perform well on the job. Someone who is able to stay committed to a stable work schedule is much less likely to experience a relapse.

Working is a part of a healthy daily routine and it is crucial for people in recovery no matter what they are going through. Going to work for regular hours gives people a sense of purpose and helps them avoid boredom and too much free time which can be dangerous for people with addictive tendencies. Having a job helps people be more productive in general and less likely to slip into inactivity and depression.

For many people dealing with opioid addictions, their lack of employment could have contributed greatly to their situation. Being unemployed can have a negative impact on self-worth and lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Some might turn to self-medication through legal or illegal substances to help alleviate their distress.

Once someone is able to work again it can help boost their confidence and make them more self-reliant. They will find it easier to avoid issues such as self-medication because they have less worries and self-esteem problems overall. Of course being employed is not the only factor in recovery success but it is crucial for someone to find work in order to combat their addiction.

Recovery is a long process and the first step is always entering detox and treatment. Many rehab programs offer assistance with helping patients find employment either during or after their stay in the program. This kind of assistance is often necessary for people who haven’t worked for some time due to their issues with addiction.

For those that struggle with opioid abuse, it is crucial to work on sobriety first before returning to work. Working while still addicted to drugs is dangerous both for addiction and your ability to continue your employment. Once you are healthy and sober then returning to work will be a crucial step in maintaining your new lifestyle.

Making efforts to reduce opioid abuse can help improvement the employment situation in the U.S. and having more work opportunities for those in recovery may help combat the opioid epidemic.

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The Mental Health Effects of Hate

Hate is a very powerful emotion that everyone experiences from time to time but for some people it can become problematic. People who feed into their hatred and allow it to grow can start to deal with some seriously negative effects in terms of their health and their social functioning. Hate can affect people deeply and cause problems for themselves and those around them in lasting ways.

Hate is a real problem not only in people’s personal lives but in our society as a whole. In spite of much of the social progress that has been made in the U.S. and throughout the world, hate groups are still very active and cause violent events in their communities. It is a complex emotion that can take a very dark turn for those who can’t find ways to cope with their feelings of fear and anxiety.

The destruction that occurs when someone hates and is unable to overcome their hate can be alarming. They can develop serious psychological issues that can lead to violence and harm. Understanding what causes hate and how to cope with it is crucial for better mental health and overall wellness.

The Causes and Symptoms of Hate

What makes someone feel hatred? Often it comes from feelings of fear, rejection or a perceived threat. In some cases hate can also stem from internalized issues that become projected onto someone else.

Either specific people in our lives or a group of people may trigger some of these feelings subconsciously. You may see qualities that you don’t like about yourself in someone else and begin to feel hatred for them. You might also feel afraid that they will hurt or reject you or are somehow threatened by them in a way that reveals your insecurities.

Underneath hate there is often a deep sense of fear and insecurity that becomes masked by hate. People who hate and convince others to hate are trying to boost their self-worth to avoid confronting their vulnerabilities. Because continuing to hate is a way of never truly dealing with these underlying feelings it can lead to complex psychological issues.

Someone who is not able to cope with their hate may have trouble getting along with others and it can cause problems for them in their life. They might struggle with maintaining relationships or end up losing their job because of conflict with coworkers. Even worse they might become verbally or physically abusive and in some cases plan violent incidents.

Minimizing and Resolving Hate

Hate can be poisonous for a person’s mental health, making them feel constantly agitated and upset with the people around them. Although hate can certainly harm others, it is also very painful for the hater themselves. Resolving and letting go of feelings of hatred can help you feel more calm, relaxed and happier in the long run.

Learning to be more aware when feelings of hatred occur and understanding what triggers them can be a good way to experience the necessary introspection for reducing hate. You need to try to understand why you hate someone and what other feelings it stirs up for you. When you feel you are having hateful thoughts you can take a moment to step back and be mindful of the experience.

When hate starts to build up it can be helpful to try breathing exercises to help produce a sense of calm. Breathing deeply in and out can help release some of the anger and tension that often accompanies feelings of hate. As your body relaxes you can try to challenge some of the irrational thoughts that are happening in your mind.

Distracting yourself from your hateful thoughts can help prevent them from snowballing and getting out of control. Often people tend to feed their hate by continuing to think about reasons to hate someone instead of simply moving on. As you become aware that you are feeling hate you can take your mind off of it by going for a walk, reading a book or exercising.

It is important to understand the destructive nature of hate and be aware of it so that it doesn’t take over your mind. Self-awareness and changing your mindset can help to reduce hatred so that it doesn’t become problematic. People who don’t address their emotional problems can allow their hate to become harmful to others.

If you feel that hate is affecting your mental health it can be a good idea to talk to a therapist to try to understand what it causing these emotions. They may have insights into why you hate someone that you are not able to see yourself. A therapist can also help you develop strategies to cope with anger, fear, insecurities and any other feelings that need to be resolved in order to minimize hate.

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SMART Recovery 101

For those who are looking for different options to support them in quitting a drug or alcohol addiction, SMART recovery can be an effective choice. SMART recovery is a specific program that is designed to help addicts maintain abstinence, fight cravings and manage the symptoms of their addiction. This type of program can allow people who are struggling with an addiction to have the chance to learn crucial skills that will help them stay sober long term.

The program uses the term SMART as an acronym which stands for “self-management and recovery training”. It is a method by which participants are trained in the art of sobriety and are able to hone their recovery skills with the support of experts. It teaches people to learn how to control their behavior and rely on themselves for motivation and power to improve their lives.

Those entering a recovery program like SMART can use the opportunity to learn more about their addiction and understand how it has affected their behavior. Moving toward a healthier lifestyle starts with knowing the underlying causes of your substance abuse and the triggers that lead you to use. SMART teaches participants about addiction so that they can understand themselves and learn how to change.

The Principles of the SMART Program

While there are many different types of recovery programs that can be suitable for addicts, SMART recovery may be a good choice for those who are not interested in more traditional twelve step programs. SMART is unique compared to twelve step programs because it offers a different point of view that is more scientific and less spiritually based. People who feel that twelve step programs are not right for them may find the philosophies behind SMART recovery more appealing.

SMART recovery tends to emphasize individual power and choice rather than the “powerlessness” that is normally a part of twelve step programs. The meetings in SMART focus more on discussion between the whole group rather than a single person speaking to the entire group. These discussions help each member of the group connect with other addicts in a way that encourages and motivates them.

This program uses alternative treatment methods that are effective but slightly different than the usual models. It uses more scientific methods based on modern research for alcoholism treatment that doesn’t rely on the notion of a higher power that is often a central point in twelve step groups. The use of rational thinking is employed in these groups to help people cope with their addictive tendencies.

The Benefits of SMART Recovery

The most positive aspect of SMART recovery programs is that they can be effective for anyone because they are based on rational thinking which is an inherent ability that all people have. All ages, demographics and levels of society can grasp the concepts and principles of SMART recovery in order to change their lives and quit their addictions. Meetings can take place in a wide variety of places including homeless shelters, inpatient treatment centers, prisons and any place where addiction is a serious issue.

People who have the opportunity to join this type of recovery program are able to see real results and changes in the way that they think and behave. They can learn how to change the cycle of addiction by discovering their own motivation within themselves without even having to rely on a sponsor. The program also provides people with a number of valuable skills to help cope with the urges and triggers that make them want to use again as a safeguard against relapse.

SMART recovery helps people become more familiar with the concept of balancing momentary satisfaction with more enduring satisfaction. An addict is focused on short term and temporary relief and doesn’t know how to focus on more long term strategies for happiness. This program encourages people to change their perspective so that they invest in activities and routines that allow them to develop more enduring satisfaction in their lives.

The most important benefit of this program and most treatments for addiction is for members of the group to learn how to handle their own feelings and thoughts. Our emotions can be powerful and are typically the thing that drives people to behave in unhealthy ways. Learning how to cope with emotions is a crucial skill that is one of the key elements in maintaining abstinence.

SMART recovery teaches people how to manage their feelings in a way that reduces their need to seek out substances for relief. It is a program that provides people with practical skills and tools that will make it easier for them to minimize the symptoms of their addiction. For anyone looking for an alternative type of addiction recovery program that suits their personal beliefs, SMART can give them what they need to become sober.

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