It doesn’t matter how committed you are to being sober or how long you have been sober because there is always the potential for an alcohol relapse at some point. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), relapse rates range between 40-60%—about half of all people in recovery.

Alcohol Relapse

Following a relapse, many people have feelings of guilt or regret. They may feel like giving up and succumbing to addiction rather than starting over and working hard to prevent a relapse from happening again. These feelings are normal, but they add more challenges to maintaining an alcohol-free lifestyle.

The best approach is to use this relapse as an event from which you can learn. You can alter your relapse prevention plan as needed and re-identify triggers. By delving deeper into the factors that contributed to the relapse, you can build a new foundation for recovery that will enable you to bounce back stronger than before.

Causes of Relapse

Relapsing after a period of abstinence is, unfortunately, a very common event. As noted, around half of all recovering addicts will have a moment of weakness that leads to alcohol use again. Fortunately, knowing some of the signs can help you prevent this from happening.

Signs that may foretell an imminent relapse include, but are not limited to, the following:

Failing to Make Sobriety a Priority

Without a steadfast commitment to long-term recovery, you are more likely to relapse. In order to be successful, you must be ready to embrace the hard work required to remain sober. Activities should include attending 12-step meetings, having a sponsor, and receiving therapy or counseling for co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression.

Not Having a Support Network in Place

A newly sober person requires a solid support system, and this can make the difference between sustained recovery and relapsing back into alcoholism. Ask friends and family to hold you accountable and engage in sober group activities.

Not Quitting for Yourself

In some instances, a person will enter treatment primarily to please their family or friends or because they must meet the terms of probation or other legal problems. Instead of being committed to being sober for their own sake, they feel pressure to do something they would not otherwise do. Moreover, if a person does not truly want to quit for themselves, the chance of relapse is much higher.

Being Unprepared for Life After Treatment

It’s crucial to devise a relapse prevention plan for transitioning back to the real world after treatment. Certain things can undermine sobriety, such as family dysfunction, toxic friendships, isolation, and unhealthy daily habits. By recognizing triggers early on, you can help defend your newfound sobriety.

What to Do After a Relapse

First, you need to decide whether or not you need to go back into treatment. If it was an isolated episode, and you’re dedicated to examining and adjusting your recovery plan, you may not need to go into an intensive treatment program. There are outpatient treatment programs that can help when you don’t require an inpatient stay or around-the-clock supervision.

If you’ve retreated back into an extended pattern of alcohol abuse, however, you will want to consider returning to a more strict treatment program. Moreover, if you have been talking about using substances or hanging out with people who enable or encourage your drinking, these are signs of a bigger problem. Likewise, if you recommence using alcohol as a coping mechanism, you need to seek treatment as soon as possible.

The return to treatment should have a strong emphasis on psychotherapy, which has been remarkably successful in instructing recovering addicts how to engage in new behavioral responses to unhealthy thoughts and feelings.

Other therapies include art and music therapy, meditation techniques, and physical fitness. Following treatment, you can continue to apply these strategies and tools to maintain a low-stress life, as well as cope with depression, anxiety, and anger.

From the minute you begin treatment after an alcohol relapse, your focus should be on the transition back to normal life. Your best option may be to reside in a sober living home, in which accountability can help during those first few vulnerable months after treatment. Also, it would be beneficial to be equipped with an outpatient plan for ongoing therapy or counseling after you are discharged from treatment.

Getting Help for Alcohol Addiction

If you have already undergone treatment and are struggling with an alcohol relapse, there is help available. Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers integrated, research-based treatment for people who suffer from alcohol or drug addictions. Our programs feature vital recovery services such as psychotherapy, counseling, group support, and more.

If you have relapsed or fear you will relapse, contact us today! We can help you get back on the road to long-term recovery and reclaim the happy and healthy life you deserve!

Kratom is a tropical plant that is native to Southeast Asia, where its leaves have been used medicinally for thousands of years to increase energy or relieve pain. It is a relatively new substance in the U.S. and is one of the many substances that may have unpredictable, adverse effects when combined with alcohol.

Kratom leaves can be eaten raw or crushed, brewed as a tea or placed into tablets or capsules. Kratom is illegal for use in several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

One of the unusual properties of kratom is that the effects it induces depend on the amount that’s ingested. For example, in low doses, it acts as a stimulant, but in higher doses, it has sedating properties. Although this drug is believed to act like an opioid, it doesn’t typically lead to the same potentially deadly side effects of opioids like morphine.

Kratom use is becoming increasingly common in the U.S. It has been with abuse and addiction, especially excessive doses or chronic use. In a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), kratom was identified in the bodies of 152 individuals who died of a drug overdose. Of these, 19 people also had alcohol present in their systems, although it was not known whether kratom was an agent that contributed to their death.

Side Effects of Kratom and Alcohol

More research is necessary to understand the effects of kratom fully. What is known about kratom are the short- and long-term effects which can vary depending on the dose. These include the following:

Low Dose

Moderate to High Dose

High Dose

Kratom use can also result in several adverse side effects similar to those of actual opiates, including the following:

Dangers of Combining Kratom and Alcohol

Currently, there isn’t enough evidence concerning the potential hazards of mixing kratom and alcohol to be able to identify all the potential dangers. However, by considering the individual properties of these substances, we can suggest possible risks of using this combination.

Alcohol is a depressant, meaning that it depresses the function of the central nervous system (CNS). It also prevents messages from nerve receptors from reaching the brain. As a result, a user’s perceptions, movements, and senses are all affected. In comparison, kratom can act as either a stimulant or a depressant.

Mixing a depressant with a stimulant or with another sedative can be hazardous. For this reason, as with most drug combinations, combining kratom and alcohol is probably not advisable. Although this combination hasn’t been well researched yet, experts generally recommend not using alcohol and kratom concurrently.

Because alcohol is a CNS depressant, combining it with kratom could be very hazardous. It could lead to motor impairment, falls, and poor judgment and decision-making. It could also cause profound sedation, which has the potential to lead to coma or death.

As noted, combining stimulants with alcohol is not a good idea either. Because alcohol has the depressant effect, it could negate the stimulant properties of kratom, which could compel the person to use more kratom than they otherwise would. Also, mixing stimulants with alcohol can increase the risk of seizures, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Some of the various side effects that are possible when combining kratom with alcohol include the following:

Alcohol abuse and addiction are also associated with many long-term health problems, including severe liver damage, increased risk of several cancers, and death related to alcohol poisoning. Using other substances in combination with alcohol only adds more complications to alcohol use disorder, and can make it much more challenging to treat.

Treatment for Kratom and Alcohol

Those who are suffering from alcohol and/or kratom abuse or addiction can benefit from professional treatment. Harmony Treatment and Wellness features modern, evidence-based medical care combined with wellness programs and holistic therapies. We use this comprehensive approach to treat a wide range of substance use disorders, including alcohol and kratom addiction.

Our center is staffed with compassionate professionals who all share the same mission to help patients get the most effective treatment possible for their disorders. We design treatment plans unique to the individual to ensure their needs are met and that they are given the best chance for success.

If you or a loved one is motivated to recover and take back your life, contact us today, We are dedicated to ensuring that those who need it most receive all the tools they require to sustain long-lasting happiness and wellness!

Combining prednisone and alcohol can increase the risk of numerous complications. Although prednisone may provide health benefits when taken as directed, when mixed with alcohol, an individual may be at risk of encountering severe health repercussions. When used in conjunction, these two substances can impair a person’s immune system and place them at a higher risk for osteoporosis and other health issues.

People who are using prednisone for chronic conditions may incur more inadvertently worsen those conditions when they consume alcohol. Even occasional episodes of alcohol abuse have the potential to cause serious problems for an individual who is also using prednisone.

What Is Prednisone?

Prednisone is a corticosteroid that comes in a variety of forms, including tablet and liquid. Prednisone works to combat inflammation and allergic reactions, such as itching, redness, and swelling. It also suppresses the immune system, and by doing so, is used as a treatment for autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Prednisone can also be prescribed to those who have lower-than-normal levels of steroids in their body.

Due to these many applications, prednisone may be employed to treat a variety of health conditions. Other examples of conditions that may be treated with prednisone include the following:

Beyond chemical interactions, alcohol abuse can also result in a person neglecting self-care, which may be vital in managing chronic conditions such as those above. Individually, each of these substances has risks and side effects. Combining them can put even more stress on a person’s body, and in some instances, new health problems may emerge.

Risks and Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse can range from occasional episodes of binge drinking to the daily drinking patterns that typify alcoholism. Nevertheless, all forms of alcohol abuse can jeopardize a person’s health, and high levels of consumption, especially over the long term, are even more hazardous.

Potential short-term effects of drinking include blurred vision, slurred speech, dizziness, impaired motor skills, and nausea and vomiting. Complications of an alcohol use disorder may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Some health complications, such as heart problems, can occur from just one night of binge drinking or after extended use. Long-term drinking increases the risk of a person developing this or other severe alcohol-related health conditions.

Side Effects and Risks of Prednisone

Although prednisone can help an individual manage their chronic health problems, this medication can also produce various side effects, including, but not limited to, the following:

When used in conjunction with alcohol, there is the potential that some of these side effects and the risks of either substance could be exacerbated.

Hazards of Combining Prednisone and Alcohol

Both prednisone and heavy alcohol use have been found to increase the risk of many health problems. Although using either of these alone or in combination in no way ensures that an individual will encounter these or other issues, the risk is most definitely increase.

Drinking alcohol while using prednisone may increase the risk that an individual will encounter the following:

Depression

Depression has been associated with alcohol abuse and the use of prednisone. If a person experiences depression as a side effect of one substance, the severity of the depression may be compounded by the use of the other.

Diabetes Risk

Chronic steroid use has been associated with an increase in blood sugar levels and a risk of diabetes caused by steroids. By itself, alcohol abuse can result in blood sugar levels becoming volatile and is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. As such, drinking alcohol while using prednisone could potentially lead to severe blood sugar issues, including diabetes.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Both alcohol and prednisone use can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Using these substances in combination could, therefore, increase this risk. What’s more, the stress in the digestive system caused by either or both substance has been associated with the development of peptic ulcers.

Osteoporosis

Prednisone comes with an increased risk of osteoporosis. Heavy alcohol use can destabilize the nutrients in a person’s body, dramatically affecting bone health. Heavy, chronic alcohol abuse has also been associated with a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Drinking alcohol while using prednisone greatly increases this risk.

Compromised Immune System

Both prednisone and alcohol suppress the immune system and cause impaired functioning. Mixing the two can profoundly exacerbate this effect. Immune system suppression is generally a desired effect of prednisone for people who suffer from autoimmune diseases. However, if the immune system becomes too weak, an individual may be more susceptible to illness and disease.

In addition to these risks, alcohol abuse could cause a person to neglect to use necessary medications. Furthermore, they may ignore other aspects of self-care that are essential in the management of their health condition.

Alcohol Abuse Can Interfere with Medication Use

The adverse effects of alcoholism can make it challenging for an individual to adhere to a therapeutic routine for their medication. Even sporadic alcohol abuse can result in a person missing a dose. However, those struggling with alcohol dependency tend to neglect to take their medication more often.

Conversely, some people who desire a drink may intentionally skip a dose of prednisone, or cease taking it entirely, to avoid chemical interactions. And, if an individual abruptly quits taking this medication, they could experience an extreme reaction.

Moreover, a person’s system could fail to function correctly due to an absence of naturally occurring steroids. Some people may even experience withdrawal symptoms, such as the following:

Alcohol can cause dysregulation of a person’s mood. Depression, for example, can lead to a reduction in a person’s sense of self-worth, and they may not take care of themselves as well. This can further lead a person to skip or stop taking their medication, either because they are apathetic or because they have forgotten due to being distracted by low mood.

Getting Help for Alcohol Abuse

If alcohol use is hindering a person’s ability to take care of themselves or putting them at a higher risk of damage to their health, it’s time to seek help. The most effective treatment programs teach a person how to engage in self-care, even when confronted with a chronic illness. By learning coping skills and gaining insight through psychotherapy sessions, an individual is better equipped to surmount the unique challenges that they face.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness provides clients with the tools, support, and everything they need to recover fully and experience long-lasting health and wellness. Our compassionate staff members are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the most effective treatment available.

If you or your loved one are ready to break free from alcohol addiction, contact us today—we can help!

Seroquel (quetiapine) is a prescription antipsychotic medication commonly prescribed to relieve psychotic symptoms in those with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It is also sometimes used off label for the treatment of depression or insomnia. This medication can interact with several other drugs, including prescription and illicit recreational substances, as well as alcohol.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that people who are using Seroquel should not consume alcohol. Alcohol can suppress the body’s ability to utilize Seroquel effectively. And, drinking alcohol while using Seroquel could exacerbate the typical side effects of the medication.

While it is advised that people who take Seroquel not consume alcohol, the effects of using alcohol while taking Seroquel are considered minor. However, while the effects of drinking may be mild, both of these substances will compound the effects of the other, making lesser amounts of each substance more powerful when used in combination.

Although there is research that shows that Seroquel and alcohol may be used together relatively safely, there is still some significant risk associated with this combination. Moreover, it is not advised to use both of these substances within the same timeframe without first consulting a physician.

Seroquel and Alcohol Side Effects

When Seroquel and alcohol are used together, side effects that occur with either substance can worsen. These might include the following:

In severe cases, the increased side effects can be detrimental or even fatal, just as taking an excessive amount of either substance by itself could be dangerous. If you use alcohol and Seroquel in conjunction, the combined effect may impair judgment. This effect can lead to increased risks while driving, operating heavy machinery, or any other activity that requires focus and sharp motor skills.

Dangers of Alcohol

While alcohol is legal to consume in the U.S. for persons aged 21 or older, it is nonetheless a potent substance that can interfere with how different drugs act in the body. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) as of 2015, more than 86% of people aged 18 and older in the U.S. reported consuming alcohol at least once in their lifetime.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that there is no such thing as safe drinking because any level of alcohol consumption increases a person’s risk of brain chemistry changes, falls, memory loss, and organ damage. With medications such as Seroquel, any alcohol consumption may be harmful. Those who are using Seroquel and also actively consuming alcohol are urged to quit drinking to be safe.

Alcohol increases the risk of psychotic symptoms, and it interacts adversely with Seroquel’s side effects. Also, if you consume alcohol while using Seroquel, there are overlapping side effects that can worsen rapidly. These include the following:

Another possible side effect of Seroquel is weight gain, so those with blood sugar volatility are at risk for this is they use this drug. Drinking alcohol can also change blood sugar levels, and due to excessive empty calories, it can increase the risk of weight gain as well. Gaining too much weight raises the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

It is also more difficult for the body to regulate temperature and cool down while using Seroquel. This effect can result in heat exhaustion and even hyperthermia in extreme situations, such as at crowded parties or in hot environments. Moreover, intense exercise and hot, humid weather are risky while using Seroquel.

Drinking alcohol can also increase body temperature and the risk of hyperthermia on its own. As such, combining Seroquel and alcohol means you can feel hot or feverish much of the time, and that you are at an even higher risk of experiencing hyperthermia.

Symptoms of hyperthermia include:

Someone who is suffering from hyperthermia needs medical attention immediately. If you suspect you or someone you know is at risk, please call 911.

Treatment for Alcoholism

If you struggle with alcohol abuse and you are prescribed Seroquel, it is vital that you work with addiction professionals to overcome alcoholism first. To do so, you may need to find a rehab program, such as Harmony Treatment and Wellness, that uses an integrated approach to addiction. Moreover, persons who experience psychotic symptoms or other mental health disorders will need to have all conditions treated simultaneously.

Are you ready to break free from substance abuse and reclaim the fulfilling life you deserve? Contact us today and find out how we can help!

Absinthe alcohol is a very potent liquor that has been reported to induce hallucinations and result in euphoria. It may also be associated with dangerous consequences related to acute alcohol intoxication. Absinth has all the potential adverse effects of drinking alcohol—in some cases, maybe more.

What Is Absinthe Alcohol?

Absinthe is produced from distilled grains and green anise, wormwood oil, fennel, and other herbs. It’s comprised of anywhere between 45-75% alcohol or 90-150 proof. Absinthe was developed in Switzerland in 1792 but didn’t reach the U.S. until 1878.

Absinthe is usually found as an emerald green color. The traditional method of consumption is to pour it over ice or sugar cubes. Sometimes it’s further diluted with water to improve the taste, which is similar to black licorice mixed with various herbs.

Legal Status

Absinthe was illegal in the U.S. from 1912-2007. It is currently legal, but only when produced with little or no thujone. Thujone is an oily fragrant substance, naturally found in a variety of many plants and flowers. In absinthe, this substance is the ingredient believed to contribute to the drink’s unusual mind-altering effects.

Effects of Absinthe Alcohol

As noted, absinthe has a very high alcohol content, typically higher than standard liquors like rum or vodka. Moreover, one can presume that it’s potential for causing high levels of intoxication is also very high.

In research, thujone has been shown to slow reaction times and impair attention capabilities. It may also induce visual or auditory hallucinations among some people. One study suggested that thujone’s effect on GABA receptors was likely the culprit for many of these effects.

Absinthe and Hallucinations

Absinthe containing a significant amount of thujone was, in the past, believed to sometimes lead to mania or delirium. Recent studies show that absinthe abuse has been associated with hallucinations, brain damage, and increased risk of mental illness and suicidality.

Absinthe Addiction

Alcoholism is defined as the inability to stop drinking even after adverse consequences have occurred in a person’s life. These consequences may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Alcoholism related to the abuse of any substance is a disease characterized by tolerance, dependence, and compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Tolerance occurs due to the body’s propensity to diminish the effects of substances following repeated use.

Dependence develops over time as a substance is abused regularly. The brain and body adapt to the substance’s presence and becomes unable to function correctly in its absence. The result of this condition is the onset of unpleasant and possibly life-threatening withdrawal effects when use is stopped.

Health-Related Issues Associated with Absinthe

According to the National Institutes of Health:

“As our knowledge of multiple organ damage, neurotoxicity, and diverse psychiatric [conditions related to] excessive alcohol use has increased, the possibility emerges that much of the syndrome of absinthism was actually acute alcohol intoxication, withdrawal, dependence, and other neuropsychiatric complications.”

In other words, the major health and social issues related to absinthe use are not unique to absinthe. The excessive abuse of any kind of alcohol, especially long-term, can result in many health problems. These problems include, but are not limited to, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, and brain damage.

What Is Alcoholism?

Although alcohol abuse and binge drinking will not always lead to dependence, disorders, and diseases, these potentially destructive patterns of abuse increase the likelihood that these problems will occur.

Some questions you can ask yourself (or a loved one) to determine if you might have an alcohol use disorder include the following:

1) Have you encountered times when you ended up drinking more or for longer than you originally intended?

2) On multiple occasions, have you wanted to cut down or your drinking or stop altogether, and even tried to, but found you could not?

3) Do you spend a considerable amount of time drinking, being drunk, or recovering from the aftereffects?

4) Do you experience cravings, or a strong need or urge to drink?

5) Have you found that drinking or being hungover has often interfered with school, work, or taking care of your home or family?

6) Have you continued to drink despite the problems it is causing?

7) Have you lost interest in activities that were once important to you in order to drink?

8) On multiple occasions, have you encountered situations while drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (e.g., driving or swimming)?

9) Have you continued to drink although it is making you feel depressed or anxious or contributing to another health problem? Or have you continued to drink after having had a blackout?

10) Do you have to drink more than you once did to achieve the effect you want? Or have you found that your average number of drinks have less effect than before?

11) As the effects of alcohol are subsiding, have you experienced withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia or shakiness?

Is Absinthe Deadly?

Like most alcoholic drinks, absinthe has a high potential to be dangerous when abused. Presently, legal absinthe doesn’t include as much thujone as in the past. It also does not appear to be the sole cause of hallucinations and other effects. But abusing alcoholic drinks that contain unusually high amounts of alcohol is very risky.

Binge drinking absinthe can definitely result in acute alcohol poisoning and death. Given that the alcohol content in absinthe can be as high as 150 proof, it’s not hard to get highly intoxicated in a very short amount of time. More than a small drink can lead to adverse effects, and excessive use is ill-advised and extremely hazardous.

Alcohol poisoning is a serious consequence of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period. Drinking too much too rapidly can depress breathing, heart rate, and body temperature. It can also impair the gag reflex and lead to aspiration of vomit, coma, and death.

Any individual suffering from alcohol poisoning requires immediate medical attention. If you believe someone has alcohol poisoning, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room right away.

Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning include the following:

Even if a person doesn’t have all the above symptoms, someone extremely intoxicated runs the risk of passing out and not waking up. Alcohol continues to accumulate in the bloodstream for some time after it’s consumed. Do not leave a person in this state alone and do not assume they will merely “sleep it off.” Seek medical help.

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

Not everyone who drinks absinthe or other alcoholic beverages will do so to excess. Indeed, not everyone will become an alcoholic who drinks too much, either. Addiction is a condition that is affected by a variety of factors, including genetics, family history, and mental health status.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers customized, integrated addiction treatment programs that are designed to address all aspects of a person’s well-being, not just substance abuse. Using evidence-based approaches, such as behavioral therapy, we provide our clients with the tools they need to be successful in long-term recovery.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcoholism, contact us today! Discover how we help people free themselves from the shackles of addiction and foster the healthy lives they deserve!

Consuming too much alcohol results in a myriad of effects, both large and small, on a person’s general health and emotional stability. It can wreak havoc on personal and professional relationships.

Most negative consequences of alcohol are relatively well-known. Perhaps less well-known, however, is the relationship between alcohol and weight gain.

Alcohol and Weight Gain

The following list describes eight different ways that alcohol can hinder weight loss and even cause weight gain:

1. Alcoholic beverages are mostly composed of “empty” calories.

To gain body weight, our body must consume more calories than it burns. These extra calories get stored as fat, which is essentially an energy reserve. Alcohol is considered “empty” calories because, while it does provide the body with calories, it contains very few other nutrients.

A single 12-ounce can of your average beer contains about 155 calories. For a 5-ounce glass of red wine, there are 125 calories. To put that into perspective, an average afternoon snack will have between 150 to 200 calories, as well as vitamins and minerals.

Even one night out at the bar with your friends will likely gain you several hundred empty calories. And, mixed drinks that contain soda or fruit juice have even more calories.

2. Our bodies recognize alcohol as a primary fuel source.

There are other factors that lead to weight gain. When alcohol is consumed, the body breaks it down into energy before all other macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

What this means is that if the alcohol is itself fulfilling our body’s energy needs, other sources such as glucose and lipids get deposited for later use as fat.

3. Alcohol can negatively impact organ function.

The liver’s primary mission is to filter the blood of toxins and alien substances, including drugs and alcohol. Likewise, the liver plays a major role in metabolizing carbs, proteins, and fats.

Long-term, regular consumption of alcohol, especially in excessive amounts, can cause a condition known as alcoholic fatty liver. Once this condition exists, the liver’s metabolic functions are compromised. This condition makes it much more difficult for the body to burn off excess fat and ultimately lose weight.

4. Alcohol tends to be stored as belly fat.

Typically, when someone overeats, the extra calories get stored as fat. The locations of these fat deposits are more or less evenly spread over the entire body. For alcohol consumption, though, the excess calories tend to be stored in the belly region, causing the infamous “beer gut.”

5. Alcohol affects a person’s judgment and increases impulsivity, including that related to food and more drinking.

Alcohol lowers inhibitions and can cause people to make poor decisions at the spur of the moment. Unfortunately, this also includes dietary choices.

In fact, a study revealed that mice who drank ethanol over a three day period exhibited a significant increase in food intake. This research suggests that alcohol can actually trigger hunger signals in the brain, leading to cravings to consume more food.

6. Alcohol impacts important sex hormones.

Alcohol consumption can affect levels of hormones in the body, especially testosterone, a sex hormone that plays a critical role in several metabolic processes, such as muscle development and fat-burning.

One study suggested that low testosterone levels might be linked to metabolic syndrome in men. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by:

7. Alcohol use can negatively impact sleep.

Research suggests that alcohol use can result in increased periods of wakefulness during sleep cycles. Sleep deprivation can lead to an imbalance in the hormones linked to hunger, satiety, and energy storage.

8. Alcohol impairs digestion and nutrient uptake.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages can impair proper digestive function by causing stress in the stomach and intestines. This effect can result in impaired digestive secretions and passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract.

Digestive secretions are critical elements of healthy digestion, as they break down food into the fundamental micro- and macronutrients that are absorbed and used by the body. Alcohol use of all levels can impair digestion and absorption of these nutrients, which can significantly affect the metabolism of bodily organs that play a vital role in weight management.

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a devastating disease that can destroy the lives of those afflicted as well as the lives of their loved ones. Fortunately, however, alcoholism is a condition that can be treated using a comprehensive approach.

Those who seek professional help can take advantage of therapeutic services, such as behavioral therapy, counseling, psychoeducation, and group support. Harmony Treatment and Wellness employs caring medical personnel who deliver these services with compassion and expertise. We are dedicated to providing clients with the knowledge and support they need to get sober and enjoy long-lasting wellness.

If you or someone you love has been trying to quit drinking and has found it challenging to do so, call us today to discover how we can help!

There are four broad categories of intoxicating drugs: depressants, stimulants, narcotics (painkillers), and hallucinogens. Alcohol (ethanol) is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant meaning that it reduces activity in the CNS and eventually can induce effects such as profoundly depressed respiration and low body temperature.

Alcohol does have some stimulating properties, however, due to its ability to increase dopamine in the brain. These effects occur early on after consumption and are transient. Alcohol’s overall action on the brain and body is to sedate and can do so to the point of respiratory arrest and death.

And although alcohol is not technically a hallucinogen, in cases of extreme intoxication or withdrawal, hallucinations as the result of psychosis can and do occur. These are generally not the trippy high and whimsically altered perceptions associated with a true hallucinogen, such as LSD or psilocybin mushrooms, however.

As a product of psychosis, these hallucinations are also hallmarked by confusion and delusions that can be terrifying. If this condition manifests as a result of drinking, the person is extremely ill and poses a danger to himself and others.

What Is Alcohol-Induced Psychotic Disorder?

Hallucinations, delusions, and persistent thoughts induced by severe or chronic alcohol abuse is referred to as alcohol-induced psychotic disorder (AIPD). There are three forms of this type of psychosis derived from alcohol use: acute alcohol poisoning, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and chronic alcohol use disorder. Symptoms usually begin during an episode of drinking or shortly thereafter.

AIPD is a secondary psychosis, induced by a different disorder than primary psychoses such as schizophrenia. This means that the condition is provoked by something outside of the individual, rather than being the result of abnormalities in brain structures that are organic or pre-existing.

Although AIPD is relatively rare, rates of psychosis are higher among those struggling with alcohol dependence—about 4% among those who regularly abuse alcohol. Once a person develops AIPD, the psychotic episode usually persists for between one and six months, although it may subside in just a few days with medical treatment. Suffering severe side effects from psychosis places the person at risk of accidents and self-harm so that the condition can be lethal.

Acute Intoxication AIPD

Called pathologic intoxication, this is a rare diagnosis that occurs after a person consumes a large amount of alcohol in one episode. In most cases of hospitalization related to intoxication-caused psychosis, the condition ends when the body eliminates alcohol from the system. Hospitalization is critical at this point in alcohol abuse, and it is likely that the individual has actually ingested enough alcohol to be at risk of acute alcohol poisoning, which can be deadly.

Signs of acute intoxication AIPD include the following:

Psychotic Disorders from Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD), also commonly known as delirium tremens, is a rare disorder caused by detoxing from alcohol, especially when the person stops drinking abruptly after very excessive consumption for a prolonged period. AWD is considered the most severe and risky form of alcohol withdrawal.

Symptoms of AWD include:

Symptoms associated with AWD do not onset immediately after a person stops drinking. Headache, anxiety, insomnia, heart rate changes, and sweating begin within 6-12 hours after the last drink. After 12 hours, the person may start to experience hallucinations, and after 24 hours, seizures can occur.

It is vital to get professional medical help when detoxing from alcohol to avoid AWD. Health providers can use diagnostic criteria to determine how serious one’s experience of alcohol withdrawal may become, including checking for fever, dehydration, and irregular heart rate and conducting a toxicology screening.

Chronic Alcohol Consumption Leading to Psychosis

Excessive, prolonged use of alcohol will alter fundamental structures in the brain, which can, in turn, produce psychotic conditions. Malnutrition caused by drinking instead of eating properly and damage to the digestive tract from alcoholism can cause forms of dementia with related psychotic symptoms.

In people who suffer from chronic alcohol use disorder, there are three basic forms of psychosis:

Alcohol Hallucinosis

Hallucinations are typically auditory, but may also manifest as visual or tactile. Rapid mood swings and delusions hallmark the condition, and it may ultimately resemble schizophrenia in presentation. It is unlike delirium tremens and can present in a person who had previously exhibited clear thinking and memory.

Alcoholic Paranoia

This condition is characterized by extreme anxiety, a fear of being watched or followed, and other symptoms associated with paranoia. It is caused by changes in the brain due to drinking too much for too long.

Treatment for Alcoholism

Alcohol is not a hallucinogen and experiencing hallucinations while drinking or after drinking is not normal and is cause for alarm. Such effects indicate a level of psychosis, and suggest that a person has probably been drinking excessively and is in serious danger.

Persons suffering from alcoholism are urged to undergo detox immediately, followed by comprehensive addiction treatment. Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers an integrated approach that includes psychotherapy, counseling, group support, medication-assisted treatment,and more.

We are dedicated to helping people reclaim their lives from alcohol so they can experience long-lasting health and wellness. Contact us today to find out how we can help!

Top 5 Movies About Alcoholism – The media, including the movie industry, often romanticizes drinking, and few films actually explore the devastating consequences of alcoholism. If you or someone you love suffers from alcohol addiction, you know that it is a desperate, chronic condition that can wreak havoc on a person’s health and emotional well-being, as well as dramatically impact those around them.

The following are five films that detail how an alcoholic‘s behavior affects themselves as everyone they love.

Warning: spoilers ahead!

Withnail And I (1987)

Withnail and I is the story of two struggling actors who live in a shabby apartment. Withnail (Richard E. Grant) is an extravagantly-acting alcoholic who is appalled by the injustices of life, and rants about it throughout the entire film. Marwood (Paul McGann) is Withnail’s roommate who tries to moderate his most excessive habits.

Withnail and Marwood decide to leave their dismal flat in Camden for a vacation in the countryside. When they arrive, it rains constantly, there’s no food, and their basic survival skills turn out to be somewhat inadequate.

The cottage is owned by Withnail’s eccentric gay uncle Monty where Marwood barely escapes Monty’s affections while Withnail continues to drink his uncle’s fine wine. Called back to London for an audition for Marwood’s, on the way back home Withnail is found to be driving while intoxicated. Marwood ends up getting the job and Withnail ends up at the bottom of a bottle.

The film has lots of quotable dialogue and benefits from the hysterically funny Grant as Withnail. However, due to Withnail’s severe alcoholism, it is also quite a tragic story, what with Marwood finding himself in a better life, leaving Withnail alone with his wine bottle. Withnail quotes Hamlet at the end of the movie, further solidifying him as a self-aware figure of tragedy.

Barfly (1987)

Henry Chinaski (Mickey Rourke) is a severe alcoholic who lives in a rundown apartment in Los Angeles and spends most of his life drinking in bars. However, he is also intelligent and a writer of short stories and poems. He frequently antagonizes a barkeeper named Eddie, who tosses him out of the bar one night for his drunken escapades.

Still, Henry goes to yet another bar where he meets a fellow alcoholic named Wanda (Faye Dunaway), a “kept woman” who buys copious amounts alcohol with her lover’s money. She invites Henry to come back with her to her apartment. But Henry remains obsessed with Eddie, which results in fights between the two outside the bar, while patrons bet on who will win.

Rancor breaks out when Henry finds out Wanda slept with Eddie. Nevertheless, Henry and Wanda continue to live and drink together as he submits his manuscripts to publishers. Eventually, a wealthy publisher tracks down Henry to see about publishing his work and ends up giving him a $500 advance, and they sleep together.

Henry thinks about the upscale life he could have if he could just be with the publisher, but ultimately that would be a betrayal of his true self—a barfly. Henry hates conformity, and it is this that motivates him to drink and seek out others who live in a similar fashion. Moreover, he feels at home as a barfly, so he instead goes back to Wanda, reignites his feud with Eddie, and at the end of the film, they are in another fight.

The Lost Weekend (1945)

The Lost Weekend was the first Hollywood movie about alcoholism—that is, to feature true alcohol addiction as the main storyline. Don Birnam (Ray Milland) is packing for a weekend in the country with his brother, Wick. Wick and Don’s girlfriend Helen knows that he is an alcoholic but believes that he is “on the wagon,” a perception he is careful not to shatter.

However, Don manages to postpone the trip and evade it all together to instead get drunk in a bar. He has no money, so is forced to get his alcohol by increasingly bizarre and nefarious means. After an accident in which he falls down the stairs, he is rushed to a hospital where he witnesses the horrors of alcoholism first-hand.

He breaks out of the ward, and at dawn when a liquor store opens, in a state of mania, Don demands that the owner give him a bottle. Don goes home and drinks it, and later wakes up suffering from delirium tremens.

In the morning, Don steals his girlfriend’s leopard coat and pawns it for a gun. After a struggle over the gun with Helen, Don bitterly declares that Don Birnam is already dead. She then reminds him that there are two Don Birnams, and that he should not sacrifice one for the other. He resists a glass of whiskey and then begins to compose his “lost” weekend story.

Throughout the film, watch Don transform into a raging addict, revealing the desperation and seediness of an alcoholic’s existence. Moreover, alcoholism leads to darkness, despair, and destruction. The alcoholic, here, is portrayed accurately as someone who is seemingly unable to pull himself together.

Days of Wine and Roses (1962)

Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon) is a PR guide who falls in love with a secretary named Kirsten (Lee Remick). Joe introduces Kirsten to the pleasures of drinking, and, eventually, they get married and have a daughter. Unfortunately, Joe cannot limit his alcohol consumption, and his habit intensifies until he is a full-blown alcoholic and is demoted at his job. Kirsten also finds refuge in alcohol and nearly burns the house down as a result.

The couple is desperate to be sober and does manage for a while until the lure of alcohol leads them to drink again. Joe checks into rehab and begins attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. But he is determined to work and care for his daughter while Kirsten is totally lost to alcoholism, and the film’s ending shows Kristen entering a bar.

Days of Wine and Roses is one of the most famous movies about alcoholism. Indeed, it may be one of Hollywood’s best films about its chronic, relapsing nature and devastating effects on families.

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Ben (Nicholas Cage) is a Hollywood screenwriter who has lost everything, including his job, due to his alcoholism. He is given a severance and heads to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. While he is there, he forms a strange relationship with Sera (Elisabeth Shue), a street prostitute. They settle on an uneasy agreement in which Ben is not allowed to bring up Sera’s line of work, and Sera is not permitted to impede Ben’s drinking habits.

The film, which was based on a novel by John O’Brien, is careful to avoid making moral judgments about the characters and is a graphic and honest portrayal of alcoholism and a person in its grips who has lost all hope.

Ben is a portrait of utter self-destruction as he eventually reaches his goal by dying in just a few weeks as a result of his disease. For this reason, this film is one of the most tragic movies about alcoholism, as there can be no redemption for Ben. He fulfills his self-imposed destiny as an alcoholic that feels he has no reason left to live.

Getting Treatment for Alcoholism

Harmony Treatment and Wellness is a comprehensive addiction treatment center that offers evidence-based services essential to the process of recovery, including psychotherapy, counseling, group support, aftercare, and more.

You don’t have to suffer from alcoholism any longer. Call us today and find out how we help people free themselves from the jaws of addiction and foster the healthy, satisfying lives they deserve!

Dangers of Alcohol: 15 Health Risks – It’s no secret that alcohol use can result in severe health problems, including liver cirrhosis and injuries sustained from car accidents. But liver disease and car crashes are not the only health risks posed by drinking. In fact, researchers have linked alcohol consumption to more than 60 different conditions. Furthermore, we are not fully aware of all of the effects alcohol has on the body.

The Dangers of Alcohol

The following are 15 health conditions associated with chronic, excessive drinking.

1. Anemia

Excessive drinking can lead to a dramatic reduction in the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. This condition, also known as anemia, can cause a host of symptoms, including fatigue, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath.

2. Increased Risk of Cancer

Regular drinking increases the risk of cancer, which researchers believe is the result of the body converting alcohol into acetaldehyde, a carcinogen. Cancers linked to alcohol use include those involving the mouth, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), esophagus, breast, liver, and colorectal region. Cancer risk is compounded in heavy drinkers who also engage in tobacco use.

3. Heart Disease and Poor Cardiovascular health

Heavy alcohol consumption, especially binge drinking, makes blood platelets more likely to clump together into clots, which can result in a heart attack or stroke. In a 2005 study, Harvard researchers revealed that binge drinking doubled the risk of fatality among those who had initially survived a heart attack.

Heavy drinking can also lead to cardiomyopathy, a potentially deadly disease in which the heart muscle weakens and eventually fails. It has also been associated with heart rhythm abnormalities such as atrial and ventricular fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the heart’s upper chambers twitch erratically, rather than constrict rhythmically and can cause blood clots to form that can trigger a stroke. Conversely, ventricular fibrillation causes erratic twitching in the heart’s primary pumping chambers. It can result in a rapid loss of consciousness and, without emergency treatment, sudden death.

4. Liver Cirrhosis

One of the most well-known dangers of alcohol is its effect on the liver. Alcohol is damaging to liver cells, and many chronic drinkers develop cirrhosis, a potentially lethal condition that causes the liver to become so severely inflamed and scarred that it is unable to function correctly. However, some people who drink excessive amounts never develop liver cirrhosis, and some who don’t drink as much can get it.

5. Dementia

As people get older, their brains shrink at a rate of around 1.9 percent each decade, on average. But excessive drinking speeds the shrinkage of certain key areas of the brain, leading to memory deficits and other symptoms of dementia. Dementia is one of the most tragic dangers of alcohol use.

Heavy drinking can also result in subtle but potentially debilitating impairments in executive functioning, which includes the ability to plan, make judgments, problem-solve, and other aspects of higher-order abilities that allow us to maximize our human functions.

In addition to “regular” dementia that results from brain atrophy, excessive drinking can lead to nutritional deficiencies, such as with thiamine, that may become so severe that they trigger other types of dementia (e.g., Wernicke-Korsakoff’s syndrome).

6. Depression

It’s been well-established that that heavy drinking is closely associated with depression. One theory is that depressed people may resort to alcohol use in an attempt to “self-medicate” to relieve emotional pain. However, many studies have shown that it can work the other way around and that heavy drinking can cause or exacerbate depression. The depressant effects are one of the most insidious dangers of alcohol.

7. Seizures

Heavy drinking can trigger seizures, even in people who don’t have epilepsy. It can also negatively interact with the action of medications used to treat convulsions.

8. Gout

Gout is a painful condition caused by the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints. Although some cases are primarily hereditary, alcohol and other dietary factors appear to play a role. Alcohol may also aggravate existing cases of gout.

9. Hypertension

Alcohol can interfere with the sympathetic nervous system which regulates constriction and dilation of blood vessels in response to stress, temperature, and exertion. Heavy drinking—binge drinking in particular—can cause blood pressure to increase Over time, this effect can become chronic. High blood pressure (hypertension) has been associated with many other health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke.

10. Infectious Diseases

Excessive drinking suppresses the immune system, providing a foothold for many infections, including pneumonia, tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases. People who drink too much are also are more likely to engage in risky sex, and thus face a higher risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

11. Nerve Damage

Heavy drinking can induce a form of nerve damage known as alcoholic neuropathy, which is characterized by a painful pins-and-needles feeling or numbness in the extremities as well as incontinence, constipation, muscle weakness, erectile dysfunction, and other issues. Alcoholic neuropathy may manifest because alcohol is harmful to nerve cells, or because nutritional deficiencies caused by heavy drinking impair nerve function.

12. Ulcers and Gastrointestinal Issues

One of the common dangers of alcohol consumption are digestive system problems, including stomach ulcers, heartburn, acid reflux, and inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis). As alcohol moves through the gastrointestinal tract, it exerts its toxic effects.

Damage to the digestive system can also cause dangerous internal bleeding due to enlarged veins in the esophagus caused by chronic liver disease. Alcohol also interferes with gastric acid secretion, and delays gastric emptying and impairs the muscle movements throughout the entire bowel.

13. Pancreatitis

In addition to contributing to stomach irritation, drinking can cause inflammation n the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis impedes the digestive process, resulting in severe abdominal pain and persistent diarrhea. Some cases of chronic pancreatitis are related to gallstones, but the majority appear to arise due to alcohol consumption.

14. Osteoporosis

Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption, particularly during adolescence and young adulthood, can significantly affect bone health and increase the risk of developing osteoporosis and a loss of bone mass later in life. Osteoporosis, in turn, increases the risk of fractures, especially in the proximal femur of the hip. Alcohol also interferes with vitamin D production and calcium and cortisol levels which can add to weakening of the bone structure.

15. Accidents and Injuries

Drinking alcohol in any amount has been linked to car accidents, domestic violence, falls, drowning, occupational injuries, homicide, and suicide. A person’s ability to drive can be impaired with as little as one drink, and a person who drinks excessively is likely to sustain a more severe injury during an accident.

Chronic or heavy drinking poses substantial health risks. Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, be it on a single occasion or over the long term, can lead to severe and sometimes irreversible damage to one’s body.

No pattern of drinking is without its risks. Moreover, we don’t have a solid method of predicting all the ways in which an individual will be harmed as a result of the chronic heavy drinking of alcohol.

Treatment for Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a devastating and potentially life-threatening chronic disease that can result in a myriad of severe and long-lasting health problems. Fortunately, despite all of these dangers of alcoholism, it is very treatable at any stage. Those who are suffering are urged to undergo detox and long-term professional treatment as soon as possible to reduce the potential health risks associated with the disease.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to treatment in both partial-hospitalization and outpatient formats. Our programs include modalities vital to the recovery process, such as psychotherapy, individual and group counseling, group support, and aftercare planning.

We employ highly-trained addiction specialists who deliver these services to clients with care and expertise. We are dedicated to providing people with the tools and support they so desperately need to recover from substance abuse and learn how to foster healthy, satisfying lives for themselves.

If you or someone you love is suffering from alcohol or drug addiction, please contact us today. Discover how we help people free themselves from the chains of addiction once and for all!

Teenage alcoholism is a common problem that, tragically, is related to thousands of fatalities each year. Even those teenagers who are not yet dependent on alcohol are more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder later in life if they start drinking at an early age.

Teenage Alcoholism: A Widespread Problem

Although alcohol addiction is more often thought of as an adult disorder, teenage alcoholism is a very real and prevalent problem. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the world, including for those under age 21. And, although the number of U.S. teens who drink has been decreasing in recent years, there are still millions of underage drinkers in the country.

Indeed, more than half of Americans between 12-20 years old report having experimented with alcohol, and 1 in 5 teens become excessive drinkers. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2010 there were approximately 10 million underage drinkers in the U.S.—among those, 6.5 million engaged in binge drinking and two million were heavy drinkers.

In addition to the many adverse health impacts that are directly the result of drinking, young drinkers are especially susceptible to deaths related to excessive alcohol use. According to the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, every year 5,000 people 21 and under die from alcohol-related injuries, including suicide and homicide, and an additional 600,000 were injured as a result of alcohol abuse.

Warning Signs

Common warning signs of teenage alcoholism include the following:

• Drinking alone in isolation
• Hanging out with friends who also drink
• Reckless and impulsive behavior
• Drinking with increased frequency and amount per episode
• Making excuses for alcohol use
• Profound changes in behavior
• Withdrawal from friends and family

Teenage Binge Drinking

Due to inexperience with alcohol use, a lower objection to risk, and vulnerability to peer pressure, teens have a significantly higher risk of binge drinking than many other age groups. Binge drinking is defined as the consumption of at least 4-5 or more alcoholic beverages in under two hours. Binge drinking affects the whole body and induces uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, hangovers, headaches, and low energy.

Unfortunately, 45 percent of 9th graders, half of all 10th graders, 58 percent of 11th graders and 65 percent of 12th graders report having engaged in binge drinking at least once during their lives.

Although binge drinking does not necessarily equate to full-blown alcohol addiction, it is one of the main contributing factors to teenage alcoholism. Binge drinking increases a person’s tolerance to alcohol, and once this occurs, young drinkers can easily become dependent on alcohol, either while still underage or in their adult years.

Researchers suggest that adolescents are more likely than adults to misuse alcohol because of the way the human brain develops. The teenage brain’s pleasure centers develop more rapidly than the part of the brain responsible for decision-making. Teens are particularly susceptible to binge drinking because their impulse control ability has not yet fully matured.

Moreover, many adolescents do not have the mental capacity to fully comprehend the consequences of drinking or even be actively aware of them. Teens can encounter immediate adverse effects, such as brain damage and delayed puberty. Indirect injuries, such as car crashes and sexual assaults, are also common problems from drinking.

Risks of Teenage Drinking

Alcohol consumption places teens at risk for many different adverse consequences. Drinking large amounts of alcohol while the brain is still developing will stunt personal growth. This damage can make it very difficult to successfully manage responsibilities at school and home, potentially impacting one’s future in negative ways.

Teenagers who drink have a higher risk of the following consequences, in addition to many others:

Risk Factors for Teenage Alcoholism

People who begin consuming alcohol at a young age are more likely to develop a dependence on alcohol later in life. Although no one is immune to developing a problem, some factors can increase the likelihood that a young person will engage in alcohol abuse, including the following:

Genetics – Teenagers who have parents or siblings that have an alcohol use disorder are as much as four times more likely to develop a problem of their own.

External pressure – Teenagers whose parents, siblings or friends are heavy drinkers are more likely to initiate drinking earlier and believe that this behavior is normal and acceptable.

Personality – Adolescents who believe alcohol use increases sociability or likeability are more likely to drink to excess in an effort to fit in.

Treating Teenage Alcoholism

Underage drinking can expose teens to a myriad of consequences, but there is hope. If your teen exhibits signs of alcoholism or changes in behavior due to increased alcohol abuse, contact a treatment provider immediately. Addiction professionals can help parents find the right facility with adolescent treatment programs and evidence-based therapies designed for their teens.

If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, contact Harmony Treatment and Wellness today. Discover how we help people free themselves from the grip of addiction so they can begin to experience the healthy and fulfilling lives they deserve!