Brain cells rearrange and change themselves every day to accommodate for directions to work in a new city, injury, disease, an abusive environment, a new and prosperous job. So, too, does the brain make accommodations for alcohol dependency. Neuroadaption to alcohol occurs in the same way that adaption of the human brain to any other experience that is repeated. As with all phenomena of the brain, there is no direct alteration that “causes people to crave alcohol.” Instead, the adaptation is very complex, often worsened by preexisting mental conditions. [Read more…]
Does Discrimination Lead to Binge Drinking?
Unkindness associated with racism has been linked to health issues for some time. During the 1980s, researchers reported a connection between poor cardiovascular health and the discrimination experienced by African Americans. This led to additional findings that established a link between health issues in minorities and perceived discriminatory treatment. Recent research supports the finding that discrimination is bad for physical and mental health. It also puts the victims of discrimination at risk for binge drinking.
Binge Drinking and Coping with Discriminatory Stress
According to Paul Gilbert, Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa, many people deal with stress by drinking alcohol. Stress-related drinking is seen as a coping mechanism, even though drinking to relieve stress can cause additional stress.
Professor Gilbert was curious about whether the stress of being discriminated against would increase the probability that the target of the discriminatory behavior [Read more…]
Alcohol Advertising Leads to Teen Drinking
Over the past decade or so, numerous studies have been held that test the influence of alcohol advertising on teens. The results of these studies have consistently displayed that this advertising heavily influences teen drinking. Here’s a closer look at why that’s the case.
Primary Findings
Exposure to alcohol marketing has tangible effects on teenagers. For instance, among 7th graders that viewed these ads, nearly half of them began consuming alcohol in some form by 9th grade. For 7th graders that had just started consuming these beverages, over 75 percent of those that viewed alcohol ads continued drinking by 9th grade. [Read more…]
The Week After Super Bowl is the Biggest for Alcohol Treatment
Treatment Centers and Studies are Showing the Week After Super Bowl is the Biggest for Alcohol Treatment
The Super Bowl is a huge event. Even people who do not normally watch football do on this day. If they are not watching the game, they are still there for the party. Treatment centers are now saying that the week after Super Bowl is the biggest for alcohol treatment. They claim the Super Bowl is right up there with the other major drinking holidays like New Years Eve and July 4th. Addiction counselors and centers are finding the days after the big game are busier than a normal day at work. Even Nielsen data marked the Super Bowl as the 8th largest day for beer sales.
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National Recovery Month is Here!
The September of every year is honored as National Recovery Month. During the entire month, treatment and recovery professionals, families, recovering addicts, and advocates celebrate in order to raise awareness for rehabilitation. National Recovery Month is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which gives people not only the tools to get help and treatment, but also to give them many resources about substance abuse and mental health. [Read more…]
Is Alcoholism Genetic?
The On-going Question: Is Alcoholism Genetic?
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