CHILDREN NEED TO HEAR ABOUT ALCOHOL FROM THEIR PARENTS OR ADULTS THAT THEY RESPECT

The very pleasurable sensation that many people experience when they drink alcohol comes from an increase in a neurotransmitter called dopamine in neurons in pleasure centers of the brain. This increase results from alcohol's decreasing the natural inhibition of dopamine releasing cells. With chronic alcohol exposure,however, there is a decrease in the receptors for dopamine which causes a physiologic deficiency in the neurons and a feeling in the drinker that they are "missing something" that they desperately need. Thus, the craving and compulsion to have another drink.

Children's immature brains are more susceptible to alcohol; it produces a more profound decrease in dopamine receptors than in adults. If they drink at a young age, they are more likely to become alcoholic. Children who drink before fifteen are seven times more likely to become alcoholic than the average adult.

Children under the age of nine are more likely to view alcohol negatively and listen to a respected adult's view of drinking. Between nine and thirteen, they start to view alcohol more positively as they notice the drinking habits of the adults in their world (1).

Twenty-five percent of all alcoholics are teenagers. Studies show that ten percent of 12-year-olds have tried alcohol, and as many as fifty percent of 15-year-olds have had a drink(1).

Talking to children before they have that first drink may have a profound effect. Honest conversation about the hazards, risks, and medical consequences of alcohol may prevent them from trying alcohol, or viewing it with some healthy skepticism. The reason most children choose not to drink is because their parents or an adult that they respect talked with them about it.

By simply initiating a conversation about alcohol, you may be saving your child from painful and dangerous experiences. By not having a conversation, you may be sending a message that you tacitly approve. 

"God hates a coward!" Speak up!

(1) Hazeldon web info

My DVD "Informed Consent" is a 60-minute illustrated talk on the medical and social hazards of alcohol that I gave to a group of college students in 2009. It has a profound effect on young people who view it and it may be perfect to present to your scout troop, church youth group, or high school health class. It is available through our website.

jh

March 7, 2011 Blog

Note: Steven is a twenty-something, bright and personable young man. He is a college graduate. He was found unconscious with a serious head injury on the streets of our town last year and spent a week in a coma in the ICU of a local hospital. His blood alcohol was 2.1 and there was no explanation for what caused his injury. He didn’t drink after that for six months.

Last month he got a DUI.

March 7, 2011

Dear Steven

            I saw your Grandpa in the office last week. I asked how you were doing and, with great sadness, he admitted that things were not going all that well for you. He just thinks that you are the greatest kid but he is really distressed over what he perceives as a serious problem with alcohol.

            Steven, I am not going to give you a sermon, but I hope you will do me the courtesy of reading this letter through. Since I have had my own problem with booze I am just going to tell you how bad it got for me.

            I had been drinking for years, just socially I thought. I never had a DUI and you would never see me drunk. I had been a long distance runner, a pretty decent marathoner and ultra-marathoner. An important part of my running life and friendships was drinking: beer almost exclusively, and lots of it.

            In my early fifties I developed knee problems and had to quit running. Almost immediately my drinking increased, partly to treat my depression at no longer being able to run and partly due to the stress of juggling all the many activities of my life. I drank every day, never at work, but immediately after. The more I drank, the more depressed I got, and the more I needed to drink.

            I began to notice little things. I would never answer the phone after 8 PM because I knew my tongue felt a little thick and I was paranoid people would notice. I was careful to take side streets and back roads home when I had been drinking. To keep my wife from noticing how much I drank I would always have three or four different kinds of beer in the fridge and I replenished from a hidden stockpile so she could never keep track. I have a really good memory and I noticed that I began to have trouble remembering important things. I found that even after one or two beers, I felt angry and I snapped at my wife. Most frightening of all, I had a couple of sexual failures. I could get it up but not keep it up. All of these, I was certain, were a product of my increasing dependence on alcohol.

            I recognized the signs and to prove to myself that I didn’t have a problem, I quit. I was fine for a week or two. Then I convinced myself that I could drink socially, once or twice a week, and I began again. Within a month I was back drinking every day, and even a little more than I had before. I ”quit” drinking at least two dozen times unsuccessfully.

            Suddenly one night, putting denial aside, I realized that I couldn’t quit. It scared the hell out of me. That fear was added to the shame that I felt at being dishonest with my wife.

            At the end, I was more unhappy and miserable than I have ever been. I didn’t want to drink, but I couldn’t not drink. Every day I woke up a failure, ashamed that I had given in again.

            I can’t imagine where I would be today if I hadn’t finally completely given up and been willing, even desperate, to get sober.

            My life is so different now. I am who I really am, without alcohol. I have discovered my true self and it’s not me with two to six beers under his belt. My marriage is better than ever, my memory and sex life improved, and I love being free of the shame, dishonesty, and guilt that I had when I was drinking. Miraculously, the depression is gone. I didn’t realize that alcohol was causing the depression; it had been since I quit running.

            Steven, when we talked last year, you told me that you didn’t have a problem and I believed you. I will continue to believe you now because I think you are a man of integrity and you wouldn’t lie to me. But if you are beginning to notice some of the changes in yourself that I hated so much in myself, maybe it’s time for a re-evaluation. If you do have a problem, I promise you, it can only get worse.

            If you ever want to talk or need my help, I’ll be there for you.

Your friend,

Jeff

MARCH 2, 2011 BLOG

CHARLIE SHEEN AND THE ALCOHOLIC PERSONALITY

Charlie Sheen has a number of problems. All but one can be directly linked to the personality disorder created by alcohol and drug use. I should just say drug use because alcohol is a drug, by far the most common drug of abuse in our society.

Let’s look at some of the problems that alcohol causes and how they express themselves in Charlie’s tirades.

Loss of Impulse control: Alcohol suppresses activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. This area is responsible for creating impulse control.

            “What’s not to love (about doing drugs)? Especially when you see how I party. I was epic. The run I was on made Sinatra, Flynn, Jagger, Richards just look like droopy-eyed, armless children.” Charlie to ABC.

Temporary insanity:

            “I am on a drug. It’s called Charlie Sheen. It’s not available because if you try it you will die. Your face will melt off and your children will weep over your exploded body.” Charlie to ABC.

Aggressive behavior:

            “I’ve got a whole family to support and love. ... I’m here to collect. They’re going to lose. They are going to lose in a courtroom, so I would recommend that they settle.” Charlie to ABC

Selfishness and Self-Centered:

            “I’m tired of pretending that I am not special. I’m tired of pretending I’m not a total bitchin’ rock star from Mars.” Charlie to NBC.

Charlie is an adult version of Lindsay Lohan. You get the feeling that there are going to be some startling revelations in Charlie’s life in the next few months.

Anyone in recovery or familiar with the alcoholic mind recognizes Charlie’s behavior and outbursts.

There are some hard times a’comin.

The one problem Charlie has that is not directly linked to alcohol and drug use is indirectly related.

Charlie’s out of work.