 I am sure many of you have heard of “binge-drinking.” This is when a person consumes alcohol at a faster rate than his or her body can process it. But what about “high-intensity drinking?” This is an even more extreme phenomenon than binge-drinking. It is the consumption of ten drinks or more, and it can lead to dangerous consequences. “We are seeing more problems with college-educated women in particular, who are now drinking far more, and with greater consequence, than in previous generations.” (Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy, 2014). While the number of high-intensity drinkers among males has decreased from 2005 to 2015, it has remained steady among females.
Early intervention is needed in order to achieve concrete understanding with these individuals. A correlation has been found between high-intensity drinkers and those who use other drugs, such as marijuana. It is important to let them know of what they are potentially getting themselves into. “Not only are individuals who drink alcohol at levels exceeding these guidelines at risk for health and safety issues, but they might also experience problems academically, professionally and personally” (Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy, 2014). We tend to idealize alcohol because it so easily accessible and legal. In reality, it can be just as fatal as illicit drugs. Education is the main way to end high-intensity drinking. If you think your alcohol consumption is unhealthy, then make an appointment at Helix Counseling and Coaching Services. It is always better to be safe and to gain awareness. Beyond Binging: “High-Intensity Drinking”
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 Roles in Addiction Substance Abuse Disorder affects way more people than simply the person with the disease. If there is a family member with an addiction, then each member in the familial unit will contribute to the problem in some sort of way. Substance abuse is complex and hard to manage, but if you understand the different roles people play in addiction, then you are one step closer to help. There are six ways family members or close friends contribute to the problem, and they are “The Addict,” “The Hero,” “The Mascot,” “The Lost Child,” “The Scapegoat,” and “The Caretaker (Enabler).” Check out the descriptions below to see if you fall into any of the categories: The Addict- The person with Substance Abuse Disorder, and everything revolves around them The Hero- Ignores the problem to make everything and everyone in the family seem positive The Mascot- Brings humor into the problem, ex. inappropriate jokes The Lost Child- Selfless and quiet, tries to avoid the problem The Scapegoat- Rebellious and tries to draw attention away from the real issue The Caretaker (Enabler)- Makes excuses for all behaviors and tries to keep the family in balance If you or any of your family members feel as if this a reflection of your family, then make an appointment today. It is time to take steps towards peace and stability. Samar Tehrani |