Post by Sarah Wilde

 Exercise may be an effective and nonpharmacologic treatment option for alcohol dependence.

Likewise, according to ScienceDaily, circadian disruptions can also lead to alcohol abuse as well as relapse in abstinent alcoholics.   Circadian rhythms, which refers to the timing of daily rhythms, can be - no surprise - highly disrupted by alcohol abuse.   A new animal study has used hamsters to test for the influence of wheel-running on alcohol intake.  Results indicate that exercise, perhaps through stimulation of brain reward pathways, may be able to reduce alcohol intake in humans. 

“Alcohol abuse, characterized by routine craving for and consumption of alcohol as well as an inability to function normally without it, disrupts both the timing and consolidation of daily circadian rhythms — when to sleep, eat, and mate — driven by the brain circadian clock,” explained J. David Glass, professor of biological sciences at Kent State University and corresponding author for the study. “With continual alcohol use, one may go to bed too early or late, not sleep across the night, and have an unusual eating regime, eating little throughout the day and/or overeating at night. This can lead to a vicious cycle of drinking because these individuals, in response, will consume more alcohol to fall asleep easier only to complain of more disrupted sleep across the night and additionally have a greater craving for alcohol.”

In other words, said Alan M. Rosenwasser, professor of psychology at the University of Maine, chronic alcohol abuse and circadian disruption become reciprocally destructive and result in negative effects on physical and emotional health.  By getting  proper exercise at key points in the day, alcoholics and others alike can improve their circadian regulation to improve their sleep habits and reduce their need for alcohol.  While this does not mean that exercise is the cure for alcoholism, it is further evidence that exercise is important to the regulation of Circadian rhythm, which is why both areas are key components in the LifeSkills Authorities Recovery Coaching programs.   

Results will be published in the September 2010 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.  Read the full article at Science Daily.

Have you used exercise as part of your recovery plan?    Tell us more.

Post by Sarah Wilde

Michael Douglas was on the Today show this morning speaking with Matt Lauer about the sentencing of his son, Cameron, for drug charges.    Cameron has spent years suffering the effects of untreated addiction despite numerous attempts at sobriety.    The story is certainly heartbreaking and one that surely hit too close to home for many parents in the same position of having children fall victim to drug abuse.

Matt Lauer asked Michael Douglas what the lesson is that he could offer other parents with a child abusing drugs or alcohol.   Douglas’ response was, “You have to catch it early.  Your options once your children turn eighteen are limited.  Most of the time 30 days ain’t gonna do it.   But see what you can do when they’re under eighteen because after that it has to be all with their permission.”

We couldn’t agree more.   Help is available and we at LifeSkills Authorities encourage parents to help “raise the bottom” for their children by intervening early.   We work with parents to approach their children in a loving way, through an invitational intervention - never with surprises or coercion.   If your child is abusing drugs or alcohol take action now.    A qualified invitational interventionist can help you sort through next steps.

Post by Sarah Wilde

Teenage girls and young adult women are particularly at risk when they abuse drugs and alcohol.   Bad habits stemming from an early age lead to decisions that may impact them for the rest of their lives.  Female drug abuse is a problem in this country that often extends beyond the female user.   Moms abusing drugs affect their children and pregnant women affect the developing fetus.  

Nora D. Volkow, M.D., the Director of National Institute on Drug Abuse says that “research increasingly suggests that women may be more vulnerable than men to particular consequences of drug abuse, including addiction. This greater vulnerability may stem from gender-specific differences in motivations for drug use, differing sensitivities to drug effects, and a host of other biological and environmental factors. And while more research is needed, animal models and clinical studies alike suggest that females may be more vulnerable than males to the rewarding effects of drugs, which could increase their risk for dependence.”

The NIDA also tells us “among the youngest age group (12- to 17-year-olds), males and females had similar rates of current drug use for cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, and the nonmedical use of prescription psychotherapeutic drugs in 2007. Moreover, young females surpassed males in current cigarette use in 2006 and in dependence on or abuse of alcohol in 2006 and 2007. This is particularly troubling given that the adolescent brain is still developing, and we are just beginning to understand how drug exposure could affect brain structure, connectivity, and function during this vulnerable time.”

Drug use during pregnancy (including the use of tobacco and alcohol) presents injurious effects on both the mother and fetus.  Females using during pregnancy set up a heightened drug abuse risk for the offspring in adolescence and young adulthood, according to Volkow.  It is scary and sad to learn that in 2006-2007, 5.2 percent of pregnant women aged 15-44 had used an illicit drug in the past month and 16.6 percent were current users of tobacco products.

If you or someone you know is abusing drugs or alcohol it is never too early or late to get someone help.  Both Mother’s Day and Women’s Health Week are approaching in May.   To honor this, tell the women in your life how important their good health is to you, and if they need help do your part to intervene.   If you feel you may have a problem with drugs or alcohol, take the first step toward recovery and ask for help.

Post by Michael Plahn

In this economy, every cent counts.   Have you stopped to think about what your alcohol, smoking or drug habit cost you in terms of money going out the door?   Forget about the time spent seeking a buzz or recovering from a hangover, let’s talk cash.

Take a look at what you’re spending on alcohol each month.   Use this nifty Alcohol-Spending Calculator to find out.

What did you discover about your spending habits?   Is there anything else you’d rather be doing with that money each month?   Let us know, post your comments here.

Post by Michael Plahn

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to hangovers, health problems, including alcohol poisoning, and an increased risk of heart disease. This April, during Alcohol Awareness Month, LifeSkills Authorities encourages you to take this time to educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of alcohol abuse and dependence. To spread the word, help educate about alcohol abuse and addiction, LifeSkills Authorities is joining other organizations across the country to honor Alcohol Awareness Month to prevent alcohol abuse in our community.

If you are drinking too much, you can improve your health by cutting back or quitting. Keep track of how much you drink, avoid places where overdrinking occurs, and find new ways to deal with stress.  Set a drinking limit and if you keep alcohol in your home, keep only a limited supply.  If these strategies do not prove successful then you should ask for help from a doctor, family, or a qualified and trained addiction professional.  If you are concerned about someone else’s drinking, offer to help.

According to Michael Plahn, Founder and Program Director at LifeSkills Authorities, “make no mistake, addiction is a terminal disease with some disastrous consequences if left untreated. The earlier addiction is confronted, the better the chances of preventing tragic situations and improving the quality of the life of the addicted individual and those of their loved ones.”

It is never too early or late to get someone help.

Post by Michael Plahn

To recognize the serious problem of alcohol abuse, April is designated “Alcohol Awareness Month.”   

Does your loved one drink too much?   Are you a parent and does your teenager show signs of alcohol abuse?   Are you a teenager and does your mom or dad drink too much?   Do you have elderly parents that seem to drink to excess?   Do you drink too much and not know what to do about it?   You are not alone.

Studies show that four times the number of people who are alcoholics abuse alcohol.   This is a much larger number than popular opinion may lead us to believe.   To raise awareness about these kinds of issues, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) coordinated the national observance of April as National Alcohol Awareness Month.

To show our support of Alcohol Awareness Month, LifeSkills Authorities is providing complementary phone assessments during the month of April for anyone who is suffering from alcoholism of their own or a loved one and needs help determining what they should do next.

Please call us at 312.265.0909 or email consult@lifeskillsauthorities.com for more details.  Help is just a phone call away.