How does alcohol affect the brain in terms of the way it elicits anxiety or depression? What most people don’t realize is that alcohol is a drug. It is in a category of drugs called “depressants”. What this does to someone who is already predisposed to depression is going to make them feel worse. While many use alcohol as a way to escape, it is really just a one way ticket to bringing on a whole other range of problems, including psychological ones.

Alcohol can even affect heart rate, and can create the possibility of causing heart disease and other problems with our internal organs. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to pancreatic cancer, liver disease and eventually death. This is mostly due to the strain and stress it puts on our internal organs to function normally.

The response to stress is different in each individual. Some people cope with stress better than others. People with poor coping skills tend to use drugs and alcohol as a way to escape or retreat from their problems without having to actually deal with them head on. Rather than processing an issue and taking personal responsibility, alcohol or drugs can temporarily “stuff” or mask problems, which gives the user the illusion that everything is fine. The reality is, everything is not fine. Until one faces their internal demons, problems don’t go away on their own.

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There is not an alcoholic anywhere that does not want to stop drinking. Alcoholism is destructive. It is a constant battle. Each day the alcoholic rises, is a day that temptations take over and their will is lost. There are many different reasons why people drink.

One of the greatest tools that an alcoholic can arm themselves with is the knowledge to know how to quit drinking. This is not saying that each day will not be a battle. It will be, especially in the beginning. But, alcoholism is something that can be conquered and thousands of Americans are winning the battle of alcoholism daily.

The first step in the process is to get determined. Decide that you are going to quit. Use positive reinforcement each day when you get up and throughout the day. Remind yourself of the positive effect you are doing for yourself, your health and your loved ones. Be your own best friend. Tell yourself that you are doing something wonderful for yourself. Treat yourself. You must believe that you can quit. By reassuring yourself, are empowering yourself with the ability to quit.

Each alcoholic is different. Each drinks for various reasons. Get to know yourself. Consider why you drink to begin. Are you a drinker that drinks after work? Do you drink alone? Why do you drink and where you drink should both be addressed. Once you see your pattern, you can then work on breaking the habit.

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Believe me when I say this – drug addiction is increasing in the United States as you read this! This is not solely because as a recovering addict I counsel thousands of people per year, but the realistic assessment of a human being.

Judging from the number of stories involving alcoholism, drug abuse, including the logarithmic increase in the abuse of prescription medications, drug abuse is something we really need to address.

As a counselor for both in class and online drug classes I often discuss the growing number of addicts in our country. My students, ranging in age from 12 to 71, have varying opinions on the nature of addiction and whether or not the problem is growing in this country.

This article will address the addiction situation in this country using a real life example of a 16-year-old man.

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