Category: Alcohol

It’s undeniably difficult to watch someone you love struggle with the effects of an alcohol use disorder. Even when you can clearly see that they have a problem, your friend or family member may insist that everything is fine.   Gaslighting is a tactic used to deceive and manipulate others by making them doubt their own perceptions, memories, and sanity. The term “gaslighting” originated from a 1938 play called “Gas Light” written by the British novelist

Drinking can provide temporary relief from the emotional pain associated with unresolved trauma, but seeking solace at the bottom of a bottle can also lead to an alcohol use disorder. When someone turns to alcohol as a way to cope, they may begin to develop a pattern of drinking more than their body can handle. This can lead to physical dependence, tolerance, and eventually addiction.   Understanding the Effects of Trauma on Mental Health Trauma

Far too often, public perception of those people grappling with alcohol-related challenges is clouded by stigma and misunderstanding. At Waypoint Recovery Center, we believe that breaking down these barriers is the first step towards helping people access the care they need to build a brighter future.   Debunking 6 Myths About Addiction Myth: Only people who drink daily can have an alcohol use disorder.  AUDs can affect individuals who binge drink or engage in heavy

Addiction doesn’t discriminate by age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. People from all different walks of life can struggle with alcohol use disorders.   High-Functioning Alcoholics People who are high-functioning alcoholics, sometimes referred to simply as a functional alcoholic, is someone who abuses alcohol but still manages to project an outside image of normalcy. They may have successful careers, maintain busy social lives, and be active in the community. Because high-functioning alcoholics can still hide

When Your Adult Child Has a Drinking Problem When your son or daughter was a newborn, you may have imagined that things would get easier over time. Now that they’re an adult, you realize that a parent’s work is never done. When your adult child has a drinking problem, it’s normal to feel helpless, angry, and worried about what the future may hold. You can’t swoop in to “save the day” like you did when

What Is a Functional Alcoholic? A functional alcoholic is able to maintain an outward appearance of normalcy despite the negative effects alcohol is having on their mind and body. What a functional alcoholic often fails to realize is that alcohol use disorders are chronic illnesses that won’t get better without treatment. Even if a person is able to hide their struggles today, there’s no guarantee that they will be able to do so tomorrow. Addiction

Support from caring friends and family is crucial in helping individuals in recovery stay sober, but knowing how to approach a friend’s drinking problem isn’t always easy. If you’re worried about your friend’s alcohol use, this article offers tips to help you express your concerns and encourage your friend to seek treatment.   6 Tips for Helping a Friend with a Drinking Problem Educate Yourself Addiction is a biologically based brain disease and not the

People of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds can struggle with drug or alcohol addiction. However, among those who are veterans of the armed forces, substance abuse is most often related to PTSD.   A Common Problem Even though stigma makes many veterans reluctant to talk about mental health issues, substance abuse related to PTSD is quite common. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs: 20% of veterans with PTSD also have a substance

The brain is a complex web of connections controlling bodily responses, cognitive function, and mood. Even just a few drinks can affect the brain by changing how neurotransmitters relay information, but long-term abuse of alcohol can have severe consequences for your overall health and wellbeing. Someone who drinks heavily for an extended period of time can develop noticeable deficits in brain function. The risk of brain damage related to alcohol abuse varies depending upon a

Although the court doesn’t always order an offender to seek substance abuse treatment after a DUI, being convicted of drunk driving may be a sign of a drinking problem.   DUI Facts Drinking and driving is extremely dangerous, no matter how experienced you believe you are behind the wheel. Alcohol impairs judgement, coordination, vision, hearing, and reaction time. Consider the following statistics: Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents account for nearly 1/3 of all traffic fatalities in