Dealing with Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Dealing with withdrawal symptoms is one of the biggest challenges faced by people who are trying to quit drinking alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome, a potentially life threatening condition, is a major hindrance faced by alcohol addicts. Not everyone who quits drinking experiences alcohol withdrawal syndrome. However, a vast majority of people who have been consuming alcohol regularly over a prolonged period of time experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The severity of symptoms depends on the degree to which a person is addicted to alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are caused by over activity of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for managing the body’s reaction to stress.

What is alcohol withdrawal?

When regular drinkers quit drinking or reduce the amount of alcohol they consume, they experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. If experienced in extreme, it may become a life threatening condition. It also makes it difficult for people to overcome alcohol addiction and leads to relapse.

Major alcohol withdrawal symptoms

• irritability
• shakiness
• anxiety
• fatigue
• insomnia
• headache
• tremor of the hands
• rapid heart rate 

These are some of the mild symptoms experienced by people addicted to alcohol. Some of the severe symptoms experienced by people include hallucinations, confusion, high fever and agitation. A person may become restless and depressed. This can greatly hamper his ability to carry out his day-to-day functions.

Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

Seeking medical intervention is the best way to handle alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The services offered by alcohol detox centers may prove to be immensely useful in this regard. Equipped with the best medical expertise and knowledge, a reliable alcohol detox center can make it easier for a person to dealing with withdrawal symptoms to overcome alcohol addiction. Moreover, the encouragement and support provided by a qualified professional may prove to be the deciding factor when it comes to helping a person overcome alcohol addiction successfully.

If you’re a heavy drinker and wish to overcome your alcohol addiction, availing the services offered by an alcohol detox center will prove to be very useful. In the recent years, many reliable alcohol detox centers have emerged that have made it easier for people to get rid of alcohol addiction. For more information about alcohol withdrawal click here.

Food Addictions and Why They are so Hard to Overcome

An addiction to one or more unhealthy foods can be just as damaging to your health as a drug addiction. Food addictions often lead to obesity, one of the leading causes of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Furthermore, an addiction to the wrong types of foods will sap a person's energy and lower his or her resistance to sickness.

What is a Food Addiction?

The Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity notes that the signs of a food addiction include:

• The need to eat more of a particular food in order to feel relaxed and happy
• Deterioration of healthy relationships with family members and friends
• Inability to control how much of a particular food one purchases or eats
• Withdrawal symptoms when a person stops eating the food that he or she is addicted to

Why Getting Rid of a Food Addiction is Difficult

One of the main reasons why getting rid of a food addiction is very difficult is the fact that white sugar stimulates the same area of the brain that is stimulated by the use of drugs such as marijuana, heroin and cocaine. This is why addictions to sugary foods and beverages are common while addiction to vegetables is unheard of.

Research also clearly shows that people develop a tolerance to a certain level of sugar in their diet. This means that an addict has to eat more and more sugary foods on a daily basis in order to make it through the day.

Any type of food has an effect on the body. Foods can either make someone feel relaxed or give him or her a boost of energy. Those who have unhealthy lifestyle habits often become addicted to certain foods that either give a needed energy boost or help them relax and de-stress.

How to Deal with a Food Addiction

The first step in dealing with a food addiction is to acknowledge that it exists. A person who finds that he or she is addicted to a particular type of food should then speak with a doctor or get help from an addiction treatment center. Medical professionals can help an individual outline a safe yet effective detox and addiction treatment plan that will eliminate the problem for good.

Parental Responsibility in Drug Addiction Prevention

Considering the fact that a large percentage of people addicted to drugs comprise of teenagers and young adults, it is important to emphasize the role of parents in making sure that their child stay away from drugs and alcohol. 

In fact, research shows that parental advice and guidance can go a long way when it comes to making sure that children stay away from harmful substances. 

In several studies, it has been found that children who’ve a strong relationship with their parents are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. For this reason, it becomes important for parents to take all necessary steps required to prevent drug addiction in teens.

Here are a few of the ways you can talk about drugs with your teens and establish a strong relationship:

Taking An Active Interest in Your Child's Lives

It has been found that children who feel neglected by their parents are more likely to abuse drugs. Spending some quality time with your children, supporting their activities and praising their efforts will go a long way when it comes to establishing a strong relationship with your children.

Be Tough

Being an authoritarian will not serve any purpose. However, at times, it is important to be tough with your children. As a parent, you must set clear rules for your children and ensure that they follow them. There should be an open communication and you should explain to your child why you want him to behave in a certain way.

Keep a Tab On Your Child’s Friends Circle

It is important to know the friends of your child. While you must not dictate what friends to choose, it is important to guide them and make sure that they don’t spend time with wrong people. If a child keeps company of people who abuse drugs, he is more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol himself.

Talk to Your Child

Having an open communication is vital. It is important to inform your children about drugs. Explaining to them the negative effects of drugs on body and mind will go a long way when it comes to making sure your children stay away from drugs.

If you’re a parent, you must keep in mind all the above factors so as to ensure that your children stay away from drugs and alcohol. You must not hesitate from seeking professional medical help if necessary.