A Pill to Stop Alcohol Cravings

If only the cravings for alcohol would go away, people trying to overcome the grip of alcoholism would stand a much better chance of fighting off the disease. Anybody who has had alcohol cravings knows what this is all about. It's one thing to experience a little temptation, but it's another to have an overwhelming, persistent urge and need for alcohol. There's always a problem. First we want to take the edge off the troubles of the day, so we have a drink. Then we want to take the edge off the craving for alcohol.

Those who have participated in 12-Step recovery turn to their "higher power" for strength and support, trusting that the "higher power" will restore them to sanity. They decide turn their will and their lives over to the care of God, as they understand Him, to be a guiding light and source of comfort. This is accomplished through an ever-deepening, personal relationship. But this is America and we want relief NOW. There might be a pharmacological intervention.

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The drug baclofen is a muscle relaxant, used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis. The symptoms include spasms, stiffness and pain. Some of the side effects include impairment of thinking or reactions, so patients who need to be awake and alert need to be careful when using this drug. Patients who have used baclofen for a long time may experience serious withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures or hallucinations. The use of baclofen to help alcoholics with their cravings is relatively new, so there isn't an abundance of clinical testing

I read an article on medscape.com, which discussed results of clinical testing for patients with advanced liver disease. The 2007 study cast baclofen in a favorable light for a medical intervention.

"In conclusion, our results suggest that baclofen, because of its anti-craving action and safety, could have an important role for treatment of alcohol-dependent patients with advanced liver disease," the researchers, with first author Giovanni Addolorato, MD, from the Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, in Italy, write. "We have shown that a pharmacological agent can promote alcohol abstinence and prevent alcohol relapse in individuals with alcoholic liver disease."

Patients with acidosis, who cannot stop drinking and are faced with death if they fail to stop doing so, and any treatment can't move forward as long as they are drinking. But this is a severe case. What about other patients with alcoholism, who are not in the latter stages of liver disease, or who are in one of the earlier stages of alcoholism?

Assuming that baclofen is safe and appropriate for treatment of alcohol cravings does it represent a one-stop cure for alcoholism? This introduces an interesting topic for discussion. Aside from physical dependence or alcohol cravings, what about other factors that contribute to one becoming an alcoholic, such as psychological makeup, environment or genetics? If I drink, for example, to numb the pain in my life, will taking away alcohol cravings help that pain to subside?

I can see baclofen as a piece of the solution puzzle, in limited cases. But I can't help but get back to 12 Step, because it is incorporated into an interdisciplinary program, meaning that physical, emotional and spiritual issues are addressed. Pharmacological interventions do not sooth the human spirit, nor with baclofen heal broken relationships. I can see, however, how this drug intervention, in theory, can save the lives of patients in the cases discussed in the study. I would caution against looking to a pill as a "cure."

The anti-12 Step crowd will herald any drug intervention as being a positive alternative to 12 Step, mainly because 12 Step takes time and is far more difficult than taking a pill. Baclofen does not require honesty, openness and willingness, nor does it necessitate self-examination. Perhaps baclofen can stop the alcohol cravings, or be used as a tool to help a person regain control of his/her life, and help bring about a return to health. I have no issue with this. But if the whole person is not treated, then the hole in the spirit that is filled with alcohol, or some other destructive force, is still there.

A Pill to Stop Alcohol Cravings

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How Are Teenagers Affected by Alcohol Abuse?

The consumption of alcohol among teens is becoming so regular that most of them think that there is no party worth going to, if there is no booze. Teen treatment centers who treat alcohol related cases have stated that in the year 2009, there were as much as 16 percent of teenagers who were heavily intoxicated by this drink. There are also reports which say that there are some teens who drink more than 5 rounds of drink a day; this percentage is somewhere around 7-9 percent.

Though alcohol addiction can cause a large number of health problems; it is during teenage that alcohol can cause a lot of harm. This is because the body is still is being developed into an adult form and there are too many physical and mental changes happening in the body. Drinking alcohol can stop and even derail this development, causing a lot of problems in the process. The liver is affected; the kidneys can be damaged and there can be premature ageing due to drinking so early in life. Also drinking can lead to impotence in boys and loss of libido in girls over a long-term basis. Teens tend to suffer from loss of energy both mentally and physically due to this habit and most of them give up easily on their work at such a young age because they do not fit, as the alcohol has progressive weakened their system and their immunity.

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Alcohol is a global demon, and teens are usually affected by this problem. In countries like the US, UK, South Africa, India, Australia, teens have often being caught by the law for crushing someone to death by drinking and driving. Most of the road accidents are caused by people in their teens driving under the influence of alcohol according to teen treatment centers.

Crimes of passion among the youth are also a manifestation of alcohol drinking. Under the influence of alcohol, a person can lose his inhibitions, leak out something that is meant to be kept under cover, do sexual crimes and even kill someone due to a fit of rage. Cases of rape and sexual molestation are high among teens because boys tend to use alcohol as a bait to lure girls and bed them. Alcohol can mix easily into the blood-stream of girls since they have high body fat percentage. Cases of unwanted pregnancies, abortions, rape and even sexually transmitted disease and HIV/AIDS are high among teens practicing sexual activity after alcohol consumption.

Alcohol addiction is to be blamed for declining grades among the ones who are taken to drinking. This form of addiction can hamper the concentration and interest for studying and work. Teen rehab centers have also said that teens move towards drugs as a natural extension of alcohol addiction. Deadly habits like mixing drugs with alcohol that can lead to fatal repercussions are also practiced. There have been cases of teens committing suicides and even choking on their vomit and dying. So do not take any chance, in case you feel that you are addicted to alcohol and are still in your teens, there is help at a nearby teen treatment center.

How Are Teenagers Affected by Alcohol Abuse?

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Why You Can Afford Alcohol Rehab - Everyone Can!

When it comes time to get into needed alcohol rehab, a lot of us get a nasty surprise while calling around and getting some prices for treatment.

" 000, did you say 000!"

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With the best private rehabs charging tens of thousands of dollars for a month of care, it's hard to imagine how we can possibly afford such expensive treatment, and whether it's even worth the price.

If you don't have the money, you don't have the money, and there's not a lot you can do about it. But if you can maybe piece together enough money, even if it will result in some financial hardship, it's worth it to get the highest standard of care.

Firstly, if you have some degree of private health insurance, you are likely covered for a substantial percentage of that care, not all, but probably a good chunk; but even still, you will almost certainly have to pay at least a few thousand dollars to get into rehab.

But what are the costs of continuing to drink?

If you're like most alcoholics, you spend a fair amount in bars and on booze alone. Lets say per day, you may spend less than this, but most alcoholics spend more; so at 30$ per day your yearly alcohol expenses amount to 950. Enough to pay for rehab right there, and there's more.

When you drink every day, you don't perform well on the job. You may hold down a job, but there is no way that you're performing as well as you would be without daily hangovers. If you can quit drinking you will excel at work, and you will be rewarded for your increased performance. This is not an immediate financial increase, but over time you will see your yearly income rise by many thousands of dollars.

And there's more.

You may not yet experience health problems, but there are few drugs as destructive through long term abuse as alcohol. If you continue to drink, you can expect frequent and very high health care bills. Over the years as you continue to drink, and continue to get sicker, you can expect to pay many tens of thousands of dollars just paying for the damages of alcohol abuse.

So how much are we looking at?

You may need to contribute 000 or even more to your stay at rehab, but if it can get you better and get you sober, your long term savings grow to hundreds of thousands of dollars, surely an acceptable return on your investment in a better and happier future free from the pains of abuse. In the first year of sobriety alone, you'll save enough from alcohol costs to pay for your life saving treatment.

And it's not just about the money either, and your drinking affects your health, your family life, your career and your overall quality of life. You need to get sober for so many reasons, but even when it just comes down to dollars and cents, getting into rehab and getting sober always pays off.

So if you really can't afford private rehab, get into a state funded or charity program. Any rehab is far preferable to continuing abuse; but if you can borrow the money for private care, if you can sell your car your boat, or your jewelry to raise the money, or if your credit allows for a loan; it is well worth it to invest heavily in your future with the best rehab you can afford.

Get the help you need. It's worth it, and you can get past alcoholism.

Why You Can Afford Alcohol Rehab - Everyone Can!

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Gay Drug Rehab and Gay Alcohol Rehab Programs in Texas

When a person thinks of the state of Texas, they think big everything. Unfortunately one thing they are not big on is inpatient addiction treatment for the GLBT population. In cites such as Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston or Abilene, there is a growing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population. As with any population growth comes a need for certain healthcare services, in this case, we are speaking of gay friendly addiction treatment or gay friendly drug rehab programs in Texas.

Can't Gay Men and Lesbians Go to Existing Drug Rehab Programs in Texas?

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The answer is yes they can. For gay men and women who are secure in their sexuality, sexual preference and the issues that surround them such as internalized homophobia, homophobia, coming out and others, then any drug rehab, alcohol rehab or addiction treatment program may suffice. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case. Most drug rehabs or alcohol rehab programs are not gay friendly, which means having the addiction treatment services and addiction treatment staff necessary to address the issues mentioned above. Without a gay friendly environment or gay friendly addiction treatment staff, the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender will probably experience attitudes similar to that of discrimination, prejudice and feelings of being judged.

What Are the Advantages of a Gay Addiction Treatment Program in Texas?

In gay addiction treatment programs or gay drug rehabs, the environment is gay friendly. What that means is that the alcohol rehab or drug rehab will have an addiction treatment staff free of homophobia and judgmental attitudes. There will be addiction treatment services specific to the GLBT population, with a staff dedicated to the same. While the internal healing takes place, the GLBT population still participates in addiction treatment services with the rest of the drug rehab.

If you need help locating a gay friendly drug or alcohol rehab, call the national addiction treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.gay-rehab.com. If you happen to have a psychiatric problem along with a drug addiction or alcohol addiction go to www.lakeviewhealth.com

Gay Drug Rehab and Gay Alcohol Rehab Programs in Texas

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