How to Break Free from the Clutches of Alcoholism

 

Alcoholism is insidious. It may start with social drinking with friends or drinking alone when you are under stress. Before you know it, you need that drink rather than want it. If you decide not to drink, you get the shakes or cannot function. You know if your drinking continues you may lose your family, job and freedom in the case of a car accident while drunk. There are steps you can take to break free from the clutches of alcoholism and protect yourself from issues that may have arisen while you were drinking.

 

Admit You Have a Problem

Alcoholism has been a problem for people down through the ages. The key to gaining sobriety and the quality of life that you and your family deserve is to quit drinking. You don’t have to feel overwhelmed with the idea that you must stop drinking forever. You only have to stop for today. Take your sobriety journey one day at a time.

 

You Need Support

Very few people will succeed at becoming sober on their own. Anyone wishing to gain sobriety will need a support system. If your drinking has become serious, seek medical attention. A stay in a rehab may be just what you need to get you started on your life-long journey living a sober life. Join a 12-step group like AA, and learn from those who have traveled this road before you. Find help and you will significantly increase your chances of staying clean and sober.

 

Admit Your Shortcomings

Two of the 12 Steps tell the recovering alcoholic that they must admit their shortcomings and make amends to gain sobriety. While people struggle with staying away from alcohol, admitting our mistakes is even harder than giving up drinking. But admitting your problems and making amends is one of the best ways to start your new sober life afresh and on the right foot.

 

Protect Your Legal Rights

Once you have become sober, you deserve the new life you have worked so hard to attain. If you ended up in an accident or may be about to lose your driver’s license due to your past DUIs, you will definitely need legal representation from Druyon Law or other specialty firms that have experience and know how to make sure your rights are protected, whether you are guilty or not.

 

Break Free Starting Today

You can break free from alcoholism. Start today. You only need to stay sober one day at a time. Help is there if you ask for it. You can do it!

 

Categories: 12 steps, alcoholic, alcoholism, DUI, family support, lawyer

Cancer and Alcohol: The Personal Impact

It is common knowledge that abusing alcohol on a regular basis can lead to several health issues such as cirrhosis of the liver. Additionally, alcoholics have a heightened risk of dealing with high blood pressure, liver failure, seizures, decreased mental function and body tremors. However, it is also important to note that drinking can increase your odds of contracting several forms of cancer even if you do not drink on a daily basis.

 

What Forms of Cancer can be Impacted?

Extensive research has linked alcohol usage to cancer of the mouth, breast, esophagus, rectum, colon, voice box and throat. Researchers are also currently studying the potential link between pancreatic cancer and alcohol consumption. Although anyone who drinks has the increased risk of contracting one of these forms of cancer, it is important to note that your odds of developing cancer of the voice box, mouth, esophagus and throat will be much higher if you are also a smoker. In fact, drinking and smoking at the same time leads to many more cases of these types of cancer than smoking alone.

 

How does Alcohol Increase My Risk?

There is no simple link that researchers can point to that easily explains how drinking can make people more susceptible to cancer. However, there are several issues caused by alcohol that are likely to be a factor, including the fact that alcohol damages body tissues, lowers levels of folate and other necessary nutrients, has an undesired effect on estrogen levels, can cause people to gain weight and acts as a solvent that increases the harmful impact of other chemicals such as those found in tobacco smoke.

 

What are Some of the Other Dangers?

Although becoming occasionally intoxicated is not likely to significantly increase your risk of dealing with any serious health issues, it could lead to legal and social complications if you end up getting a DUI. After all, a DUI conviction is typically accompanied by high fines, a suspended license and the possibility of jail time.

 

Additionally, having a DUI on your record could cause you to lose your job, and it is likely to make it more difficult to attend the college of your choice and get a new job in the future. Retaining an experienced DUI attorney would be an absolute when faced with such difficulties due to such a charge on a record.

 

When this happens it is important to retain legal representation. According to David Katz from the Law Offices of Katz & Phillips there is a difference between DUI lawyers and DUI law firms. The team approach achieves the best possible results for clients.Legal representation can help assist in getting charges reduced in an effort to prevent the harsher punishments that can accompany it.

 

Keep in mind that getting behind the wheel when you are intoxicated can also very easily lead to a life altering injury or a fatal car accident. Due to this, it is vital for everyone to be careful with their alcohol consumption.

 

As you can see, regularly consuming alcoholic beverages can have several negative side effects. Therefore, it is safer for everyone to avoid drinking in most situations so that they do not end up dealing with issues such as cancer of the mouth or cirrhosis of the liver. It is also important to note that the total amount of alcohol that you consume will have a bigger impact on your cancer risk than the type of alcohol that you drink. Additionally, studies have indicated that binge drinking an average of once a month will greatly increase your risk of developing cancer, especially if you are a woman.

 

Health advocate and blogger Lisa Coleman personally understands the damage and risks that can accompany overconsumption of alcohol, and the effects it can cause to an individual’s life. She recently viewed how Katz & Phillips, an Orlando DUI attorney firm, can legally assist a client who is faced with a DUI charge to help them get back on their feet.

Categories: Alcohol, alcoholism, cancer, DUI, risks of drinking

Parenting Teens: 4 Ways to Discuss Drinking and Driving

As a parent, it is definitely your responsibility to discuss the issue of drinking and driving with your teenager. However, anyone who has ever had a teen understands it can be very difficult to get through to them, especially about topics relating to alcohol and drugs. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the best way to approach this topic so that your teenager actually keeps an open mind and listens to you instead of shutting down immediately. The following are some ways that can help when discussing this topic with your teen.

 

1. Make them Aware of the Legalities of this Crime 

Many teenage drivers assume that getting a DUI is not actually a very big deal because many celebrities are able to walk away from these incidents with nothing more than a legal slap on the wrist. Due to this, you will need to have facts in front of you that illustrate the actual penalties for an underage DUI in your state. For example, teenage drivers in Minnesota are held responsible to adhering to the state’s zero-tolerance laws.

 

This means that even half of a drink can cause them to get arrested and have their license taken away. Additionally, they could be facing a large fine and even time in a juvenile correction facility. If your teen gets arrested for a DUI, it would be good to contact a juvenile crimes lawyer such as Kevin W. DeVore, an experienced Minnesota defense attorney, to help them get an acquittal or a reduced sentence so that they do not end up paying for it for the rest of their life.

 

 

2. Tell Them a Personal Story 

If anyone in your life has ever gotten into trouble because of a DUI, you should strongly consider using their story to help your teen learn that drinking and driving is a real issue that can have serious consequences. In fact, letting your teenager speak to someone they know who has been convicted of a DUI could have a big impact on whether or not they will ever get behind the wheel while they are intoxicated.

 

 

3. Utilize News Stories about Teenagers 

It is common for teens to view themselves as almost a separate species from adults. Therefore, you will get much further with them if you use news that stories about teenagers who have gotten in trouble for a DUI in lieu of simply pointing out the dangers of drinking and driving. If possible, you should discuss a situation with them that involved a teen driver their age that either lost their life or killed someone as a result of driving under the influence.

 

 

4. Provide them with a Safety Plan 

It is unrealistic to assume that simply speaking to your teen about DUIs will prevent them from drinking. Because of this, you should strongly consider offering them a safety plan that includes being able to call for a ride home without getting into serious trouble.

 

It is very important for you to take every possible step to protect your teenager, but you also need to enable them to live a normal life. Therefore, discussing the danger of a DUI with them is critical, and you should also immediately retain legal representation if your teen is ever arrested for drinking and driving.

 

 

As a mother to 3 teens, Lisa Coleman understands and shares the importance of successfully discussing DUI with them, including the legalities that can occur. She recently read about how Kevin W. DeVore, a Minnesota criminal defense attorney, can legally help when a minor is faced with this kind of charge.

 

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allyaubryphotography/3106197156/

Categories: communicating, defense attorney, Drinking, Driving, DUI, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, parenting teens, teen, teenage drivers, teenager, Teenagers

DUI and Mental Illness: New Studies Show Possible Link

Statistics have proven that at least 33 percent of the people who are arrested for a DUI will eventually become a repeat offender. This statistic is astounding to many people, especially when you consider the fact that just one DUI conviction is extremely expensive and can make it difficult to obtain future employment. Due to this, researchers decided to take a look at the potential link between mental illness and DUIs. The results could lead to a change in the way that repeat offenders are handled by the law.

 

What is the Link between DUIs and Mental Illness?

Researchers at the PIRE Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest conducted a 10 year study that took a close look at DUI offenders who had been arrested for the same crime at least twice. Almost 60 percent of the participants in this study had received treatment for bipolar disorder, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder at some point during their life. Additionally, many of them were dealing with alcoholism or drug abuse.

In other words, the majority of repeat DUI offenders were battling substance abuse and mental illness, and this definitely makes it easier to explain their actions. 

How Can This Information Be Used to Reduce DUI’s?

Although it is likely that most states will not have the necessary funding to mandate a mental health evaluation for each DUI offender, it is important for lawmakers throughout the nation carefully consider making this an option. This could be especially beneficial for individuals who receive their second DUI. After all, if it can be conclusively determines that a repeat offender has an untreated mental health or substance abuse issue, they can be given the opportunity to receive treatment instead of being penalized with jail time.

This could help dramatically improve the quality of the offender’s life, and it will reduce the possibility that they will be arrested for a DUI again. Additionally, taking this approach can help keep nonviolent offenders out of prison. 

What Are Some of the Factors That Cause Repeat Offenses?

Researchers have indicated for a long time that one of the major factors that can lead to a second or third DUI offense is the emotional and financial trauma that is caused by the first one. Although it can be difficult for many people to understand why someone would drown their sorrows about a DUI by getting drunk, it actually makes a lot more sense when you realize that so many of these individuals are already dealing with substance abuse or mental health issues.

For example, if an individual who has major depression is arrested for a DUI, they might experience severe feelings of hopelessness that cause them to drink again. It is also important to note that an inebriated individual has a vastly diminished capacity to make good judgment calls, and this is one of the leading causes of DUIs.If you or a loved one is experiencing issues with mental health or substance abuse, it is imperative to seek treatment. Sadly, many people end up being arrested for a DUI before they recognize the fact there is problem. Keep in mind that a skilled DUI attorney can give you a much better chance of receiving an acquittal, and this will make it easier for you to afford the appropriate treatment that can help you avoid a second DUI arrest.

Writer Melanie Fleury has witnessed family members attempt to mask a deeper issue with alcohol. These studies confirm what she has always suspected. With these family members living in Orlando, she searched  http://www.thetixteam.com/ to learn more about what can be done legally when someone receives a DUI.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hey__paul/8106468654/

Categories: DUI, dui offenders, family members, health, illness, major depression, mental, Mental Health, mental illness, repeat offender, substance abuse

Employee Wellness: 4 Career Breakers to Avoid

As tenuous as the job market is today, employees are doing everything they can to stay in the good graces of their employers. If they get fired or laid off, people know how difficult it may be to find another job. Because of the uncertainty of the job market right now, people may wonder what they can do to make sure their employers keep a favorable opinion of them. Taking these ideas into mind can help people remain in solid employment and avoid being terminated from their employment.

 

 

1. Fraud and Theft

As company leaders continue to fight for profits, they have little patience for employees who steal or commit fraud. When employees are caught engaging in either, they are often immediately terminated and sometimes face criminal charges for their actions. An employee who wants to stay gainfully employed and in the good graces of his or her employer should be as transparent as possible in his actions and words. When the employer knows that this employee can be trusted, that individual is far less likely to be eyed for early termination or firing.

 

 

2. Calling in Sick Frequently

Having employees in the office or in the store means that customers can be helped immediately and the company can make money. When employees call in sick all the time, their employers may soon start to look down on those calls and perhaps view those individuals as being less than eager to work for the company. People who want to keep their jobs amidst this tough economy are encouraged to reduce the number of times they must call in sick for work. If they must call in sick, they can evade suspicion if they bring a doctor’s note or proof of any medications they are taking for their illness.

 

 

3. Driving Under the Influence

Most employers today have little tolerance as well for employees who incur DUI charges against them. Even if the DUI occurred outside of company time, employers still often look at the employees’ actions as being representative of their character in general. Even more, it is largely assumed that an employee’s actions off the clock can still be taken as representative of his or her employer.

 

In some states a DUI charge is considered a felony, such as in the state of VA, thus carrying heavy penalties. One Virginia DUI lawyers group states “Felony convictions can have very serious consequences for an individual, including a permanent criminal record, a negative impact on one’s employment opportunities and career, and a potential sentence of imprisonment.”

 

When employees are facing DUI charges, they also could face immediate dismissal from their jobs. Retaining an attorney is essential to obtain help. They can perhaps salvage their legal future and their employment when they hire a legal representative for help. An experienced attorney can negotiate with the court and the employer to help that person retain his or her job and face reduced punishment in the legal system.

 

 

4. Unethical Behavior on the Job

An employee’s actions away from work have just as much weight as his actions on the job. When an employee is caught engaging in unethical behavior, such as committing adultery or stealing, he may put his employment in jeopardy. Some employers view these actions as those that they want to keep away from their company. They also do not want that employee to have a negative influence on other workers who perhaps have higher standards.

 

With the job market continuing to stabilize, it can be vital that employees take every action possible to keep their jobs. They can avoid suspicion and disfavor by avoiding these actions. This will help ensure a longer and brighter future for the current job, but also for any future job opportunities that may arise.

 

 

Lisa Coleman shares some tips on what to avoid when working in a career to maintain a healthy employment. She recently read online about how a DUI can affect such a career, and how a Virginia DUI lawyers firm can help in such a situation.

 

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/codnewsroom/8637906595/

Categories: Calling in sick, caught engaging, DUI, dui charges, dui lawyers, Employee Wellness, employees, healhty employment, healthy career, job market, lose of job, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, theft

Not Just a Drink: Long-Term Effects of Alcohol

Drinking alcohol with friends might seem like a fun way to spend an evening, but it can lead to disastrous consequences. Even if you are able to keep your drinking to a minimum, you can still end up seriously injuring or killing someone. Additionally, there are several long-term issues that can be caused by drinking. Therefore, if you want to retain your health and your freedom, it is always best to either abstain from drinking while out or to always use alternative transportation.

What are the Long-Term Effects of Alcohol?

If you drink alcohol on a regular basis, you run the risk of becoming an alcoholic. Sadly, there are approximately 17.6 million Americans who are classified as alcoholics, and they all face serious health and social issues. For example, if you drink alcohol on a regular basis, you will have an increased chance of developing nerve damage, liver disease, ulcers, a vitamin B1 deficiency, gastritis, high blood pressure, permanent brain damage, sexual dysfunction and cancer of the throat or mouth.

The social ramifications of being an alcoholic are also very serious. It is common for alcoholics to deal with broken relationships and family issues, and drinking increases the risk of dealing with unintentional injuries, loss of productivity and the inability to hold down a steady job.

Why do so Many People get a DUI?

Even if you usually do not drink, you can ruin your life by getting a DUI. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, most people are unable to safely operate their vehicle once their blood alcohol content hits .05, and some people begin experiencing serious issues well before they reach that point. In other words, having a drink or two with friends might seem innocent, but if you are not used to drinking, it could very easily get you into serious trouble.

The Long-Term Effects of One Night of Fun

Drivers who are involved in a DUI will face a long list of complications. The most serious consequences will be faced by people who injure or kill someone as a result of their poor judgment, but even a simple DUI can have a ripple effect throughout your entire life. For example, according to The Wilson Law Firm, if you are convicted of a DUI in Virginia, you will have to pay between $250 and $2,500 in fines, plus legal fees, and you could lose your license. Additionally, your car insurance rates are going to increase, and your employer might terminate you. Having a DUI on your record can also present problems when you apply for new jobs in the future, and, if you are a student, it can cause you to be expelled.

Instead of letting yourself go down a bad path, you should always be responsible if you decide to drink. However, if you do end up getting a DUI charge, it is important to hire an experienced attorney to represent you. After all, without a skilled DUI lawyer on your side, your odds of being convicted definitely increase, and there is too much of your future on the line.

 
Melanie Fleury lost a college friend to a drunk driving incident in 1998. The Wilson Law Firm specialises in defending those who have been arrested for a DUI in the state of Virginia. If you have been arrested for a DUI, remember that every case is unique and there are many variables that need to be considered for your defence.

Categories: Drinking, DUI, Effects of alcohol