Category: Alcoholics Anonymous

How Michael J. Fox Used Alcohol to Hide Parkinson’s

The year was 1990 when one morning, Michael J. Fox experienced something odd. He had woken up to find his left pinky twitching uncontrollably. One year later, Fox visited a neurologist and was told he had early-onset Parkinson’s. 

Like so many others faced with devastating news, the beloved Hollywood actor used substance abuse to escape the distress of his diagnosis. This devolved into a years-long battle with alcoholism which Fox later discussed in his memoir “Lucky Man”.

A Hidden Diagnosis & Unhealthy Coping Mechanism 

Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease of the brain that affects the central nervous system, causing tremors, stiffness, and loss of balance. The symptoms get more severe over time, eventually affecting the senses, cognitive ability, and mental health, and are associated with depression and dementia-like symptoms at later stages.

Fox was 29 years old and at the peak of his career, beloved by America for his role as the charming rapscallion from the Back To The Future franchise when he was diagnosed with an incurable disease that would eventually lead to increasingly debilitating symptoms.  

For years, Fox kept his diagnosis a secret from the public. He continued to work in the entertainment industry and suffered in secrecy and silence. As Parkinson’s disease progressed, Fox’s symptoms became more severe, making it increasingly difficult for him to perform. 

Fox’s drinking problem was causing increased strain on him and his family. However, with the support of his family and friends, he sought help and was eventually able to overcome his alcohol addiction. In his memoir, Fox wrote about the experience of getting sober and the importance of finding healthy coping mechanisms. He also emphasized the role of his wife, Tracy Pollan, in supporting him through his journey of recovery.

Today, Fox continues to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease and advocates for research to find a cure. Through his foundation, he has raised millions of dollars for Parkinson’s research, and his efforts have significantly impacted the lives of those living with the disease. He is also a vocal advocate for addiction recovery and has been open about his own struggles with alcohol. 

Parkinson’s and Alcohol

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be physically and emotionally challenging for those living with the disease. Some individuals turn to alcohol as a way to cope with their condition and to find temporary relief from the stress, anxiety, and physical discomfort associated with the disease. However, relying on alcohol as a coping mechanism can lead to addiction and the development of alcoholism.

Alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, making them much more severe. Alcohol can also lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease. Studies have shown that chronic heavy drinking can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by damaging the neurons in the brain that control movement.

There’s one common factor that explains why Parkinson’s disease and alcoholism share a complex relationship. It’s dopamine, the neurotransmitter essential for the proper functioning of the brain’s motor system that also plays a starring role in the reward center of the brain, and the formation of addiction.

Dopamine: A Common Denominator

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in a specific brain region called the substantia nigra. This loss of dopamine-producing neurons, in turn, leads to a significant reduction in the amount of dopamine in the brain. This causes dopamine levels to be too low. 

The shortage of dopamine is directly linked to the characteristic motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and loss of balance. As a result, Parkinson’s disease is often treated with medications that increase dopamine levels in the brain. However, these treatments are not curative and do not slow the progression of the disease. 

Now, consider how alcohol affects dopamine levels in the body. Initially, alcohol consumption can increase dopamine release in some regions of the brain (this is one of the reasons why alcohol can be addictive and lead to cravings for more alcohol). However, over time, chronic alcohol use can decrease dopamine levels in the brain because the body becomes accustomed to alcohol artificially increasing the presence of this neurotransmitter and stops the natural production of dopamine. Further, alcohol can damage dopamine-producing neurons, especially in the substantia nigra — the very same part of the brain affected by Parkinson’s. 

It is essential for individuals with Parkinson’s disease–or any other medical disorder–to seek healthy coping mechanisms for managing their symptoms. Regular exercise, therapy, and support groups can be effective in improving quality of life and reducing the need for alcohol as a coping mechanism. 

Cocaine and Alcohol Abuse: The Benefits of AA, NA & CA for Quitting

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Cocaine Anonymous (CA) are non-professional addiction recovery meeting groups that have been around for decades.

AA is the oldest, founded in the 1930s as a safe space for people recovering from alcohol abuse. In the meetings, people ready to quit drinking gathered to share their experiences in open discussions. Over time, The 12-Step Program created for AA became popular, and other organizations adopted it for other substances, such as cocaine and narcotics.

Attending support group meetings is a huge part of addiction recovery. It’s said that participation in these groups can bring tremendous benefits, including long-lasting recovery. 

1. Offers Ongoing Support And Accountability

Attending support group meetings means being surrounded by a group of people who have gone or are going through similar struggles as us. Feeling heard and understood helps create a sense of community. At the same time, being part of a community helps us feel like we belong, contributing to a sense of safety and security.

In addition to an overall sense of support and community, support groups may help participants develop personal accountability by interacting with others in similar circumstances. 

Seeing how others have dealt with the consequences of their addiction gives attendants context on how to manage life as a recovering addict. It helps them understand how to enforce personal accountability for their actions and the benefits of doing this.

2. Gives Participants Structure And Routine

Structure and routine are fundamental factors of success in addiction recovery. Boredom and a lack of a consistent day-to-day routine can significantly trigger cravings and increase the risk of relapse.

Life during recovery can be chaotic, unbalanced, and unpredictable. One of the best ways to set the foundation for successful recovery is to establish and stick to a daily structure. This is why many rehab programs focus on strict routines. This helps infuse a sense of organization in a life that can be otherwise very disorganized.

Something as seemingly simple as going to bed at the same time every day and meditating daily can create a sense of productivity conducive to recovery. Regularly attending group meetings can be a form of structure, too, or at least become one of the pillars that support an addiction-free future. 

3. Helps Participants Expand Their Coping Skills

Coping skills are the strategies people use to reduce psychological stress. In addiction recovery, developing coping skills provides multiple benefits, including identifying triggers for cravings and learning how to avoid thought patterns associated with drug use.

Group meetings allow members to exchange recovery-oriented coping strategies with each other. More than textbook knowledge, this way, they can learn from each other as they explore the triggers that put them at higher risk of relapsing and the methods they use to alleviate them.

Different events trigger different people. By listening to the experiences of others and how they handle triggers, attendees expand their coping skills.

4. Offers Spiritual And Emotional Support

Social support and healthy relationships are key elements of the recovery process. When you have a strong emotional support system, it can help:

  • Prevent feelings of social isolation that could lead to relapse.
  • Bridge the vulnerable period between stopping substance use and developing coping skills that help people get through life without using substances.
  • Receive encouragement from others who have been down a similar path and who personally understand your struggles. 

Support groups like AA, NA, and CA provide a space where people can express their feelings about recovery and listen to the perspectives of others who are going or already went through that process.

Additionally, the 12 Steps are highly spiritual by nature. The spirituality of their message may help those in recovery to see their process as something larger than themselves as individuals. This may help them find purpose and meaning in their recovery, motivating them to stay on course.

5. Promotes Long-Term Recovery

Hard stats on success rates for support groups are hard to come by, and different sources provide very different numbers. The anonymous nature of these groups makes it difficult to get stats. Still, research shows that a combination of support groups with other forms of treatment can be highly effective.

Some research shows that those who participated in formal medical treatment and support groups were more likely to stay abstinent after one and three years than those who only entered formal treatment and those who only used support groups.

This shows that group meetings can be a legitimate source of recovery when integrated into a larger recovery plan. Increasing the likelihood of staying abstinent reduces the risk of relapse and improves overall well-being.

Another study found that higher levels of attendance to AA are related to higher rates of abstinence and that prior AA attendance is predictive of subsequent abstinence. The support provided by AA and all other groups spawned from its methods is proven to be effective.

AA, NA, & CA Can Be A Legitimate Source Of Recovery

Given these benefits and scientific evidence of the effectiveness of participation in support groups like AA, NA, and CA, it should be clear that integrating them into a recovery program can be a great way to strengthen coping habits and form stronger relationships with those around you.

Cocaine and alcohol are among some of the most socially accepted, yet addictive chemical substance around. They are found in clubs, bars, beyond and are often used together. If you struggle with alcohol and cocaine use, or any substance use, seeking treatment as soon as possible is essential. Once you do, attending support groups can be great for expanding coping skills, enjoying the benefits of social support, and developing productive structures to guide everyday life during recovery. 

Talk to an addiction recovery specialist today about the right treatment program. They can also help you locate support group meetings in your area. 

Alcoholic Hepatitis: 5 FAQs Answered

Alcoholic hepatitis is a common condition among heavy drinkers, with approximately 20% developing fatty liver, the first stage of the disease. About 10% to 15% of heavy drinkers reach cirrhosis, the final stage of alcoholic hepatitis. However, a common undiagnosed or misdiagnosed condition, some still have questions about alcoholic hepatitis. Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions about this condition. 

1. What is Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Alcoholic hepatitis is a liver disease caused by alcohol consumption. The liver can tolerate up to a certain amount of alcohol and regenerate damaged cells and tissues. When alcohol consumption exceeds the liver’s limits for long periods, the liver becomes inflamed, and scars accumulate in the damaged areas, disrupting normal function and causing symptoms in other organs. 

Alcoholic hepatitis has three stages, each more severe than the last:

  • Stage 1 – Alcoholic fatty liver disease: the liver suffers inflammation and enlarges, accumulating fatty tissue. The liver can become fatty within a few days of heavy drinking and is reversible if the person stops drinking. Fatty liver has no symptoms.
  • Stage 2 – Alcoholic hepatitis: after years of alcohol abuse (generally five or more), alcoholic hepatitis develops. Symptoms appear, but there’s still time to prevent further damage if the person stops drinking. It can be life-threatening in severe cases.
  • Stage 3 – Cirrhosis: the final and most severe stage with a higher potential to be lethal. The scarring has become so extensive that liver failure is likely, and chances of survival may be around 50% in 5 years. Abstinence is necessary to prevent further damage and improve outcomes.

2. What are the Symptoms of Alcoholic Hepatitis?

One of the biggest issues with alcoholic hepatitis is that it can remain asymptomatic for years before the illness advances. Mostly, people who don’t get annual health checks will only recognize alcoholic hepatitis when it reaches the end of stage two and the beginning of cirrhosis.

The most common signs and symptoms of hepatitis include:

  • Yellowing of the skin, teeth, and white of the eyes (jaundice)
  • Abdominal inflammation and pain
  • Fatigue and overall weakness
  • Appetite loss and subsequent weight loss and unexplained malnourishment
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Built-up fluids in the abdomen
  • Fever
  • Light-colored feces

As the condition worsens, most people will also experience the following:

  • High fever.
  • Severe feelings of weakness and fatigue
  • Faster-than-normal heart rate
  • Thrombocytopenia (frequent bruises and bleeding)
  • Confusion and cognitive deterioration (hepatic encephalopathy)
  • Severe liver scarring
  • Higher likelihood of tumor formation and development of liver cancer

3. How is Alcoholic Hepatitis Diagnosed?

Because alcoholic hepatitis shares symptoms with other diseases, sometimes it remains undiagnosed. However, there are a series of tests that can help diagnose alcoholic hepatitis:

  • Blood tests determine whether there are infections, cirrhosis, thrombocytopenia, and other symptoms.
  • Abdominal imaging, especially ultrasound, computer tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, especially in the upper right abdomen section.
  • Liver function tests (LFTs). Specific blood tests measure levels of proteins, enzymes, and bilirubin. LFTs help determine the scope of liver damage.
  • Liver biopsy. A biopsy is extracting a small tissue sample to perform tests and determine the extent of organ damage. A biopsy may be necessary if other tests have been inconclusive.
  • Endoscopy in the esophagus to determine whether varices have formed. Varices are an advanced symptom that may lead to internal bleeding, a life-threatening condition.

Tests can help determine whether a patient has alcoholic hepatitis, some other form of hepatitis, or both. It can also help determine the extent of the damage for treatment planning. 

4. What are the Treatment Options for Alcoholic Hepatitis?

There are various treatment alternatives for alcoholic hepatitis:

  • Abstinence. Alcohol abstinence is the number one factor that helps patients prevent further damage and potentially regenerate at least some of the damaged tissue (in cases without extensive scarring). Alcohol rehabilitation services may be necessary.
  • Nutritional support for malnourishment. Alcoholic hepatitis patients are often malnourished due to a diminished appetite caused by alcohol consumption. A nutritionist can help them identify deficiencies and provide advice to compensate for them.
  • Short-term steroid use in severe cases. Although controversial due to potential side effects, short-term steroid use can increase survival rates in severe cases.
  • Liver transplants. Transplants are partial or total replacements of the patient’s organ with liver tissue from a donor. Transplants are reserved for severe cases where medical therapy is no longer effective.

Treatment for alcoholic hepatitis should be accompanied by lifestyle changes on the patient’s side, including a commitment to proper long-term nutrition and regular exercise. It’s essential to seek medical treatment as soon as possible when symptoms appear. An early diagnosis when the disease has not yet advanced to the later stages can help improve outcomes and quality of life.

5. How Can Alcoholic Hepatitis Be Prevented? Can It Be Cured?

Alcohol reduction or abstinence combined with improvements in overall nutrition is the best way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis. 

As part of treatment for ongoing alcoholic hepatitis, abstinence, and good nutrition help alleviate symptoms and prevent further damage. 

At the fatty liver stage, several weeks of sobriety improve the condition. At the alcoholic hepatitis stage, permanent abstinence is recommended and will lead to a gradual recovery from symptoms. At the cirrhosis stage, scarring is generally irreversible, but quitting alcohol helps prevent further scarring and damage.

Whether it can be cured depends on how advanced it has become. At early stages, it can be reversed, but at later stages, it may become a chronic illness that can only be managed rather than cured.

Treating Alcoholism Helps Prevent Alcoholic Hepatitis

It usually takes multiple years of regular alcohol abuse for alcoholic hepatitis to develop. Still, one of the problems is that the first stage of the disease, fatty liver, shows no symptoms. Treating alcoholism early is the best way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis. 

Don’t wait until alcoholic hepatitis has taken hold. Seeking treatment early is the best way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis and create healthier habits that can last a lifetime. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse, consider seeking help from an addiction specialist to prevent consequences like alcoholic hepatitis. 

Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Religious Program?

The fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been around since 1935. During its 78-year history, some things have changed, and others have stayed the same. The AA organization has received its fair share of criticisms for various reasons. One of the most common is its perceived “religiousness.”

This article will explore AA’s relationship with religion and how this relationship has evolved over the years to become more “spiritually-minded” than religious. 

Understanding AA’s Religious Roots

The first AA fellowship was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (“Bill W.”) and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith (“Dr. Bob”) in Akron, Ohio, USA. They were members of a fundamentalist Protestant Christian movement, the Oxford Group. Some of the fundamental beliefs of the Oxford Group were absolute surrender to the Holy Spirit, purity, love, honesty, and unselfishness.

They had strong religious beliefs – a key part of their approach to sobriety. 

The original “Alcoholics Anonymous” book, also known as “The Big Book,” was published in 1939 and contained the initial 12 Steps. The Steps remain at the core of AA to this day and have been adapted to other substances, like narcotics.

Of these original 12 Steps, Step 2 introduces the idea of a “power greater than ourselves” capable of returning us to sanity after falling into alcoholism.

Step 3 is the first to directly mention God “as we understood Him,” indicating that even in its original Christian form, the Steps allowed for some flexibility on the member’s part to input what they imagine to be their God or equivalent.

Steps 5, 6, 7, and 11 also directly mentioned God. Step 12 is focused on a “spiritual awakening.”

Steering from religiousness to spirituality

Over time, AA’s religious roots have caused some controversy, with some people refusing to participate in AA meetings for considering the group religious or going as far as to call it a “cult.”

In practice, however, AA meetings are inclusive to all kinds of people from all walks of life. AA members and speakers are open to all religions, including Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam, Native American faith traditions, atheism, and agnosticism. It is not a core AA belief to pressure people into understanding the term “God” in the Protestant Christian context of its founders.

Even in their original, more explicitly religious form, the Steps clearly state that each attendee can understand God in their way, contrary to the belief that AA forces anyone to conform to the Christian God.

The word “God” remains in the 12 Steps the official AA website provides. However, some groups prefer providing non-religious support and have removed it from their Steps to offer a secular alternative.

Other practices, like reciting the Lord’s Prayer at the end of meetings, have slowly faded in all but the explicitly religious AA groups. And even in groups who still recite it, people are free not to participate if they wish.

Do Scientists Consider AA To Be “Religious”?

Finally, the opinion of experts is essential, too. On that note, a recent review categorically determined that dismissing AA as “religious” is a mistake.

AA also provides the added benefit of being free and available long-term for the communities around it. Denying the documented benefits of AA as a significantly valuable part of addiction treatment due to its perceived “religiousness” is contrary to decades worth of evidence.

Can AA’s spirituality drive some people away?

Even if AA’s concepts have become more spiritual than religious over time, the spiritual emphasis still resonates the most with people who already are religious or deeply spiritual before joining. Not religious or spiritual people may find it hard to relate to the Steps if they’re not used to engaging with terms like “Higher Power.” 

If you want support groups, don’t let AA’s spirituality drive you away. AA members should not force others to share religious beliefs to participate in meetings. You will be welcomed regardless of religion, origin, background, race, or any other part of you.

Additionally, there are agnostic and atheistic AA groups.

Ultimately, Is AA “Religious”?

AA has clear Protestant Christian roots and does mention God in its 12 Steps. However, the Steps still clarify that every member can understand “God” in their own way.

Over time, the explicitly religious overtones have faded from many AA groups (though they still exist in some). AA has remained an all-inclusive mutual-help support structure for many recovering alcoholics.

Furthermore, there’s scientific evidence that suggests AA meetings can have a positive effect on recovery, especially when combined with other forms of treatment. Don’t overlook AA for being “religious,” or you may miss out on a precious resource for your recovery.

Al-Anon Vs. AA

Is there a difference between AA and Al-Anon? Yes! Despite the similarity of the organizations’ names (and the fact that they share the same acronym), Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon are two distinct groups that offer support for individuals affected by alcoholism. 

Key Differences Between Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous

The two organizations are separate but related. Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill W; Al-Anon was founded in 1951 by Lois W.–the wife of AA’s founder, who recognized that alcoholism didn’t just affect the drinkers, but their families and loved ones as well. 

In addition to their closely intertwined origins, both organizations share the same basic principles, including the 12 Steps, along with meeting and leadership formats, and the same commitment to confidentiality and judgment-free support. Still, there are several key differences between how these groups operate.

Membership

First and foremost, the main difference between Al-Anon and AA is the focus of the support. Alcoholics Anonymous is intended for the person dealing with alcohol addiction. Al-Anon is part of the family groups of AA (which includes Alateen) and is for the people who are affected by the addiction of a loved one. 

In short. Alcoholics Anonymous is a support group for people who are recovering from alcohol addiction. Al-Anon is a support group for the friends and family members of people with a drinking problem. 

Goals

In AA, individuals recovering from alcohol addiction are encouraged to admit their powerlessness over alcohol, turn their lives over to a higher power, and make amends to those they have harmed. The focus is on helping the individual achieve and maintain sobriety. One of the key differences between AA and Al-Anon is their focus. 

Al-Anon, on the other hand, is a support group for friends and family members of alcoholics and focuses on helping loved ones cope with the impact of someone else’s addiction on their lives. This includes learning healthy ways to manage their emotions, emotions towards the person with alcoholism, and how to better support their loved ones. 

Addressing Addiction

Another key difference between the two organizations is their approach to addressing addiction. AA encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and make amends to those they have harmed, while Al-Anon focuses on helping individuals understand that they are not responsible for the addiction of their loved one and that they cannot control the actions of the alcoholic.

AA also encourages individuals to find a higher power, a spiritual force that can help them overcome their addiction. Al-Anon encourages individuals to find a higher power too, but the organization does not promote any specific religion or spiritual belief.

Structure

In terms of structure, both AA and Al-Anon are self-supporting groups and do not charge for their services. Further, both organizations are autonomous without a central governing body that oversees their operations. Meetings are typically 45 minutes long and follow a similar format. 

The one difference lies in AA and Al-Anon anonymity policies. AA encourages members to keep their involvement in the organization confidential, while Al-Anon allows members to share their involvement with others.

Chips & Tokens

AA chips are a well-known aspect of the organization as a way to celebrate members’ sobriety milestones. These tokens are not limited to AA and are used by both Al-Anon and Alateen, but celebrate different types of accomplishments. 

Alcoholics Anonymous tokens are color-based, signifying a certain sobriety timeframe, ranging from 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, and over a year. Al-Anon and Alateen chips feature popular slogans and prayers from the organization (like the 3rd Step Prayer or the Serenity Prayer) and are given to celebrate member anniversaries. However, these traditions vary from region to region and not all groups use these physical tokens. 

Find Alcoholism Recovery Resources

Whether you struggle with alcoholism or are a bystander who’s impacted by a loved one’s drinking addiction, there’s a support group for you. 

Learn more about these 12-step-based support groups, how they work, and what to expect, by exploring our other articles. You’ll find guides for working each of the twelve steps and how to apply them to your own recovery journey. 

Or, check out our directory to find an AA group or Al-Anon group near you. Search by city to find local group meetings and connect with others who have been in your shoes. Before attending a meeting, be sure to contact the group and inquire whether the meeting is open or closed. Closed meetings are restricted to current members, while open meetings welcome any and everyone, including newcomers. 

Intervention Options for Alcoholism

Interventions are a great way to help people get started on the path to recovery from alcoholism. However, they are a serious process that can be emotionally draining and requires a lot of preparation. Interventions are performed when you feel like a loved one is heading for a dark path of addiction and want to step in before things get worse.

What is an intervention, and how do you know when to perform it? In this article, we’ll answer these questions.

What Is An Intervention?

An intervention is any effort to help someone struggling with addiction, whether with alcohol, drugs, or other issues. “Intervening” essentially means stepping in and preventing your loved one’s addictive tendencies from worsening, altering their life’s course for the better.

It can be a meeting or series of meetings in which you, and potentially other family members, try to convince them to seek treatment for their substance use disorder (SUD). In this case, alcoholism.

The goal of interventions is to get them into treatment for alcohol addiction and ensure they stay in treatment long enough for it to be effective. You don’t want to shame or scare them into sobriety but rather help them see how their drinking affects them and those around them.

Loved ones can hold an intervention anytime, but it’s most effective before things become too risky—no need to wait for something extreme to happen. If you feel like your loved one is sinking deeper and deeper into addiction, it may be time for an intervention.

Types of interventions

These are four common intervention options for alcoholism, along with information on what they entail, who they are best suited for, and whether professional help is required.

Personal Intervention

The simplest intervention method. It generally involves only the struggling alcoholic and a concerned family member. The concerned family member may or may not seek help from a professional interventionist and then will hold a relatively informal meeting with their loved one.

In the meeting, they will express their concern for how addiction is affecting the struggling alcoholic and the family as a whole.

Classic intervention

A classic intervention aims to direct your loved one into treatment by showing them they have a support system that cares about them. It involves confronting your loved one about their addiction and its impact on those around them.

In this process, family members, friends, and potential romantic partners come together to express their concerns about the damage their addiction causes. Usually, the group or a group member meets with a professional interventionist to prepare for the intervention. During the meeting, the group shares their concerns about their loved one’s addiction and asks for ways to encourage them to seek formal treatment. 

The point of a classic intervention is to show the person that they have support in their family, even if they’ve been isolating themselves and avoiding confrontation.

Family intervention

This intervention involves only family members who want to help their loved one get sober. It’s the most common form of intervention for alcoholism.

It’s often part of a more extensive treatment program that includes other forms of therapy and family sessions, where everyone learns how to support their loved one once they leave rehab and start rebuilding their lives.

This kind of intervention helps families come together and support each other as they navigate recovery.

Crisis Intervention

Crisis interventions can help pull an addict out of a dangerous situation. Crisis interventions are reserved for extreme cases where your loved one’s addiction has progressed to the point of risking their life, such as an overdose or an accident while driving under the influence. The priority is to ensure their safety.

Once you have done that, you can begin addressing the larger addiction problem.

This intervention is unplanned, moves quickly, and requires a parent or friend to take direct care of the addict for at least some time to guarantee safety. Once they’ve been cared for and the immediate danger passes, the family may direct them toward the appropriate recovery resources.

What Type Of Intervention Does Your Loved One Need?

The type you choose will depend on many factors, including:

  • The severity of their addiction.
  • How long they’ve been abusing alcohol.
  • The relationship between your loved one and yourself (if you’re not very close, then a formal intervention is likely, not appropriate).

Whether you’re intervening for a friend or a family member, it is essential to remember that forcing them into getting help will likely make things worse. Only they can decide if they want to get better, so make sure you are willing to accept their decision before proceeding further.

Signs It May Be Time For An Intervention

These are tell-tale signs that it may be time for an intervention.

Alcohol Use Is Excessive And Uncontrollable

  • Your loved one frequently drinks at unusual times, such as first thing in the morning.
  • Their alcohol consumption affects their performance at work, their behavior during family gatherings, or they drink at risky times, like when driving.
  • They can’t stop drinking once they have started.
  • They’ve failed to reduce alcohol intake before.

They Suffer Alcohol-Related Health Issues

Alcoholism causes many health issues, such as hypertension, heart and liver disease, stroke, and digestive problems. Other, more immediate effects of alcoholism include the following:

  • They get sick more often (alcohol weakens your immune system).
  • Their cognitive abilities weaken, leading to poor professional and school performance.
  • Drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, and frequent upset stomachs.
  • Headaches.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Perception, awareness, and coordination issues.
  • Hearing and vision issues.
  • Breathing difficulties.
  • Blackouts from excessive drinking.

Their Drinking Harms Them And Others

If they frequently engage in risky behavior, such as driving under the influence, having unprotected sexual encounters, or starting physical altercations, these are signs that their alcohol abuse is getting out of hand.

Talking To Them Hasn’t Worked So Far

If passing conversations about their excessive alcohol use haven’t worked so far, it may be time to plan and intervene.

How To Stage An Intervention For An Alcoholic?

Interventions can be highly effective for getting someone into treatment, but they’re also intimidating. The following is a general outline of how interventions could go:

  • Start sharing your concerns more seriously: start telling them firmly but compassionately that their alcoholism concerns you. Tell them the signs of alcoholism you’ve noticed and try to have open conversations about how they feel about it.
  • Enroll the help of people who they love and respect: if you think the situation merits having a big meeting or getting other loved ones to express their concerns, too, you can try to enroll their help for the upcoming intervention.
  • Intervene: it may be a good idea to prepare yourself ahead of time by scripting at least some of the essential points. The main message you need to send is that you’re deeply concerned for their well-being. The time and place depend on many factors, but it should be somewhere comfortable where they don’t feel cornered. Not a public spot.
  • If nothing else works, give them an ultimatum: it’s never easy, but it may be necessary. They need to know that you will not continue to support them unless they agree to enter treatment. The goal is that they find the lack of support overwhelming and give in to treatment. Treatment doesn’t have to be entirely voluntary to be effective.
  • Seek professional help: explore treatment alternatives near you and pick the one that best suits your loved one’s needs.

Treatment Options For Alcoholism

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

MAT is the combination of medications and behavioral therapies to provide a complete treatment approach for any substance use disorder. Your loved one may use FDA-approved medications for alcoholism, such as disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate.

Detoxification (“detox”)

Detoxing is the process of eliminating toxins left in the body by excessive alcohol use. It’s usually the first step. One of its main benefits is that your loved one will receive treatment from professionals who know how to manage the inevitable withdrawal when they stop drinking.

Detox often involves medicine use, medical monitoring, and counseling.

Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapies help recovering alcoholics develop skills and attitudes that help them avoid addiction by directing them toward healthier lifestyles. The most common behavioral therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and multidimensional family therapy (MDFT).

Support Groups

Drug and alcohol support groups provide nonprofessional assistance for individuals with similar conditions seeking long-term recovery from substance abuse. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most popular and widespread support group for alcoholism.

Integrated into a complete recovery program, support groups can positively impact your loved one’s recovery.

Find Help For Loved Ones Struggling With Alcoholism

If you’re worried about alcoholism affecting the life of someone you love, intervening may be an excellent way to help them get better.

The process will be complicated and unpleasant, but if you can make them see that they have a problem, they may choose to seek treatment and take the first steps toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

The Dangers Of Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is a somewhat common condition among individuals recovering from alcohol abuse. The condition, which causes unpleasant symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, is most often seen among people who abruptly stop drinking. Although, for the most part, this is a passing cluster of symptoms, alcoholic ketoacidosis can pose great danger for certain individuals if not appropriately addressed. Let’s explore everything we know about this complication. 

What Is Alcoholic Ketoacidosis?

Alcoholic ketoacidosis, alcoholic ketosis, alcoholic acidosis, or AKA, is a condition some people struggling with alcoholism experience, but non-alcoholics may also suffer it when binge drinking. AKA is rare in non-alcoholics, however.

It’s most common in alcoholics between 20 and 60 years old but can affect people of all ages, alcoholics or not. It causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tachycardia, tachypnea, dehydration, and agitation. 

It’s unclear how common it is, but one study on 1,500 alcoholic Japanese men determined that 34% suffered from it within 14 days of their last drink. Another study estimates that less than 10% of alcoholics will experience AKA.

What Causes Alcoholic Ketoacidosis?

AKA is most common in people struggling with alcoholism who also suffer from liver disease and stop drinking suddenly. Dehydrated people who haven’t eaten in 1-3 days are also vulnerable to AKA. The dehydration may be caused by vomiting from excessive drinking and lack of food.

Other alcohol withdrawal symptoms may also prevent you from eating, which may lead to malnourishment. As a result, your body may start producing ketones to preserve energy. Ketones are chemicals your body defaults to when you’re not getting enough nutrients from food.

Your body will eventually produce excess ketones if you haven’t eaten much due to excessive drinking. Excess ketones increase acidic levels in your body and can lead to severe metabolic acidosis, which may lead to potentially lethal conditions.

How Fast Can Alcoholic Ketoacidosis Develop?

The time it takes to appear after the last drinking binge varies depending on how malnourished you are, the amount of alcohol taken, and your overall health status. It can appear as soon as one day after the last drink.

Can Alcoholic Ketoacidosis Be Fatal?

If not treated in time, AKA can lead to potentially deadly complications related to an irregular heartbeat. Elevated beta-hydroxybutyric acid, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and gastrointestinal bleeding associated with AKA may also lead to death.

Common Symptoms Of Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

One of the most significant issues with AKA is that its symptoms can overlap with other conditions, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, uremia, and even methanol poisoning. Symptoms can include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Rapid breathing and short breath
  • Severe dehydration
  • Altered mental state

In addition, AKA can lead to complications such as:

  • Gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Psychosis
  • Coma
  • Pancreatitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Encephalopathy

Treatment For Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

If you suffer from alcoholic ketoacidosis symptoms, you must go to an emergency room as soon as possible. Doctors and nurses will monitor vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing patterns. They may also monitor electrolytes to re-establish healthy values. 

The priority will be to prevent alcohol withdrawal, get you hydrated again via intravenous fluids, and provide nutritional support with thiamine, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. You may also receive intravenous benzodiazepines if you’re likely to suffer seizures from alcohol withdrawal.

If doctors determine that you need ongoing care, they may move you to the ICU. Complications may occur, but they happen in less than 20% of cases. Long-term recovery from AKA improves if you also recover from alcoholism after suffering from it.

The length of your stay depends on the severity of your case, how long it takes to get your body regulated again, and whether you suffer complications.

Find Treatment For Alcoholism

If you or someone you know is dealing with alcohol abuse, you must seek help. The most common treatments for alcoholism include:

  • Inpatient or residential treatment: Inpatient treatment involves staying at a rehab facility for several days, or even weeks or months, where care is available to you at all times. It provides a higher level of support and structure but also the highest investment of time by people struggling with addiction. If you are dedicated to getting sober and surrounded by professionals who want the best for you, inpatient treatment can change your life.
  • Outpatient treatment: This type of treatment is less time and energy-intensive than inpatient treatment and may be prescribed after a period of inpatient treatment. The premise for these programs, as well as the care provided and activities performed (like behavioral therapy), are similar to inpatient programs. However, you can spend the nights at home, study, and even work, attending sessions in the time available.
  • Partial hospitalization programs: Also less intensive than inpatient programs but slightly more intensive than outpatient programs. You still spend the night in the facility’s premises and engage in daily activities, but you can spend more time outside the premises during the evenings and weekends.

The treatment you receive depends on your specific needs and the severity of your case. Regardless of the exact program you go through, what’s important is that it will give you the tools you need to overcome addiction and avoid conditions such as alcoholic ketoacidosis.

What To Do If An Alcoholic Refuses Treatment

How do you help an alcoholic who doesn’t want help? That’s a challenge that many face when their loved ones succumb to alcoholism. It’s a challenging situation for everyone involved. Still, there are several things you can do to provide a positive environment that encourages seeking help.

7 Ways To Help An Alcoholic Who Refuses Help

If you’ve ever tried to help someone who is an alcoholic and they just won’t listen to what you have to say, then you might feel like giving up. Even those closest to the person suffering from alcoholism can’t get through. That said, you can still do things to help the alcoholic in your life. Below are seven approaches I’ve found beneficial when attempting to help a loved one who suffers from addiction.

1. Educate Yourself

When you speak with your struggling loved one, they should feel like you have some basis for what you’re saying. Your comments shouldn’t come off as ignorant or lacking in confidence.

The very first thing you should explore is the nature of addiction. Explore reliable sources explaining that addiction is not exactly a “choice,” as many believe. It’s a complex mental illness influenced by various factors like genes, exposure to alcoholism from a young age, social environment, and more.

Awareness of what alcoholism and addiction are in general will help you approach the conversation from a place of compassion and love.

2. Be Patient And Empathetic

As we mentioned above, love and empathy should be the primary emotions you transmit to a loved one who refuses to get help. Despite their denial, they are at least partially aware of how alcoholism affects their life and the life of their loved ones like you.

It’s important not to add to their feelings of shame, which may compound every time they relapse or can’t stay sober for long. To avoid making them feel further ashamed and embarrassed, try to make them feel heard and loved. You can try the following:

  • Intently listen when they speak – don’t interrupt them
  • Be curious about their feelings
  • Avoid judging them harshly for bad behavior
  • Imagine how they feel before giving your opinion
  • Talk about how their actions make you feel

3. Don’t Be Controlling

Alcoholism is not a rational act that people can be talked out of. If it were that easy, far fewer people would be recovering alcoholics. Instead, it’s a complex illness that drives people to consume something that clouds their judgment.

Unfortunately, the decision to seek treatment and make an effort to get better must come from your loved one. 

Trying to manage and control their behavior will not yield positive results. What you can do is provide support and a positive environment where they can safely decide to get help.

4. Don’t Start Arguments Or Lectures

Similar to the last point: recovering alcoholics are not being logical. As a result, lecturing them on how their actions are wrong would likely make them feel isolated and ashamed, which is the last thing you want to encourage.

It may also be hard to balance “don’t lecture them” with “don’t enable them by not pointing out any negative behavior.” There’s a middle ground where you are not starting unneeded arguments but also holding them accountable for their behavior when needed.

5. Don’t Enable Their Alcoholism

Being supportive doesn’t mean you have to let them engage in negative behavior that only deepens their addiction – basically enabling them. These are the common signs you are enabling an alcoholic:

  • Ignoring or downplaying the seriousness of their addiction
  • Covering up their behavior
  • Taking over their responsibilities, which they neglect due to their alcoholism
  • Financing them when you know they’ll use them to buy alcohol

To stop enabling them, consider the following:

  • Set clear boundaries for appropriate and inappropriate behaviors
  • Be ready to support them when they take steps to recover
  • Don’t make excuses for their behaviors, cover up their behaviors, or take over for the responsibilities they neglect
  • Don’t shield them from the personal or legal consequences of their actions

6. Stage an Intervention

Perhaps the most powerful tool you have to help an alcoholic who refuses treatment is an intervention. Ideally, you should consider speaking with an addiction specialist or an interventionist to help you arrange the meeting. 

During an intervention, close friends and family members come together to express their worries about someone’s substance abuse. During this meeting, the idea is to get the person to agree to seek some form of treatment, whether checking into rehab, attending AA meetings, or speaking with a therapist. 

7. Consider Legal Actions

As a last resource, you can consider legal actions. Family members can sometimes seek legal action, particularly for under-aged individuals. Many parents can force minor children (under 18) to check into rehab. Some states also have laws that allow involuntary commitment after the age of 18. While forcing someone into rehab isn’t always effective, in some cases, it might be the push someone needs to get help. 

Helping a Loved One Who Refuses Treatment

When a loved one refuses help for their alcoholism, it’ll always be challenging for everyone involved. 

Only they can ultimately decide to get help, and it’s challenging to feel impotent on the sidelines. What we can do is create an environment that encourages seeking help by being empathetic but not going so far as to enable their behavior.

Over time, they may conclude that they need help. And when that moment comes, you’ll be there to support them.

What is the Philosophy Behind the 12 Steps of Recovery?

The 12 Steps are designed to help people who struggle with addiction by promoting spiritual and character growth. This will help them better understand themselves and the world around them, providing a framework for a sober, productive life. The 12 Steps were created for Alcoholics Anonymous but have been the direct inspiration of many other addiction recovery frameworks, like Narcotics Anonymous. 

While Steps are not a cure for addiction, they can be essential to recovery. For many people, working through the steps is an ongoing process that helps them stay on track and maintain their sobriety.

What is the Philosophy Behind the 12 Steps of Recovery?

The philosophy behind the twelve-step program is that rather than targeting the immediate problem of dependence on a particular substance, it aims to reshape the individual into a more positive version of themselves. 

The core basis of it has allowed the 12-Steps program to remain an effective tool over the years, despite criticism within the medical field. Its philosophy focuses on strengthening each individual to be better prepared against future temptations and reducing their risk of relapse.

Although the 12 Steps are often attributed to Bill Wilson, the initial steps or principles are said to be influenced by the founders’ experience with The Oxford Group. This Christian organization helped improve members by teaching a formula for spiritual growth. 

The Oxford Group created these steps to help people overcome what they saw as destructive patterns of behavior and live more productive lives through a series of spiritual exercises that centered around confession, restitution, guidance, and fellowship with other members of their group who had also confessed similar issues in their lives.

Even though it’s not technically a religion, many people who practice 12-step recovery feel it can be spiritual at times. For those who struggle with this, the 12-Steps call to tap into a spiritual or Higher Power belief system. Whatever fuels you to do better tomorrow.

The Therapeutic Goals of the 12 Step Program

The 12 step program is a spiritual, not religious, program. In fact, the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. No fees are associated with this self-help group, and people can attend meetings as often or as infrequently as they like.

The 12 step program isn’t just about recovery from addiction but also about maintaining sobriety in general. 

The steps are meant to help you build healthy relationships with others. At the same time, you work on rebuilding your own life and identity away from alcohol or drugs that may have been part of your problem behaviors before entering treatment programs.

How the 12 Steps Work in Alcoholics Anonymous

The 12 Steps aren’t meant to be followed blindly; each step is intended to be applied and understood individually before moving on to the next one. As you work through each step, you’ll begin recognizing your own attitudes and behaviors while reflecting on how they positively and negatively affect your life. This can help you figure out which changes need to be made for you to stay sober.

The philosophy behind the 12 steps will help you understand why they work so well – and how they can help you achieve lasting sobriety even if you don’t believe in God or any traditional deity (or aren’t sure what you believe).

It’s about recognizing how spirituality influences your journey toward sobriety and can improve it as well by giving purpose, direction, meaning, and hope to your life once again – a life free from alcohol addiction.

The 12 Steps Have Led To Many Successful Recovery Stories

In a world where people are constantly seeking new ways to improve their lives, it is good to know that there is something that has stood the test of time. The 12 Step Program has been around for over 75 years and has helped millions of people recover from addiction. 

You should always focus on the recovery methods that work best for you. 

While the Steps are not a complete solution on their own, they can be an excellent supplement to behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment. In fact, some studies suggest participation in peer support groups can help with treatment engagement, relapse prevention, and treatment completion. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, consider attending an AA meeting near you. That could be the first step in your road to recovery. Additionally, peer support groups work best when paired with behavioral therapy at a rehab facility, so consider speaking with an addiction specialist about your best options. 

7 Tips To Be An Effective AA Sponsor

Sponsorships are an important part of the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery method. Sponsors are essentially people with personal experience in the AA method who can guide less experienced recovering alcoholics.

AA sponsors are not certified behavioral therapists and do not provide diagnostics, treatment, or medication. They provide ‌gentle guidance on the path to sobriety, offering a compassionate, more experienced perspective on the struggles recovering alcoholics face.

In this article, we’ll describe what AA sponsors are, who’s qualified to be a sponsor, and a few tips to be a better sponsor.

Tips To Be An Effective AA Sponsor

You have been chosen to be an AA sponsor as part of your journey to stay sober. These are some tips and advice to help you have a more successful experience as an AA sponsor.

1. Stay Sober

This is obvious, but one of the core responsibilities of an AA sponsor is to lead by example. How? By staying sober and faithful to the AA teachings. If you relapse while acting as a sponsor, you should let your sponsee(s) know and focus on recovering your sobriety before continuing to fulfill your sponsorship role. 

2. You’ve Been Sponsored 

You’ve worked the Steps in the past with your sponsor who has given you the expertise to help guide others by offering your experience, advice, and hope. Ideally, you can merge the teachings of your sponsor with your personal experience to help your new sponsee(s) through their journey to sobriety. 

3. Be Humble

Humility is understanding your strengths and weaknesses and being honest with your sponsee. You don’t have an inflated idea of yourself, but at the same time, you know how to provide your experience productively. As a sponsor, you should also encourage your sponsee(s) to humble themselves.

4. Be Compassionate

People recovering from alcoholism are at a vulnerable time in their lives when feelings of shame and uncertainty are common. As a sponsor, you should be compassionate with their struggle but also learn to be firm in certain areas.

It’s a moderate stance you’ll need to learn over time: not being so soft that you enable them, but also not being so firm that you come off as uncaring. Remember, you were once in their footsteps. 

5. Be A Good Listener

Be willing to listen to your sponsee actively. Be patient when they have trouble expressing their feelings. Learn to be comfortable when they don’t have the words to express their thoughts, validate their emotions, and ask compassionate, clarifying questions.

6. Know Your 12-Steps by Heart

Sobriety is a life-long search that doesn’t end. Your knowledge of the 12 steps must be solid, and you should be capable of applying what you know to stay sober long-term. This consistent experience will be invaluable to your sponsee(s).

7. Be Willing To Take Your Sponsee(s) Out Of Their Comfort Zone

Be willing to help your sponsee(s) acquire new knowledge by going slightly away from their comfort zone. It’ll help them gain new perspectives and explore new ways to stay sober. You can encourage them to attend different AA meetings or read new AA literature to gain a deeper understanding of their recovery process.

What’s An AA Sponsor?

According to AA’s “The Big Book,” an AA sponsor is a person with an alcohol use disorder who “has made some progress in the recovery program and shares that experience with another alcoholic attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through AA.”

Sponsors are essentially more experienced recovering alcoholics who share what they’ve learned with less experienced recovering alcoholics. Their importance lies in acting like role models, providing motivation and encouragement, and being a source of information for less experienced recovering alcoholics.

Who’s Qualified To Be An AA Sponsor?

There are a few requirements potential sponsors should fulfill before being eligible to help others heal:

  • They’ve Been Sober For A Year. Preferably for more, but if they’ve been sober for at least 12 months, they are dedicated to recovering from alcoholism and improving their lives. Someone who has just become sober doesn’t have enough experience to guide someone in the same position.
  • They’re The Same Gender As The Sponsee. This isn’t a requirement, but it’s encouraged. Since most people are heterosexual, being sponsored by someone of your same gender will minimize the possibility of any side developing romantic feelings or infatuations.
  • They Have Less Than Two Or Three Sponsees. If someone is already sponsoring three or more recovering alcoholics, it’s probably better to look for another sponsor with more time to dedicate to their sponsee.

AA Sponsors Are Important For Recovery

A good, compassionate, humble sponsor can be an excellent guide for people just taking their first steps into sobriety. Their work is essential. That’s why they should be experienced and patient with recovering alcoholics. Their guidance and compassion can contribute to their health for the rest of their lives. If you’re considering becoming a sponsor soon, keep these tips in mind to help your sponsees succeed.