Alcohol Addiction

Dontrelle’s Addiction Recovery Story

On February 23, 2010, In Addiction Recovery Story, Alcohol Addiction, By Dr. Lundgren

I’m just your average 30-something white guy from a middle-class home in the midwest. Nothing really unusual about my story. Came from a very stable family, parents are both non-drinkers and non-users, been married for almost 40 years now (I saw my mom drink a glass of wine once, my father…never). Some may think that’s strange, but I later learned that my maternal grandfather was an alcoholic…so I guess you could say the disease skipped a generation.

I started drinking beer on the weekends in high school, around the age of 14-15. I remember the first time I got drunk; it was a feeling I never wanted to end. I felt on top of the world, as if I had all the confidence a man could have. I proceeded to binge drink throughout high school and then into college. While at college, I met guys who were more progressed in their disease than I was. I drank with them almost on a daily basis, and experimented with every illicit chemical under the sun. You name it, I’ve done it at least twice (except for peyote). I was drunk, stoned, tweeking, or on the nod every single day in college.
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Gypsy’s Addiction Recovery Story

On February 23, 2010, In Addiction Recovery Story, Alcohol Addiction, By Dr. Lundgren

The summer before high school we moved to a much different town. The first kids to accept me were the “loadies”, so I started partying to fit in. When I was 16 and my parents were in the middle of a bitter divorce, the boy I loved died, aspirating on his own vomit while doing nitrous oxide at home alone. Looking back on it, I believe from that day on, I drank to keep the pain at bay. I never realized it was preventing the healing as well.

I drank and drugged for 28 years, pausing only for pregnancy and child birth. Even while the grief was a constant, I am joyful person by nature and most of the time I believed my life was close to perfect.

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Kirstie’s Addiction Recovery Story

On February 23, 2010, In Addiction Recovery Story, Alcohol Addiction, By Dr. Lundgren

June 2008 was the worst and best month of my life. My partner had said she was leaving me after nearly a year of us being together. She felt that I had an addiction problem and it was one that she couldn’t support me through, she rightly said that the road to recovery would be a long one. I didn’t even think I had a problem but I decided to pretend that I was going to do something about it by saying that I would go to a meeting of alcoholics anonymous. I figured that if I looked like I was doing something she would hang around. I agreed that I probably drank too much as there were some nights I just couldn’t remember; I would end up being violent and aggressive. I would wake up not knowing how I had got home or what I had done. Deep down part of me I believe was really sick of living this life but a way out of it didn’t really seem possible. My problem wasn’t alcohol and drugs, it was living without them. I could stop drinking and using anytime I wanted to. I had done it many times before. Sober life would become unbearable though and I would go back to drinking and using again. Even after being arrested for selling drugs.

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Anonymous Addiction Recovery Story

On February 23, 2010, In Addiction Recovery Story, Alcohol Addiction, By Dr. Lundgren

There was the beginning being a innocent, open, loving, unafraid, proud, curly-headed, and bright. I was raised in the suburbs on the outskirts of Memphis, well adjusted, happy, and protected. My parents were together then, and I had a younger brother to pester and play with. At ten years old the family bought some property in the dirt road country and a adequate home was erected at the end of a long gravel driveway. We all moved together to the southern country-side, West Tenn.. In some ways it was great: open spaces, freedom to roam, trees, bare feet, dogs running free. However, socially it was isolating and we never got connected with our neighbors like we used to. The only social regularity was clockwork visits to the Methodist church in another nearby community. All the role models were seemingly in place to form a well adjusted young man, ready for success.
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Alcoholics Anonymous

On November 3, 2009, In Addiction Recovery, Alcohol Addiction, By Dr. Lundgren

Addiction Recovery Alcoholics Anonymous is a great program that has helped many people to turn their lives around. AA can be very beneficial and help individuals by using a non-threatening 10-step approach to becoming sober.

The following statement comes from their website:

Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

I have had many friends that have really benefited from Alcoholics Anonymous and have said that it is a great program for anyone looking for an addiction recovery program.

On October 6, 2009, In Addiction Recovery, Alcohol Addiction, By Dr. Lundgren

Addiction Recovery

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is an alcohol addiction, or in other words, a need for an intoxicating liquid that is made through a firmented grain or fruit. These drinks can incluid beer, wine, and other hard liquors.

An alcohol addiction is present when a person cannot limit the amount of alcohol that they consume, and they have a craving at all times in the day. People who are addicted to alcohol can suffer withdrawals that can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting. constant headaches, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety. These symptoms can cubside in two ways. By either giving the body the alcohol it desires, or naturally detoxifying your body and changing the body to no longer be dependant on alcohol.

Many people think that it is just a matter of controlling the mind and then you can stop drinking. That notion couldn’t be more false. Alcohol addictions are very difficult to overcome and the recovery is very much a process. The majority of alcoholics need assistance to stop drinking, that is, they need a mentor or someone they can report to on their success and progress.

Alcohol Addictions-Causes and Effects of Alcohol Addiction

Scientists have proven that people who have an alcoholic in their family/household, are 50% more likely to become an alcoholic. Based on a person’s environment and lifestyle, especially traumatic experiences as a youth, will greatly effect whether or not a person tries a drink of alcohol. The factors of one’s environment that might have an effect on their alcoholism are as follows; family, friends, culture, peer pressure, financial security, etc.

Alcohol addictions can lead to serious problems and circumstances. Not only can there be physical problems that arise, but also emotional and mental destructive behavior can arise. Currently alcohol is involved in half of all crimes, murders, rapes, burglary, and accidental death. There is also a long list of health issues that can arise when alcohol is consumed: brain damage, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, etc. Alcoholics who are not able to quit drinking reduce their life expectancy 10-15 years.

Other causes and effects from alcohol addictions:

Too many rinks can kill many, many brain cells that can cause brain damage
Alcohol can hinder the reaction time of the nervous system
Alcohol can cause inflammation in the mouth and esophagus which can lead to cancer
Drinking can produce irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, heart attacks and other heart problems
Can destroy sexual function, pleasure, and desire.
Can lead to skin and pancreatic disorders, weaken the bone and muscle structure, eventually lowering your immunity

A large amount of alcohol that is taken in is broken down by the liver. The liver has a fixed rate of breaking down the alcohol, so as the liver is overused, disorders and malfunctions can result, making the liver the primary location of alcohol’s damage. Liver damage can occur in three stages. The first stage is liver enlargement whereby liver cells are penetrated with abnormal fatty tissue. The second stage is the alcoholic hepatitis whereby liver cells swell, inflame, and eventually die. The third stage is cirrhosis in which fibrous scar tissues are formed, hindering the flow of blood through the liver.

Alcohol Addiction-What to do?

The first thing is having a determination to quit drinking alcohol and having control of your body once again. Then you need to have the initiative to realize what triggers your alcohol drinking problem. Do everything in your power to eliminate those triggers in your life. Even if it includes losing many friendships. Forgiveness is an important part of this process and also seek counseling to aid in the healing process.

Making the decision to get help is the most important one out there. Whether it is through counseling, either through this site or an in office visit, that is very necessary. Please contact me or another professional in the field who can help. Many online prices are better and studies have shown that they are just as effective. You can contact me at addictionrecoveryplans@gmail.com. I will be there to help with any question or concern you might have. That is the purpose of me helping with Addiction Recovery.

Tagged with: Addiction Recovery • Alcohol Addiction

Addiction Recovery Is Possible

On September 26, 2009, In Addiction Recovery, Alcohol Addiction, By Dr. Lundgren

Throughout my professional career, I have visited and counseled with many people about their addictions and what takes place in their lives. There is a definite control that any addiction has on the human body. The way I have heard it said, is that once an addict, always an addict. However, I am here to change that notion. I feel that any addiction is just like bad habit, but one that is very serious and life threatening, both physically and emotionally.

It has been said, that it takes 21 days to form a habit and only 3 days to break a habit. I have seen this be the case with many addictions, yet some can be more powerful than others. One must first believe in themselves. If that can take place, then a complete recovery s possible. If that doens’t take place, there is ni hope.

I worked a few years back with a gentleman that had an alcohol addiction. He had struggled for years with this addiction, and it destroyed every relationship that he had in his life. He was single, over 50 and always down in the dumps.

Just like any bad habit though, he was able to beat it and have a happy/healthy lifestyle. He had a spiritual experience that he said changed him. Along with a few materials that I had given him he was able to beat his addiction. It was such a joy to see him be able to talk about his addiction recovery. He now loves spending time with his son and watching movies. Needless to say, the man is no longer an addict, but a victor.

Tagged with: Addiction Recovery • Alcohol Addiction