September is National Drug and Alcohol Recovery Month
This month is National Drug and Alcohol Recovery Month.
Many women at Calvary are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Whether amongst the women themselves, the case managers, the therapist, or during a Life Skills session on the issue, maintaining sobriety and the recovery process are common topics of conversation. At Calvary, we understand the challenges women in recovery face in maintaining their new-found sober lifestyle – especially when facing other issues like mental illness and homelessness. So here at Calvary Comments we want to provide some information if you too are struggling with alcohol or need help for yourself or a loved one.
While drinking in moderation (two drinks a day for a man, or one drink a day for a woman) generally poses little risk, a pattern of excessive drinking can have dangerous long-term effects on a person’s brain, heart, and liver.
It is important to know women often develop complications with alcoholism more rapidly than men, and women who have suffered abuse, domestic violence, or have a family history of alcoholism are particularly susceptible to the disease.
Individuals suffering from alcoholism are unable to stop drinking despite the negative effects their growing addiction may have on their personal or professional life. Ultimately, an unhealthy relationship with alcohol can lead to alcohol dependency, at which point rehabilitation or other treatment might be the only chance to regain control.
Signs of this addictive disease include:
- Suffering withdrawal when not drinking
- An increased tolerance to alcohol
- Inability to carry out everyday functions without abusing alcohol
Does this sound all too familiar? If you ever find yourself spiraling out of control, do not be ashamed to seek help. Support services and other resources are widely available, including treatment facilities and support groups. Most towns and cities have Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) groups and 12-step programs. Here is a good site on how to find a meeting in your area and get started towards recovery: http://www.aa.org/meeting_finder.cfm
There are also support groups available for friends and family of individuals struggling with addiction: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org
Some other helpful resources to check out: