Exploring Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence is one of the sneakiest types of addiction, and -- in a society that is built upon social drinking -- can sneak up on any individual, and thrust them into the throes of addiction.

Not only is alcohol dependence sneaky, it is also tricky. Some people often do not realize they have a full on dependency to alcohol until they finally try and quit. After quitting, the individual may feel fine for the first 24 hours or so, but as the last of the alcohol starts to exit the body Delirium Tremens (DTs) can begin and can leave that individual suffering greatly. These withdrawals, are a sign that your body has become so used to the presence of alcohol in the body systems, that the body and mind do not know how to function and balance themselves without the alcohol.

This is the main difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence: Any one can binge on alcohol, or party for a few wild years, or have weekends when they "overdo it;" but, when the body needs the alcohol in order to perform daily functions, the individual has developed an alcohol dependence.

Once an alcohol dependence has surfaced, the individual is suffering from full-on addiction and must seek treatment for this disease immediately, before it ends in death. Again, alcohol is a sneaky drug. You don't simply quit drinking, or it could kill you even more quickly than staying on alcohol. The only option is to go through a medically-supervised alcohol detox program. Through weening-off of the alcohol, dangerous withdrawals can be avoided, and the alcohol-dependent individual can get clean before starting the new task of learning how to stay sober, through an alcohol treatment program.

Handle Your Stress Better With These Simple Tips

Stress reduction is imperative in protecting our health. Stress can affect us on either a psychological or a physiological level. It can manifest in symptoms as diverse as gastrointestinal disorders and eye ticks. By addressing stress in a step by step approach, its cause can be identified and possibly even alleviated.

Helping others is a wonderful way to go about reducing your stress level. Many times we are consumed by our own problems. If we become less self-absorbed and realize that other people have problems too, then we are more willing to help others. In doing so, we not only help ourselves, but we make a big difference in the lives of other people.

If you are feeling stressed out, you may want to consider writing your thoughts down on paper. If you feel stressed frequently, buy yourself a journal. Getting your negative thoughts out on paper can help you feel better. Also, you know that paper will not judge you so you will feel free to say whatever you want to!

To help yourself relax during a long day at work, be sure to leave the office for lunch. Even if you just step outside to eat your bagged lunch in the park, getting away from your office can do wonders to decrease your stress. A 15 to 20 minute break from your environment makes a long day a whole lot easier to cope with.

There are many things that cause stress, but living a healthier lifestyle can greatly reduce the effects of stress on your body. Always eat fresh fruits and vegetables to keep your body well nourished and prepared to cope with the stress that comes your way. When you eat a healthy diet your thinking is clearer and you will make better choices.

By reducing or, better yet, even eliminating stress from our lives, we can do wonders in improving our health. This isn't an impossible task. The first step is figuring out the problem. The second step, or series of steps actually, involves addressing the problem at its root and working to eliminate it in its entirety.