alcoholism

Alcohol Abuse among College Students

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Alcohol Abuse among College Students

By Melissa Rodriguez

College students undergo many feelings and emotions during the semester. They may feel excitement, anxiety, stress, depression, and so much more. These feelings can lead to alcohol abuse in college students. College students are more likely to be exposed to alcohol, which can lead to them wanting to partake in drinking and abusing alcohol with peers. When college students are stressed they go to parties and they may be exposed to alcohol there. They may be stressed or overwhelmed with assignments and exams and they may want to drink the stress away. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, some students who go to college develop established drinking habits. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, within full-time college students ages 18-22, 49.0% consumed alcohol and 28.9% engaged in binge drinking in just one month. Peers of students may also pressure them into trying or consuming alcohol, and with peer pressure it can be hard for students to say no as they fear they may get bullied or judged.

Abusing alcohol in college can also affect brain development in young adults. Many college students who take part in drinking and abusing alcohol still have developing brains. Brain development can last through ages 21-25. This may put young college students at a greater risk for alcohol poisoning, which can damage the development of the brain. Alcohol can cause brain cell shrinkage, nerve cell death, and grey matter decline. It is important to learn about the dangers of alcohol to better protect yourself and those around you from abusing the substance.

If you or someone you know is dealing with alcohol abuse, please speak with one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychotherapists. Contact us at our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 respectively to set up an appointment. For more information, visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/.

Sources:

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/college-drinking

https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=the-dangers-of-binge-drinking-1-1924

Alcoholism: Codependency and Effects on Family

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Alcoholism: Codependency and Effects on Family

By: Maddie Rhodes

Alcoholism, or Alcohol Use Disorder, has drastic effects on the individual, and it also takes a toll on the people surrounding them including their family, friends, and colleagues. Alcoholism always has a financial tie and can easily create instability within a family.

Alcoholism can result in martial conflict, stress, and domestic violence. It is important for a family member or friend to consider their own mental health when supporting someone who has Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). A risk that spouses face when put in this situation is codependency, focusing all of their efforts onto their partner or family member. This forms an unhealthy relationship and may lead to them blaming themselves for the addiction.

 It also has detrimental effects on children living in the household. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 1 in every 5 adult Americans resided with a relative who misused alcohol during their adolescence. They often face strong feelings of anger, anxiety, and confusion with some struggling with friendships, school, and mental health. Living via an alcoholic puts the child at a higher likelihood of developing AUD. It is important to set boundaries with the individual, for example, how much alcohol you are comfortable having in the house.

Considerations:

  • Learn about AUD and how it may affect your loved one
  • Try to avoid enabling them
  • Remove yourself from dangerous situations
  • Have an open conversation
  • Speak to a therapist or licensed professional

If you or someone you know is interested is dealing with Alcoholism or is an individual close to someone with Alcoholism, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Sources:

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-Of-Alcoholics-017.aspx

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcohol/support-recovery/family

Alcohol Usage Increase during Covid-19

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

By. Alexis Yennie

Alcohol consumption has been rising consistently since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak. Having people see alcohol as an “effective pain killer”, women’s rates of consuming alcohol are much higher than men’s; due to the increase of work stress and also domestic duties (childcare, homeschooling, and being in charge of the household), Experts are becoming gradually more concerned with individuals and the choices they are making about how they choose to ease the pain during the pandemic. During this pandemic, times are uncertain; including things such as death and unemployment.

A survey that was done by the RAND Corporation and overseen by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) compared different drinking habits from 2019 to the present day with a collection of 1,540 participants. The results showed that both men’s and women’s rates have been dramatically increasing since the pandemic began. It also showed an increase in binging episodes as well. The results also showed that it was on average, five more drinks for men and four more drinks for women, within a couple of hours; women’s consumption amount increase by at least half.

The study that was done did not only show the amount of excess drinking that occurring but also showed the psychological impact that binge drinking has created for a majority of people.  Emotions such as guilt, shamefulness, and depression, have all been a common theme of emotions between individuals. A lot of individuals feel that there is no better option and it was an easy way to cope with the new “norm”. Unfortunately, there are new innovative ways of obtaining alcohol from the comfort of your home through liquor store home delivery apps; only adding more fuel to an already big fire.

If you or someone you know is struggling with high levels of alcohol usage, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professionals who deal with drug and alcohol problems. We have psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and psychotherapist Arista Counseling and Psychotherapy is located in Paramus, NJ, and Manhattan, NY you can reach us at (201)-368-3700 or (212)-722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/alcohol-consumption-rising-sharply-pandemic-women/story?id=73302479

Image Source: https://www.recoveryintune.com/drug-and-alcohol-abuse/

 

How to Cope with a Loved one Affected by Alcoholism

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

 

alcoholism

Sonya Cheema

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic relapsing brain disease and is characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over alcohol intake, and a negative emotional state when not using. If you suspect a loved one has alcoholism, look for these signs:

  • Unusually high tolerance for alcohol
  • Hiding alcohol
  • Isolation/absence from work
  • Irrational moodiness/emotional ups and downs
  • Dangerous behavior
  • Not being able to stop drinking once he/she starts
  • Lying/manipulation

Keep in mind that alcoholism affects 17 million adults in the US, and that it is a disease. Many people with loved ones suffering from alcoholism tend to think that the affected person is purposely ruining his/her life and trying to upset family members. You would not blame someone with cancer for hurting themselves, so treat alcoholism in a similar manner. The best things to do when dealing with someone with alcoholism are:

  • Having honest and open discussions with the person about love and the relationship
  • Getting help from others, including professionals
  • Committing to change. If you have to make boundaries or personal promises, be sure to stick with them.
  • Empowering yourself. Learn about alcoholism so you can have a better understanding of what your loved one is going through
  • Do not enable (ie: giving them money)
  • Offer to take him/her to therapy or Alcoholics Anonymous (12 step) meetings.
  • Lastly, DO NOT blame yourself. You are not responsible for anyone’s disease.

Alcoholism is never easy to deal with, especially when it is affecting someone close to you. The best you can do is follow the suggestions above and remember that it is not your responsibility to cure him/her.

If you or a person you know is struggling with alcohol use disorder, it may be beneficial to contact a mental health professional and receive therapy. The psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists at Arista Counseling and Psychiatric Services can help. Contact the Bergen County, NJ or Manhattan offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920. Visit http://www.acenterfortherapy.com for more information.     

 

Information in this blog post was received from:

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/spouse/

https://www.discoveryplace.info/2016/08/24/the-secrets-to-helping-an-alcoholic-family-member-or-friend/#1526263885900-8943f2ec-6b34