My Struggle With Alcohol Use Disorder

By Kevin Repass

According to the NIAAA, Alcohol Use Disorder is defined as a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD can range from mild to severe, and recovery is possible regardless of severity. My drinking started at the age of 14 as a freshman in high school. I had no idea what the consequences would be for my continued use of alcohol over the next 15 years. My struggle with alcohol use disorder tore my family apart, affected my ability to get a college degree, cost me jobs and ruined personal relationships. I am disappointed in myself for not realizing that I had a problem. I do not think normal people understand that people like me truly are powerless when it comes to alcohol. We are incapable of seeing we have a problem. We are incapable of realizing just how much it affects our moods and brain chemistry among other things. Alcohol can turn us into people that we are ashamed to admit to being.

image:pixabay.com/en/alcohol-drink-alkolismus-bottles-64164

My Early Years of Drinking

In high school I associated with a lot of friends who drank. We would drink for fun, entertainment and social gatherings. I thought our drinking patterns were normal. Our routine was go to school during the week and party on the weekend. After high school I attempted to go to college. I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life coming out of high school. There was not anything that I felt like I was good at or interested in other than drinking. I got through my first semester in college but I would eventually drop out halfway through the second semester because I was more concerned with living the college party life portrayed on tv and in the movies. I was still ignorant to the fact that I had a problem.

Relationships Under the Influence

My alcohol use disorder would become prevalent in a three-year relationship. Instead of focusing on what should have been important- her- I continued to drown myself with the poison that is alcohol. My love for drinking got in the way of love with a wonderful woman. How stupid was I? How was I still too blind to see my problem? Alcohol made me severely delusional and in denial. I was living in my own little world, enslaved by my own selfish, sick, twisted illness of alcoholism. It had me in a vice grip so tight that I could not escape. After she broke up with me, my alcoholism would spiral me into a black hole of oblivion.

Drinking Myself to the Grave

My life was in ruins thanks to my alcoholism. Alcohol took everything I held dear away from me. I just wanted to end it all with alcohol. I was mentally, spiritually and emotionally broken. I lost a good woman, lost a good job and a good life. I did not think it would ever get better. I started drinking heavily to self-medicate and numb all the pain and depression that was suffocating me. I had no idea where to go with my life or what to do. I was lost and confused. I was trapped in a nightmare that I did not think I would escape alive. I was constantly struggling with suicidal thoughts. My family and loved ones continued to watch me self-destruct. I was no longer drinking for fun. I was drinking to die. I would wake up and immediately start hitting a bottle of whiskey for breakfast. I would drink all day and night. I would not eat. I could not sleep unless I was blackout drunk. I was starting to have severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms- the sweats and the shakes. I could no longer function without a drink first thing in the morning. I did not care about myself. I did not care if people cared about me. I did not want them to. I just wanted to stay in a black hole and fall into my grave with alcohol.

There Is A Solution

I knew I was not capable of stopping my drinking. I was not going to stop. I was a broken record. My family could no longer bare the sight of this person I had become. Finally my parents suggested that I go into a detox and treatment center. I was given a second chance at life. I made a lot of strong connections with people in treatment. I found that I shared a lot in common. I was no longer alone in my struggle with substance abuse as I once thought. I was free from the curse that was my alcohol use disorder. I found there is only one solution to my problem: stop drinking. I was able to stay sober and continue to stay sober by attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, working the Twelve Steps of AA and getting a sponsor (which is someone who guides you through the twelve steps). I had no choice but to turn my life around. I wish I had gotten help for my alcohol use disorder at an earlier stage in life. It would have prevented a lot of damage my drinking caused, however, it is never too late to seek help and get the treatment you deserve.

Kevin Repass is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. He is a writer for a south Florida-based company dedicated to providing resources and information to all those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. 

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Choosing an online therapist – What should you watch out for?

If you consider online therapy, you’ll know that it offers you several benefits to clients and it is a rather convenient way to meet a therapist without having to waste your time in commuting to the office of a therapist. With online therapy, the clients get the opportunity to connect with the therapist regardless of their geographic location or any natural disasters like a snowstorm. No matter what goes on outside, you can relax in your pajamas and stay connected with your therapist online.

image:www.e-counseling.com/directory

Though there are trustworthy sources like e-counseling.com from where you can get the best online therapists who can take good care of your mental health, yet you should know how to choose the best online therapist. Read on to know the things to look for.

Can the quality of service be compromised since its online?

When the therapy offered is online, it definitely has some sort of impact but that doesn’t mean that they’re all negative. Therapists value the fact that they can visit their clients in their own natural environment and this way they get to see their real self. The patients tend to act more naturally when they’re taking online sessions and hence their body language is of more help to the therapist.

What are the credentials to watch out for in an online therapist?

Professionalism and credentials are extremely vital in any kind of therapy treatment and more so in case of online therapy. If you take a look at the bigger picture, you’ll be rather shocked to find out that they lack the right credentials needed for them to offer services. Don’t take into account the letters that they add after their name as most of those letters imply certifications which can be obtained with the drop of their hat.

Can an insurance policy cover online therapy?

A soaring number of states need insurances to cover online therapy and this is rather good news for the clients. This makes the therapists guarantee their clients that they will help them get reimbursed for the therapy sessions or they will eliminate any fees which aren’t covered for getting online help. Hence, you have to find out that the therapist whom you’re choosing will assist you in receiving insurance claims. Would you want to deal with insurance companies and take on that added stress? When your goal is to reduce stress, have a talk with your therapist.

Therefore, whenever you’re looking for an online therapist, make sure you watch out for the above listed credentials so that you can settle with the best one. 

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6 Self- Care Strategies For Busy People You Need To Try

When you're busy most of the day, every day of the week, it's very easy to forget about your needs. Busy people have this habit of forgetting about themselves and what they enjoy and need; they are all about their obligations and they focus more on others. Some of them even believe they don't deserve a break and that every time they spend time on something relaxing, they are actually wasting their time. However, devoting some time just for yourself is incredibly important, maybe even more important than the time you give to others. You need to take care of yourself as much as you should take care of your loved ones - neglecting yourself will only lead to stress and exhaustion.

If you want to pamper yourself in some way, but you feel you don't need much time for that, here's what you can do:

Get enough quality sleep

Quality sleep is incredibly important for anybody, especially for people who are really busy during the day. Busy people have trouble falling asleep, getting quality sleep or getting sleep at all. Their minds are always working, not allowing their body to relax. If you are that way, you need to make quality sleep your priority. There are various techniques that can help you fall asleep more easily in the evening and that will allow you to have uninterrupted sleep.

Listen to your emotions

It's necessary from time to time to stop and think about how you are currently feeling emotionally and mentally. Busy people tend to catch up in the everyday obligations that they don't stop to think about the levels of stress, anxiety or sadness they are feeling. It's not healthy to keep your emotions inside, sealed and hidden from others. You need to allow yourself to feel sadness, exhaustion, worry or anger from time to time. If you choose to ignore your feelings, they will overwhelm you at some point or eat you inside - neither of these possibilities is good for you.

Get regular social support

Everybody needs to have a trusted circle of friends or family members who they can lean on when things don't go their way. People close to you can improve your mood when you're feeling down, give you good advice when you're in doubt, help you let off some steam when you most need it or relieve you some stress when you feel it's too much. The social support you get from them helps your mental health and makes you emotionally stronger. So, no matter how busy you are, it's essential for you to spend some quality time with your loved ones - those relationships that you nurture are what will help you in times of need.

Maintain a healthy diet

A busy schedule is no excuse for a poor diet. The busier you are, the more important it is to have proper nutrition in order to have a strong immune system and the energy to deal with the obligations. The food is where we get our energy from, so pay attention to what you eat. Cut out artificial sugar and soda from your diet and focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It's the type of food that's easy to digest and also cleanses your body. As you need a lot of energy during the day, you can add protein powders like True Protein to dairy products that will help you to do your best on regular basis. In essence, you need to get the energy and essential nutrients through carefully chosen food.

Take up a hobby

A hobby is a great way to get away from the everyday stress at least for a while. Whatever the hobby is, they all have the same feature - they relieve stress and help you be in the moment, not worrying about the problems. You will relieve a lot of tension if you choose to take up an artistic hobby - you will find a way to express yourself and be creative. Of course, gardening or any other physical activity can be as helpful as an art form. Just find out what relaxes you and occupies you and find a bit of time during the week to pursue that activity.

Practice meditation

Meditation is a sure way to relieve stress and to regain balance in life. It doesn't have to last for a half and hour or more - a couple of quality minutes is all you need to calm your mind and decompress. Learning the skill of deep breathing is also highly beneficial - it helps your body as well as your mind. When you get the hand of it, you will manage to calm yourself in a matter of minutes.

Related source: Diet & exercise for mental health

Final words

No matter how busy you are, there is always a half an hour in a day when you can devote to your needs. Use that time wisely.

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Benefits of Having Food Court and Coffee Shops in the Residential Complex

Over the past few years there’s a growing trend of having shopping complex, food court and coffee shops in the residential premises. Whether it’s a luxury one or a budget space, such kind of amenities are quite common nowadays. A coffee shop and a food court amidst the residential complex come with a plenty of advantages for the residents. And, obviously enough, such kind of amenities also increase the property value. According to the owner of a 3BHK apartment in Pailan, having a coffee shop and a food court in their residential complex offers a plethora of benefits. Here’s a look at it.

1. A Coffee Shop Offers a Hangout Spot

Whether you seek some lone time or some happy moments with friends, a coffee shop with friends offers you the perfect refuge. Sipping the fuming hot cappuccino while enjoying your favourite storybook is something we all romanticize and with a coffee shop right at the premises makes it possible. Secondly, you can always invite your friends for a coffee and take him to a coffee parlour if it’s there in your complex.

2. Solution to Your Craving   

With a food court in your premises, you no longer need to find a restaurant to appease your cravings. When a family or group of friends are going out to eat, it can be challenging to pick one restaurant that will appease everyone’s different cravings. Having a food court in the premises lets you enjoy the restaurant’s food without going far. Not only there are several options to choose from, but it also lets you enjoy a quick snack or nicer meal in the most hassle free manner.

3. Increased Convenience

A coffee shop and a food court in the residential complex offers you a heightened convenience, which you otherwise do not have if you need to go out to enjoy the food from restaurants. Sometime the food court in the premises also helps you to fetch some food almost instantly, if there are guests in your place. Quite obviously, the convenience level is much higher.

4. Some coffee shops are work-friendly

There are people who, being a work-from home professional prefer working while lazing around in a coffee shop. With a coffee shop in the residential premises this is no more a big deal. Nowadays work-friendly coffee shops are quite common and with one such place at your residential complex it’s quite a breeze. In fact, if you want to hold work related meetings and don’t want to go far for this, you can invite your colleagues to your place and can easily sit in the coffee shop at your residential premises.

The Prime Takeaway

A food court and a coffee shop right at the residential premises come with a plenty of conveniences and it makes your life easy. Nowadays, the residential complexes are coming up with multiple convenience amenities and a coffee shop & food court is one of them. Even a range of low budget properties are offering this in the recent times.

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