As a community, we must protect the members of our community from the abuse of alcohol by techniques of prevention.
Substance abuse is a pressing issue in society that needs to be addressed for the safety of our community. It is a disease involving an uncontrollable use of illegal or legal drugs or medication that seriously damages the brain. In this period of time, alcoholic beverages will inevitably appear and tempt people of all ages. Despite these pressures, it is possible to prevent reliance for those who dwindle under substance abuse.
The Mayo Clinic explains this issue regarding the knowledge covering all topics around alcohol and the ways that it is misused. “Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent,” the Mayo Clinic reveals. Additionally, ideas and beliefs from the environment that you surround yourself in can penetrate into your brain, and lead to the first, and future, abuse of the drug. Alcohol causes physical changes that occur to the growing mind and alters how your brain feels enjoyment by transforming neurons and their method of communication. The science behind alcohol addiction may be alarming, but there are techniques of prevention.
The most effective way to block future addiction to alcohol is to never drink in the first place. However, it is not as simple as telling adolescents to never drink alcohol irresponsibly; that is unrealistic, but many preventative measures can be taken.
Primarily, communication through education is key. Conversations about the effects and risks of substance abuse and how to drink responsibly, prevent your loved ones from going uneducated and falling into the trap of addiction. It is also vital that in response to questions, you listen and support your loved one’s efforts in understanding substance abuse or reaching out for help in their relationship with alcohol.
As previously mentioned, the environment that a child matures in can define their future relationship with alcohol, meaning, be a good example: don’t misuse alcohol around children, and don’t pressure friends and family into drinking. Growing up in a household with the ambiance that mistreating alcohol is acceptable greatly increases the risk of addiction. Ultimately, teach the skill of safely using alcohol. Even though most children will be tempted to consume alcohol in their life, they must be in control when under the influence.
The American Addiction Center teaches “two basic rules for those whose loved ones are alcoholics: When choosing to face the alcohol use disorder, keep the conversation simple and tell the truth.” If the dependent relationships between alcohol and a person cause noticeable behaviors, engage in the challenging conversation. With simplicity and truth, bring up how their actions make you feel; it is important to not overwhelm them. These simple steps benefit the alcohol abuser by setting them in the proper mindset and providing a push in the right direction.
If communication, education, listening, good examples, and teaching responsible alcohol use were incorporated into the curriculum at schools and in households, children can be saved from this trap of addiction. Although some are already confined, their story doesn’t just have to end here. There is a way to turn the page in your story to the next chapter: sobriety.
Despite the fact that the temptation of alcohol may feel too strong to control or the prevention seems impossible, that is incorrect. Just as an apple a day keeps the doctor away, an alcohol-free day keeps the addiction away.
Image Citation: Water's Edge Counseling and Healing Center
