What is Suboxone?
For those who may be unfamiliar with subuxone, it is basically a pill that can be administered under supervision of medical professionals to help people overcome their dependence to opiate based narcotics. It is marketed by the Britain based company Reckitt Benckiser. The pill, which is usually prescribed at 2 mg through 8 mg dosages, contains two main active ingredient substances: buprenorphine and nalaxone.

How Does Suboxone Work?

To understand how the drug works, it helps to learn more about what the two main active ingredients in it are used for as stand alone medications.

Buprenorphine is a semi synthetic opiate that much like its other narcotic relatives is used primarily as a pain reliever. Now research has shown that it can help relieve the side effects of withdrawal from drugs such as oxycotin and other prescription pain relief narcotics when combined with Naloxone. When used on its own, it is typically administered intravenously, however when combined with Naloxone this causes even more unpleasant side effects through this method. As a pill however, the two drugs work together in helping to reduce the withdrawl symptoms associated with narcotic addiction.

Naloxone is typically used to overcome potential overdoses and as a blocker. Basically it blocks the effects that one would feel from using the drugs and can also help reverse how it is absorbed in the body. It’s been a standby for many regular heroin users to have in their emergency stash in the case of overdose, though it does not always prevent heroin overdose.

So now that you have an idea of what the two drugs inside Suboxone are, you can understand how it works more easily. The tablet basically works this way: The Buprenorphine helps people avoid going through major withdrawal because it helps “wean” them from the drugs they are addicted to, whereas the Naloxone works to help reduce the effect one would feel from the drugs. When done this way, the user does not feel the “high” that one would normally get when using the drugs.

Is It Effective?

One of the most common questions is whether or not it is effective. In most patients who have used it, they have not gone through the severity of regular withdrawal they would have experienced had they tried to quit cold turkey. These symptoms can range from anything from shaking, tremors, cold and hot flashes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and many other unpleasant sensations that frequently accompany the body going through withdrawal symptoms. It is usually not as severe nor as life threatening as alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but it can still be unpleasant enough to deter a user to try to quit or overcome their reliance on the drugs.

Approved by the FDA, the drug makes it almost completely painless to overcome addiction to opiates and other prescription narcotics. This however, is not to say that it will permanently cure the addict alone, since most addictions are driven by underlying problems, such as emotional distress, ineffective pain management, amongst many other causes for one to become addicted to any substance. For this reason, it is usually recommended that most people should in conjunction receive therapy and other possible inpatient or outpatient drug rehab services to address the reason why they found themselves addicted in the first place. Most who have used it as a treatment have reported much lower incidences of relapse than those who have not undergone any type of side effect management.

There’s No Excuse to Stay Addicted

Through the many medical advances made in overcoming the symptoms that make quitting taking narcotics and other substances much easier than it had ever been in the past. The days of harrowing images of feeling like you will die for three days are gone. Knowing that you can safely, comfortably, and effectively deal with the side effects of quitting, the only thing stopping you from no longer being addicted is yourself. It’s never too late, and you never have to face becoming sober alone – all you need is to call a local hotline near you for the information to get started.

While it’s common to believe that only serious drug users who were addicted to heroin would suffer from addiction to opiates, it can actually affect many unsuspecting people if they are prescribed heavy duty medications for illness or injury. Someone treating severe back pain from an accident for example could easily find themselves dependent on their medication. Many people do not realize commonly prescribed pain killing drugs such as codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are actually derivatives from the opium poppy plant.

One of the first signs of opiate addiction begins with withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms will vary from person to person, but in general include feelings of restlessness, anxiety, nausea, headaches, insomnia, muscle aches, or agitation. More severe dependency can cause vomiting, chills, and others. While withdrawal symptoms are certainly unpleasant and uncomfortable, unlike alcohol addiction, it does not pose the same risk of fatality. Dehydration may become a concern if vomiting is persistent.

Withdrawal symptoms are typically the fuel that cause other signs of addiction and dependency, which includes trying to obtain more medication, covering up and lying about use, switching doctors or making multiple appointments for more prescriptions, performance differences in work or school, and problems with family members or friends concerning drug use and habits.

What Type of Opiate Addiction Treatment is Available?

Treatment will be different for each individual and their level of dependency. There are many factors that will play a part in the success of overcoming addiction, including their willingness to stop and the support system they choose to help them. There are many medical treatments available also that can help reduce the symptoms of withdrawal to make initial recovery more comfortable.

In general, opiate recovery and rehab involves several parts in overcoming dependency to the drugs. There is a very good point in this article on opiate addiction that the best treatment for an opiate addict is a program the addict is the most receptive towards participating in. Very few rehab programs can be successful without the desire of the addict to overcome their problems with abusing or depending on the drug.

Here are some of the things you may wish to look for in a treatment recovery and rehab program for opiates:

1. Managing Initial Withdrawal Symptoms: There are many medications available that can help reduce nausea and manage withdrawal symptoms that can greatly help the person overcome their physical need and urges to use the drug. The most common of these are Buprenorphine and clonidine. These medications must be administered in a hospital setting or drug treatment center with physician supervision.

2. Addressing the Reasons for Use: If abuse of prescription pain killers has led to the dependence on opiates, then it is important that the problem of pain management is addressed. If a person continues to suffer from chronic pain then they may be at risk at becoming dependent on drugs again. A drug treatment center that specializes in prescription drug abuse can often provide alternative resources and remedies for effectively dealing with pain without medication.

3. Therapy and Counseling: Therapy and counseling, both in a individual and group setting, can be very beneficial in learning new ways to live without the use of drugs. Many times it is easier to just swallow a pill than it is to cope with the usual stress and problems with life. For this reason it is very important to make sure that new ways of coping with sobriety and living are taught.

4. Relapse Prevention: Many people have problems with kicking the habit for good. Relapse is very common, especially if pain management hasn’t been addressed with non opiate alternatives or if there are emotional and psychological factors that are present and have not been addressed. While there are plenty of programs that offer rapid detox, they can often times be overall ineffective if they lead the person to begin using again.

Where Can I Get Help?
If you are experiencing the symptoms of addiction or you believe you may have a problem, there is nothing to be ashamed of in getting well qualified professional help. Most centers for rehab will welcome you with open arms and will not pass any judgement. Many of their caregivers and counselors have been exactly in the same position as you and can understand your situation and offer support and guidance. For many people, there are state and federal programs that can help you obtain the care you need with little to no cost to you if you do not have health insurance, regardless of your income or employment status.

If you are the family member or friend of someone dealing with addiction, it can be very difficult to watch the person you care about change and struggle with substance abuse problems. While you may not be able to control or change the situation, you can seek help for yourself if it is adversely affecting your own ability to live a healthy and happy life.

Do you have any experiences or thoughts to share about opiate addiction treatment? Share them in the comments below.

Fortunately, it is possible to cure alcoholism – and it can be done in just 5 steps. It’s not an easy cure. There is no magic “one size fits all” fix that will solve and end the problems of alcohol abuse in individuals and their families instantly, but there is hope and it can be done with the right treatment plan that matches the needs of the person. Thousands of people have been able to overcome their addiction and move on to live happy and successful lives – you can too.

Here are the 5 Steps to Quit Drinking:

1. Admit There is a Problem: Denial is the biggest problem in treating alcoholism. While the individual’s family and friends may recognize that drinking has become excessive or is negatively affecting the person’s life, the person who is addicted to alcohol will likely not. You cannot always convince someone that they need help. Many former alcoholics refer to “hitting rock bottom” to be the point that they realized it was something they could not overcome on their own. Unfortunately for many it is not until mounting problems such as losing friends and loved ones, multiple legal issues, or being hospitalized occurs for someone to realize that they need help.

2. Ask for Help: A lot of people believe that they can overcome alcoholism on their own without the help of others. However, the reality is that alcohol consumes a person and controls their life – not the other way around. You have to ask for help, even though you may feel awkward about it. Fortunately, treatment centers and professionals are caring and understanding – they do not judge you, they do not criticize you. They simply give you the help that you need, and for many it is a huge sense of relief.

3. Overcome Addiction: Depending on your level of addiction, you may need to undergo alcohol detox before you can quit drinking. Withdrawal symptoms can be very dangerous for those who are severely addicted and can include anything from hallucinations to tremors and seizures to even death. For this reason, it is best when detox is done in a supervised setting for your own safety. Many physicians will prescribe detox drugs such as Librium or others that will greatly reduce or even entirely eliminate withdrawal symptoms that helps make the process much more comfortable and easier to overcome. After detox has been completed, you are “cured” – you no longer will have the withdrawal symptoms that make you crave alcohol. However, it’s important you don’t stop just there, since you have treated your body but not your mind.

4. Begin Therapy/Treatment: After addiction has been overcome through detox and your body is no longer craving alcohol, the next vital step to cure alcoholism is to treat the emotional side of the condition. Your body may no longer be dependent on the alcohol, but overcoming old habits is the most difficult part of the process. There are many different treatment centers and methods for doing this – some may prefer inpatient therapy, others outpatient. Attending group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or others may be of additional benefit to some.

5. Maintenance: After you’ve undergone therapy and have been equipped with the tools and resources necessary to live a sober life, the last and final step is to continue to abstain from alcohol and stay sober. You may be able to have the occasional drink again several years of sobriety later, but exercising control and caution is very important. For most, it is best to avoid drinking and the triggers completely.

There are countless different methods of treating alcohol abuse. Some have decided to try natural remedies or “miracle cures”, others have been successful on their own. Every person is unique, and for that reason it is best that you choose a treatment plan that works for you. You don’t have to just jump into whatever treatment plan your doctor prescribes you or is the most common one known in your area. But it is VERY important that you take that step and seek the help of someone else.

If you are concerned about a loved one’s drinking, seeking help for yourself is just as important as seeking help for the person who has a drinking problem. With the right plan and when the person is once and for all ready to stop drinking once and for all, it is absolutely possible to cure alcoholism.

Have any thoughts? Share them in the comments below.

Here are Some of the Most Common Reasons Behind Drinking Alcohol:

1. Social Influence: We’re constantly surrounded by the acceptance and encouragement of alcohol in many different situations. From television advertisements to walking into a restuarant that serves alcohol, we constantly see things that show that encourages drinking. Many restaurants will post their daily drink specials ($1 drafts for example) or have banners and signs featuring certain types of alcohol. Watch any football game on television and you’ll likely see plenty of beer commercials. While obviously a television commercial isn’t going to cause you to start drinking directly, it adds to the social influence and acceptance of alcohol in our society. The more “normal” and “accepted” alcohol becomes, the easier it is for people to disregard the dangers of alcohol abuse.

2. Social Pressure: Many of us have had our first drink from some sort of social pressure. Maybe it was a group of friends having their first underage keg party, maybe it was someone else that said “Here, have a beer”. While you would think peer pressure would stop after high school and college, for many adults it does not. Coworkers who make it a habit to go to the bar after work can put social pressure to drink – visiting friends or special events such as weddings or family reunions may also include social pressure and expectations to drink.

3. Looser Inhibitions: Many people feel shy, awkward, or afraid in certain situations. It can be a social situation, such as a party full of strangers, or it can be something more formal such as while at work. Alcohol naturally causes people to lose their inhibitions, feel more relaxed, and become seemingly more outgoing or less shy temporarily. (Temporarily is the key to be stressed – it can cause more problems after prolonged use) Rather than dealing with problems such as overcoming shyness or other issues, alcohol is used as a temporary solution to deal with awkward situations.

4. Stress Relief: Many people in a stressful situation want something that is quick and easy to get their mind off their problems. By drinking alcohol, someone is able to forget about their problems, and so it becomes a temporary solution to their problem. Unfortunately, excessive drinking only leads to more problems, and while you may forget about something for a few hours while drinking, it does not actually provide an end to the cause of stress.

5. Escapism: This is another reason why someone may start drinking alcohol or continue the habit. Escapism can be brought on by a variety of things – boredom, depression, mounting stress or problems, etc. For those who have been drinking long term and are borderline alcohol abusive, the need for escapism rises.

These are just a few of the most common reasons – many people have different reasons that may or may not be related, or they may drink alcohol for a combination of several reasons.

Fortunately for those who are seeking treatment and living sober, identifying these common triggers and reasons for alcohol abuse can help them learn ways to continue sobriety and deal with their addiction. Many treatment and rehab centers focus on things such as learning to ignore social influences, how to deal with peer pressure, and problem solving skills. Treating other underlying causes for drinking, such as depression or anxiety, can also often help.

Any thoughts on the reasons why people drink alcohol? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Here are some popular games and activities for breaking the ice:

The M & M Game: For this game you will need a few bags of regular M & M candies. You will want to pass the bag around and tell each person to take a handful but not to eat them until you say that they can. Once everyone has gotten a handful of M & M’s they will then need to share one fact about each other for each M & M they have. (Can be as simple as “I like the color blue, I drive a motorcycle, I have a sister – or can be deeper more personal things also.)

Two Truths and a Lie: In this game, each person says three things about themselves. Two of them should be true, and one of them should be false. It’s then up to the crowd to decide which statements are true and which one is a lie. For example, someone could say “I climbed Mount Everest, I can play the accordion, I wrote a novel.” The other members of the group would then have to say which they think is false. After everyone guesses the lie, the person will reveal what it was.

People Scavenger Hunt: This is a fun activity that will help others get to know one another better. You will need a list for the group to use as checklist for their scavanger hunt where you will list things such as “Has Brown Hair”, “Wears Glasses”, “Likes to eat Pizza” and other general things that should apply to at least one person in the group. You will then have the members of the group go around and talk with each other until they find someone who qualifies and write that person’s name down on the paper. Once everyone has found someone, you can then have each person go around and read who they’ve met and found that meet each item on the scavenger checklist.

Do you have any other ideas for icebreaker games for small groups? Share your ideas in the comments below!

When a person’s blood sugars are too low, it can cause them to crave sugar (or in the alcoholic’s case, alcohol). When the levels are high from eating sweet foods and beverages, our bodies produce insulin which will often cause it to drop rapidly and begin the cycle of cravings all over again. Many recovering alcoholics who before were not fans of sweetened foods find themselves after giving up alcohol that they desire these things more often than before.

Having good nutrition habits is very difficult for the person who is abusing alcohol, especially since alcohol may become their main dietary supplement and a substitution for meals. Malnutrition is one of the well known physical effects of alcohol addiction that can not only cause the person to eat unhealthy items but also change the way the body processes sugars, grains, and other nutrients obtained from consuming different foods.

While eating a healthy diet alone is not enough to combat alcohol cravings, especially for someone who has become physically addicted on the drug and would benefit from safe and relatively painless alcohol detox, it could help the recovered alcoholic be more successful in quitting drinking for good. Eating a diet that helps regulate hypoglycemic levels can greatly reduce not only their cravings for sugar, but also their cravings for alcohol.

A healthy, well balanced diet is recommended to keep these levels intact and functioning the way they should to reduce cravings. Eating all of the food groups as the USDA recommends in their website My Pyramid and switching to whole grains can drastically improve a person’s diet and help regulate their hypoglycemic index. This helpful article on sugar addiction has some information of gradually reducing the amount of sugar you consume and eat as well as how to overcome cravings for good.

If you are a recovering alcoholic and sugar craving is a concern for you, speaking to a doctor, counselor, or nutrition specialist can help you learn more about your blood sugar levels and the different options available to help you combat both sugar and alcohol addiction for good.

Overcoming the physical addiction will depend of course on the alcoholic’s level of dependence. A mildly addicted alcohol abuser may be able to quit drinking without assistance for overcoming withdrawal symptoms. However, for someone who has abused alcohol for a long time and is severely physically addicted will likely need assistance since alcohol withdrawal symptoms not only are unpleasant but also potentially fatal. For this, finding a good alcohol detox program can make it possible to overcome the physical addiction aspect without the side effects of withdrawal through the use of medications.

Here are some of the different treatments of alcoholism:

Medical Facility Treatment: There are many medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics that can provide help for alcoholism. They often accept government medical insurance programs and often help can be obtained for free or with your existing health insurance provider if you have one. For many who find themsleves in an emergency room from alcohol poisoning they will often administer whatever medical treatment is necessary. You can also speak to a regular doctor to have them refer you to different types of treatment available through hospitals and clinics. Most hospitals have a mental health and substance abuse division that can give you additional resources and treatment options.

Alcoholics Anonymous: Alcoholics Anonymous is probably one of the most recognized alcohol treatment programs, though it primarily only focuses on changing behavior after the alcohol abuser has gone through withdrawal or needs support in staying sober. There is no individual counseling or medical treatment administered through AA. For this reason, it is usually best to combine Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with other treatments in order to facilitate the best possible recovery scenario.

Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers: In most areas there are drug and alcohol rehab centers that specialize in the treatment of addiction. They may offer outpatient (the person can leave the facility but must come back every day for services) or inpatient therapy (the patient stays at the facility) to treat alcohol. This is often a “one stop shop” for many fighting to overcome addiction as they are typically licensed and able to administer withdrawal alcohol detox medications as well as combine the same benefits of individual, family, and group therapy all in one. Often alcohol rehab centers will work with insurance companies and help you apply for medical assistance if you need it to obtain treatment. There are however a few that only provide to private self pay individuals, typically catering to higher income addicts with different luxuries such as serene settings and gourmet chefs. Some alcohol rehab centers may be Christian based, which in addition to traditional treatment offers the support for the spiritual needs of individuals as well.

Alternative/Natural Remedies: Some people have had success with treating alcoholism with alternative and natural remedies, such as using herbs like kudzu to fight addiction symptoms or reading self help books. This can be pretty dangerous for an alcoholic to do unless they are doing it combination with other treatments, as most people are not able to control their drinking on their own until after several months of sobriety. Many alcoholics have continued to struggle with addiction believing they can quit drinking on their own – which in some ways is a sign that the person is still in the denial stage of alcoholism. However, it is worth mentioning because not everyone wants to go through the traditional medical routes and with the right support and guidance can be successful treatment program.

Each of these treatments for alcoholism will vary from location to location and each facility may have different procedures and routines. However, most of them will concentrate on helping the addict overcome withdrawal symptoms and the physical addiction, and then work on the emotional and mental dependence as well. Different therapy options and practices are best to be discussed with a drug and alcohol counselor. Spiritual River also has an excellent resource on addiction help that has some helpful information and resources for those wishing to help someone they know battle alcoholism.

Understanding the different treatments of alcoholism can make it easier for you to find help and know what your options are. Remember, you’re never alone, and getting help is as simple as a phone call away.

Often times it is not until one ends up in the emergency room from their cocaine use that they seek help. Prolonged use or high doses of coke can result in overdose, seizures, nausea, insomnia, malnutrition, cardiovascular and lung failure, chest pain, bacterial infections, anxiety attacks, paranoia, psychosis, delusions, and many other problems. Because cocaine can be taken in a variety of ways, there may be additional possible side effects from using the drug for an extended period of time or by taking a larger dose. Taking larger doses becomes increasingly more dangerous, not only because it is a higher dose, but also because as someone uses the drug their body becomes sensitive to it in a different way, making adverse reactions more possible even with low amounts.

Cocaine rehab must be treated very carefully because even though the withdrawal effects of coke use is not as severe as it is from alcohol or heroin, cocaine is still very addictive not only physically but emotionally as well. Mild withdrawal symptoms can usually be treated at home or without medical supervision, but often a cocaine user who wants to stop is unable to stop on their own, especially if cocaine can be found readily available through their contacts or friends.

It is best when choosing a cocaine rehab and addiction treatment center is that be assessed by a professional on an individual case by case basis. While some alcohol and drug treatments can be done in an outpatient setting, cocaine recovery is often more beneficial through inpatient drug rehab. Inpatient treatment allows the addict to remove themselves completely from the situations and friends that give them easy access to the drug, making recovery easier and more successful for many.

Like all drug treatments, treatment for cocaine addiction must not only address the physical cravings for the drug, but also the emotional dependence on using the drug as well. The feeling the need to escape or the high effects of coke use can often be a cause of other problems in the user’s life. Learning how to cope with life without drugs and teaching oneself coping skills is essential in having a successful recovery.

After cocaine rehab has been successfully completed, the next step is to address relapse prevention. Since cocaine is highly addictive, just one slip can potentially cause another cycle of cocaine addiction and it could be more difficult to quit than before. A successful cocaine recovery program should identify possible cocaine relapse triggers as well as help the recovered person identify and recognize potential signs that they may be at risk for relapsing before the relapse actually occurs.

Many people have successfully completed addiction and recovery programs for cocaine and continued on to live healthy and better lives. Cocaine addiction does not have to be an end to a person’ life – getting help can give them a second chance to do everything they’ve ever wanted to do.

If you need information on cocaine rehab and addiction treatment for yourself or your loved ones, visit our where to find addiction help page to find a center or caregiver near you.

Alcoholism is when one’s body is physically addicted and dependent on alcohol. An alcoholic will have severe to moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms while the alcohol abuser may not have the same severity of symptoms if they do not have the drink. The symptoms of alcohol dependency can vary greatly between an alcoholic and an alcohol abuser. However, it can be very easy for an alcohol abuser to become an alcoholic, since the more and longer they continue to drink, the more likely they are going to build up their tolerance and dependence on alcohol.

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be becoming an alcoholic, these ten warning signs of alcoholism that may help you determine what stage of alcoholism or “pre-alcoholism” one may be in.

Ten Warning Signs of Alcoholism:

1. Want Becomes Need: There is a difference between an alcohol abuser wanting a drink and an alcoholic who needs a drink. An alcoholic needs a drink in order to stop their hands from shaking, their stomach feeling nauseated, severe levels of anxiety to be alleviated. An alcoholic usually needs a drink to get up out of bed in the morning and needs another drink to fall to sleep.

2. Attempting to Cover-Up/Hide One’s Drinking: When someone begins covering up and hiding their drinking, it shows that they may be aware that they are drinking more than what is “socially acceptable” or that their drinking problem may cause others to get upset. Someone who is not physically dependent on alcohol would not have the same need to drink that they would go to great lengths to cover up how much they are drinking. It can be hard to recognize signs of someone covering up their drinking problem.

3. Drinking Alone: For most people who are not addicted to alcohol, drinking is mostly a social thing – a glass of wine with dinner when out with friends for example. When someone begins drinking alone, it shows that alcohol begins taking precedence over family and friends and doing other healthy activities instead.

4. Inability to Stop: One drink, two drinks, three drinks, floor is a phrase many people have heard before. Usually non-alcoholics can tell when they are drunk and when they should cut themselves off or stop. An alcohol abuser often participates in binge drinking on a regular basis, however an alcoholic will binge drink everyday. Their dependence and tolerance to alcohol has made it so they cannot tell when they’ve had too much to drink at once.

5. Failure to Care About Personal Appearance: An alcoholic will often neglect personal hygiene and their personal appearance. Drinking alcohol has become so predominant in their life that changing out of dirty clothes or showering regularly does not become a priority.

6. Violent/Angry Behavior: Even those who are typically not violent or angry when drinking will eventually begin displaying angry and aggressive behavior when their drinking gets out of control. Angry outbursts, extreme aggression, throwing chairs, furniture, and even physically hurting people the alcoholic loves are all violent behaviors that show one’s drinking is out of control.

7. Excuses for Drinking: An alcoholic will always have an excuse to drink – no matter what time or day or reason it may be. Everything is a reason to drink for an alcoholic – whether good or bad. Making these excuses is a way for the person addicted to alcohol to rationalize their drinking is not as bad as it really is.

8. Poor Work Performance: An alcohol abuser can often still function in day to day responsibilities such as going to work. However, an alcoholic may drink while working, and may have attendance, behavior, or other issues that may even result in them losing their job.

9. Legal Problems: Someone with more than 1 DUI or disorderly conduct or other legal charge against them for drinking is usually borderline for becoming an alcoholic. Most people who are not physically addicted to alcohol would stop or change their behavior to avoid getting in trouble with the law. Since an alcoholic cannot stop, legal problems continue to mount, and a court order can often be the only reason an alcohol abuser or alcoholic seeks any treatment at all.

10. Memory Loss: Blacking out and the inability to remember things that have happened are common for alcoholics to experience. Someone who only drinks occasionally may be able to remember everything they did when drinking, or at least be able to recall where they were. An alcoholic may have no recollection of the past day or past few hours of events.

If you or someone you know are concerned about the ten warning signs of alcoholism and believe you may have a problem, our page on where to find help lists many resources you may find useful.

Recently I had the opportunity to read Lisa Frederiksen’s Book If You Loved Me, You’d Stop! What You Really Need to Know When Your Loved One Drinks Too Much, which gives the answers to all of the questions we face when living with or trying to help an alcoholic.

The author’s own experiences with a person who drinks too much, coupled with medical research and popular recovery program tools gives an added insight to understanding the problem in depth – and getting the help that YOU need as someone affected by another person’s drinking. The non-confrontational and supportive tone helps you realize you’re not crazy or that the situation is hopeless – and there are things you can begin doing immediately to help your situation improve and reclaim your life.

Here are just a few examples of some of the things you can find in this book:
Definitions and Explanations of Alcohol Abuse as a disease
Quizzes and Assessments for Identifying Alcohol Abuse and Co-dependency
How Alcohol “Hijacks” the Brain
Understanding Denial and Setting Boundaries
Parenting With An Alcoholic Partner
How to Change Yourself to Reclaim Your Life
Additional Resources for Support, Treatment, and Information

Simply put, If You Loved Me You’d Stop is a book everyone must read, whether you are just recognizing the beginning stages of an loved one with an alcohol problem or have gone down the road of recovery already.

In addition to this fantastic book, Lisa also has created the website Breaking The Cycles which offers even more support and resources for someone concerned about a loved one’s drinking.

If you are concerned about a loved one’s drinking problem or recovery, this book is worth it to check out and read. The book is available online through Amazon.com.