Does Giving up Alcohol Make You Depressed? Depression and alcohol misuse are interconnected in many ways. For some, depression causes alcoholism; for others, it comes from drinking. And for some people, depression hits after giving up alcohol. You might be asking then, what’s the point of becoming sober if you’re only going to feel worse? […]
Category: Addiction Advice
What are the Emotional Effects of Alcohol?
Many of us drink to feel happy or relaxed or to mask or avoid our feelings. Alcohol is a powerful drug that initially can seem like a one-stop solution to any situation. It can even act beneficially if used responsibly. However, when a person starts to abuse alcohol, the emotional effects it produces can turn […]
Differences Between Binge Drinking and Alcoholism
Binge Drinking Vs Alcoholism Many of us have engaged in heavy drinking or know someone who enjoys an occasional binge-drinking session with their friends. There are many categories of alcohol use, ranging from light/moderate drinking to alcohol dependencies. While binge drinking can be a sign of alcoholism, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a person has […]
What Are the Benefits of Rehab?
Whether one has an alcohol, drug, or behavioural addiction, the benefits of a rehab can help anyone into a successful and lasting recovery. Ireland offers a variety of treatment options for addiction, ranging from self-help programmes to luxury residential rehabs. Although rehab is not the only option for addiction treatment, depending on the person, it […]
Am I Married to a Functioning Alcoholic?
A functioning alcoholic (sometimes called a functional alcoholic) is not always easy to spot. Unlike most alcoholics, functioning alcoholics do not exhibit obvious symptoms of alcoholism. They also manage to be generally competent in all or most aspects of their lives, therefore avoiding the stereotypical image of alcoholism. They are often middle-aged, successful, and have a […]
Why Can’t Alcoholics Stop Before They Lose Everything?
Alcoholism is a chronic illness that takes over the mind, and sometimes the body as well. It is extremely tough to control one’s behaviour with any addiction and alcoholics find it harder to stop than most. Sometimes, an alcoholic has to lose everything before they decide to get help. Sometimes, even hitting rock bottom is […]
How Does Long-term Alcohol Misuse Affect the Brain?
For many people, alcohol is a part of their regular life, be it drinks with dinner or catching up with friends over a Friday night cocktail. In low to moderate amounts, alcohol has its benefits – it makes people more happy, more social, and more relaxed. It is also believed that responsible drinking carries […]
Teenage Substance Misuse
Ireland has one of the highest rates of underage binge-drinking in Europe, ranked fifth, and drug use among young people has been steadily rising. Binge-drinking is the most harmful type of drinking, and it doesn’t take much to get there – for young women, it means four or more drinks in one sitting, and for […]
What Happens to Your Brain When You Blackout from Drinking?
You may have had the experience of waking up somewhere unsure how you got there. Blackouts are common during episodes of binge drinking. The more frequently you drink, the more likely you are to black out. And while heavy drinkers tend to blackout more, anyone can blackout while binge drinking. It’s alarming to not know […]
Why is Cocaine so Bad for Your Brain?
All psychoactive drugs affect your brain, by definition. Habitual use will cause change neurotransmitter levels, making you physically dependent so you need more to feel the effects. Long term use of many drugs causes cognitive impairments, including poor memory, poor focus, and lack of coordination. If you quit, many of the withdrawal symptoms affect your […]
How Achieving Flow Can Help You Stay Sober
Most of the work you have to do in recovery requires some grit. You have to confront old wounds and examine some aspects of yourself you may not like. You have to learn constructive ways to deal with stress and wait out cravings. You have to make lifestyle changes like eating better and exercising. You […]
The Pros and Cons of Coffee at AA Meetings
Nearly everyone in recovery drinks coffee. It’s a fixture at AA meetings, along with pastries and cigarettes. It’s commonly said that coffee is just one way recovering alcoholics replace their addiction to alcohol, but is that all it is? There may be some good reasons for drinking coffee in recovery. There may also be some […]