A Woman Manifest Signs of Depression and Alcohol Abuse and Schedules an Appointment to See Her Physician About Her Hazardous and Excessive Drinking and Mental Health Difficulties

Teresa was a forty-one-year-old graphic designer who knew that she had some problems with her drinking. For instance, within the past six months she has felt the need to have two or three drinks before going to work, seven weeks ago she failed a random breathalyzer test where she works, six weeks ago she got pulled over by the police for a DUI, and lastly, for nearly two months she has started to forget what she says and does when she goes out drinking.

Similar to multitudes of other drinkers, Teresa’s involvement with alcohol started out at a “snail’s pace” and stayed at this pace for quite a long period of time because at times she engaged in sporadic social drinking. In point of fact, for about ten months, every time she went out with her coworkers to drink, she made sure to drink responsibly. Something about her drinking, however, seemed to completely change when her husband divorced her.

In Order To Get Beyond the Divorce of Her Husband With Less Grief, Teresa Made Up Her Mind That She Will Begin Going Out More Frequently With Some of Her Pals Who Love to Whoop it Up and Drink

Teresa got dreadfully down in the dumps about the divorce from her husband, and as a way to refrain from fixating on her dismal feelings she arrived at a decision that she would begin hanging out more frequently with some of her buddies who love to party.

Quite frankly, Teresa concluded that having fun almost every day by partying and drinking with her friends would help her come to terms with the divorce of her husband more quickly.

Teresa’s Drinking Increases Significantly the More Often She Goes to Private Parties, Dinner Dates, Happy Hours, Sporting Events, and Family Get-Togethers With Her Buddies

It didn’t take long, nevertheless, before her drinking increased to a significant degree the more frequently she went to and drank at happy hours, private parties, sporting events, family get-togethers, and dinner dates with her friends. In addition, the fact that her drinking pals were all quite a bit younger than she was and therefore able to drink and party more frequently and harder was one of the reasons that she didn’t concentrate more on her increased drinking. To put it briefly, she was having a great time drinking just like everyone else in her group of buddies without much reflection about the negative results of her hazardous and irresponsible drinking.

Yet somewhere in her mind she realized that she more likely than not required alcohol rehabilitation but sidestepped the thought as much as humanly possible.

Teresa Gets a Physical Exam, Discloses the Truth About Her Hazardous and Abusive Drinking to Her Healthcare Practitioner, and ”Comes Clean” About Her Sadness

One morning during her annual physical exam, her physician asked her if she drank alcohol. Not wanting to tell “stories” to her healthcare professional, Teresa owned up to the truth that she commonly drinks more than she should. In reality, she stated that she regularly drinks in a hazardous and excessive manner. Then Teresa told her doctor about her depression. More to the point, she articulated that ruined relationships many times initiated a negative sequence of events typified by increased drinking which further resulted in more dismal feelings that, in turn, resulted in more drinking. And this is specifically what happened when her husband and she got divorced five years ago.

When her healthcare professional heard this, he told Teresa that according to various alcoholism facts and statistics on alcoholism he was reviewing, alcoholism and depression many times take place in the same individual. He then informed Teresa that some of the alcohol statistics, research investigations, and facts he has been reading about also underline the fact that individuals who drink in an abusive and hazardous manner and who also experience depression need to receive treatment for both medical conditions.

Teresa’s Healthcare Professional Schedules an Appointment for a Psychological Appraisal and For an Alcohol Addiction and Alcohol Abuse Evaluation

Teresa’s healthcare practitioner then said the following: “I am not trying to make a sudden analysis, but with your medical situation we may be confronting two separate concerns. As a result, I think we probably should schedule an appointment for you to get an alcoholism and alcohol abuse evaluation from my partner, Dr. Jacobs, who is an alcoholism and alcohol abuse specialist. Whether your drinking situation is more linked to alcohol addiction or alcohol abuse is unclear, but I feel that further assessment is needed. Then I feel we probably should make an appointment for you to get a psychological exam from another one of my partners, Dr. Dubas, who is a psychologist. I want to get a better handle on your depression and see how much your depression and drinking are interlinked.” Teresa expressed her satisfaction with her healthcare practitioner’s “game plan” and thanked him for his assistance. Now all she had to do was to try to cut back on her drinking and get ready for her appointments.

An Impatient High School Student Displays Numerous Alcohol-Related Difficulties, Gets Discharged From School, and Has to See the School Therapist

Dante was a fifteen year old high school sophomore who was manifesting a number of alcohol-related issues at school. For that reason, the principal informed him that he had to see Miss Johnson, the school counselor, before he would be permitted to come back to school.

Later that day when Dante went home after school, he had to clarify his school situation to his parents. His Mom and Dad were “old school” and explained to Dante that getting thrown out of school was not a doable educational option. They informed Dante that failing to graduate from high school would more likely than not be like a lead weight around his feet that could quite possibly harm his educational attainment for the rest of his adult life. Moreover, Dante’s Mom and Dad were extremely dismayed that he was drinking in the first place and drinking with his buddies in the second.

His Mother and Father informed Dante that even though he may be a teenager, he has to comprehend fairly promptly that drinking is the road to failure, pain, ill health, and financial problems.

It was evident that his Mom and Dad were absolutely in agreement with Dante’s principal and explained to Dante that he needs to see Miss Johnson, the school therapist. After his discussion with his Mom and Dad, Dante at last agreed to see Miss Johnson the next day. So Dante called the school and scheduled an appointment to see Miss Johnson the next day during his fifth period class.

The Therapist Asks Dante if He Comprehends Why His Recent Alcohol-Related Behavior Caused Quite a Bit of Apprehension By the School Administrators

When Dante got to his scheduled appointment with Miss Johnson, she instantaneously reviewed all of the alcohol-related problems Dante had experienced and asked him if he comprehended why his recent alcohol-related behavior was such a cause for concern.

Quite sincerely, Dante wondered why the principal explained to him that he had to see a school counselor. As he stated to Miss Johnson, why should he see a professional psychologist about his drinking situation? Since virtually all of his buddies drink as much if not more than he does, fundamentally, drinking shouldn’t be such a big issue. Stated more precisely, if just about everybody is drinking, why is this such a major issue?

Miss Johnson asked Dante when he started to drink. He said that some of his older buddies introduced him to drinking hard liquor when he was twelve or thirteen years old and getting ready to enter junior high school.

Miss Johnson explained to Dante that while his classmates may indeed drink as much as he does and that they may be an unhealthy influence on him, the facts are that he is the one who is getting kicked out of school due to alcohol-related absenteeism, fighting, and delinquency, not his friends. Not only this but Miss Johnson also underscored the fact that Dante, and not his buddies, is the one who is failing and who is missing almost two days of class per week due to his alcohol related difficulties. Lastly, Miss Johnson emphasized the fact that because of his drinking behavior, Dante is getting into a harmful cycle of alcohol abuse that can in time ruin his hopes, dreams and aspirations.

In a word, Dante’s involvement with youth alcohol abuse was starting to impede his ability to act like a responsible young man. As put into words by Miss Johnson, “Just because most of your pals drink wine coolers, hard liquor, beer, or wine does not mean that it is the best option for you.”

Dante Learns That At the End of the Day He Must Be Responsible For Himself In Order to Prevent Unhealthy, Destructive, Dangerous, and Damaging Consequences In the Future

Miss Johnson informed Dante that one’s buddies can definitely influence a person in an unhealthy way, but that the person herself or himself has to ultimately be accountable for herself or himself in order to keep away from destructive, unhealthy, dangerous, and damaging outcomes down the road.

Fortunately, Miss Johnson was quite organized for her appointment with Dante. She showed him research studies and reports she had highlighted that listed different drinking statistics and facts that applied to most people in general. Then she showed Dante a lot of information that applied especially to underage drinkers.

For example, Miss Johnson stressed the difference between alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse and told Dante that people who continue to drink in an excessive manner often become dependent on alcohol.

Miss Johnson also discussed the concept of binge drinking that she defined as follows: consuming five or more drinks in one sitting for males and drinking four or more drinks in one sitting for females.

The Counselor States Quite a Few Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Statistics and Facts

Then Miss Johnson articulated various alcohol facts and the following eight alcohol abuse statistics:

1. The 25.9% of adolescent drinkers in the United States who are alcohol abusers and alcoholic drink 47.3% of the alcohol that is ingested by all teenage drinkers.

2. Fifty percent of U.S. homicides are related to alcohol.

3. In 2002, U.S. alcohol addiction facts and statistics revealed that 2.6 million binge drinkers were between the ages of 12 and 17.

4. It is projected that more than 3 million teens in the United States between the ages of 14 to 17 are alcoholic or alcohol abusers.

5. In the United States, more than 40 percent of those who start drinking at the age 14 or younger become alcohol dependent.

6. Very few of the more than 18 million U.S. alcohol abusers receive the alcohol treatment they require.

7. Teen drinking costs Americans nearly billion annually. If this cost were shared equally by each congressional district, the amount would total more than 0 million per district.

8. Alcohol-related problems are unevenly found among both juvenile and adult criminal offenders.

Dante Receives An Important Wake Up Call Regarding the Long Term and the Short Term Results of Teen Alcohol Dependency and Alcohol Abuse

After Miss Johnson articulated the aforementioned alcoholism and alcohol abuse facts and statistics, it was obvious that what Miss Johnson made known to Dante was a real source of revelation for him. Why? Because for the first time in his young life, someone not only made the effort to articulate the long term and the short term effects of alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, but she also made the effort to validate what she was saying with alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse facts and statistics that related to everyone in general, and chiefly to teenagers.

As a matter of fact, it was almost as if a light went on and Dante at once comprehended why he should not be engaging in excessive and hazardous drinking with or without his friends anymore. Dante thanked Miss Johnson for her concern and for the materials she discussed.

Miss Johnson then asked Dante how he felt about getting a physical examination and an alcohol assessment for the alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction rehabilitation he would probably need.

Dante thought about this for few minutes and then agreed to get an extensive physical and to go through a comprehensive assessment of his drinking condition so that he could start an alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction rehab program immediately.

An Impulsive High School Student Displays Numerous Alcohol-Related Difficulties, Gets Expelled From School, and Has to See the School Therapist

Dante was a sixteen year old high school junior who was displaying more than a few alcohol-related problems at school. Consequently, the principal informed him that he had to see Miss Johnson, the school counselor, before he would be permitted to return to class.

Later that day when Dante went home after school, he had to explain his school situation to his parents. His Mother and Father were “relatively traditional” and told Dante that getting thrown out of school was not a satisfactory educational game plan. They explained to Dante that failing to graduate from high school would likely be like a lead weight around his feet that could probably hurt his educational achievement for the rest of his life. What is more, Dante’s parents were extremely upset that he was drinking in the first place and drinking with his peers in the second.

His Mom and Dad informed Dante that although he may be an adolescent, he has to realize rather quickly that drinking is the pathway to pain, ill health, failure, and financial problems.

It was obvious that his Mother and Father were completely in agreement with Dante’s principal and informed Dante that he had better come to the realization that he needs to see Miss Johnson, the school psychologist. After his conversation with his Mom and Dad, Dante in due course agreed to see Miss Johnson the next day. So Dante phoned the school and made an appointment to see Miss Johnson the next day during lunch.

The Psychologist Asks Dante if He Understands Why His Recent Alcohol-Related Behavior Caused Quite a Bit of Apprehension By the School Administrators

When Dante got to his scheduled appointment with Miss Johnson, she promptly analyzed all of the alcohol-related problems Dante had experienced and asked him if he understood why his recent alcohol-related behavior caused quite a bit of apprehension by the school administrators.

Quite truthfully, Dante was unsure why the principal told him he had to see a school therapist. As he stated to Miss Johnson, why should he see a professional psychologist about his drinking circumstances? In view of the fact that virtually all of his friends drink the same amount that he does, primarily, drinking shouldn’t be such a big thing. Stated another way, if just about everybody is drinking, why is this such a big thing?

Miss Johnson asked Dante when he started to drink. He said that some of his older buddies introduced him to drinking hard liquor when he was twelve or thirteen years old and in the seventh grade.

Miss Johnson explained to Dante that while his classmates may in fact drink as much as he does and that they may be a negative influence on him, the facts are that he is the one who is getting suspended from school due to alcohol-related absenteeism, fighting, and delinquency, not his peers. Moreover, Miss Johnson also underscored the fact that Dante, and not his buddies, is the one who is failing and who is missing almost two days of school every week due to his alcohol related issues. Finally, Miss Johnson emphasized the fact that because of his drinking situation, Dante is getting into a destructive cycle of hazardous drinking that can in due course wreck his dreams, hopes, and aspirations.

In short, Dante’s involvement with youth alcohol abuse was beginning to thwart his ability to behave like an accountable young man. As conveyed by Miss Johnson, “Just because most of your friends drink hard liquor, wine coolers, beer, or wine does not mean that it is the right thing to do for you.”

Dante Learns That In Due Course He Must Take Responsibility For Himself In Order to Steer Clear of Dangerous, Damaging, Destructive, and Unhealthy Circumstances Down the Road

Miss Johnson informed Dante that one’s peers can undeniably influence a person in an unhealthy manner, but that the individual himself or herself has to in the end claim responsibility for herself or himself in order to stay away from dangerous, destructive, unhealthy, and damaging consequences in the future.

Luckily, Miss Johnson was well prepared for her discussion with Dante. She showed him research studies and reports she had underlined that summarized diverse drinking statistics and facts that targeted most people in general. Then she showed Dante a lot of information that applied principally to adolescents.

As an illustration, Miss Johnson underscored the difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse and told Dante that drinkers who continue to drink abusively habitually become alcohol dependent.

Miss Johnson also went over the concept of binge drinking which she defined as follows: consuming four or more drinks in one sitting for females and drinking five or more drinks in one sitting for males.

The Therapist States More Than a Few Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependency Facts and Statistics

Then Miss Johnson verbalized various alcohol facts and the following eight alcohol abuse statistics:

1. Alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse cost the U.S. an estimated 0 billion in 2005. This dollar amount was more than the cost related to obesity (3 billion) or with cancer (6 billion).

2. More than one-half of American adults have a close relative or family member that has or has had alcoholism.

3. More than seventy-five percent of female victims of nonfatal, domestic violence reported that their assailant had been drinking or using drugs.

4. In the United States on a yearly basis, more than 33% of pedestrians killed by autos were legally drunk.

5. One national survey uncovered the fact that students are less likely to use alcohol if they are socially accepted by individuals at school and feel that teachers treat students in a fair manner.

6. Research reveals that adolescents who use alcohol may remember 10 percent less of what they have learned than youth who don’t drink.

7. Approximately ten to twenty percent of the individuals who drink abusively in time develop cirrhosis of the liver (i.e., a scarring of the liver that can be fatal).

8. Up to forty percent of the U.S. industrial deaths and forty-seven percent of industrial injuries are linked to alcohol dependency or alcohol abuse.

Dante Receives A Meaningful Wake Up Call About the Short Term and the Long Term Consequences of Underage Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Addiction

After Miss Johnson conveyed the aforementioned alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency statistics and facts, it was clear that what Miss Johnson taught Dante was a real bombshell to him. Why? Because for the first time in his young life, someone not only took the time to give an explanation of the long term and the short term outcomes of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency, but she also took the time to confirm what she was saying with alcohol abuse and alcoholism facts and statistics that related to people in general, and mainly to adolescents.

Without a doubt, it was almost as if a light went on and Dante without pause realized why he should not be engaging in hazardous and excessive drinking with or without his classmates any longer. Dante thanked Miss Johnson for her concern and for the information she reviewed.

Miss Johnson then asked Dante how he felt about getting a physical exam and an alcohol appraisal for the alcohol abuse or alcoholism treatment he would probably need.

Dante thought about this for a minute and then agreed to get a comprehensive physical and to go through a comprehensive appraisal of his drinking condition so that he could start an alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction treatment program without pause.