The Support Group Groupie

Group SupportDr. Neill Neill
 
Mutual support can be a double-edged sword. Joining a support group can lead to renewal, likening it to pressing the REFRESH button on life. However, a support group can also keep you stuck pressing the REPLAY button and hearing the same thing over and over. The picture of your life can get out of focus.
 
Human beings are social creatures. We need to support one another and we need support. Barak Obama is right when he says we need to work together. Businesses are failing. People are losing jobs and even homes. There is a lot of pain out there; and wherever there is pain, you will find support groups…

More on The Support Group Groupie

Filed under Addiction Recovery, Addiction Rehab, Alcoholism and Family by Dr. Neill Neill

Permalink Print 1 Comment

Grieving the Loss of a Daughter

My oldest daughter, Monique, died suddenly in December. It has been a difficult time, especially on top of the death of a son earlier in the year.

As a parent I can’t help but ponder the "why" question.

I wrote an article, Grieving the Death of a Child. The article is about grieving, not about alcohol use and abuse, although the latter may have been involved.

Leave your comments below or under the article, Grieving the Death of a Child.
 
Neill

Filed under Alcoholism and Family, Symptoms of Alcoholism by Dr. Neill Neill

Permalink Print Comment

Be Aware of Holiday Alcohol Abuse

teens having funDr. Neill Neill

It is the beginning of the holiday season. While a time of joy for many, it can also be a dangerous time for alcoholics. Learn how to avoid alcohol abuse over the holidays…

More on Be Aware of Holiday Alcohol Abuse

Filed under Alcoholism and Family, Alcoholism and Marriage, Symptoms of Alcoholism by Dr. Neill Neill

Permalink Print 1 Comment

A Primer on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD - and Self-Medication with Alcohol

Dr. Neill Neill

traumatized widowPost Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that many people have suffered from at one time or another. If untreated,  PTSD can lead people to indulging in addictive behaviors.  For example, someone who was once a casual drinker may now have increased his alcohol consumption. 
             
We hear all the time about soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Exposed to the horror of actual or threatened death or serious injury, they re-experience the trauma through not being able to stop thinking about it, flashbacks, nightmares or intense body reactions to certain situations. They report feeling numb, not interested in anything, depressed and having no sense of future. Symptoms may include difficulty sleeping, irritability and always being on guard. Many military and ex-military self-medicate with alcohol or other drugs and become addicted.

More on A Primer on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD - and Self-Medication with Alcohol

Filed under Alcoholism and Family, Drug Addiction, Symptoms of Alcoholism by Dr. Neill Neill

Permalink Print 2 Comments

Can the Functioning Alcoholic Last?

Dr. Neill Neill

Part Three of the Functioning Alcoholic

There is a third critical factor to bear in mind when questioning the functioning of a so-called "functioning alcoholic." The first factor to consider was whether the alcoholic is functioning generally in life, or just in one aspect of life, like his job. The second factor was whether the alcoholic in achieving his potential and pursuing his dreams, not just getting by.

The third factor has to with how long the "functioning," at whatever level, can last in the presence of alcoholism.

More on Can the Functioning Alcoholic Last?

Filed under Alcoholism and Family, Symptoms of Alcoholism by Dr. Neill Neill

Permalink Print 21 Comments

The Functioning Alcoholic and Achievement

Dr. Neill Neill

Part Two of The Functioning Alcoholic

In The Functioning Alcoholic: Part One I argued that doing one’s job is not one’s only function in life. For the alcoholic to consider himself to be "functioning" he has to function in various areas of life, not just on the job.

Abandoned Dreams and Underachievement

More on The Functioning Alcoholic and Achievement

Filed under Alcoholism and Family, Symptoms of Alcoholism by Dr. Neill Neill

Permalink Print 4 Comments

The Functioning Alcoholic, Part One

Dr. Neill Neill

At this time of year in many communities there are volunteer programs to get people home safely if they’ve been drinking and shouldn’t drive. Their existence is a reminder that Christmas parties, family gatherings, New Year’s Eve parties and other celebrations push up the alcohol consumption during the holiday season.

A few of all the people celebrating will already be full-blown alcoholics: they may drink a bit more than their normal level, but generally will blend in with everyone else. After all, they hold jobs, serve on volunteer committees, have families and have friends. These are the so-called "functioning alcoholics."

So what’s wrong with being an alcoholic if you can function normally?  

Part One is the first of three discussions of the issue.

More on The Functioning Alcoholic, Part One

Filed under Alcoholism and Family, Symptoms of Alcoholism by Dr. Neill Neill

Permalink Print 106 Comments

The Functioning Alcoholic Who Wants to Live with You

Dr. Neill Neill

Readers repeatedly ask me questions about their relationships with the functioning alcoholics in their lives. Today I will look at the case of the woman who is not yet living with her boyfriend, but wants to. She is concerned, however, about his alcohol consumption. It usually goes something like this:

"I’ve been wondering if my boyfriend has a drinking problem. He says he’s a functioning alcoholic, with the stress on "functioning." I like the odd drink myself, but I can take it or leave it. We love each other and want to live together. Should I move in with him?" Signed, 29 and single

Well, 29 and single, it’s good that you are acknowledging right up front that there could be a problem. You show a healthy level of self esteem and confidence.

More on The Functioning Alcoholic Who Wants to Live with You

Filed under Alcoholism Test, Alcoholism and Family, Symptoms of Alcoholism by Dr. Neill Neill

Permalink Print 6 Comments

Alcoholism: An Addiction with a Twist

Dr. Neill Neill

Addiction to a drug like alcohol develops gradually. Drinking alcohol may start out as social fun, or it may from the beginning be a way of escaping pain and difficulty. Sometime I think of it as one of dissociation’s helpers, because alcohol helps a person to split off from reality. But that’s an idea for another post.

The point is that people cannot know whether alcohol has become an addiction until they are deprived of it, either through circumstance or through an attempt to quit drinking.

More on Alcoholism: An Addiction with a Twist

Filed under Alcoholism and Family, Alcoholism and Marriage, Symptoms of Alcoholism by Dr. Neill Neill

Permalink Print 4 Comments