Mood:
d'ohTopic: Think about it
OOOPS – forgot to tell you that I was asked a few weeks ago when the temperature was still in the 30’s (at least in the snow country) to contribute to Dr. David Friedman’s newsletter.
Here’s the info:
Show: To Your Good Health Radio w/ Dr. David Friedman
When do we know we are drinking too much?
Written by Edith Hornik-Beer www.answersforteens.com
Drinking usually starts out socially. We learn how to drink alcohol from our parents. As children we watched them pick that special wine for a dinner party, perhaps have a cocktail before dinner, or consume beer while sitting on the couch watching TV. Our children will learn to drink from us too.
So what causes a person to cross that line between social drinking and drinking too much? One factor, inherited, is how we metabolize alcohol. If we can drink lots of alcohol without becoming sleepy or sick, alcohol has the opportunity to effect our nervous system adversely and cause us to become addicted to drinking. Many who have a history of alcoholism in their family teach their children to be aware of this when they become of drinking age. Some drink wanting to feel good about themselves. After a drink a man might feel more manly, a woman, more glamorous. A person who feels depressed might hope that drinking will cheer him or her up.
On the other hand who hasn’t come home after a challenging day at work and found a drink relaxing? What cook hasn’t after making an especially good meal found the perfect wine to enhance the taste?
So how do we know when our drinking has left the social stage? If you answer yes to any of the following symptoms you might want to discuss this disease with your physician. Alcoholism is a required subject in medical school.
1) It isn’t how often I drink but when I drink I feel I had too much.
2) Frequently I don’t wait until cocktail hour to have my first drink.
3) At meals I drink more than I eat.
4) After drinking I don’t remember what I said or did.
5) I often have to sleep off the drinks I had and don’t feel well when I get up.
Written by Edith Hornik-Beer www.answersforteens.com
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