Risk Factors For Alcoholism

Alcoholism goes by several names, including alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and alcohol use disorder. Recently, it’s been diagnosed as a disease that happens when someone drinks so much that their bodies become addicted to consuming alcohol. It becomes a craving they can’t shake off, no matter how much they drink.

 

Then, the more they drink, the more they’re affected by it because it causes chemical changes in the brain. These changes make you feel intense pleasure whenever you get a drink.

 

This acute sense of pleasure makes them drink more often, regardless of the harm it causes. As a result, people who suffer from alcoholism will keep drinking even if it means destroying relationships or losing their jobs. Still, it’s not enough to make them stop drinking.

 

Even though the exact cause is still unknown, certain risk factors for alcoholism can increase a person’s risk of developing this disorder.

 

Take a look.

 

5 Risk Factors for Alcoholism

 

Alcoholism is a complex disorder with many underlying causes. Therefore, the factors that impact one person can be different for someone else. The factors that can increase the risk for alcoholism are called ‘risk factors.’

 

Still, you can have one or more of these risk factors and still not develop a drinking problem. Yet, it does make you more susceptible. So, it pays to be extra careful when you’re around alcohol.

 

Below is a list of the five most common risk factors of this debilitating disease, commonly referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD).

 

Mental Health Problems

 

According to several studies, anyone suffering from a mental health issue is more at risk for developing any type of addiction, including alcoholism. And it’s not just related to alcohol; it can also be an addiction to drugs, opioids, cigarettes, and even food.

 

A Close Relative with Alcoholism

 

If one of your parents, siblings, or another close relative has alcoholism, this can increase the risk of developing AUD yourself.

 

The main reason is the person’s influence on your genetic make-up. Studies show that there are specific genes that react differently to alcohol than others and may even be more vulnerable to its effects.

 

A second important reason is an alcoholic relative can affect your environment. Whether you realize it or not, growing up around alcoholics can determine whether or not you’ll decide to be swayed to alcohol use later in life.

 

Binge Drinking

 

Binge drinking is when a person drinks excessively in a short amount of time.

 

For men, this is in the range of having more than five drinks in one sitting. As for women, it’s about four or more drinks.

 

This type of risk factor is more common in young adults between the ages of 18 to 34. Coincidently, this is the time when college students are dealing with the pressures of school. Then, they graduate and have to deal with the responsibilities of balancing work and life.

Nevertheless, many people over the age of 34 are also binge drinkers. It happens more often when they’re in an uncomfortable setting and feel an urge to ease their anxiety so they can relax and have a good time.

 

Exceed the Average Weekly Limit

 

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adult men of the legal drinking age can have two drinks or less per day. For women, it’s one drink or less in a day.

 

Alternatively, men who drink 14 or more drinks per week, or more than five drinks per day, are at a higher risk of suffering alcohol use disorder.

 

At the same time, women who drink more than 7 drinks per week are also more liable to suffer from alcoholism.

 

The number of drinks varies from men and women because of the difference in their body composition. It also takes into account how they metabolize food, with women being more vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcoholic beverages than men.

 

High-Stress Levels

 

Stress is a common risk factor for many addictive substances, as well as dozens of mental and physical health disorders, including alcohol use. Research shows that many cases of alcoholism stem from a high-stress situation related to school, work, money, or relationships.

 

Alcohol acts as a sedative. So, when you’re overly stressed, alcohol becomes the only way to handle your negative emotions, allowing you to de-stress and take your mind off your problems.

 

Yet, if left unchecked, excessive drinking quickly turns into an addiction. And all those feelings stay bottled up, leading to more serious mental health issues, such as the ones mentioned above.

 

To Sum Up

 

If you, or anyone you know, has one or more of these risk factors, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll lead to alcoholism. Yet, it does mean you have to be extra careful anytime alcohol is being served. For example, start by making a conscious choice to limit your alcohol intake.

 

However, if you suspect that you have a drinking problem, then it might be time to seek treatment. There are numerous treatments to choose from, but all are designed with one aim in mind: to help you take your first step towards a better tomorrow.

What Motivates the Teenager?

Are you a teenager at the threshold of adulthood, wondering how you can make the most of your life? This is a phase that most teenagers have to go through. The life of pleasure and security abruptly comes to an end when you are nearing your 20s and then you have to sit up and take notice. In a short time, you have to prepare a plan for how you will be spending the rest of your life. And that includes planning your further education, which is one of the most important things that teenagers have to plan.

 

But, the biggest motivation for any teenager comes from what they really want to do in life. This should inspire you. When you are confused about what direction you should lead your life in, just slow down and think for a few moments. What is your passion in life? What is the one thing that really drives you, propels you to achieve things in life? Making a proper reconnaissance of this will help you plan your future life.

 

Maybe it is your passion in life to save people’s lives. Medical science fascinates you more than anything else. If that is your driving force in life, then you should plan a profession around it. You should not let anything come in your way and force you to do things that you don’t want to do. Do not think about the scope of a particular profession. If you feel highly motivated to do it, then go ahead with it by all means. Do not think about the income you may stand to get; if the activity is something you would really like to do, nothing should sway you from your path.

 

Remember that if you do what you really like to do, then you will enjoy your life itself. You have to think about whether your childhood dreams will get fulfilled or not. Whatever you do should be in the direction of that fulfillment—your education, your search for a job, your overall plan of life itself.

 

You are young right now. You may feel you have gained a lot of experience and knowledge, but you should know that that is not the truth. You still have to learn a lot. This is the time to grow, personally and professionally. But, the one thing that can motivate you at this time is that you should be able to fulfill your ultimate passion in life.

Understanding Teenage Self-Esteem

Teenage self-esteem can be a complex issue in itself and with the age factor alone, a teenager lacks the necessary life skills and experiences necessary to deal with the world’s sometimes harsh realities. 

 

The social circles that teens thrive, or falter in will play a significant role in their development. An impressionable teenager’s outlook on life will often be based on perceptions driven more by pop culture than real world experience meaning that teenage self-esteem can often be boosted by the wrong influences. 

 

So, what can you do to get through to your teen and help to build up their self-esteem?

 

Even though it’s obvious, never assume your teenager knows just how much you love them. Daily expressions are encouraged to hit home this point. Let them know they are loved, that they are capable of achieving anything and that you appreciate and value them. Never put off saying it because you assume they already know. One extra “I love you”, won’t cost you anything but can really set the stage for your teenagers’ day.

 

Be aware of your actions and change your home’s environment. Your teenagers need to know they are safe and secure and this is why you should always strive to create a peaceful home for them to live and flourish in. Be aware of your actions in front of your teenagers, they are very perceptive and sensitive and know when something’s wrong.

 

It’s difficult to bolster teenage self-esteem in a home when conflicts are taking place around them. What happens within the home echoes outside of it in the form of anxiety, nerves and expressions of anger. They tend to internalize these conflicts and often end up carrying the blame and guilt well into their adult years.

 

If an argument ensues, take it to another room or pick a more appropriate time, then ensure that your teenager sees the resolution. Life isn’t always rose colored or perfect but if they can see that positive outcomes can arise from conflict then it’s arming them with life skills for the future. You give them an alternative to handling their own resolutions rather than with anger or violence.

 

At the core of teenage self-esteem is the need for positive reinforcement which encourages them to excel, to do better and to reach their potential. Spend more time accentuating the positive things they do rather than to nitpick at the negatives because your teenager, although you can’t see it with the naked eye takes it more to heart than you realize. So, resist the temptation to berate your teenager, it will shake their confidence. Always think of the impact your words will have on their future, because it will.

 

So, there you have it, a few great tips to help build teenage self-esteem. 

 

If you would like to help strengthen your own self-esteem or that of your teenagers, you can grab your free report now showing you how.

The Issue of Teenagers’ Self-Esteem

Despite the brooding and the mood swings a teenagers’ self-esteem is more fragile than you think. There are a great many factors that can undermine a teenager’s ability to build their self-confidence, factors ranging from academic issues, poor social interaction and dealing with developing one’s own unique identity while trying to avoid the physical awkwardness that puberty brings. The constant internal struggles they face on daily basis are for us a distant memory because we’ve forgotten what it was like to be their age.

 

Their social circle has a great deal of influence in their lives with the approval and feedback from peers often validating how they feel about themselves, factors which they allow to determine their self-esteem and self-worth. It’s incredible how much impact this can really have in the life of your teenager. This can be concerning especially since adolescents are not always known for their tact and empathy.

 

This is why it’s of the utmost importance for your teenagers’ self-esteem to be nurtured and reinforced from within the home. This will strengthen them to deal with the pitfalls of life out there in the big wide world. This can come from giving praise and attention from family members, in particular, parents. 

 

Positive and nurturing reinforcement in the home that is properly devised and enacted will help to repair your teenagers’ self-esteem, never underestimate the power of love, just because your teenager knows that you love them doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t show it. Such an approach can act as an effective hedge against the factors that erode your teenager’s self-esteem. While it is impossible to change the climate teenagers must face, teenager’s self-esteem can be improved through various positive strategies designed to counteract the factors dragging them down. 

 

Another effective tool in the building of your teenagers’ self-esteem is to model good self-esteem. By setting an example of healthy self-esteem and respect for yourself will instill the same values in your teenager. Children learn by example, they tend to imitate what their parents do, both the positive and the negative, being a good role model can often be the most powerful lesson of all because you teach by doing. The next time you get upset, think of your words and your actions and be sure to keep an optimistic outlook on life, this will influence how they themselves deal with trials in their adult life. Don’t forget, your children are always watching what you do.

 

Allow your teenager to be a contributing member of your family. Give them a job to perform whether it’s the dishes or taking out the garbage, a job helps to cement their role within the family unit while achieving a sense of belonging and importance, a vital building block in the building of their self-esteem.

 

These are just a few tips that can help build up and strengthen your teenager's self-esteem but if you’d like more information, you can sign up to receive your free report with more self-esteem building tips for your teenager and for yourself.

 

The Complexity of Teens’ Self-Esteem

Teenagers at best are difficult creatures to understand, one moment they’re your best friend and think that the sun rises and sets on you and the next moment they treat you like something they’ve just trodden in.

 

Yes, the teenager is a very fickle being, prone to mood swings which you’re undoubtedly familiar with and with a cocktail of personal and social issues mixed in with a generous helping of hormones, nobody can escape the wrath of the teenager.

 

Your teenager is like an open book and their behavior often acts like a barometer of the events going on in their world. No matter how erratic your teenager’s behavior you know they’re only reacting at the things in their life and that it isn’t always about you.

 

So how can ensure that you contribute towards your teens self-esteem?

 

Give them your time. Just taking half an hour out of your day to talk to them, ask them about their day and the things happening in their life can make a huge difference. Knowing that you care can soften the heart of even the most stubborn teen.

 

Listen, are you of the old school train of thought that believes that children should be seen and not heard? Do you even do this unconsciously? 

 

To build your teens self-esteem you need to listen to them. Every child yearns to be heard and acknowledged and their feelings respected, doing so will help to create a stronger bond between the both of you and will reciprocate in your teenager being more willing to listen to you in turn. 

 

You need to listen to your teenager because every habit you create makes an impression and can form the basis of positive habits for the future and how they deal with their own children. 

 

Everything you say and do absolutely counts because it has far-reaching consequences and can impact far into the future so be aware of the things you say and do and remind yourself that you’re helping to shape your child for the better. 

 

Another great way to build your teens self-esteem is to involve them in sports. Getting involved in sports and athletics will give them a healthy dose of self-confidence and a sense of achievement with the bonus of belonging and contributing to part of a team.

 

Social clubs and extracurricular activities also aid in boosting a teens self-esteem because they encourage socialization and provide a forum to present skills and talents your teenager may not have otherwise known they had. This can help build your teens self-esteem immeasurably so you should consider this option for your child.

 

By following these steps is no guarantee that your teenager will change overnight, but by just investing a little time and knowing that you care can melt even the hardest of teenage hearts. 

 

If you would like to know more about boosting your own self-esteem or that of your teenager’s you can claim your free report and find out more.