A study in the Oct 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that long-term alcoholism affects sleep even after long periods of abstinence, and the pattern of this effect is similar in both men and women. Results indicate that in long-term alcoholics who had not had a drink for up to 719 days, the percentage of slow wave sleep was significantly lower (6.6 per cent in men, 11.1 per cent in women) than in controls (12.0 per cent in men, 12.1 per cent in women). [continue reading…]
Alcohol Abuse
New research by Weill Cornell Medical College researchers looks at the specific ways parents and peers influence teenagers to smoke, drink and use marijuana in combination. Among their findings: attitudes toward smoking influenced teenagers’ use of multiple drugs (smoking, drinking and marijuana), and that this manifested itself differently in boys and girls. [continue reading…]
For many, drinking is an essential part of a night out with friends. Alcohol is widely considered to be a social lubricant, so it’s not surprising that social phobia, or extreme shyness, and drinking, frequently go together.
More concerning are reports of increased alcohol problems among socially anxious people. Research studies tell us that people who suffer from social phobia are 2-3 times more likely to develop problems with alcohol abuse and/or alcohol dependence.
Yet historically, alcohol dependency and social anxiety have been treated as separate problems. Now, with greater understanding about how the two interact, researchers from Macquarie University’s Centre for Emotional Health have developed a new treatment for adults that addresses both problems together. [continue reading…]
Its May and that time honoured tradition of Prom is back. Each year across North America, hundreds of teens are killed or injured in alcohol-related accidents connected with their prom night celebrations. Communities, school officials and parents have stepped up their efforts in recent years to prevent these tragedies from happening. Today New York Times columnist Tara Parker Pope takes a look at a new report from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and why parents should use the power of science to explain why drinking isn’t the right choice.Link to read the article
Below is just one of the comments that this article elicited:
Tara, usually you’re right on the money, but this is sheer drivel.
If not prom night, when is the appropriate time to get ripping drunk and do drugs, away from parents and supervision ?
The only note of sober realism that needs to be injected forcefully is, that no one driving can have any alcohol or drugs.
Teenagers. Sex, drugs and rock and roll. Let’s be realistic.
Don’t forget the condoms.
The tux and dress will never be worn again, so it’s OK to throw up on them. Marcel Duchamp
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We’d love to hear some of your experiences and thoughts on this.
Source: New York Times
