Writing a Eulogy

Miss Benning was a health instructor at the largest parochial high school in the region. Even though she had been teaching for only two or three years, she had already established a reputation as a person with teaching approaches that encouraged and motivated the pupils in her class to learn and to think.

As an illustration, one Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 she addressed her pupils and announced the following: “For the next few days we are going to learn about some basic alcoholism facts from a general viewpoint and we are also going to learn about some of the most common signs of alcoholism from a more specific point of view.”

“Not all of these alcoholism signs will beyond doubt establish that an individual with a drinking problem is a person who is alcohol dependent, but the more signs that a person displays, the greater the likelihood that he or she is an alcohol addicted person.”

Miss Benning then informed the the students that each individual would be accountable for examining three alcohol dependence signs and then presenting his or her conclusions to the other members in the class via a nine minute oral presentation.

The Students are Energized About Giving A Detailed Presentation to Their Fellow Students About The Signs of Alcohol Dependency

After learning about the different alcoholism signs for quite a few days, the time had come for the oral presentations. It was at once clear to see that her pupils were enthused about the subject matter because the material that they presented was first class. To say that Miss Benning was pleasantly surprised with the excitement displayed by the pupils in her class concerning this topic could not be overstated.

The day after all of the students completed their presentations, Miss Benning passed out a piece of paper with a list of all the alcoholism signs that were discussed and presented in class and in the presentations. Miss Benning then asked the students in her class to study the list and rank the top seven alcohol dependency signs that were most indicative of alcohol addiction. After around ten minutes, Miss Benning collected the pieces of paper and told her pupils that after she tallies the numbers, she will present her findings the next school day.

There was some real anticipation by the pupils while they were leaving Miss Benning’s classroom. One could swear that her pupils couldn’t wait for the next day to come so that they could learn about the outcome of their in-class research.

The Pupils Match Their Answers Against the Evaluations From A Group of Alcohol Dependency Specialists

When the next school day finally arrived, Miss Benning gave out a piece of paper that listed the top three alcoholism signs as per the pupils’ rankings. Next to these results, she added another column that was labeled “correct answer.” She then explained to the pupils in her class that the numbers in the new column she added stood for the conclusions that were announced by a board of alcohol addiction specialists.

Miss Benning asked her students to look over the information on the piece of paper she handed out and then to raise their hand if they had any issues, concerns, or questions. Within 20 or 30 seconds, just about every student in the class raised her or his hand. It was evident that the pupils had some concerns, issues, or questions about their results versus the answers given by the authorities. For example, virtually every person in the class disagreed with the highest ranked answer given by the professionals, to be exact, “Do you feel very sick when you abstain from drinking?”

The Foremost Difference Between Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is the Physical Dependency That is Experienced With Alcohol Dependency and Not With Alcohol Abuse

Miss Benning then informed her pupils why this answer was the most precise indicator of alcohol dependency. She emphasized the fact that the major difference between alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse is the physical addiction that is experienced with alcohol dependency and not with alcohol abuse.

For all intents and purposes this means that when an alcohol addicted person suddenly stops drinking, he or she will go through alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Miss Benning then explained to the students in her classroom that alcohol withdrawal symptoms are responses by the brain and by the body to the deprivation of alcohol to which they had become accustomed. Stated more forcefully, alcohol withdrawal symptoms are messages from the body and from the brain telling an alcohol addicted individual that something is dreadfully wrong and needs to be rectified. These signals consist of several dangerous, painful, and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that can possibly result in a person’s death if the appropriate therapy is not promptly obtained.

Miss Benning then discussed the multitude of alcohol withdrawal symptoms that can be experienced when an alcohol addicted person abruptly stops drinking.

The point that Miss Benning tried to underline was this: an individual who engages in alcohol abuse can experience almost any and every one of the alcohol addiction signs that the students had ranked, but the one sign or symptom that few, if any, people who engage in alcohol abuse ever experience is alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

To state this as precisely as possible, Miss Benning emphasized the point that alcohol abusers, unlike alcohol addicted people, are not alcohol dependent and as a result, when they quit drinking, they almost never go through alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

The Pupils Feel They Have Uncovered A Dissimilarity With the Findings From The Group of Alcohol Dependency Authorities

The pupils also disagreed with the second ranked answer given by the drug and alcohol addiction experts, namely, “Have you ever had a drink the first thing in the morning to get rid of a hangover or to steady your nerves?”

Miss Benning explained to the pupils in her classroom that this sign does not inevitably indicate that the problem is alcoholism, but that it does stress the need that alcohol addicted people have to drink in order to keep away from alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

After Miss Benning explained the significance of alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the life of the person who is addicted to alcohol, the pupils started to grasp the basic difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

To add a sense of closure to the subject, Miss Benning asked the students in her class to take out a sheet of paper and answer the following question: “if every person who is alcohol dependent knew about every one of the alcoholism signs and alcohol withdrawal symptoms we have studied, what percentage of them do you think would seek alcohol rehab?”

After about one or two minutes, Miss Benning asked for the students’ responses. While many pupils believed that roughly 70 to 80 percent of alcohol dependent individuals would seek alcohol addiction rehab if they knew about the facts related to alcohol dependency signs and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, most of the pupils thought that this number would not be less than 60 percent.

The Pupils Were Shocked to Discover That Only 25% of Individuals Who are Addicted to Alcohol in the U.S. Ask For Alcohol Dependency Treatment

To the amazement of most of the students, Miss Benning proclaimed that according to various scientific studies, only 25% of the alcohol dependent individuals in the U.S. seek alcohol dependency treatment. This shocked most of the pupils because they thought that first-hand knowledge of the overwhelming statistics and facts associated with alcohol addiction would motivate most of the individuals who are alcohol dependent to get alcohol rehab.

Miss Benning then explained that people who are alcohol dependent not only need alcohol everyday in order to function but they also need alcohol on a daily basis so they can steer clear of possible alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Apparently, the alcohol dependent person’s need to drink on a daily basis is stronger than facts or logic. To be sure, since the desire for alcohol is “reality” to the alcohol addicted person, this is difficult to negate.

The Combination of Alcohol Addiction and Mental Health Issues Commonly Leads to Relationship, Friendship, Marital, and Divorce Problems

Finally, Miss Benning told her students that it is important to understand that alcoholism and a range of mental health problems such as depression are highly associated. Furthermore, the combination of alcohol addiction and mental health issues regularly lead to relationship, friendship, marital, and divorce problems.

The Students are Motivated to Learn About Alcohol Dependency Symptoms and Signs in Today’s Society

A few minutes later the bell rang, indicating that the end of class had arrived. Based on the enthusiasm manifested by the pupils when they were leaving the classroom, Miss Benning knew that she had stimulated and motivated the pupils in her classroom to stop and think about an important health and social problem that exists in our culture.

Ralph had just received his fourth DUI. Even though he was quite depressed about this, he was thinking about representing himself in court. His father, Sam, if may be pointed out, told him that this would be a huge mistake. When Ralph heard this, he asked Sam why he should even consider hiring a ”driving under the influence” attorney.

Even though Sam wasn’t an attorney, he told his son that he learned the hard way when as a young man he received a “drunk driving” arrest, represented himself in court, paid five thousand dollars in fines and penalties, and served four months in the city jail. As he mentioned to his son, after he got out of jail, he found out from a lawyer friend that had he hired a DUI lawyer to represent him in court, he more likely than not would have had his fines and penalties considerably reduced and he may have never served any time in the county jail.

What a DUI Lawyer Can Do in a DWI Arrest.

When Ralph heard this he knew he needed more DUI facts so he asked his dad for more information about what a ”drunk driving” attorney can do in a “driving under the influence” arrest. His dad then stated the following: “A DWI lawyer will be able to discover ‘irregularities’ and bring this evidence to the attention of the prosecution and the court. And in some cases, and based on this ‘evidence,’ your DUI lawyer will be able to get your charges substantially reduced or maybe even dismissed.”

When Ralph listend to his father explain this, it was as if his eyes were opened for the first time about the importance of hiring a DWI attorney. More to the point, Ralph realized that he needed a DUI lawyer.

The Whole Story About Taking Field Sobriety Tests

He then told his father that he had heard a lot about field sobriety tests. As a result, he asked his father what a field sobriety test was.

His dad responded with the following: “Ralph, field sobriety tests are administered by police officers to determine if a person has been operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, alcohol, or both. Field sobriety tests frequently consist of the ‘walk and turn,’ test, the ‘one-leg stand,’ test, the ‘pen light’ test, and other field sobriety tests. If you are arrested by the police for a suspected DUI, you should know that you are not legally required to take these field sobriety tests. In fact, many DUI attorneys believe field sobriety tests lack scientific merit and are invalid.”

Ralph’s father then wanted to underline the following: “Ralph, keep in mind that you are not legally required to take any field sobriety tests. The police officer that gives the tests is the only ‘judge’ of your performance and is consequently typically documenting only the things you do incorrectly. As a consequence and in most instances, a polite refusal to perform any sobriety test will be appropriate.”

Near the end of their conversation, Ralph said that was starting to grasp the importance of “driving under the influence” laws and what ”drunk driving” lawyers can do for a person who has received a DWI arrest, but he was still wondering why he was stopped by the police in the first place. In his own words Ralph asked his father the following question: “Dad, why was I stopped by the police? Specifically what were they looking for”?

His dad answered Ralph in the following way: “Ralph, there are many different reasons why you could have been ‘pulled over’ by the police. Some illustrations include the following: weaving in and out of traffic, missing a front license plate, tinted windows, speeding, involvement in a traffic accident, driving erratically, and expired registration tags. What is more, an anonymous individual may have reported you to the police after seeing you leaving a restaurant, a sporting event, a party, or a bar ‘under the influence’ and getting behind the wheel of your vehicle. In short, there are many possible reasons why you were ‘pulled over’ by the police.”

After getting “schooled” about “drunk driving” arrests, the role of DWI attorneys, and the fact that he didn’t have to agree to take any field sobriety tests at the time of his arrest, Ralph decided that he would without question hire a ”drunk driving” attorney to represent him in court.

Ralph Gets Inspired That He Will Always Drink In Moderation and Never Go Through Another “Driving Under the Influence” Arrest

Something else, however, happened after he had talked to his dad. Ralph at last began to comprehend the serious nature of DUI arrests and as a consequence, he made up his mind that from this moment forward, he would always drink responsibly so that he would never again have to suffer through another “drunk driving” arrest.

His father smiled at Ralph and told him the following, “son, it took me until I was fifty-five years old to realize what you just told me. I am really proud of you.

Ralph thanked his dad and then said, “if I can always drink in moderation, I will never need to hire a DUI attorney again!”

Does Ralph Need Alcohol Treatment For His Alcoholism or For His Alcohol Abuse?

There was, however, one thing that neither Ralph nor his dad thought about, namely, if Ralph needs alcohol rehab for his alcohol abuse or for his alcoholism. In fact, Ralph may be required by the court to get rehabilitation for his excessive and unhealthy drinking.

The medical establishment defines certain diseases and illnesses as “silent killers.” Medical conditions like heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoporosis, mesothelioma, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and many types of cancer like lung cancer, breast cancer, rectal cancer, and colon cancer are rather well known silent killers.

These medical maladies are called silent killers due to the fact that early on in the medical malady there are regularly no symptoms to suggest that a difficulty exists. Then as the medical malady advances, conversely, and as the medical difficulties start to come to light, a medical disaster can happen.

Excessive and Careless Drinking Is a Silent Killer

I declare that hazardous and excessive drinking is also a silent killer. In fact, some people can drink for many years without going through any critical alcohol related difficulties in their lives. When excessive and irresponsible drinking is repeated over time, it can be noted, severe alcohol effects become more noticeable and more problematic. Possibly the best example about which I am stating takes place during the transition from alcohol abuse to alcohol addiction.

Undeniably, several alcohol related predicaments can be masked and fairly well hidden while an individual engages in in alcohol abuse. When the individual in fact becomes a chronic alcohol abuser or an alcoholic, however, dangerous alcohol outcomes become quite obvious and more serious. Unfortunately, this info about alcoholism and alcohol abuse doesn’t seem to be focused upon as much as it ought to be.

Problem Areas That are Adversely Affected by Abusive and Careless Drinking As Time Continues

What are some of the problem areas that are adversely affected over time by repeated irresponsible and hazardous drinking? When people first begin to engage in heavy and hazardous drinking, they are generally unaware of what their abusive drinking is doing to their mental health, to their health, to their finances, to their jobs, and to their relationships.

As the irresponsible and excessive drinking is repeated over time, conversely, it regularly results in relationship, communication, marital, friendship, and commitment problems and many times leads to affairs and divorce. In a similar way, many, if not most individuals who involve themselves in alcohol abuse in the long run suffer from alcohol related health issues such as a loss of energy, hangovers, sleep disturbances, and alcohol poisoning. Other alcohol induced medical issues include the following: nerve damage, liver disease, sexual problems, stomach ulcers, and vitamin deficiency.

Moreover, many, if not most alcohol abusers in the long run suffer from alcohol induced financial difficulties. Strangely enough, while numerous problem drinkers whine about their financial predicament, they frequently make their financial circumstances worse by spending more of their money on their drinking habit.

Stress Management, Time Management, and Anger Management Issues

In a similar manner, irresponsible and heavy drinking generally leads to anger management, stress management, and time management difficulties. Additionally, many, if not most individuals who engage in alcohol abuse, due to their excessive and abusive drinking, in the end display employment problems such as alcohol related accidents, absenteeism, showing up late for work, making mistakes on the job, and poor performance evaluations.

Mental Health Problems Such As Depression

Additionally, hazardous and irresponsible drinking ultimatley leads to various mental health issues such as obsession, denial, extreme mood swings, depression, and anxiety. And finally, it should come as no big surprise that heavy drinkers can get a “drunk while driving arrest” almost any day or night of the week due to their excessive and irresponsible drinking and driving.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is this: people who engage in alcohol abuse need to learn how to drink responsibly and in moderation or get the alcohol detoxification and the alcohol rehabilitation they require. This is significant for individuals who involve themselves in hazardous drinking so that they can either drink responsibly or start to lead an alcohol free life and steer clear from the large number of alcohol induced situations described above. Without a doubt, obtaining exceptional alcohol abuse help will be important along these lines.

It is also important for people who involve themselves in irresponsible drinking to either figure out how to drink in moderation or stop drinking so that they can steer clear a life of alcohol dependency. In a word, individuals who involve themselves in excessive drinking need to abstain from excessive and irresponsible drinking so that they can stay away from the alcohol induced silent killers that are interlinked with excessive drinking. Again, receiving exceptional alcohol abuse rehab will clearly go a long way toward meeting this goal.

I work with many young men who work in construction who exhibit irresponsible and abusive drinking. After a hard day at work, it seems to make a lot of sense to go to the local saloon to have a few drinks with one’s drinking friends. Often, however, it seems that the well-intentioned few drinks becomes a circumstance in which a lot of shots and beers are ingested, several dollars are spent, and many hours are spent at the local watering hole rather than spending time with their wife or girlfriend, family, or with their friends.

Hazardous Drinking Can Lead to Relationship, Marital, and Friendship Difficulties

Is it truly all that flabbergasting in these situations that several these hard working guys go through alcohol induced financial issues in spite of the fact that they make a good wage? How complicated can it be for these hard working guys to grasp the fact that excessive drinking normally results in friendship, marital, and relationship difficulties? Why are these alcoholism and alcohol abuse signs so difficult for these hard working men to see?

Abusive and Careless Drinking Can Result in DWIs, Work Problems, Numerous Health Problems, and a Variety of Mental Health Issues Such as Depression

Should it actually be shocking to anyone that these hard working men could receive a drunk while driving arrest almost any day or night of the week? Is anyone genuinely amazed when these construction workers start to show up late for work because of their heavy and hazardous drinking?

Does it truly flabbergast anyone to know that these construction workers eventually complain about alcohol-related health problems such as hangovers, alcohol poisoning, a loss of energy, and sleep disturbances? Is it in point of fact unexpected that many of my hard working pals are beginning to experience various mental health problems like depression? Why can’t my hard working friends “see” these alcohol abuse effects?

To a relatively great extent, these hard working guys have gotten into a dysfunctional predicament that is resulting in a life of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependency. My desire is that these construction workers will finally comprehend the fact that abusive and excessive drinking isn’t their “friend” and that they need to talk to their family doctor or someone at the local alcohol counseling clinic about their drinking situation.

Regarding the problem drinking displayed by these hard working men, the point to emphasize is that honesty is needed. Indeed, my hard working friends, similar to others who engage in irresponsible and excessive drinking, need to look at their behavior and make a factual evaluation of what abusive and hazardous drinking is doing to their jobs, to their finances, to their relationships, to their mental health, and to their health. In short, my hard working pals need to comprehend the alcohol side effects of their irresponsible and abusive drinking.

There’s Room For Hope If Those Who Engage in Excessive Drinking Can Become Encouraged to Get the Alcohol Treatment and Alcohol Detox They Need

These hard working men need to get enthused and motivated about wanting to make a beneficial change in their lives. Stated more precisely, these construction workers need to motivate themselves to go to their healthcare professional or to the local drug and alcohol rehab clinic and discover whether or not they are basically abusing alcohol or if they are dependent on alcohol. Based on this information, my hard working buddies then need to get the alcohol detox treatment and the alcohol treatment they require.

The good news is that there’s an almost limitless number of drug and alcohol treatment clinics, rehabilitation facilities, treatment centers, rehab programs, and hospitals where my hard working buddies can get first-class rehab for their irresponsible and abusive drinking. And with a little effort, it’s feasible to find treatment centers, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, drug and alcohol treatment clinics, and rehab programs that are relatively cost effective.

First-Class Alcoholism or Alcohol Abuse Help Can Begin With a Single Phone Call

There were unquestionably times in the past when professional help for alcohol dependency or alcohol abuse was far less available and more expensive that it is now. Due to the significant increase of alcoholism and alcohol abuse in the past fifteen or twenty years, it can be noted, an alcohol abuser or alcoholic often has few, if any, legitimate reasons for failing to address his or her hazardous and excessive drinking.

In point of fact, to begin the change process all it often takes is a short and to the point phone call to one’s family physician or to someone at the local alcohol treatment facility. Thereafter, lasting sobriety necessitates commitment, follow through, and a truthful desire to change one’s detrimental style of life.