Alcohol has been in use by societies as far back as the dawn of civilization. Fermented plant matter for medicine, religious rituals, nutrition, and enjoyment has been around for 9,000 years, recorded in Mesopotamia, the Indian subcontinent, China, and the Middle East. As we know, alcohol dependence can easily result from regular use, and dependence…
There are moments in life that we don’t really notice when they happen. For example, when drinking stops being an occasional indulgence and becomes a problem. It’s often not until much later, when the problem has become a life-altering disease known as addiction, that we realize what has happened. At Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge…
A poison is defined as any substance that can enter your body and is harmful to it. Toxins can be swallowed, inhaled, absorbed, or injected. Poisoning always results in some level of illness and, depending on the toxin, can lead to death. Anyone who has experienced alcohol intoxication may be familiar with the day-after symptoms…
Did you know that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unchecked alcohol consumption contributes to almost 90,000 deaths in the U.S. each year? More than 4,000 of those alcohol-related deaths are young, underage people. In fact, alcohol is the most commonly misused addictive substance among teens and young adults in America.…
How do professionals decide if a patient should consider getting admitted into an alcohol addiction treatment program? An alcohol screening test helps determine if someone is struggling with an alcohol use disorder. An emergency room can use a short alcohol screening test that makes a determination based on the first question. A mental health professional…
Many people seeking help for an alcohol use disorder often ask why they can’t undergo the process without attending an alcohol detox center. This option may be possible for a small number of individuals, but most of those seeking alcohol detox fare much better in a supervised program. Alcohol detox is one of the most…
If you’re worried about the signs of alcohol abuse and think you might be experiencing them, it’s time to reach out and get some help so you can live a better life. At Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge, we can help you get the support you deserve and the treatment you need to have a…
The dangers of binge drinking are significant and can include blackouts, reckless behaviors, overspending, liver damage, and other mental and physical health problems. Plus, they can sometimes put you in situations you would have otherwise avoided had alcohol not been a factor. When you find yourself sliding down the slippery slope of binge drinking, you…
Teen alcohol use is a significant problem in the United States. Nearly one-third of teens throughout the country have taken their first drink before the age of 15. More than 25% of American teenagers drink alcohol regularly, and about half of those drink heavily enough to be considered addicted to alcohol. While these statistics may…
The start of a new year is always a good time to begin working on your life goals, and a commitment to kicking an addiction is one of the best goals you can set for yourself. However, getting rid of an addiction is a lofty feat that can be challenging to reach without creating smaller stepping stone…