Prevent alcoholism (addiction prevention): fundamental tips

Prevent alcoholism

Prevent alcoholism (addiction prevention): fundamental tips

Addiction prevention is an absolutely fascinating field. For thousands of years, we have accepted the consumption of alcohol, drugs, or gambling as part of normality. However, we live unaware of the risk involved, for example, drinking alcohol. Avoiding the harmful consequences of these habits have given rise to a science called preventology, preventative medicine, or prevention. Today we know for sure that the repeated use of alcohol causes a disease called alcoholism in some people. Preventing alcoholism consists of trying to avoid the harmful and pathological effects that chronic alcohol use entails.

Genetic Predisposition Of Alcoholism

Avoid alcoholism

What at first seems simple really is not. Preventing alcoholism means designing a healthy lifestyle outside of alcohol. Or also promote a series of actions aimed at avoiding dependency. Alcohol addiction is a disease whose biochemical mechanisms are still under investigation. Although it is difficult to believe, the scientific community does not know exactly the molecular changes that occur in the nervous system when we drink alcohol. This is why preventing alcohol addiction is somewhat impossible to guarantee. What we do know are factors that determine the appearance of addictions.

We know that there are people who are more vulnerable than others to the effects of alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Genetics is one of the determining factors when expressing alcoholism. Two people drinking in the same way during the same period of time can suffer different consequences. That is, the same amount of alcohol can cause alcoholism in some people and not in others. The genome determines the genetic predisposition to suffer from alcoholism. Unfortunately, we do not have sufficiently advanced technology to accurately identify the genes that determine the expression of alcoholism. Today vulnerability to the effects of alcohol and drugs is not exactly predictable.

How To Prevent Alcoholism

In the development of any addiction, such as alcoholism, genetics clearly intervenes. This is a factor on which we cannot intervene. You may be predisposed to cancer, asthma, or alcohol addiction. Your genes say so and that factor is invariable. However, there are other factors, such as psychological traits or the environment, that also influence the development of addictions. This means that how we drink, why, and how we use alcohol also determine the onset of alcoholism.

Indeed, these are the fields in which prevention intervenes. In a very brief way, we can say that alcohol appears in our lives hiding a trap that no one is prepared to avoid. Alcohol is the socializing agent par excellence. It changes our mood, it is euphoric, anxiolytic, and pleasant in moderate doses. For these reasons, it is usual to repeat its consumption. Not having adequate psychological or emotional coping skills can predispose us to suffer from alcoholism.

On the other hand, if alcohol consumption is normalized in our daily environment, it is more likely that we will end up incorporating alcohol as part of our way of life. Alcohol to celebrate, alcohol to escape or alcohol not to suffer. And naturally, alcohol to relax. Preventing alcoholism can be somewhat difficult under these conditions.

Alcohol is a very powerful, neurotoxic drug that is the only essential element for the development of alcoholism. In other words, the only infallible formula with 100% guarantees to prevent alcoholism is not to drink. It seems simple, but it is not. Bridging the gap: never smoking tobacco in your life dramatically reduces the chances of suffering from lung cancer.

Basic Tips To Prevent Alcoholism

We are going to mention in a general way some fundamental tips to prevent alcoholism. This is an indicative summary of general parameters. As an element to highlight, within the family, many parents are concerned about the alcohol consumption of their adolescent children. In Valencia, the average age of starting alcohol consumption is 14 years. Possibly the most relevant factor to prevent alcoholism in adolescents, in the opinion of the Ivatad alcoholism detoxification center, is to establish effective communication with them. Take an interest in their problems and be close. Also in a respectful and effective way, let them know that we are interested in their difficulties and conflicts, their tastes and hobbies. Ultimately, try to establish effective and effective communication with people. This is the best way to prevent alcoholism. Some fundamental tips to avoid alcoholism are:

  • The healthiest option is not to drink alcohol. If you drink, don’t do it alone
  • The lower the age of onset, the greater the probability of suffering from alcoholism. The adolescent brain is more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol than that of adults
  • Drink in moderation or consume non-alcoholic mocktails
  • Do not frequently excessively leisure spaces such as bars, restaurants, and nightclubs
  • Alcohol as a way of socializing: learning to relate without alcoholic beverages
  • Develop healthy habits: playing sports can help prevent alcoholism
  • Social skills strategies – for example, learning to tolerate frustration or overcome difficulties
  • Stress management: alcohol appears as a restorative balm for excessive stress. We must learn to manage stress in a healthy way and not with alcohol.
  • Peer pressure: learning to say no. Being able to integrate without drinking in circles where the majority consume alcohol can help you prevent alcoholism

You may like to read Information on the risks of alcohol consumption

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