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(last updated 2024-08-09/Close of previous day debt was $35123327978028.47 )

1/5/25

ALCOHOL ABUSE/ALCOHOLISM

ALCOHOL ABUSE/ALCOHOLISM - Mason Media

Between beginners, casual drinkers, and social drinkers, alcohol abuse and alcoholism may be hard to define as well as diagnose, admit to and treat. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are interconnected to too many factors to really define and clearly treat. The only thing universally decided on is that alcoholism and alcohol abuse tend to make mental illness worse.

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are two different forms of abuse [problem drinking]. Alcohol abuse is defined as: When drinking leads to problems, but not physical addiction (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001940). Those that abuse alcohol may present the same signs and symptoms of an alcoholic but they do not have the same withdrawal effects like that of an alcoholic. Also the desire and compulsion to drink is somewhat less than that of an alcoholic. Alcohol abuse can affect a person emotionally, physically, socially, and psychologically (www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163.php).

Alcoholism is defined as: When a person exhibits signs of physical addiction to alcohol and continues to drink, despite problems with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities. Alcohol controls a person’s life and relationships (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001940). Alcoholism for the most part is still not understood. It is a broad term used to describe a compulsive and uncontrolled use of alcohol. It is usually to the detriment of the drinker’s health. Misuse of alcohol has the ability to damage every organ in the human body as well as the brain. Some believe alcoholism is a choice. Therefore, it is not treated as a medical condition but specifically a psychological issue negating its treatment as a disease. Alcohol use and abuse involves multiple issues and causes that still to this day are not understood. Due to differences of opinion on whether alcoholism is a disease or choice, prescribed treatment procedures vary. Regardless if the diagnosis involves physical or psychological factors, treatment decisions may vary. If the problem is linked to underlying issues, those issues need to be treated as well. If the underlying problems are not treated the alcohol issues will continue and the treatment will be a failure.

The estimated cost of alcohol abuse to the American economy in 2005 was 220 billion dollars, that was more than cancer and obesity combined. Alcoholism does not seem to discriminate. On the other hand, Caucasians have a high abstinence rate, but a much higher tolerance rate. Studies also show that the more other races assimilate with Caucasians the higher rate of alcohol consumption (en.wikipedia.org/wiki:/Alcoholism#Prevention).

An alcoholic is a person, regardless of sex, age, or race who suffers from alcoholism. They have a desire to consume alcohol and cannot control the desire in regards to limits, rules, or amount. The word ‘alcoholic’ refers to the person, while ‘alcoholism’ is the [chronic] illness. This leads to an obsession with alcohol in which the person cannot control the urge to drink even if it effects work, home, or finances (www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163.php).

For the sake of argument, alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the same and defined by the same signs and symptoms. The only difference is degree or intensity. The first symptom is denial. The drinker is usually the last person to admit the problem. The following are more of the signs:

· Drinking alone

· Drinking in secret

ALCOHOL ABUSE/ALCOHOLISM

· Not being able to limit how much alcohol consumed

· Blacking out-not being able to remember chunks of time

· Feeling an urge to drink

· Having rituals and being irritated or annoyed when those rituals are disrupted or commented on. This could be drinks before, during, or after meals, work, school, etc.

· Dropping hobbies and activities the person used to enjoy; losing interest in them

· Feeling irritable when drinking times approach. This feeling is more intense if the alcohol is not available, or there appears to be a chance it may not be available.

· Having stashes of alcohol in unlikely places

· Gulping drinks down in order to get drunk and then feel good

· Having relationship problems (triggered by drinking)

· Having money problems (caused by drinking)

· Requiring a larger quantity of alcohol to feel its effect

· Nausea, sweating, or even shaking when not drinking

(www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163.php)

Alcohol addiction, or dependence, is a process that takes place gradually from a period of years to decades. Also, in some cases, those prone to addiction the process may only take several months. Over time, alcohol consumption changes the levels of chemicals in the brain essential to how we feel. One chemical in particular is GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) which controls impulsiveness. The following are risk factors linked to excessive drinking:

ALCOHOL ABUSE/ALCOHOLISM

· Genes-Alcoholics are six times more likely to have a blood relative who drinks

· Age of 1^st Drink-Drinking before age 15 can lead to problems later in life

· Smoking-Non daily smokers have a harder time controlling alcohol consumption than daily smokers.

· Easy access-Alcohol is sold at a variety of places and at cheap prices

· Stress-Those suffering from anxiety may drink to block out the upheaval in their lives

· Peer Drinking-Many are pressured to drink by the crowd they hang out with

· Low Self Esteem-If alcohol is readily available, those suffering from low self-esteem will abuse it

· Depression-Self treat; may have reverse effect and make problems worse

· Media and Advertising-Media depicts excessive drinking as acceptable

(www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163.php)

In the US a person must meet certain criteria explained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The patient should experience at least three of the following to be diagnosed:

· Alcohol tolerance is high in the beginning but decreases with liver damage

· Withdrawal symptoms

· Unsuccessful attempts to cut down

· Time wasted drinking and recovering

· Withdrawing from normal activity

ALCOHOL ABUSE/ALCOHOLISM

· Persistent drinking even when they realize the damage

(www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163.php)

Patients may go to the doctor for other issues associated with alcohol abuse but fail to mention alcohol consumption to their doctor, not realizing alcohol abuse is causing the issue. There are tests a doctor can perform to screen for alcohol abuse. Blood tests can only reveal recent alcohol consumption. If the red blood cells have increased in size it can indicate long term use. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin blood test can detect heavy consumption. According to the web site the best test is a questionnaire (www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163.php).

Alcohol elevates a person’s mood causing him or her to feel upbeat and happy. After a while the alcohol acts as a depressant to the nervous system, and this causes the person to ‘crash’ or feel sedated. Heavy binge drinking can cause a person to pass out, black out, or go into a coma. Heavy regular drinking can cause the following conditions:

· Fatigue-Always tired

· Memory loss-Short term memory

· Eye muscles weaken

· Liver disease-Cirrhosis of the liver

· Gastrointestinal Issues-Problems with digestion

· Hypertension-Increased blood pressure

· Heart Problems-Heart failure, stroke, cardiomyopathy

· Diabetes-Type II Diabetes, Hypoglycemia

· Menstruation Disrupted

· Erectile Dysfunction

· Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

· Thinning Bones-Slows production of new bone material

· Nervous System Problems-Dementia

· Cancer

· Accidents-Falls, auto, etc.

· Domestic Abuse

· Work/School Problems

· Suicide

· Mental Illness

· Problems With The Law

The first step of treatment (any treatment) is for the patient to admit there is a problem. Studies have shown that patients with stable psychological lives are less likely to seek treatment. Studies also show that patients who smoke have a harder time with recovery. Specific treatment options are as follows:

· Do-It-Yourself

· Counseling

· Treat Underlying Problems

ALCOHOL ABUSE/ALCOHOLISM

· Live-In Residential Programs (Sober Living, Rehab)

· Drugs that provoke a severe reaction (Antabuse/Disulfiren)

· Drugs to fight craving and urges

· Hormone Treatment

· Detoxification

· Abstinence

(www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163.php)

Abstinence and sobriety are lifestyles. They tend to pick up where treatment ends. Recovering alcoholics are urged to stay away from people and places that provide temptation and access to alcohol. Activities that promote well-being are always good alternatives (The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical Guide, 1985). A.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous) allows men and women who have the desire to stop drinking to meet daily and be open about their problems or issues with alcohol and receive support from others in the same situation as well as those that have been sober for years without fees or dues. This is done using the acclaimed 12 Step Program (www.aa.org).

Some polls show as much as 90% of the public believes alcoholism is a disease. Other polls show more than 10% of the public feel it is a choice. The fact that polls are even talked about means that the jury is still out on whether or not alcoholism is a disease or a choice. Treatment of alcoholism is a multi-billion dollar industry paid for mainly by the insurance companies.

ALCOHOL ABUSE/ALCOHOLISM

In order for insurance companies to pay alcoholism must be a disease or disorder. This also fuels the public desire to classify abnormal human behavior as a disease, therefore not having to take responsibility for making, the choice of taking the first drink (www.alcoholismassist.com).

References

1. The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical Guide, 1985

2. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism#Prevention

3. www.aa.org

4. www.alcoholismassist.com

5. www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163.php

6. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001940

1/4/25

Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Wife

Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Wife

Men who have been married for awhile may have a great deal of difficulty selecting gifts for their wives on Valentine's Day. They may feel as though they have spent so many Valentine's Days together that they have already bought their wives all of the standard gifts and may have trouble thinking up new and original gift ideas for Valentine's Day. They may have already bought their wives items such as flowers, candy, lingerie and jewelry and may feel as though repeating these gifts would not be appropriate. However, there are a lot of great gift ideas for men to give to their wives on Valentine's Day. This article will focus on how men can update some of the traditional gift ideas and will also provide some unique gift ideas for men to give their wives on Valentine's Day.

Candy is one of the most popular gifts for men to give to women on Valentine's Day. Men who have given their wives a gift of candy in the past may feel as though it would be inappropriate to give her candy again. However, this is not true. Candy is a gift which is almost always appreciated on Valentine's Day. There are ways to make candy seem like a more original gift though. Men who normally give their wives a gift of an assortment of chocolates in a heart shaped box can search for other candy options available. For example, they may find chocolate covered strawberries available in a number of unique designs. They can also make a gift of candy more original by making the candy themselves. Making candy is not difficult and can be a great deal of fun. While some women will always appreciate a gift of candy, she will be more surprised if you make the candy yourself because it shows you put more effort into the gift.

Jewelry is another popular gift idea for men to give to women on Valentine's Day. Men may feel as though once they give their wife a few pieces of jewelry, there is no way to continue giving jewelry. However, this is not true. For example if you previously gave your wife a solitaire ring you might consider giving her a new ring with three stones to reflect the past, the present and your future together. You might even consider having the solitaire ring modified to include the additional stones. You can also put a unique spin on gifts of jewelry by giving different stones or jewelry of different metals. However, when selecting a gift of jewelry for your wife on Valentine's Day care should be taken to choose items that reflect her taste so you are sure your wife will love the gift and want to wear it often.

If you and your wife have children and excellent gift idea for Valentine's Day is to present your wife with handmade coupons for free afternoons. You will take care of the kids during this time so your wife can go out and relax and enjoy some time to herself. Many women often feel guilty about leaving the children with their husbands to take time for themselves. This type of gift will make her more likely to take some time to get a manicure or do some shopping without feeling guilty because you will be volunteering to watch the kids so your wife will not feel like she is inconveniencing you by asking for some time to herself. You can make this type of gift even more special by giving your wife a gift certificate to a beauty salon so she can go to get her hair done or have a manicure and pedicure. You can also plan a special activity for the kids while she is gone. For example you might sit with the kids and have them make a gift for their mom while she is gone. This way your wife will have some free time and will also receive a homemade gift from her children.

#Valentines #love #sex #valentinesday #wife

Valentine's Day with Someone Special

Valentine's Day with Someone Special

For many Valentine's Day is one of the most romantic days of the years. For these couples this day is as special as their personal anniversaries or other special days they celebrate throughout the year. Therefore, they often want to plan a very special and romantic Valentine's Day for them and their partner to enjoy. This article will provide some useful tips for those who will be spending Valentine's Day with someone who is very special to them and are looking for ideas on how to plan a memorable day.

First of all consider, planning your Valentine's Day celebration with your partner. Surprises are great and your partner may really appreciate your thoughtfulness and planning but one way to ensure your partner is thrilled with your plans for Valentine's Day is to involve her in the planning process. Planning a special Valentine's Day together gives you and your partner the opportunity to enjoy even more time together and to make plans which you know you will both love.

Another way to make sure your Valentine's Day with someone special is a great day is to really put a great deal of time and effort into the planning. It can be difficult to plan a truly spectacular Valentine's Day at the last minute because you are likely to run into a series of mishaps as a result of others trying to plan a great Valentine's Day for themselves. To avoid this type of problem, plan way ahead and make all necessary reservations way in advance. If you put a great deal of time into planning your Valentine's Day celebration, your partner is bound to notice. Conversely, if you try making plans at the last minute, she is likely to notice this as well and will likely feel disappointed that you didn't spend more time planning.

Consider a weekend getaway for a truly memorable Valentine's Day with someone special. A weekend getaway can be as elaborate as a long weekend on a tropical beach or a couple of days in a new city. It doesn't matter where you go or what you do as much as it matters who you are with for this trip. If you are spending time with someone you love and going to a location you will both enjoy, it is sure to be a spectacular trip. For example a couple of sports enthusiasts might love a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY while a couple who loves the outdoors may appreciate a camping trip in the mountains of CO.

If you are spending Valentine's Day with someone special, you might want to consider giving your loved one a truly unique gift. For example red roses are one of the most traditional Valentine's Day gifts but you can put a spin on this old fashioned idea. For example, if your girlfriend loves gardening you might give her a gift such as a few gardening tools and some bulbs that you can plant together in the spring. It may not seem like the most romantic gift to others but if you know it is something your loved one will cherish; it can be a great Valentine's Day gift.

Another way to spend a memorable Valentine's Day with someone special is to cook a dinner for her yourself. Many couples view Valentine's Day as a time to go out to expensive restaurants and enjoy elaborate meals but other couples enjoy staying home and enjoying a quite meal together. You can take charge of the planning and do all the cooking yourself or you can involve your girlfriend and turn the cooking into part of the date. For example if you know how to make a particularly difficult dish, you might ask your partner to help you so you can teach her the basics of how to make the dish. The two of you can spend some time preparing the meal together and then enjoy the dinner by candlelight.

#Valentines #love #sex #sexualhealth #valentinesday

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Hi, My name is James...

And just 90 seconds from now I'm going to let you in on something every man is secretly obsessed with.

It's Something He CRAVES...

More than love, more than money, even more than sex.

And the craziest part is this one secret obsession holds the key to winning a man's love, attention, and total devotion for LIFE but not one woman in a thousand even knows it exists!

And those that do almost never share it with another soul.

After 12 years of working with thousands of amazing women as a relationship coach, I've witnessed the secret male obsession to be the key to a man's heart.

Because once you understand it, you'll be able to make the man of your choice feel a burning desire for you that's so powerful that you'll literally become the most important person in his life.

The person he thinks about all day long.

There's something every man is secretly obsessed with, more than love, money, even more than sex!

And you'll also hear the real-life stories of women who used this same secret obsession to create the deepest love of their lives, all from seemingly "hopeless" situations and how you too can create the love you deserve.

Because no matter how bad your situation seems right now...

...it doesn't matter.

Because the moment you flip this secret trigger in a man's heart (a trigger so secret that 99% of women and men don't even know it exists) he'll feel a surge of desire for you that goes far beyond physical attraction... and makes him see you in a whole new light.

Without even realizing it, he'll start to picture you in his life and every other woman, past and present, will fade from his mind.

Because when you tap into a man's most primal, inner desire, you literally become his OBSESSION.

And even though he's starting to feel the deepest love connection of his life, he won't know why...

Because this secret flies completely under his radar.

#sex #sexhealth

So by now, you're probably wondering what this Secret Obsession is, right?

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A FREE VIDEO

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Richard Pryor

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Richard Pryor 🎂🎁🎉🎈🎊

On what would have been his 84th birthday. Born as Richard Franklin Lennox, Thomas Pryor was a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor.

He was best known for uncompromising examinations of racism, and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets.

He reached a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style. He was widely regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians of his era.

He was listed as number one on Comedy Central's list of all-time greatest stand-up comedians. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked him first on its list of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time.

Pryor's body of work includes concert films and recordings: "Richard Pryor: Live & Smokin" (1971), "That Nigger's Crazy" (1974), ". Is It Something I Said?" (1975), "Bicentennial Nigger" (1976), "Richard Pryor: Live in Concert" (1979), "Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip" (1982), and "Richard Pryor: Here and Now" (1983).As an actor, he starred mainly in comedies. His occasional roles in dramas included Paul Schrader''s "Blue Collar" (1978). He also appeared in dramas, action, and musical adventure fantasy films, like "Lady Sings the Blues" (1972), "The Wiz" (1978), and "Superman III" (1983).He collaborated on many projects with actor Gene Wilder, including the films "Silver Streak" (1976), "Stir Crazy" (1980), "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" (1989), and "Another You" (1991).On December 10, 2005,

Pryor suffered his third heart attack in Los Angeles, California. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:58 a.m. PST. He was 65.

#comedian #cancelculture #Hollywood #Showbusiness #RichardPryor

1/1/25

Search Engine Friendly Pages

Search Engine Friendly Pages

There is no point in building a website unless there are visitors coming in. A major source of traffic for most sites on the Internet is search engines like Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Altavista and so on. Hence, by designing a search engine friendly site, you will be able to rank easily in search engines and obtain more visitors.

Major search engines use programs called crawlers or robots to index websites to list on their search result pages. They follow links to a page, reads the content of the page and record it in their own database, pulling up the listing as people search for it.

If you want to make your site indexed easily, you should avoid using frames on your website. Frames will only confuse search engine robots and they might even abandon your site because of that. Moreover, frames make it difficult for users to bookmark a specific page on your site without using long, complicated scripts.

Do not present important information in Flash movies or in images. Search engine robots can only read text on your source code so if you present important words in Flash movies and images rather than textual form, your search engine ranking will be affected dramatically.

Use meta tags accordingly on each and every page of your site so that search engine robots know at first glance what that particular page is about and whether or not to index it. By using meta tags, you are making the search engine robot's job easier so they will crawl and index your site more frequently.

Stop using wrong HTML tags like <font> to style your page. Use CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) instead because they are more effective and efficient. By using CSS, you can eliminate redundant HTML tags and make your pages much lighter and faster to load.

#marketing #internet #business #SEO