Women Fighting Against The Consequences Of Alcoholism Most people will not debate the devastating affects of alcoholism. The destruction from this disease are scattered across the pages of newspapers worldwide.
Women are affected differently than men are concerning this disease.
Not only do females who have the disease metabolize alcohol differently and tend to ask for help less often then men; they experience different associations with alcohol related incidents.
Women are wives, moms, and sisters of those who suffer from alcoholism.
They connect in a nurturing way with those who are part of their life. Especially when their sons or daughters are diagnosed with alcoholism, moms feel an emotional pull at their heartstrings.
Women have long been supporters of holding alcoholics responsible for the devastation they leave in their midst.
Once such well-known organization is MADD the organization has evolved to include dads, uncles, friends and neighbors but still stand for a determination to make a difference. MADD believes in activism, victim services and education.
They encourage visitors to take action in their community. Granted that MADD is mainly concerned with only one consequence of alcoholism, but in doing their part, they have brought the enormous affects of the alcohol related consequences to the public eye since 1980.
A woman, Candy Lightner, founded MADD. Programs include: Adult Awareness, Student Programs, Law Enforcement Programs, Diversity (taking into account cultural differences), Court Monitoring and Web Banners.
Safe Harbor is a 90-day extended care recovery program started by a woman who has a very inspiring and compassionate story to share.
Her name is Velvet Mangan. She came to the realization to start Safe Harbor in 1993, after 7 years of being sober herself. Through her faith in the purpose and in Gods guidance, she started to make her vision a physical reality.
Today, 20 years later Safe Harbor is a licensed Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center for women.
It is known for quality counselors and caring staff. The program includes a unique spiritual and emotional depth to it that is rare for such programs.
The program is very comprehensive and individualized for each patient. The program is a 3-phase program.
The treatment program includes: individual as well as group and spiritual counseling, marriage and family counseling and chemical dependency.
For the alcoholic, quitting drinking is extremely difficult and something that takes time, patience, and dedication.
Recovery is not a task that can be entered into lightly or without reservation. If you don't have access to an AA support group then you have 3 other options.
You can use self-help books where the alcoholic is taking responsibility for his own health.
This can work well because once the person knows of the problem it becomes easier to resolve.
By putting together their own plan of action and choosing his own techniques, the alcoholic takes an active role in the recovery process.
The more common techniques include examining the individual’s need for alcohol, decide whether to quit drinking altogether, or just to cut back, identify the reasons for quitting drinking and sharing the recovery plan with others.
These are just a few steps that can be involved in self-recovery.
Another thing that someone with alcoholism can do to recover from it is to use a combination of approaches.
This could involve working on self-help issues, going to AA meetings and involving other people in the process for support.
The benefit of this approach is that you can work on the issues behind the drinking while at the same time developing some kind of accountability to others.
Plus you would be able to rely on support from people around you when you go through the tough times.
Women receive help with body image, eating disorders and job placement. There is a Relapse Prevention Planning Program as well as Anger Management.
The women enjoy the following as part of the program: Spa visits, meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga, Art Therapy, Trauma Resolution, Equine Therapy and Massage. As you can see by this listing, the women receive a very comprehensive and supportive program.
It is a concious decision to drink and get drunk. You can not become an alcoholic if you do not drink alcohol.
Most alcoholics are men, but far more women are becoming alcoholics these days directly as a result of their new drinking habbits.
You can read her heart-felt story and that of Safe Harbor's at http://www.safeharborhouse.com/ourstory.html Women are making a difference in understanding the disease as well as helping those who suffer from it.
Perhaps they have a unique understanding because so many women suffer in silence, needing encouragement to seek help.
Perhaps it is because women are drawn to the sufferings of other women. These two women are just a small example of what women are doing to make a difference in the lives of alcoholics.