How to help an alcoholic in your family? People refer to alcoholism as a family disease, one that reaches out and touches the whole family. So what are these damaging effects exactly, and how do you lend support to a family member who is suffering from alcoholism? Alcoholism- A Family Disease? OK, let’s start looking at the factors. Let’s start with the children. Quiz: one parent is an alcoholic and the other isn’t. Who does the child have an easier time reading and dealing with? That’s … [Read more...]
Truth about alcohol’s damaging effects on the brain
Today’s topic is separating fact from fiction: what is true about alcohol's damaging effects on the brain. I’m going to tear down myths about alcoholism and the brain, while highlighting the true- and often troubling- realities that are associated with drinking and the brain. Fact: Booze Can Damage Memory. I’m nothing if not a researcher: studies show that heavy use of alcohol can harm both long-term and short-term memory. In one study, heavy alcoholics consistently made more memory-based … [Read more...]