Violence

What is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome? Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a severe memory disorder usually associated with chronic excessive alcohol consumption, although the direct cause is a deficiency in the B vitamin thiamin. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), the [...]

1. Alcoholism affects the entire family. Living with a non-recovering alcoholic in the family can contribute to stress for all members of the family. Each member may be affected differently. Not all alcoholic families experience or react to this stress [...]

What About Motivation? You cannot motivate anyone else. Attempting to do so only annoys them, frustrates you, and wastes your time. There is no one on this planet who has not, at some point in their life, wanted someone else [...]

Worried about someone? If you decide to approach the person you’re concerned about, there are a few things you may want to consider before you do: Keep informed Find out as much as you can about the drug being used and its effects; There [...]

Alcoholism & Nutritional Deficiency Alcoholics suffer from a treatable, chronic disease in which their bodies are dependent on alcohol. Excessive alcohol intake inflames the lining of the stomach and interferes with vitamin absorption. Vitamin and nutritional deficiency can lead to [...]

The Issue Most Canadians are affected by mental illness, either directly or indirectly, through family, friends or colleagues. Yet there is still a stigma attached to this range of diseases that is a barrier to correct diagnosis and treatment, as [...]

Living and dealing with a drug addict can be devastating. There’s no easy way to find out, no way to soften the blow. Deciding how to proceed with your friendship or relationship with someone who is addicted to drugs and [...]

Physical dependency on alcohol develops following a sustained period of daily heavy drinking. This can result in the development of an alcohol withdrawal syndrome, with such symptoms as tremulousness (the shakes), sweating. In more severe cases withdrawal seizures (or fits) [...]

Most people experience strong desires, urges or thoughts about drinking alcohol when they start to cut down or quit. It helps to recognize that these urges, desires and thoughts are natural. We all have different ways to cope with desires, urges [...]

Acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms Symptoms may vary depending on the individual. There may be mild or severe symptoms, and some may need close inpatient, or medical supervision. Serious withdrawal symptoms include: Delirium tremens The Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Seizures Depression Electrolyte disturbances [...]

Abstinence may be as hard or even harder than drinking for the alcoholic because it reveals so many problems that were obscured by the family’s focus on alcohol. Denial remains as strong as ever as the family has to face [...]

Children of Alcoholics and Substance Abusers Children of alcoholics and other substance abusers are a population without a clear definition. Because the concept of COA(Children of Alcoholics)/COSA (Children of Substance Abusers) is focused on the child rather than the parent, [...]