The use of alcohol while at work can result in serious injury, causing excessive expenses for the employer. Employers are very motivated to protect their employees from using alcohol at work, not only for their safety, but also to promote efficiency in the office and prevent the cost of workplace accidents.

In light of so many employers conducting random drug testing, one would expect that drinking at work would be rare. Especially given the current economic situation, employees might fear that one indiscretion with alcohol in the workplace could result in the loss of their job and a long job search ahead.

However, a new study finds that workplace alcohol consumption is very common, with one in ten employees consuming alcohol while they are at work. The research is the first-ever study conducted on drug and alcohol use focusing on Australian workplaces.

The study’s findings were recently presented in Tasmania at the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs. Ken Pidd, lead author of the study, said that many people are naïve about the effects that alcohol can have on their career, not believing that drinking at work could hurt their performance or their long-term goals.

Pidd is the deputy director of the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction. The Centre is a part of Adelaide’s Flinders University. He and colleagues recruited over 9,800 workers to complete their questionnaire for the study.

The survey’s results showed that close to 9 percent of participants admitted that they "usually" consumed alcohol while at work. Interestingly, the survey also showed that only 5.6 percent described their response to alcohol as being "under the influence."

Pidd explained that many of the workers have a skewed perception of how alcohol is affecting them. Because the employees don’t think that they are reaching a legally drunk measurement of .05 BAC or feel drunk, they think that their performance is unaffected.

The researchers were surprised by the results, especially the high level of alcohol use in the workplace, but they also believe that much of the drinking may be occurring during on-site gatherings after the workday is completed.

However, Pidd still cautions against this type of recreational workplace drinking. In many cases, alcohol-related accidents occurring to and from the office are still covered by insurance and may pose a serious cost for the employer.

HCDDs

According to The Century Council, some 98 percent of hard core drunk drivers (HCDDs) have a personal history of alcohol abuse. They also account for 77 percent of alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Note that The Century Council is comprised of distillers fighting drunk driving and underage drinking.

HCDDs are defined as individuals who have had repeat arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) within the past three years, are arrested with a high BAC – exceeding .015, nearly twice the legal limit, and account for nearly 40 percent of all DUI convictions each year.

Alcohol Anklets – What They Are

If you think of a prisoner with a tracking device affixed to his or her ankle, you’ll have a pretty accurate idea what an alcohol anklet looks like. But it’s what this device does that is even more impressive.

The alcohol anklet is a device that is worn on the ankle. It detects alcohol in perspiration through sensors that check the wearer’s perspiration once each hour. Should any alcohol be detected, the tests increase to every half hour. Then, once a day, the information is sent via electronic means to a field agent who can provide that data to the court. In the event that the wearer inserts anything between the skin and the sensors, the alcohol anklet transmits that information as well. In other words, there’s no fooling the sensors.

The Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM or SCRAMx) is currently used in 30 states. SCRAMx is manufactured by Alcohol Monitoring Systems. To-date, SCRAMx has monitored over 190,000 offenders in 48 states. SCRAMx is the largest provider of 24/7 alcohol monitoring bracelets worldwide.

Alcohol anklets have become popular with judges and the courts because it provides proof that the person who has been ordered to be monitored with the device is either drinking or abstaining from drinking.

While illegal drugs can be detected with blood, hair or urine tests because they remain in the body a longer time, alcohol metabolizes quickly, making its use hard to detect. Alcohol dissipates at a constant rate of.015 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) per hour. This occurs regardless of the person’s age, weight, height, sex, race or other demographic. If a person has a BAC of .08, he or she will have no alcohol detected in the body after 5.3 hours.

Ignition Interlock Systems

It is important to note that experts recommend that the alcohol anklet be used in tandem with an ignition interlock system, not by itself.

According to industry estimates, there are 212,000 ignition interlock systems currently installed in vehicles in the United States. That’s nearly double the number found on cars just six years ago. The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) says that 71 percent of offenders with ignition interlocks installed on their cars “blow fails.” That means that they attempt to start their vehicle while they are intoxicated.

The purpose of ignition interlock systems is to keep people from driving while they are drunk, and to stop them at the point of decision – getting behind the wheel and starting up. Even though HCDDs know that they’re being monitored, nearly three-quarters of them still try to start up the vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) supports ignition interlocks via strong laws, increased use, effective programs and research and evaluation.

That’s the reason ignition interlocks are recommended to be used along with alcohol anklet monitoring systems.

States Amping Up Monitoring

In June, with the signing of “Laura’s Law” by Governor Bev Purdue, North Carolina became the eighth state in just the last year to pass progressive DUI legislation that’s substantially shifting the focus of DUI laws from penalizing cars to requiring and enforcing sobriety for HCDDs.

North Carolina’s new law marks a shift from an emphasis on ignition interlocks for first-time drunk drivers to working to get the hard core drunk drivers sober. That’s where the alcohol anklets come in. It’s a way to force them to be sober enough to impact their alcohol issues after they’re monitored by the courts.

In this effort, North Carolina joins other states that are concentrating on hitting HCDDs hard. These states include Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Montana, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, and Tennessee.

Other states, including New Mexico, long known as a state on the leading edge of interlock laws and policies, have introduced so-called sobriety bills that have been tabled for upcoming congressional sessions. Just recently, New York Transportation Committee Chairman Charles Fuschillo (R-Nassau County) and Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-Nassau County) are preparing to introduce legislation that would impose sobriety monitoring systems (such as SCRAMx) for felony offenders who may be slipping through the cracks of New York state’s tough interlock laws.

In addition to the aforementioned policy changes, states like North and South Dakota and Montana have put in place statewide 24/7 sobriety programs for every DUI offender, regardless of prior offenses. In a recent NHTSA presentation at the Alcohol Interlock Symposium (September 2011), one slide indicated that there are interlock laws in all 50 states as of 2011, while mandatory, all-offender interlock laws are on the books in 16 states.

Getting HCDDs Sober Also Requires Treatment

As treatment recovery experts know, changing the behavior of chronic alcoholics, those HCDDs that account for the majority of alcohol-related traffic fatalities, will require more than legislation, enforcement and penalties. Education and treatment have to be part of the mix if the alcoholic is ever to have a chance at overcoming his or her addiction.

It is also a proven fact that without treatment, alcoholics will only continue to get worse. They will keep on drinking despite multiple DUIs, arrests and convictions, killing or injuring others while driving drunk, loss of a job, home, family, deteriorating health and other mounting negative consequences.

But alcohol anklets, in conjunction with ignition interlocks, could prove to be effective in at least keeping these hard core alcoholics off the road in the interim.

Although most people hear “alcoholic” and picture a middle-aged man or even a “skid row bum,” the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that one-third of alcoholics in the U.S. are women. Here are a few concerning facts about women and alcohol:

• Recent studies show women are closing the gender gap on alcohol abuse.
• Drunk driving rates have been increasing rapidly among women even as they decline among men.
• Women are at higher risk than men for alcohol-related health complications, such as liver, brain and heart damage. According to the NIAAA, women alcoholics have death rates that are 50 to 100 percent higher than men.
• Women born after World War II are more likely to binge drink (i.e., have four or more drinks in two hours), at a rate almost equal to men.
• Children of alcoholics are four times more likely to become alcoholics or addicts than other children, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. They are also more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, delinquent behavior and school failure.

The Toughest Job in the World

Millions of women are leading secret double lives – doting mother and loving spouse to the outside world, hidden alcoholic on the inside. What drives moms to drink?

Being a mom is the toughest job in the world, and it has gotten even tougher in the past few decades, experts say. After World War II, more women entered the workforce but were still expected to be great mothers and wives. For many women, alcohol use has become a coping mechanism to help them deal with the pressures of modern life.

Some moms have left high-power, financially rewarding careers to care for their children full-time and feel a sense of loss or boredom in their new career as a stay-at-home mom. Alcohol has been the drug of choice because it is readily available and is among the most socially acceptable drugs of abuse.

If they’re not worrying about the health and well-being of their kids, many moms are critically evaluating their parenting or professional skills. Drawing comparisons to other parents, strained marital relationships, and needing to take the edge off the crying and screaming of toddlers or the constant negotiating with teens have all been cited as reasons moms turn to the bottle.

Where Are the Spouses and Loved Ones?

As nurturers and caretakers, many people believe it is “against nature” for moms to be alcoholics. Because of the stigma attached to alcoholism, particularly among moms, many women suffer in silence.

The case of Diane Schuler is a prime example. In July 2009, devoted mom and wife Diane Schuler made headlines when she drove drunk the wrong way down the Taconic Parkway, killing herself and seven others. Despite all evidence to suggest that his wife was indeed an alcoholic, Diane Schuler’s husband, Daniel, adamantly refused to accept his wife’s culpability. Instead, he demanded numerous autopsies, all of which confirmed that his wife was drunk and stoned, and went on to sue everyone he could possibly blame for the accident. 

Although this case presents an extreme example, Daniel Schuler is joined by millions of spouses who are in denial about their loved one’s alcoholism. Onlookers ask, “How could a husband be so blind?”

In many cases, good old-fashioned denial is to blame. A spouse may be embarrassed of their wife’s behavior or afraid of confronting their spouse and disturbing the peace. It may be too painful to admit that a loving wife and mother could be hurting themselves and others with their drinking.

Part of the answer is also that women are deeply ashamed of their behavior and go to extremes to keep their drinking a secret. Women tend to be more private about their alcohol consumption, are more likely to binge drink and are more skilled at hiding their behaviors. Some women report using perfume, soap, gum and mouthwash to mask their drinking, while others drink at night after the family goes to sleep. Stay-at-home moms who have a spouse that works and children that attend school may be able to hide their habit by drinking during the day.

Another reason loved ones turn a blind eye is that they don’t know what to look for. Many husbands report overlooking their wife’s drinking because she didn’t fit the typical image of an alcoholic who is falling down drunk or unable to function. They may mistakenly believe their wife can’t be an alcoholic if she’s just drinking wine, as many alcoholic moms do.

When Mom Needs Drug Rehab

Dubbed by the media as “cocktail moms” or “happy hour moms,” alcoholic moms are typically high-functioning. Even though they may manage to hold down a job and tend to their family’s needs, it is only a matter of time until the consequences come to the surface, sometimes in the form of a deadly car accident or other tragedy. Mothers have driven their children home from school drunk – some get away with it, while others face dire consequences.

Although these behaviors are not unusual, they are a sign of alcoholism. Here are a few red flags that a woman in your life may be struggling with alcoholism:

• The ability to have many drinks without getting intoxicated
• Hiding alcohol or sneaking drinks (finding empty alcohol containers hidden in the home or in the trash)
• Binge drinking (consuming four or more drinks in a short period of time)
• Comments such as “I need a drink” in order to cope
• Preoccupation with drinking or attending events where alcohol will be available
• Drinking before social gatherings
• Job loss or complaints from employers or co-workers about work performance
• Concern from friends, teachers or relatives about problem drinking behaviors
• Driving under the influence or drinking in public
• Inability to remember conversations or events because of alcohol
• Uncharacteristic behaviors such as angry outbursts, impulsive decision-making or sexual promiscuity
• Feeling guilty after drinking and trying to “make it up” to others
• Changes in diet, sleep, dress, friends or self-care
• Family history of drug abuse or addiction
• Drinking frequently or in excessive amounts
• Getting into accidents or fights as a result of drinking

Few alcoholic moms reach out for help on their own, despite having much to lose, including their marriages, their children and their lives. Ignoring these signs of alcoholism makes you part of the problem instead of the solution. Don’t let your family be the next tragedy. With treatment, your entire family can get healthy again.

Gastritis can be caused by a number of things, including ingesting medicines like aspirin, the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria, or thinning of the stomach lining due to advanced age or a weakened immune system.

In some patients, gastritis has been linked to the consumption of alcohol; in most of these cases, the consumption will be excessive. Alcoholics often develop gastritis, as the constant presence of alcohol in the stomach will irritate the lining and provide no opportunity for healing. The symptoms of alcohol-related gastritis include pain or burning in the upper abdominal region, diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting, excessive belching that does not relieve the stomach pain, loss of appetite, bloat, and a funny taste in the mouth.

Alcohol affects the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach, intestines, and pancreas. The walls of the stomach are lined with muscles, which churn food into small pieces. At the same time, stomach glands produce and emit gastric enzymes and acids, which aid in further breaking down the food into a state that will allow it to be absorbed through the stomach lining into the blood stream. Hydrochloric acid is one of the substances produced by the stomach and would eat through the muscle if the stomach were not protected by its mucous lining. When there is not enough mucous to counteract the acid, however, the stomach lining becomes inflamed and gastritis can result. Alcohol interferes with the mucus lining, leaving the stomach unprotected against the corrosive acids.

Although gastritis is typically diagnosed after a complete blood count (CBC), endoscopy, bacteria test, or stool check, many physicians can properly diagnose alcohol-related gastritis simply by listening to a patient’s history of prolonged alcohol use.

Short-term treatment for gastritis can be found in many over-the-counter medicines such as antacids, H2 antagonists (Pepsid, Zantac), and proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid). Those with gastritis will also tend to avoid hot and spicy foods.

The good news is that alcohol-related gastritis should clear up once the person stops drinking. However, failure to stop drinking in the face of gastritis will likely mean continuous abdominal pain and bloat and the development of ulcers or stomach cancer.

Stomach ulcers are open sores on the stomach lining that produce intense pain, especially at night or when the stomach is empty. Most ulcers will heal and then reoccur. If left untreated, these stomach ulcers can start to bleed, especially if the ulcer has eroded the gastroduodenal artery. An ulcer that erodes and perforates the stomach wall may case the contents of the stomach to leak into the abdominal cavity, leading to peritonitis or pancreatisis. If the ulcer continues to grow, it can affect adjacent organs, like the liver and pancreas. Although ulcers can certainly be deadly if left untreated, the potential for stomach cancer is the scariest ramification of prolonged alcohol-induced gastritis.
 

Previous research from the Sahlgrenska Academy has linked ghrelin to various addictions, such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and binge-eating. In the new study, researchers looked at the genes of 579 people from the general public. They found that people with certain changes in the ghrelin gene consume more sugar than those without these changes.

The link was also seen in people who consumed large amounts of sugar and alcohol. This could help explain why some people have problems with over-eating sugary foods while others do not, or why some people are addicted to alcohol while other’s aren’t.

In animal studies, the researchers found that when ghrelin was blocked, the rats reduced their consumption of sugar and were less motivated to look for it. This suggests that ghrelin is a strong force in the motivation to track down rewarding substances such as sugar or alcohol, according to researcher Elisabet Jerlhag from the Sahlgrenska Academy’s department of pharmacology.

These new findings support the previous findings, which showed that blocking the ghrelin system reduces the rewarding effects of addictive substances, and that changes in the ghrelin gene are associated with high alcohol consumption, smoking, and weight gain in alcoholics.

This brings the researchers closer to understanding the underlying mechanisms of different types of addictive behavior. A deeper understanding can help scientists develop new drugs to block the ghrelin system in patients who are addicted to alcohol or suffer from binge-eating disorders.

Jerlhag added that these findings could make it easier for the general public to see addiction as an illness, which would help people get the treatment they need.

Source: Science Daily, Genetic Changes Behind Sweet Tooth, April 5, 2011

AA has been around since 1935 and was created by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. The main purpose of the program is to help its members stay sober and to extend that opportunity to other alcoholics desiring sobriety. The tradition of keeping its members anonymous is meant to protect those who wouldn’t otherwise seek treatment. Some challenge that in the more than 75 years that have passed since AA’s inception, the way we view alcoholism has changed. In the period of the Great Depression, alcoholism was viewed as a character flaw and was associated with shame and dishonor to oneself and family. Today we view the disease much more progressively.

One of the disadvantages of continuing the trend of anonymity is that destructive untruths relating to alcoholism are allowed to continue. For example, some believe that there is no hope for an addict who fails a 12-step program. However, 12-step programs may not be for everyone, and research demonstrates that alternative treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective.

The veil of anonymity may also create barriers for those wishing to find out more about treatment programs and their effectiveness. Additionally, some individuals retain the perception of a dejected, second-class citizen when they hear the term addict. However, Maia Szalavitz, a white woman who helps produce a national PBS talk show admits to shooting heroin and cocaine up to 40 times a day just five years ago. Knowing that addiction can affect anyone regardless of age, religion, or socio-economic background can help those struggling come to grips with their addiction.

Besides, in a time ruled by Facebook, smart phones, and social media, it is hard for anyone to remain anonymous anyway, right? But, AA doesn’t ban its members from speaking out about their addictions, especially if it might help someone else. To protect the integrity of privacy for all involved, the group simply asks that those attending refrain from listing themselves as members of the organization.

People have been known to post pictures of AA meetings at social networking sites. For those wishing to remain anonymous, this can be detrimental to recovery. An unnamed spokeswoman for AA says the problem has gotten so out of control that the organization can’t keep up with the complaints, which she estimates to be in the thousands.

Still, others like Maer Roshan, editor of The Fix, a new magazine aimed at helping recovering addicts, says that it doesn’t make sense to deny involvement in a group that is helping to change lives. Critics of these policies argue that they only allow the stigma of alcohol to continue.

Marczinski and colleagues from Northern Kentucky University arranged for 56 university students between the ages of 21 and 33 to sample an alcoholic drink, an energy drink, a combo of the two, or a placebo. All drinks were mixed to taste very similar and the students didn’t know which drink they were handed.

After about 45 minutes, Marczinski started noticing a change in behavior. After downing their drinks, students’ responses and reflexes were tested. All subjects who consumed alcohol exhibited some measure of impairment. Each was also asked to rate how they were feeling with regard to how tired or awake they were and if they considered themselves impaired in any way. The interesting conclusion was that individuals who consumed energy drinks mixed with alcohol did not perceive themselves to be impaired. They also reported being twice as stimulated as those drinking alcohol by itself.

Bruce Goldberger, director of toxicology at the University of Florida College of Medicine has also done research on the subject. His experience shows that students consuming alcoholic beverages mixed with energy drinks are more likely to take risks like driving under the influence. Goldberger adds that data from other related studies indicates that these individuals are also at higher risk of violent behavior, risky sexual practices, and assault.

He also says that young people have the false belief that caffeine will help them stay sober. The realization is that caffeine and alcohol affect two totally different areas of the brain. They do not offset one another.

Marczinski believes that the results of the study show that young adults may benefit from warning labels being placed on energy drinks indicating that they are not safe when mixed with alcohol. In fact, in November 2010, the FDA banned the pre-made alcoholic energy beverage, Four Loko, stating manufacturers had violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This raises the question, then, why is it perfectly legal to serve the combo in bars?

According to Marczinski, the problem with energy drinks is not just the caffeine, although they can have three times the amount found in such drinks as Rum and Coke. The other issue is all the additives in energy drinks that increase alertness such as guarana, taurine, glucose, and ginseng. Together with caffeine, they are powerful stimulants. Our bodies natural mechanism lets us know when we should stop consuming alcohol because we begin to feel the effects and get tired. Energy drinks mask those effects, making it easy to overindulge.

The study also has implications for the younger generation of teenagers who may be combining alcohol with energy drinks. This age group has already been shown to be at increased risk for precarious behaviors such as binge drinking and caffeine overdoses. In addition, Senator Charles Schumer cites recent data suggesting that underage drinkers who add energy drinks to the mix are at higher risk of injury, sexual assault, driving under the influence, and needing medical attention than those drinking decaffeinated beverages.

Unfortunately, this picture of a perfect cozy winter isn’t always in tune with reality. For some, the holidays can be a time of severe loneliness – especially in the face of depression, when coping with the loss of a loved one, or while dealing with the end of a relationship. Other triggers for relapse include stress, family disputes and the sheer availability of alcohol during these times of celebration.

Since alcohol is often used as a means of escape and self-medication for addicts, it is easy to understand why many turn back to its comforts when faced with these triggers. For high-functioning alcoholics in particular, it may be easier to hide the extent of their addiction because they don’t let it affect certain aspects of their lives. For this reason, friends and family face the danger of downplaying its severity or possibly even the existence of the problem itself.

Because there is a higher chance of relapse during the holidays, recovering alcoholics need a strong network of support as we enter the holiday season. The best way to avoid the pitfalls of relapse is to approach this season by being proactive. The National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offers some tips for staying sober during this holiday season.

First, have a system of accountability present, whether that be someone you know, or possibly even a member of AA. Second, avoid likely situations of temptation. Be aware of your surroundings and have an escape plan ready if necessary. Next, know your triggers and set manageable boundaries for yourself. Finally, have an attitude of gratitude – focusing on what you are thankful for instead of what you lack will help bring you back to a place of optimism.

Sarah Allen Benton, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and author, has a few suggestions of her own. She recommends getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating properly as means of prevention. She also promotes being honest with loved ones and letting them know when their assistance is needed. Finally, she advocates creating new, non-alcohol centered holiday traditions such as ice skating, going to the movies or volunteering at the soup kitchen.

Following these tips will help in the fight to stay sober. No one has the ‘picture perfect’ life painted by the media at holiday times; every family has issues and every person has problems they must face. Recognizing this and learning to be thankful for the life we are given will help kick start the New Year with positive momentum.
 

The researchers analyzed data from 24 randomized controlled trials, which totaled 6,915 alcohol-dependent patients who were also undergoing therapy. They found that acamprosate prevented relapse in one out of nine patients who had quit drinking, and increased the length of abstinence from drinking by an average of three days a month.

Lead researcher Susanne Rösner of the Psychiatric Hospital at the University of Munich, Germany, said that while acamprosate isn’t a magic bullet, it is a safe and effective treatment for people who are trying to stop drinking. She added that while the benefits from the trails are small, the benefits are in addition to those gained from other non-drug treatments such as therapy.

The researchers underscored the importance of respecting a patient’s right to choose which type of treatment route they take by providing information about the benefits and side effects of medication when recommending treatment.

Rösner said that clinicians should take their patients’ concerns and reservations about treatment strategies seriously, and should always share treatment methods that have been shown to work with their patients.

Source: Science Daily, Acamprosate Prevents Relapse to Drinking in Alcoholism, Review Finds, September 9, 2010

To better understand drinking trajectories from drinking onset to midlife, the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs recently released a study: Drinking Trajectories from Adolescence to the Fifties Among Alcohol-Dependent Men wherein 420 men were evaluated due to their lifetime diagnosis of alcohol dependence.

The Lifetime Drinking History was given to men who were from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry to assess the pattern of alcohol consumption and diagnostic symptoms for self-defined drinking phases. The data captured from different phases was converted into person-year data. In these phases, alcohol-dependence diagnosis was coded as present or absent for each of 13 age groupings.

Researchers relied on latent growth mixture modeling to define four drinking trajectories, including young-adult, late-onset, severe-non-chronic, and severe-chronic alcoholics. Additional analysis was completed on these men to capture drinking variables, alcohol expectancies, personality scales and religiousness scores in an effort to differentiate the men by each trajectory.

In the course of this data capture and analysis, researchers used the Extension of Latent Growth Mixture Modeling (LGMM) into the mid-50s to determine that while some individuals continue to be chronic alcohol users into this age range, there are still others who will decline in alcohol problem use.

Such an approach to studying trajectories is important as it can help in the development of proper treatment of alcohol dependence that is customized according to specific characteristics. For those who are likely to be in the more severe trajectories, physicians can more easily apply more intense treatments.

While the information provided in these studies is vital for the continued investigation into the overall impact alcohol has on an individual over time, trajectories is still an area lacking in proper research and other resources. Continued focus should be given to this area, expanding it to female drinkers to assess their risk and how it may differ from that of males.

Overall, this area of study will be important to continue over time as treatments are changing according to specific needs. The more successful these treatments are when based on intensity of trajectory, physicians and treatment specialists are more inclined to alter their approach to alcohol dependence recovery and care.