Author Archives: buzzer

New Approved AA Literature: Many Paths to Spirituality

The Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Organization has released a new pamphlet addressing the needs of alcoholics who may have trouble with the concept of a higher power, but want to be part of AA and who seek to benefit from the strengths of the program as they strive to achieve recovery.

Kudos to the GSO!

Download (PDF, Unknown)

Note: The embedded document is Copyright © 2014 Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. 475 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10115.

 

Heavy Alcohol Use Harms the Teen Brain

Teen Drinking Causes Irreparable Brain Damage

Teen Drinking Causes Irreparable Brain Damage, photo by Munchkin Management

Yet another study finds that consumption of alcohol can damage the brain as it matures, leaving permanent damage.  Unfortunately it’s just a Scientific American preview. I wish they’d get their heads out of their asses over their and figure out the whole new media thing. Plus a slew of other articles and resource links.

Articles

Resources for Teen Drinking

Drinking Gets Old

Past age 65, binge drinking, defined as four or more drinks in one sitting, may have permanent consequences on the human brain, including memory loss and accelerated cognitive decline, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, as reported in Bloomberg News, article here.

Although this study does not contradict previous and oft-reported studies that indicate moderate amounts of alcohol can slow such declines, perhaps those more popular reports should be reevaluated not just because of this excellent New Yorker article on the questionable replicability of scientific research, but because of the potential for favorable bias that researchers on this subject might possess. In other words: Denial aint just a river in Egypt.

I have always said (at least for the past five years) that intoxication, while sometimes excusable and on occasion even charming in youth, becomes less and less attractive as one gets older.

AA: Only by Changing and Growing Can You Help More Suffering Alcoholics

Code of HammurabiI am constantly frustrated by the compulsion on the part of AA members and groups to apply one single truth to all situations. The current calcification of AA culture into one of narrow Christian recovery dogma alienates and hurts many of exactly those for whom the program is intended. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with “Atlantic” type and “step-nazi” groups, except when they foster a culture that alienates and turns away those who need help. I wish the traditions included a declaration of gentle welcome for all new members and guests, as well as for members seeking help for similar and/or related addictions. I have often seen people make comments out of turn in meetings to clarify to a newcomer that the meeting is for alcoholics only, as described in the following article. It really puzzles me, particularly as the face of addiction has changed so much in the past twenty years. My meeting has a few atheists, a few addicts and even a person who comes each week in support of their partner. We are a strong, supportive group. We let people voice their opinions without responding or cross-talking. There are no prayers .The only requirement for membership is a desire to quit drinking. It works.

Nice article from the Washington Post by Chelsea Carmona: How AA fails to support young addicts

Study: Housing Helps Homeless Alcoholics Drink Less

The 1811 Eastlake apartment building in Seattle

The 1811 Eastlake apartment building in Seattle houses homeless alcoholics without requiring them to stop drinking.

Fairly obvious study, although the important distinction is that the study looked at programs that did not require alcoholics to completely stop drinking in order to stay in the shelter.

After two years, “everyday” drinking was cut by about 50%. Impressive.

Alcohol Emergencies Scrape the Big Apple Sky

250% increase overall in 2009 over 2003, but most frightening is that the number of incidents involving those under 21 quadrupled over the same period. What do you think is causing the spike in underage spiking?

Daily News: Alcohol-related emergency room visits skyrocket in New York: 74,000 in 2009

NY1: DOH Poll: Alcohol Taking Toll on NYC Residents

Q-Buzz Trifecta Shows the World Just Ain’t Fair: Smith, Osbourne and Bush

Alcoholics in the News Today:

Music Review from UW Oshkosh’s AdvanceTitan.com: Out of the throes of addiction to alcohol and heroin, Elliott Smith produced heart-rendingly beautiful melodies and lyrics before committing suicide in 2003.

Memoir Review from The Week: Born-again Christian George Bush quit drinking in 1986 and went on to wage war against imaginary enemies in foreign lands resulting in very real tragedy – casualties include hundreds of thousands of human beings, global financial systems, and the Geneva Conventions.

Genome Mapped: Ozzy Osbourne, known as the “Prince of Darkness” during his Black Sabbath days, survived alcohol and drug abuse/addiction for over forty years apparently by virtue of an extraordinary genetic constitution. Despite his crass and rude behavior, he seems to actually be kind of a peach.

AP: Alcohol More Dangerous Than Heroin

According to a new study by Britain’s Center for Crime and Justice Studies finds that alcohol is more dangerous and lethal than illegal drugs including crack cocaine and heroine.

The study ranked the destructiveness of substances like cocaine, heroin, alcohol, ecstasy and marijuana according to factors such as addictiveness, damage to the human body and to families, and economic and environmental costs.

Alcohol More Dangerous Than Heroin, Study Finds, by The Associated Press