With the cruise ship Costa Concordia, the ultimate tragedy occured, the ship was holed, and ran aground, and peoples lives were lost. Testing for drugs and alcohol of the captain has proved negative. This experienced Captain was not “under the influence” when piloting his ship, according to the drug tests.

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Without trial, the Captain is held in custody, no offence proven against him.

Rumor and facts merge hand in hand to create a groundswell of public opinion and much speculation. When accidents happen and lives are lost we want someone to blame – it is easy to scapegoat the captains of ships, and industry when something goes tragically wrong.

The ship was to be sailing on to Savona, it’s next scheduled port of call, with no apparent need to sail close to the small island of Giglio.

So why was the Captain of this ship driving so close to Giglia, as much as four miles off course, that he hit a submerged rock, 300 meters offshore, and then turned the ship towards Giglia Island, causing it to keel over in waters less than 20 feet deep.

First reports say the ship did not go off course but failed to follow a designated route through the shallow Giglio harbour, the Captain saying that he brought the ship in, under manual drive, and was steering the ship thinking that he was in clear, navigable waters.

The captain says that due to his actions, many thousands of lives were saved.

The Captain says that he did not abandon ship – we were the last ones to leave.

Costa cruises originally said that the Captain, who was on the bridge understood the severity of the situation and performed a manouvre intended to protect both guests and crew and initiated security procedures to prepare for eventual ship evacuation Unfortunately that operation was complicated by  a sudden tilting of ship that made disembarkation difficult.

Days later the CEO was blaming the Captain for the crash.

The Captain is accused of approaching Giglio island so poorly that the ship took a rock, stuck on the left side, making it lean over, charged with the accident, failure to advise passengers of crash,  failure to properly evacuate and with abandoning ship.

There is some speculation that the ship might have suffered an unexpected power failure, due to harmonic interference, as suffered by other liners, such as the QM2, off Barcelona in 2010, whilst properly travelling in a designated sea lane. This possibility is raised by Latarche of IHS FairPlay Solutions.

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In such a case, all efforts made by the Captain to control a drifting ship would have been heroic, rather than the outcome of him being a “daredevil” and deliberately sailing too close to the island out of bravado.

The Captain was seen in the ship’s bar, allegedly drinking with passengers, leading up to the first indications that something had gone wrong.

The toxicology reports of the drug testing are vital evidence as to whether or not this Captain had been taking drugs or drinking.

The incident should be a warning to all those who have responsibility for other peoples lives, in their workplace environment, that there is a need at all times to take care and be vigilant.

Many Captains of industry, and of ships, see no problem with drinking alcohol, or taking drugs when going about their business. Some might even say that drinking is part of the job, entertaining people, customers, clients and that their drug taking enhances performance.

It would appear that even on cruise ships, Captains are never off duty, and perhaps should restrain their drinking habits to periods ashore. It is the unusual, the emergency that a person is least able to properly deal with, when they are under the influence.

In the case of the Captain of the Costa Concordia, he would appear to have not been intoxicated with drugs or alcohol at the relevant time, and for any Captain of a ship that is may be the best way to be.

On the facts as they appear at this time, there is no clear cut evidence that this Captain was, in any way, responsible for this tragedy. He would be a man simply doing what was always done fifty two weeks a year by cruise ships of this company, that a sudden power fail caused them to hit the rocks.

Costa Concordia commissioned in 2005, has a rounded hull but is comparable with ocean liner safeguards to prevent it falling over. The Master was right to try and return it to shore, and it seems to have keeled over because hit shallow water on the coast.

The average tonnage of cruise ships has doubled in the past decade, with full evacutaion virtually impossible while at sea.

Since 2010, with new regulations, the very latest ships must be equiped to get back to shore in event of major fire, damage or loss of power so that a full evacuation at sea is not necessary.

The Costa Concordia was commissioned 5 years prior to the new rules – but shallow water would turn it, and most other liners their sides. This appears to be a somewhat unique and complex shipping incident. People need to take care that no one is unfairly blamed.

At least at this time the Captain would appear to be completely exonerated on the preliminary issues of alcohol drinking or drug taking as a contributory cause.

APOL, the Alcohol Policy Network in Canada, in its “Issues to Watch”, for February 2012

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The evidence of studies about substance impaired driving suggests that most drivers “mature out” of any tendency that they might have, in their late teens and early twenties to behave in ways that makes them a menace when driving.

The majority of traffic accidents that involve substance abuse, impaired driving and a fatal outcome, involve a young person who has not long held a license to drive, with an “attitude” towards driving, that is impulsive and immature.

Teen drivers who survive on the road, until the age of twenty five, gain experience, both in life, and in driving. As a result drivers over the age of twenty five generally have more self control, are less impulsive and in all aspects of their lives begin to act in a more mature manner.

Safe driving, as in all aspects of life, involves emotional maturity, a responisible attitude and an ability to exercise self restraint.

When people use substances, get high or drunk, and then make a decision to drive, the impetus for such behavior comes from an emotional basis. There is something for the person about the act of drinking, and of driving that makes them feel empowered.

Police report that many an intoxicated driver caught speeding on the road, is doing this in response to a recent domestic argument. Impaired driving, that involves speeding can often be a means of discharging pent up anger and frustration.

Then there are the cases of police officers, politicians in high office, people in positions of public trust and responsibility, that suddenly and inexplicably are caught out driving while impaired. Often such people have high BAC and sometimes drug use is implicated. the indications are usually that the problem has been around for some time.

These people know precisely the consequences that they will face, the penalties, the shame, if they are discovered to have been driving while impaired. When these cases emerge it is hard not to think that these people are at the end of the line, fraught with emotional tension. Perhaps in fact they need to get caught, so as to get their life back under control.

The car is marketed and promoted as an instrument of power, and prestige. Many cars are completely safe from theft by a predatory hoon – they would rather walk than be seen on the road in Mom’s old bus that barely makes it back from the shopping.

Late model high power vehicles are not an accidental target for theft - taking off a high power vehicle allows you to steal and feel some of that power that you feel you otherwise lack.

Cars full of young kids on a “joy” ride, are an accident waiting to happen. The tragedy is not when they are killed or injured, perhaps implicating othe people, but that they had a need in the first place to seek recreation by getting drunk and driving a car.

Another reason why young people don’t see a problem with impaired driving is that when buzzed with alcohol they feel omnipotent, and in control. When kids drink alcohol and drive a car it’s like a magic carpet ride.

No amount of alcohol and drug education in school, or the home is going to help a child who feels that drinking alcohol, and driving a car are the most meaningful, and empowering experiences in their life.

Life is about the avoidance of pain, and feelings of insignificance.

People will use what is available, what there is, to avoid emotional pain, and the void of insignificance.

This is not entirely a socio-economic dynamic, and is dependent upon the quality of family relationships, positive peer support and above all – hope for the future.

Impulsivity, compulsive behavior, poor decision making all speaks of a life constrained, by feelings of entrapment and negativity.

When people engage in impaired driving, the main concern of society is the potential cost, in terms of death, injury, and property damage.

It is too easy to see the symptom as being the problem, and easier, in fact, to try to eradicate the symptom without addressing the complaint. The pursuit of impaired drivers, and enforcement continues to drain community resources that could be put to better purpose.

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Drunk and impaired driving is always the best solution that a person can find to their problems of the moment. Just because a taxi doesn’t appear as ordered, does not mean you can drink and drive. Taking off furiously in the car doesn’t help to resolve a drunken argument with the wife. Do you drink after work before driving home, drink at lunchtime when you are picking up kids from school.

Drinking and driving is not a good mix – so, think about it a while.

Drinking and driving is a symptom – what exactly is your complaint?

Narconon alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs offer you the hope of improvement and a resolution of your complaints about life in general by teaching you new attitudes and more constructive ways of thinking.

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The comprehensive program includes complete detoxification from the alcohol or drugs you are using to resolve your problems.

No more stress and emotional tension – no more drinking and driving in Canada.

Recent findings by a judge, in British Columbia, that parts of its new, tough anti drunk driving laws are unconstitutional has put the cat among the pigeons again

There is no one who argues in favor of a right to both drink and drive - eveyone in the public debate agrees at the bottom line that there should, at least in theory, be zero tolerance of drunk driving, and zero alcohol content in any drivers bloodstream.

The marketing policy for alcohol over many years has been to encourage moderate drinking, at levels considered to be safe. This has led to a necessity to define a somewhat arbitrary level of alcohol in the blood as being the cut off point after which we are deemed conclusively to be incapable of driving safely.

As a result people have tended to be of the opinion that they are not drunk, and are still perfectly in control, provided their BAC  is below the level above which we are deemed to be drunk.

It would have been somewhat contradictory to maintain that any amount of alcohol impairs our abilities, whilst at the same time maintaining that there is a safe level of alcohol drinking.

A growing realization, and reluctant acceptance by the alcohol industry of an inconvenient truth, which is that alcohol affects our system, our judgment and our continued ability to function, as and from the first sip, has led to the introduction of a hazy and ill defined concept known as impaired driving.

In late 2010, when British Columbia introduced drink driving laws that were said to be the toughest in Canada, most people welcomed the prospect of increased safety on the road.

The new laws attempted to address the issue of driving impaired by alcohol with a reading under the limit.

In effect a new driving offence was created, drawing into the scope of law enforcement, people driving with a BAC of between 0.08 and 0.05, with such people being given a “warning”.

The warning consists of immediate three day driving ban, and a $200 fine, a second offence in a five year period seven days off the road, and a $300 fine, followed by a thirty day suspension and a $400 fine.

Three warnings in a five year period lead to the fitting of an ignition lock and mandatory attendance at a Responsible Driver Program.

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Drivers with a reading of 0.08 or over are liable to a range of immediate roadside prohibitions, (IRP’s) and it is this aspect of the new laws that has failed to pass consitutional challenge.

Most people were accepting of the effective “lowering of the limit” – particularly as people driving in this range are said to have seven times more risk of having an accident, than are sober drivers.

People were further encouraged as reports came in, that the laws were working, and that the new laws had reduced the death toll. Most people were happy enough, if not more than happy to have in place a community law that was effectively helping to stop car crashes, even if meant that occasionally when driving, they might for no reason, be stopped by police, and tested for impaired driving.

Some people of course have the attitude that once behind the wheel, nothing and no one has the right to impede them – that they have the right to operate their vehicle pretty much as they choose, free of “parental controls”. Decisions are made with regard to self interest, rather than with due respect for the entitlement of others to have safe conditions on the road.

Those with a “right to drive is paramount” mentality are happy that their right to drink and drive has been upheld by the Court, but are less than impressed that the judge has ordered the law to remain in place, in the interests of public safety, until authorities can get a new law passed that is constitutional.

If the judge had simply struck the law down there would no doubt have been a section of the community getting drunk and ripping it up on the road, no longer in fear of a 90 day ban, or a $4,000 fine, until some new law could be put into place.

A final solution to impaired driving will not come from external controls.

Offenders will need to achieve an internalized sense of “the law”, self respect and concern for others. Alcohol and drug abuse can be overcome, and a new attitude adopted with regard to impaired driving when people with problems of substance abuse make it their choice, to take responsibility for their actions, and complete a Narconon program.

People in British Columbia, who need help for drunk or impaired driving, can take the first step – by calling for information and advice :    Narconon Vancouver.

The Oglala Sioux of North Dakota are to sue five major brewers for alcohol related problems on their native reserve.

The tribe also seeks to implicate in the action the nearby town of Whiteclay, Nebraska – a town with four suppliers of beer that in the year 2010 sold nearly five million cans of beer, to its resident population of 12.

Tribal elders say that the action has been taken because negotiations, protests, and attempts to change policy have totally failed to stop the flow of alcohol onto the reserve.

The US-Indian tribe suffers from serious alcohol related disorders, with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) affecting one in four children born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

The law suit claims a total of $500 million to provide restitution – to fund health care, social services and child rehabilitation.

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Tom White, lawyer for the Oglala Sioux tribes says that the beer traders in Whiteclay, Nebraska who knowingly supplied alcohol intended for consumption by Indians on the reserve cannot simply wash their hands of responsibility for the ensuing alcohol problems that are rife in the Indian community.

The main problem for people living on the reserve is abject poverty, and the use of alcohol to mitigate their depression.

Tribal president John Yellow Bird Steele says “Like American parents everywhere, we will do everything lawful we can to protect the health, welfare and future of our children.

Life expectancy on the reserve is between 45 and 52 – the lowest expectancy figures for the whole of North America – except for Haiti.

In Canada, the issue of alcoholism among First Nation has been addressed in terms of the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) since the 1970′s, by which First Nation and Inuit communities are to set up programs and initiatives to combat alcohol, drug and solvent abuse by their people.

Today there are over 550 programs in place, employing over 700 people, that work with prevention, intervention and aftercare.

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In Canada, as in North Dakota, USA, this alcohol policy, designed to protect First Nation and Inuit people has singularly failed.

Alcohol related deaths among First Nations people in British Columbia are said to be five times higher than alcohol deaths for other British Columbians - leading to calls for aboriginal leaders to implement an effective alcohol strategy before more deaths occur.

In BC, 17 out of 203 bands of aboriginal people have alcohol bylaws. Proposed reforms appear to be both limited and directed towards control of alcohol availability and sales.

With 15 in 10,000 First Nation people dying of alcohol, and around double the rate of motor vehicles accidents involving alcohol, compared with the national average (40% for First Nation, compared with 19% throughout Canada ) help is urgently needed.

A genetic potential for abuse has effectively been ruled out – causes of First Nations alcoholism are considered to be endemic poverty, stress, overcrowding, unemployment and sub standard domestic housing.

As with the US Indians, alcohol did not feature in the traditional way of living of the First Nation and Inuit people – alcohol came with invasion by the predominantly white caucasian communities that now call North America their Homeland.

The people themselves say that any alcohol strategy needs to address the social issues that cause their people to drink.

First Nation people need to be given the resources and tools to deal effectively with their poverty, their social exclusion and to maintain their sense of community. Anyone facing the terms and conditions of life as a First Nation person might be forgiven for making alcohol their comfort, their route of escape.

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The situation presents an interesting parallel to the experiments with rats performed by Bruce Alexander relating to drug addiction, in the 1970′s. Drug addiction was almost non-existent in rats that were housed in comfort, with all amenities, compared with rats housed in Skinner boxes, that seized upon any drugs available and used them into oblivion.

Rat Park, the globalisation of addiction provides compelling research as to why Canadian drug policies that deal with alcohol supply do not work, and why social re-modeling is the answer.

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Comprehensive alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs in Canada have for over forty five years provided addicts with an effective, comprehensive psycho-social model for complete addiction recovery.

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People who are seriously committed to getting clean from alcohol and drug abuse, who want to make a new start, are encouraged to use the comprehensive addiction programs, now available in Canada, that have a proven track record of success.  All people can use comprehensive programs for addiction recovery, that have a scientific basis for their efficacy, and all programs are fully monitored, and supervised by professional drug addiction specialists.

With comprehensive programs, for alcohol and drug abuse in Canada, there is more than effective detox.

Programs involve the students in educational coursework that provides the key to future independence, and autonomy -

equiping students with the tools to lead a constructive and happy, drug free life.

While some might say that alcohol brews improve with age, the same thing cannot be said of chronic alcohol drinkers.

The main complaint that first appears with high levels of alcohol drinking is a depleted appearance of the body, and visible signs of aging.

Alcohol drinkers looking for an alternative drink that is attractive to the tastebuds might find green tea to be a refreshing option. Green tea is a drink that does not inebriate, yet contains many anti aging health giving properties.

A study reported in the Edmonton Sun reveals that green tea drinkers show less disability with age. Green tea has been served as a restorative drink in Japan, China and SE Asia for centuries, and has no adverse qualities.

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What makes green tea effective as a healthy drink is that it contains polyphenols and  essential vitamins and minerals.

The natural ingredients of green teas help to protect the body against auto immune disorders, cancer, diabetes and depression. There is probably no function of the body that green tea does not directly, or indirectly improve.

Benefits found in green tea are preserved because green tea is steamed, rather than fermented (as with brown and black teas) giving green teas the aroma, flavor and natural content that provides health enhancing benefits.

Green tea helps to relieve stress by reducing cortisol, the stress hormone that depletes the energy levels of our body when we are full of angst and tension, with nowhere to release it.

Green tea is often used for weight loss – containing a moderate amount of caffeine, and no excessive sugars, green tea is a natural stimulant, promotes energy, reduces feelings of fatigue and depression in a safe and natural way. Green tea reduces cortisol, that causes production of galanin, and neuropeptides that increase cravings for fatty foods, and carbohydrates.

Green tea helps support healthy liver and kidney function by regulating healthy metabolism in the body.

The polyphenol in green tea that is said to be the most powerful health promoting antioxidant there is, is epigallocatechin – galate ( EGCG ).

A catechin polyphenol, EGCG is said to be more powerful than resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant found in the skins of red grapes, and to have anticarcinogenic properties superior to ieither Vitamin C or Vitamin E.

EGCG promotes good circulation of the blood, improves heart function, digestion and reduces fat absorption in the stomach. Drinking green tea helps to regulate insulin and sugar metabolism – bringing improvements to diabetes.

Green tea has also been proven to contain polyphenols. such as EGCG that wll reduce tumor growth and stop genetic mutations. Unlike some other herbal brews green tea can be used together with chemotherapy to build resilience and health.

There are many benefits of drinking green tea, it will also reduce the risk of strokes, and cardiac failure by preventing inappropriate clotting of blood by preventing dehydration of sickle cells.

People who drink green tea can use it for quiet times and meditation, and during convalescence from illness.

In the context of recovery from substance abuse and addiction, green tea helps to restore balance and natural good order in tissues and hormonal regulation. Nervous tension and irritability is reduced by relaxing and drinking green tea.

Comprehensive alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs include in their residential facilities a regime of natural vegetarian food, that accords with the world regarded “Mediterranean diet” as providing the best in tasty, nutrition enhancing food. Natural food sources are supplemented by vitamin and mineral concentrates that resolve chemical imbalances in the body that exacerbate stress and disorders.

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Using green tea is a natural option that people can use to assist recovery from the depletion of health that all chronic drug use causes, particularly alcoholism and crystal meth.  Comprehensive alcohol and drug recovery programs use the powerful Cal-Mag formula to assist detoxification.

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Comprehensive alcohol and drug addiction recovery centers, provide residential accommodation and provides a regime that scientifically measures and balances all of the factors, important to health, into one comprehensive model. that enhances addiction recovery.

People using comprehensive drug detox and rehab programs also study courses to improve their personal confidence and self esteem.

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Comprehensive addiction recovery uses a psycho-social model for enabling people to re enter the community as effective and productive individuals:  no longer drug users, and completely free of all cravings for drugs and addiction.

Graduates of comprehensive programs are able to leave the program with no fear of relapse, and are free of maintenance drugs.

Graduates wondering what to drink as a toast their new found freedom from drugs and addiction, could do worse than to make a cup of green tea their choice.

The benefits of drinking green tea are improved when taken in combination with good food, exercise, relaxation and a confident approach to life .

Good habits from comprehensive drug programs – and drinking green tea enhance quality and enjoyment of life.

A Curtin University research team led by public health researcher Jonathon Hallett

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Students participating in the survey were 7,237, which represents a response rate of 56% in a survey addressed to 13,000 undergraduate students.

With a response rate at this level, in a survey of this kind, statistically speaking the probablity is high that the results tend to under report, rather than to over state the real level of alcohol drinking in the student population that was surveyed.

Ninety per cent of students drank alcohol and 34% admitted to drinking at a hazardous level. In the month prior to the survey 13% had suffered abuse from someone intoxicated by alcohol and 6% had been physically assaulted, with a !% rate for sexual assault.

The conclusions of this survey were that aroung half of the males, and nearly a third of women, were drinking at harmful levels, and were adversely affected by both their own and other students drinking behavior.

Suggestions have been made that students receive specialized counselling about the risks and opportunity to use alcohol when an undergraduate, and also to introduce methods to curb the wide range of alcohol products available, and the heavy promotion of alcohol drinking to young people.

Such well intentioned solutions perhaps miss the point – university students top their classes at school in the field of intellectual reasoning. These students know, at an intellectual level, only too well, that high levels of alcohol drinking are harmful. Students should be the first to be able to resist bait advertisements.

High numbers of students who will presumably aspire to leadership of government, and industry after three or four years of university education, are as undergraduates disturbing others who are trying to work, vomiting in student halls and bathrooms with apparent lack of concern, and are regularly being cared for by other students when they have got themselves into a drunken haze.

What could it be about the student life that puts people under so much pressure, each set up for what should be a gateway to a productive and happy future.

Perhaps a clue lies in that we, worldwide, tend to over value, as a status symbol high grades and good examination results in schools. Statistics have shown that increasing numbers of teachers are allowing children to rewrite papers and adjusting marks so as to ensure that their tuition of a class is considered to be “adequate” for the year. There are also increasing numbers of incidents in which students resort to different methods of cheating to ensure that they get adequate passes in exams.

Perhaps it is simply that many who have been entered for a college or university education are there because they are responding to parental pressure, and social expectation, rather than having made the choice to be there, and studying a particular course.

Some students, having dedicated themselves to study might lack the social skills to create for themselves better balance between pursuit of study, and recreation.

Some might want a complete break from the pressure cooker environment of academic study that is not suited to their physical disposition, or to their temperament.

School kids today are faced with an apparent “choice”,  that is to get good grades, or opt out as failures. Those wanting the best of vocational options need to specialize early in their choice of subjects. It is as if children today need to be on a mission, to succeed in their chosen field. Anything not directly relevant to the purpose is considered as being something to be discarded, a form of “tunnel vision”, based on an all or nothing mentality. The scenario is depressive of life choices, individuality and vitality, failure to can easily lead to “dropping out” and self harming behaviors.

Compulsive behavior doesn’t simply happen by chance, nor is it a result of short circuits in the brain.

Compulsive acts originally have the purpose of reducing internal tension and feelings of stress.

Get to the source of, and resolve, the undergraduate’s feelings of stress – and you will hold the key to reducing undergraduate binge and hazardous drinking.

Undergrads and young people don’t binge drink, get anxious, depressed or suicide because they are perfectionists with a drive to succeed. They are looking for an effective way to get out of surroundings of endless pressure in which they feel that they have failed, are failing, might fail. Perfectionism originates in a desire to please, a need win approval.

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Students who abuse alcohol need a good dose of unconditional love and unconditional acceptance, to be loved for who they are, given complete freedom of choice, even to quit their studies.

It is for the best, is never the answer until we know whose best interests are being served by “it”. Too many students think they have no other option but to complete their studies, and “succeed”, if they want to be loved and approved of.

That students are abusive to their peers, committing sexual violence should be a warning that they are offloading problems that they have that cannot be more directly addressed. Student drinking is a response to emotional pressure, that needs to be addressed and relieved.

Students may need help to sort out their feelings, independently of parental or social imperatives.

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Students in trouble, and drinking too much can call a Narconon helpline, get help to sort their problems out, and bring an end to substance abuse.

Kids born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome disorders are twice punished in life.

The real cause of the problem of FAS as a public health liability, would seem to be that authorities with the responsibility to get to kids at risk,  (meaning those still in the womb) don’t want to target in their FAS education programs pregnant women who drink alcohol, who put their child at risk.

Since 2010, the Canadian Bar Association has expressed its concern that normal sentencing options for those who commit crimes, don’t seem to work for people who suffer from FAS related disorders. When people lack a capacity for insight, to learn from their mistakes, and have no control over impulsive behavior – jail is not a deterrent, nor is it a means to enable rehabilitation.

People with FAS disorders who get jailed for their anti social behavior and crimes simply are penalized once again, for an abuse committed against them by their mother.

With 1.9% of the general population suffering FAS related disorders, the percentage of people of aboriginal origin that suffer from FAS is far higher. Aboriginal people account for 17% of the prison population. It can be assumed that many are there because they suffer from untreated FAS disorders.

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In 2006, FAS was flagged as a growth industry – with government prepared to pay out to carers, on behalf of families with an FAS child, that cannot afford the bills, a massive $14,000.00 per year, per child by way of a subsidy for drug costs, “special education” needs, and physiotherapy.

We need a supply of FAS affected kids to support what has become a $344 million a year industry to which affected families contribute only 19% of the cost – if they can afford it.

Researchers in the field are not calling for more resources to stop FAS, only for more money to treat people, born into this world, suffering from FAS related disorders. People are calling for more money to service FAS affected “clients”, for more money to enable research and development into ways of treating FAS.

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The chair of the FASD Action Network recently said in an article that members of the network meet each month to discuss strategies for dealing with FAS, working on a website and delivering educational packages to a variety of agencies, schools and interest groups, together with lectures and workshops, in partnership with Queens University.

“They do not target their message to pregnant women, because they want to remove the blame.”

They target other people, who it is hoped, will talk to women who they know, who are pregnant and drinking alcohol, so that they can inform the pregnant mothers that they should not be alcohol drinking and that they should stop.

Researchers at Queens University have now been funded for 15 years in the field of FAS disorders. They remain hopeful that better diagnoses and new treatments will be found.

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Although researchers can now assess brain damage by measuring eye control in people affected by FAS, no one has yet discovered a way to stop pregnant women from drinking.

And yet, what well adjusted and healthy woman would choose to drink alcohol while pregnant knowing that alcohol drinking could damage her child.

It is not a matter of blaming to approach a pregnant woman and enquire about her level of alcohol drinking, it is not a harmful intervention to offer a pregnant woman comprehensive alcohol counseling that will not only stop her from wanting to drink, but improve her overall health and eventual outcomes for the pregnancy.

The truth about why FAS authorities don’t approach pregnant, alcohol drinking women is that they have nothing to offer them that can stop them from alcohol drinking,

The average cost of a comprehensive alcohol recovery program in Canada might be around $14,000 and you have a potentially pregnant woman, or someone already with child, completely off alcohol for the rest of their life, This compares favorably with a period from 5-16 years, when around $14,000 a year is expended, on every FAS child in FAS recovery, and the related social cost of services that will need to be provided to the alcoholic mother of the FAS child.

Brain injuries caused by FAS might not be irreversible – in fact it is by use of comprehensive alcohol rehab services that people most affected by FASD stand the best possible chance of recovery. The methods that best treat alcohol addiction, also best treat the side effects and symptomatology associated with alcohol abuse, whether it be fetal or intentional.

It is never too late to start on a comprehensive alcohol abuse recovery program – even if the alcohol got into your system when you were still a fetus. Many children of alcoholic parents suffer from FAS related symptoms – with self help and assisted recovery programs bringing only limited relief.

People who suffer from alcohol abuse related cognitive and emtional disturbance can be helped by comprehensive alcohol addiction recovery programs to get a new start in life, and to overcome problems that have been induced by alcohol toxicity.

We will never get to celebrate the last case of FAS under the present regime that prioritizes the mother’s drinking, over the entitlement of every child born in this world to enjoy optimal health.

Mothers who get the message, children with FAS related disorders will find help, and healing at comprehensive alcohol addiction recovery programs in Canada.

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Now is the moment, in which we live, now is the moment to make change. Leave the past, and gain a future – with comprehensive alcohol addiction – drug free recovery programs, in Canada.

There is much controversy about the use of alcohol in skin care products

People concerned about applying alcohol to their skin, can use freshly prepared skin treatments at home, have specialists apply them, or seek out commercial skin care products that contain no alcohol or synthetic chemicals.

An article by Stuart Thomson as Director of the Gaia Research Institute comes out strongly against the use of ethyl alcohol in skin care products, particularly those described as being “organic” and “natural”. He points out that although alcohol is a natural product, it is in fact the toxic waste product of fermentation – playing no active role in healthy cell functioning.

High concentrations of ethyl alcohol in skin care products can be cytotoxic.

Concentrations of alcohol between 10% and 35% can be antibacterial, and antifungal. The article points out that when alcohol is used in this way, it’s effects are only short term, as the alcohol evaporates, or gets metabolized by the body. In fact, recent research has shown that the most effective hand wash to rid the hands of germs and residual debris is to use a regular bar of soap with plenty of hot water.

The article says that whereas alcohol might help reduce the number of toxic cells in the body, it non selectively kills healthy tissue as well.

Alcohol is a catalyst in the development of cancers and tumors. The acetaldehyde produced when alcohol is metabolized by the body is the main factor causing tissue and DNA damage.

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Safer alcohol based skin products are said to be those based on coconut oil – Cetyl alcohol and Stearyl alcohol – with  Cetearyl alcohol used as an emulsifier. The oils in the coconut offset the drying effects of alcohol.

The purpose of including alcohol in skin care products is that it assists penetration of the skin barrier, and is a preservative. Some organic skin care products do not use alcohol or synthetic substances, and so are more user friendly to the skin.

Alcohol dries the skin, and can cause irritation. Alcohol and vitamin A is a bad combination. Alcohol prevents metabolism of Vitamin A, and having less available Vitamin A contributes to premature aging and wrinkles.

Too much Vitamin A caused by alcohol interfering with its metabolism – can lead to Vitamin A toxicity.

All types of vitamin deficiency caused by alcohol lead to general lethargy, and an unhealthy complexion.

Alcohol dilates blood vessels and so causes the red, flushed face of the chronic alcoholic. Liver function is adversely affected by alcohol drinking. If the liver is sluggish in removing toxins from the blood, these might be excreted in sweat, through the skin, causing the skin to look dull and unhealthy, rather than fresh and glowing.

Combining alcohol with nicotine when drinking and smoking cigarettes intensifies the aging effects of both drugs, with cigarette smoking increasing tension lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Nicotine smoking discolors the teeth. Alcohol drinking tends to cause weakening of the tooth enamel, gum disease and halitosis.

Alcohol drinking can exacerbate the appearance of skin disorders such as rosacea, psoriasis, acne, and eczema.

Alcohol as a topical preparation, and alcoholism are detrimental to wound healing. Better than alcohol to avoid septic skin conditions is the highly regarded juice of the aloe vera plant for the healing of cuts and abrasions.

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People looking for skin care products to enhance the appearance of their skin need to consider that a heathy skin is more or less a reflection of good health within.

Good food, sleep, exercise and a stress free life will help to make your skin look healthy and fresh. Using natural alcohol free skin products will enhance the appearance of your skin. Abstinence from alcohol drinking with enhance the health of your body.

Stress reduction can help to relieve skin disorders such as rosacea, and psoriasis – prolific acne is said to be promoted by underlying anger and tension. Harmony within the body brings natural good looks and an absence of wrinkles.

Both alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking stress the body and cause disorders of the skin, contributing to an aged appearance, wrinkles and tension lines on the face. Topical applications to improve appearance work best when attention is given to comprehensive good health in the body, and stress reduction in the mind.

People who feel that they are depleting their body of its health and good looks by too much alcohol drinking can get help to stop drinking, regain their peace of mind by using a comprehensive, drug free and completely natural alcohol recovery program.

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Using the low heat sauna detox as part of a comprehensive alcohol recovery program helps you to detox from alcohol – and provides healthy, natural skin care.

Alcohol drinking can cause vitamin deficiency

Vitamin deficiency can also occur as a result of reduced nutrition, due to a preference for alcohol drinking.

Reduced availability of vitamins might not show up as a frightening case of beri-beri, scurvy or a bad attack of “the shakes” – simply as a day to day lethargy, lack of energy and “pep”.

Poor diet and problems with absorption of food effectively lead to chronic malnutrition.

Alcoholics might favor charcuterie – smoked, salty, fatty preserved meats, fast foods, snack foods due to alcohol causing lack of an appetite for food that is more bulky, fresh and wholesome.

The preservatives used in charcuterie and all preserved foods include nitrites and other chemicals toxic to the body – with potential toxicity increased by the presence of alcohol.

Some alcoholics eat very little, and then tend to favor “sweet” foods – high in refined starch and.sugar – that provide “empty calories” by way of nutrition, as does alcohol.

Alcohol drinking adversely affects nutrition and uptake of all the health giving vitamins and minerals.

Alcohol drinking puts the liver under stress. Nutrients contained in the liver include carotenoids. This source of vitamins A and E is depleted by alcohol drinking.

Vitamins are classified as A,B,C,D,E and K, with eight sub groups of Vitamin B and  they are essential to enable many of the complex bio chemical processes that support good health in the body. When vitamins are absent due to alcoholism, it leads to deficiency disorders, serious and sometimes irreversible neurological damage – and to the development of classic alcohol related disorders – such as Korsakoff’s syndrome and Wernicke’s disease.

Many people think that the answer to alcohol depletion is to keep on drinking , and increase your vitamin intake. Taking in an overdose of synthetic multivitamins as supplied by a health store or pharmacy will not provide any worthwhile improvement to biological functioning.

Vitamin and mineral supplements can be helpful in recovery from acute alcohol toxicity and addiction – however, they need to be adminstered in measured quantities, with appropriate monitoring, nutritional support – and with alcohol abstinence. Dropping a Berocca into your beer will most likely lead only to indigestion.

Vitamins of the B group in particular are depleted by alcohol, with reduction of thiamine (B1), niacin B3, and B6 associated with nervous debility. Vitamin K deficiency is associated with increased bleeding, and the risk of broken bones.

Alcohol reduces fat absorption and so reduces availability of fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E. Vitamin A when given medicinally in high doses, has the potential to become toxic – more so when combined with alcohol. If you drink alcohol and take high dose vitamin A – you could be causing or contributing to liver damage.

Vitamins are an integral part of fresh and health giving foods – outside of a professional healthcare regime, doses of single or multi vitamins simply should not be used.

Preference needs to be given to getting vitamins directly from good food to provide optimal nutrition. Different food groups will have higher amounts of specific vitamins.

The importance of having enough of the essential vitamins and good nutrition is widely promoted but is rarely put into action. Nutrition in Canada, and most developed countries is good but not the best that it could be.

We pay the price in terms of increased levels of mental and physical disorder, vulnerability to disease, loss of productivity, obesity, diabetes and reduced longevity. Alcohol drinking with inadequate nutrition puts a stress on the body and undermines good health.

In 1996, a Health Canada report:  Nutrition for Health – An Agenda for Action - reveals that adequate nutrition for all Canadians was then a concern. It remains a problem today.

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In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies four primary causes of chronic disease – citing lack of exercise, tobacco use – and poor nutrition and alcohol drinking.

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Alcohol drinking, poor nutrition and inadequate vitamin intake are associated with disease, premature aging and early death.

If you need help, suffer chronic ill health, associated with alcohol drinking – you can be helped to stop drinking and recover good health by using a comprehensive alcohol addiction recovery program at a live-in residential center in Canada.

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Comprehensive alcohol recovery programs include low heat sauna detox to excrete alcohol and its metabolites completely from your system.

The craving for alcohol is reduced with complete detoxification, together with administration of high dose niacin (Vitamin B3), vitamin and mineral supplements.

Also provided is  health giving vegetarian food – based on the world acclaimed mediterranean diet.

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Comprehensive alcohol recovery programs use scientifically proven methods to restore healthy balance to body and mind.

Without a basis of good food and vitamins, we cannot regain good health.

People who want to stop alcohol drinking – and make good health their priority, will get the comprehensive help that they need – by using the Narconon program.

The results of a survey recently conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control showed that in all age groups there is a growing trend towards both men and women binge drinking. Although the amount of alcohol consumed in a session tends to decline with age, those in the over 65′s group are binge drinking more frequently – five or six times a month.

In terms of income, the pattern shows high levels of binge drinking where family income exceeds $75,000 a year.

Where household incomes are less than $25,000 – alcohol intake is generally higher – drinking an average of eight or nine drinks a session.

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The report indicates that more than half of the alcohol drunk by adults is consumed while binge drinking, and that ninety per cent of the alcohol drunk by young people is at binge drinking sessions. Although most people involved in alcohol impaired driving have been binge drinking, the report declares that most people who binge drink – are not alcohol dependent or alcoholic.

The study reports that an apparent increase in binge drinking in 2010 – 17.1% of the population binge drinking, compared with 15.2% in 2009, could be result of including in the survey people who only use cellular phones – with people who use only a cellular phone tending to report higher levels of binge drinking than landline respondents.

The survey confirms that very likely binge drinking is under reported, and likely to be higher in fact than as recorded by the survey. Campus students and military personnel are among groups not represented in the survey.

While expressing concern for the human toll that this level of excessive drinking causes throughout the community, and while regretting the cost in dollar terms – that was estimated at around $223.5 billion in 2006 - proposals to improve the situation, to curb the incidence of alcohol drinking – appear to be somewhat limited.

Whilst people are encouraged to make the choice not to binge drink on alcohol, support appears to focused upon restrictions to supply. Measures such as reducing the number of liquor outlets, restricting opening hours, increased prices for alcohol drinks, and making alcohol suppliers responsible for sales to minors and intoxicated people are suggested.

No one would dispute that drinking alcohol at binge drinking levels is, despite transcient feelings of happiness, essentially self harming behavior. Anyone who drinks alcohol at such levels, who suffers no hangover effects, very likely has a more severe alcohol drinking problem than they realize.

When people suffer from painful symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, it is a sign that the body is still alive and functional – doing the job of detoxifying the body of its alcohol intake. A lack of responsiveness – high tolerance for alcohol, and a lack of hangover symptoms can lead people into thinking that they can “handle” their alcohol and regular binge drinking. It can take some time for the effects of chronic alcohol drinking to show up – as alcohol related diseases and disorders.

For the authors of this survey to suggest that most people who are binge drinking don’t have a problem of alcohol dependence or alcoholism possibly calls for a better definition of what constitutes alcohol dependence and alcoholism.

We have at the moment, authorities in Great Britain, saying that an ability to abstain from alcohol drinking for at least two days of the week, is an indicator that you don’t have a problem with alcohol, that you are not an alcoholic.

Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance said that having two dry days a week is a very good indicator of not being addicted to alcohol.

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It is however, made quite clear, that issues still arise, if you alternate your days of sobriety with high levels of alcohol drinking. As the Sun newspaper asks - Can a two day alcohol holiday cure boozy UK? - where an estimated 10.5 million people drink alcohol to excessive and dangerous levels.

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In Canada too there is public concern about levels of alcohol drinking, following the recent publication of editorial in the CMAJ medical journal, saying that alcohol might now have reached the status of tobacco 60 years ago, when the connection between smoking and lung cancer was first established.

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The problem with addiction, such as to alcohol is that it has been for many years, regarded as an incomprehensible, and incurable disease.

Viewed as a compulsive behavioral disorder, it can readily be seen, that addiction to alcohol drinking can be resolved by dealing with the causes of our compulsion to use it.

Comprehensive alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs have had over 45 years of direct experience in enabling successful recovery from alcohol dependency and addiction – by helping people to deal with the causes of their addictive behavior, and “choice” to use alcohol.

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Making a choice for freedom from hitting the bottle is not about taking two day breaks, or curbing your alcohol intake.

Getting free of alcohol drinking means taking control of your life – with the help that can be obtained from comprehensive alcohol addiction recovery centers.