Party Tonight . . . Sick in the Morning - Diagnoses Hangover

Partying into a Hangover 

Studio 54 in the 1970s - a Hot Party Spot in NY

Partying at night.  Dancing, laughing, drinking alcohol, and relaxing with friends until the wee hours of the night.  

In the morning - ugh!  Waking up fluish. Feeling deathly ill with a raging headache, sore muscles,  and mental confusion - what is going on?  These "morning after" flu-like symptoms are evidence of a hangover.  

It is estimated that 75% of drinkers have experienced a hangover.  Among college students this rate increases to 25% weekly.  Veisalgia is the medical term for hangover.  It is a Norwegian term meaning "uneasiness following debauchery."

Hangover - a closer look:

Headache, dehydration, confusion, anxiety, thirst, difficulty sleeping and nausea are common symptoms of a hangover.  A hangover is the body's response to dehydration. Alcohol consumption blocks the antidiuretic hormone and causes a person to pee more frequently.  Frequent urination also eliminates needed potassium and salt.  A decrease in potassium and salt causes problems with the nerves  and muscles leading to headaches and fatigue. 

Getting a hangover is a wake up call.  There are dangers with overindulgence of alcohol.  Alcohol abuse is drinking to excess.  Becoming drunk with alcohol will cause the inhibitions to go down which leads to many dangers.  These dangers include injuries, car crashes, drowning, burns, alcohol poisoning and hooking up with strangers leading to sexually transmitted diseases. Be aware - educate yourself on the risks of drinking alcohol.  If you or someone you know is abusing alcohol, help is available.

To learn more about a hangover check out:

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/drugs-alcohol/hangover.htm

To find out if you or someone you love are struggling with an addiction, check out:

www.stages2change.com

Blackout Number 999

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

I don't know how I got here.

My weekend started out with plans for a great time.  Friday night - Happy Hour with friends.   Half price drinks, free munchies and cute girls.  Saturday - a day in the park, drinking beer, hanging out with friends, and playing Frisbee with my dog.  Saturday night - a date and a concert. After the date, the night is still young - so off to a club to listen to more music.  Alcohol, cocaine, more alcohol, cocaine, lots more alcohol . . . when I awake I do not know where I am or how I got here.  

I have been having "so much fun" in my blackout - that I do not remember:

* Throwing up on myself

* Getting into a fight 

* Having my car towed

* Losing my way home

* Sleeping in the alley next to a bunch of trash

As I replay the weekend events . . . I remember thinking I was ready for a GREAT weekend.  I believed I was in total control.  I have crossed limits with my partying in the past.  This time I did not think I would go "over the limit."  

Truth is, I have never had a limit.  

I party like a rock star . . . . until I pass out.  I have been doing this for years.  And I have been thinking I can "handle it." 

I cannot "handle it."  Many times I have woken up and not remembered the night before. I have blackouts.  This time it was different.  This time I woke up in the streets and I had no recollection of how I got there.  Where was my car?  Did I drive myself or get a ride?  Who was I with? Did I hurt anyone? 

I woke up alone with people passing me by on the streets.  I felt like dirt.  

I asked myself, is this the kind of life I want?  

My head hurts. I have barf on my shirt.  

I do not remember how I got here.  

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired . . . is there any way out? 

Will this ever end?

I remember it is Sunday . . . Grandma is in church today.  

People are praying on Sunday. 

I cry out to God in my desperation . . . . 

"Jesus Help me!"

If you can relate to this story, and are ready to make a change, there is hope and there is help.  For more information on addiction or to set up a free consultation check us out at:

www.stages2change.com