Easy-to-Grow Houseplants

   Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to AveriWithAWord, today is Easter and if you're celebrating it or if you're like me and a little on the non traditional side maybe you're doing Easter differently; whatever the case may be let today be a day of rest, recovery and relaxation for mind and body. Now with that being said I'd like to share with you all some easy to keep alive plants that you NEED in your home. . . yes, I said need! okay let's get on to those green goddesses. ~ 

    Houseplants That if I can Keep Alive Anyone Can

    Bringing the outdoors in is huge in mental health, and seemingly everyone I know has a huge lush indoor garden full of flourishing houseplants. I, on the other hand, have a trickier relationship with the green things or at least at first I did; I wouldn't call my green thumb emerald though, but it's definitely getting there, and so, gratefully many of my own plants. That's why I reached out to some experts to find out which types of houseplants are easiest to keep alive. We're talking low-maintenance wonders that can stand up to your neglect while bringing a touch of green into your everyday life. Take a look a the list below, then see if any of these gorgeous plants could be a fit in your home.

| Note: Some houseplants are toxic to pets!. You can see which ones are safe using the ASPCA's guide found on their website. |

1. Pothos - 

Also called devil's ivy pothos is a large houseplant of Justin Hancock, a horticulturalist for Costa Farms  (the largest grower of houseplants in the world). It does well in "bright, medium and low light and doesn't mind drying out now and again. Pothos offers heart-shaped leaves often speckled in shades of gold, cream, silver or white depending on the variety. It's a vine, so you can grow it up a pole or [a] trellis, let it trail from a basket or train it horizontally along a mantle." It is also a great choice if you're looking for a plant that can help purify the air in your home. 

2. Spider Plant -

We all had plants growing up, and they're back in a big way. Hancock explains this plant "likes a bright spot best, but does just fine in low and medium light too.. natural or artificial light is just fine as well." You will occasionally need to snip any dead leaves and should keep a regular watering schedule , but "because it has thick, tuberous roots that store moisture, it's not fussy about how often you water it." 

3. Ponytail Palm -

Ponytail Palms are used to dry weather and have a trunk that stores water, explained Hancock. "however, yours will be happiest and grow best if you give it water when the top inch or 2 of the potting mix dries to the touch," he shared. It does best in medium to bright light and "looks ready for a Hawaiian shirt and a margarita next to it."

4.  Chinese Evergreen -

(One of my all time favorites.) Chinese evergreen is a good choice if you don't have a lot of natural light coming into your space. "It's also pretty forgiving when it comes to watering and can go two to three weeks without moisture if it has to, though it grows best when you add water once the top inch or 2 of the potting mix dries," Hancock told us. 

5. ZZ Plant -

The ZZ plant is one you might not have heard of, but it's well-suited to growing indoors. "it has thick, rubbery leaves that might remind you of a palm or fern; many people think they look like plastic. It requires about as much attention as a plastic plant too," shared Hancock. It will grow faster in bright light, but does just fine in areas with low to medium light too. And you only need to water it once a week or so. 

6. English Ivy -

Leslie Fischer, founder of Sustainable Slumber, likes English Ivy "it does not require much sunlight or water, and its trailing leaves are absolutely beautiful. Their value goes beyond the aesthetic; they are actually very powerful air filters. They remove toxic agents from the air like formaldehyde and benzene, among many others," which can make your space literally easier to breathe in. 

7. Barrel Head Cactus -

"Cacti are great for black thumbs; they require very little water and just need some direct, bright light," Meghan MacDonald, owner of plant care and consultation company Penny & the Plants, told us. "The only surefire way to kill a cactus is by overwatering them....my personal favorite is the barrel head cactus."

8. Air  Plants (or tillandsia) -

Air plants are super trendy right now , and it's easy to see why. But they're also surprisingly easy to care for. "They are not planted in soil, as each leaf on an air plant is covered in specialized scales known as trichomes. Trichomes have the ability to absorb water and nutrients just as roots on other plants would from soil," explains Macdonald. Because of this, you can display them in all sorts of fun and exciting ways. They thrive on filtered light and need to be watered once a week by being submerged fully for half and hour, then dried. 

9. Parlor Palm - 

If you're interested in plants that are especially good at filtering air, parlor palms are for you!. "NASA includes this plant in their top 50 list for plants that clean the air," shared Anthony Smith, owner of Nursery Enterprises. "It can handle low light, low humidity, bad air, near freezing temperatures and some neglect," so it's perfect for people who are used to accidentally killing off their beloved plants. 

10. Snake Plant - 

Gardening expert and writer Jane Clarke of Fantastic Services Australia told us, "One of the easiest houseplants to take care of is the snake plant. It is also known as mother-in-law's tongue or sansevieria. It be easy to grow, but that doesn't mean that it is not beautiful, As well as that, it acts as a natural air purifier." They thrive in indirect light, and you should let the soil dry completely between waterings - meanings it's OK if you forget about it from time to time. 

11. Prayer Plant - 

"Another easy-to-grow houseplant is the prayer plant," Clarke shared. "Its name does not correspond to its needs. You won't have to pray in order for it to thrive. Exactly the opposite, actually." Clarke recommends placing your prayer plant with other houseplants, which will help maintain the humid environment it craves. It should be watered every two weeks - if it starts to dry out before then, you can always spritz it with water. 

12. Peace Lily - 

Lester Poole, master gardener at Lowe's,  loves the peace lily. "Although the peace lily may appear high-maintenance with its stylish appearance, it's actually very easy to grow. Great for small spaces like dorms or apartments, spaces with limited windows, the peace lily does well with low light and light flourishes in room temperature," Poole Shared. 

13. Aloe Vera - 

"Aloe vera is easy to care for;" Poole said. "As part of the succulent family, [it] soaks up sunlight but needs little water. As long as you pop your plant into a sunny corner window, you're set to head out for vacation or part ways for a few days without any worries."

14. Cast-iron Plant -

Like it's name, the cast-iron plant is very hardy. "[it] can withstand low light and a wide range of temperatures. This means less worry on changes in temperatures when planted outside and that it's a perfect companion for those with a heavy hand on the thermostat (like myself) when you are growing indoors," shared Poole.

  Bringing something alive and green into your home might seem daunting at first; But with some practice, redirecting negative thoughts, positive self-talk and recognizing these easy-care plants deserve a chance, Once you realize how easy it is, you might find yourself becoming a full-fledged crazy plant person with with a house full of the little green goddesses. Once you start caring for and growing something beautiful it really does help heal those deep, heavy wounds that are hard to talk about and even harder to remember, but when you find yourself becoming a nurturing you, yourself then can start nurturing those scars that no one else can. 

   So please, go on and grow and flourish your indoor [or outdoor] garden, grow those flowers you've loved since you were a child and the scent takes you away to a place far from your worries. Please take this chance to heal the soil within and let your roots absorb the strength it needs, you deserve to grow. ❧

Until next time take good care of yourselves, and each other. As the world around us may be bleak don't allow it to steal your light my beautiful souls you! 

Cheers,

A ❤

 

~°•Growing Boundaries •°~

   Hello dear reader's and welcome or welcome back to my blog  as I said in my latest post, I want to focus more on the things more personal to me or that I feel personal about; not that I haven't been writing about things I am not passionate about, because I am. I just have more I want to say a deeper surface level I'd like to slice through. I don't know about you, but I am so tired of how (excuse my language) fucking impersonal and fake most posts, blogs, articles, media in general I feel like it is all people catering to their audience and I don't no I won't be that influencer, or writer I won't tell you guys what I think you want to hear I will write truth I will write because writing is what helps me, and if my writing ends up helping you then I have accomplished what I sat out to do with this blog. 

   With that said let's get back to our journey of learning self-awareness, inner-strength, resilient training, healing confidence through integrative self-talk and mediation and most importantly gaining a tool box of coping skills that work for you and building a solid support system of safe people that you can count on when in a crisis. When you have all of these skills it makes it easier to step back into life after depression, anxiety and other mental ailments get you down, but when you have a set up a goal for yourself and you stick to it you can get through even the thickest fog. Today I want to help myself and you all with growing our boundaries and learning how to communicate openly and assertively without hostility what our expectations around those boundaries are: and making sure people in our lives respect those boundaries that we have set up to protect ourselves, so let's jump back into our self-healing journey shall we? 

             Enjoy Some Self-reflection

To successfully introduce and set boundaries, it's key to understand why they're each important to you and how they will benefit your emotional well-being. 

"Take some time to be a detective of your own psychology" suggests writer from PsychCentral (Baker). "So often stuff happens to people and they feel uncomfortable, but they're not sure why. The first step in having healthy boundaries in any situation is spending the time to explore what's happening to you."

             Start Small

If you don't have many boundaries in place already, the prospect of introducing more might seem overwhelming - so build them up slowly. 

Doing so allows you to take things at a more comfortable pace, and it provides time to reflect on whether it's heading in the right direction or if you need to make some tweaks. 

            Set Them Early

"Sometimes it can be really hard to start putting boundaries in, especially in pre-existing relationships," says Dr. Quinn-Cirillo. "If you can put in boundaries straight away, it's a lot easier to work with." 

By setting boundaries and expectations from the very beginning, everyone knows where they stand, and feelings of hurt, confusion, and frustration can be lessened. 

            Be Consistent

Letting boundaries slide can lead to confusion and encourage new expectations and demands among those around you. 

Try keeping things consistent and steady. This helps to reinforce your original thresholds and beliefs, and it ensures those lines remain clearly established. 

         Create a Framework

Dr. Quinn-Cirillo notes that boundaries "vary depending on type of relationship." However, if you find it helpful, there's no reason not to have a few basics in place that can be adapted accordingly.

Consider getting an hour or two of alone time each weekend. This boundary could apply whether you live with a partner, have a busy social schedule with friends, or are close with family. 

       Fell Free to Add Extras

 In some aspects of our lives, there are boundaries already in place - such as in the workplace. But consider these the minimum. Colleagues will likely have some of their own in place, and it's okay for you to add some too.!

Doing so may even enhance your performance. Austrian researchers found that employees who introduced personal workplace boundaries felt more empowered. 

     Be Aware of Social Media

These platforms allow for more communication than ever, but they've also encouraged some considerable boundary blurring. 

"There's some incredible oversharing happening," Baker states, and research shows that over half of us are concerned that family and friends will post personal information or photos that we don't want shared publicly.

If you deem a particular action as boundary-crossing in real life, your concerns are no less valid when it occurs digitally. "You don't have to expose yourself to social media that's distressing you," she adds.

          Talk, Talk, Talk!

Communication is critical in the world of boundaries, especially if someone consistently oversteps yours. While you might need to raise your concerns, these discussions need not be confrontational. 

For example, if you have a friend who sends messages nonstop, Dr. Quinn-Cirillo suggests saying something along the lines of, "I can see you really wanted to get a hold of me, but the best thing to do is drop me a message, and I'll get back to you when I can." This gently highlights their behavior while simultaneously asserting your threshold. 

      Be YOUR Biggest Champion

For boundaries to have a strong foundation, you need to show yourself a bit love, notes Baker. "If you've got a narrative in your head that says you're worthless and underserving, then you're going to find it difficult to put boundaries in place that protect you,"  She says. "A lot of it comes down to self-worth and self-value." (Which we are working on together! this is just one of those uncomfortable steps we must take to get through the process and get to the other side.)

It doesn't take much to start encouraging this mindset either, adds Baker. The more you engage in activities "That release feel-good hormones, like singing, running, or whatever you want to do - things that feed your own heart - then that's going to help change your internal dialogue and make you feel more deserving." 

         Gain Some Perspective

Not having boundaries can be detrimental to our mental health, but going too far and over-thinking them can also impact our emotional well-being, reveals Dr. Quinn-Cirillo 

"Get a healthy level of thinking about boundaries," she says "Have some but don't be dictated by them. Sometimes you've just got to go with your gut instinct. We can't forget that we're actually quite good at navigating most things and are quite intuitive as human beings."

      Recognizing the Boundaries of Others

In addition to setting your own boundaries, it's important to appreciate those of others, too - even if they're different from your own. So how can you determine what they are? 

Frustratingly, "there's no magic science, " says Dr. Quinn-Cirillo, "If you're concerned or unsure, just ask." Fortunately, the conservation doesn't have to be awkward or confrontational. "Just general discussion helps," she continues. "Say something like, 'can I message you later?' or 'When is it good to message?' They help start to put a framework in place. 

It's also about using your common sense. If your partner hates using social media, there's a good chance they won't want those coupled-up selfies plastered across your Instagram or Facebook account. Or, if a friend says they don't want to see a particular movie, don't pester them until they cave in. 

Dr. Quinn-Cirillo reveals violating boundaries "can breed resentment and contempt, and cause people to withdraw." So there's no harm in taking a moment to think before you act.

            Let's Recap...

Boundaries are essential for various reasons and look different to everyone. You might be concerned that they will make you seem unfriendly or confrontational, but as this Inside Mental Health podcast from PsychCentral reveals, it is possible to maintain them without upsetting those you care about. 

Don't feel guilty about setting boundaries. They're (again) essential, and a form of self-care, and we actively look to incorporate other elements of this into our lives daily - from eating a balanced diet to exercising. This is no different!.

It might take some time and consideration to decipher the boundaries most important to you and the best ways to implement them, but your mental well-being will appreciate the effort in the long run. 

Setting boundaries is going to look different case, by case and it's not going to be overnight. Just be patient with yourself and remember why you're doing this work. Learning more about defining boundaries in your relationships, practicing consistency, and living with intention is all part of the work, some places you can reach out to for extra guidance on boundaries and how to get better with them are the following: 

*Inside Mental Health - What are Boundaries and Why Do They Matter? 

*Betterhelp

*Regain

*Teen Counseling 

*Pride Counseling 

I hope this post has been helpful for someone today, I know in life I have struggled with boundaries often, mostly because of my own naivety and my belief that most people are honest and good. Which in turn has made me set up a lot of protective boundaries as an adult, so if this is something you struggle with I get it I do, but once we grow our boundaries it really does help us feel so much more empowered and confident within ourselves. Until next time take good care of yourselves, and each other it's so important that we take care of each other and remember to lead with kindness right now, because there is not much kindness left to be had in this world. 

I am so grateful you decided to take your time, and spend it here with me today! Thank you, really. 

Cheers! 

Averi ❤

UPDATE ~

    Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog. I have been getting a lot of requests for vlogs, and while I'm not quite ready to take my platform into a video/vlog media site (just yet) I am currently going to be switching up some things that are discussed on AveriWithAWord. I started this blog with an intention of self-help and advocacy for all, and while I very much do still want to focus on issues surrounding growing coping mechanisms, self advocating tools and tips for how to access those skills if you aren't already involved with a primary care practitioner, or a psychologist for these issues you're facing. -- AveriWithAWord is going to be moving away from widely discussed topics and more personal issues focused on you guessed it me and my life. I hope everyone can appreciate this change, and continue following my site!. 😀

Take good care and I'll be catching up with you guys really soon in this coming month! 

Cheers, 

Averi 💫

Addiction Recovery ~

    Hello dear readers and welcome, or welcome back to my blog to finish this month off with addictions I want to define what addiction itself is; focusing in on what this dysfunctional relationship between the body and the brain system that involves reward, motivation, and memory.  It's about the way your body craves a substance or behavior, especially if it causes a compulsive or obsessive pursuit of "reward" and lack of concern over consequences.

                     Someone In The Midst Of Addiction Will Often...  

-Be unable to stay away from substance or stop the addictive behavior

-Display a lack of self-control 

-Have an increased desire for the substance or behavior 

-Dismiss how their behavior may be causing problems 

-Have lack of empathy or rarely show emotions 

-Lack social skills or lack an emotional response 

   Overtime, the addictions can seriously interfere with your daily and interpersonal life. People experiencing addiction are also prone to cycles of relapse and remission; This means they may cycle between intense and mild use. Despite these cycles, addictions will typically worsen over time. They can lead to permanent health complications and serious consequences like bankruptcy. 

   That's why it's important for anyone who is experiencing addiction to seek help. Whether through your local doctors office or you can call 800-622-4357 for confidential and free treatment referral information, if you or someone you know has an addiction. This number is for The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). They'll be able to provide more information, including guidance on prevention and mental and substance use disorders. 

                                                What Are The Types? 

   According to the U.K. charity action on addiction. 1 in 3 people that's ONE in every THREE individuals in this world who have an addiction of some kind. Addiction can come in the form of substance or behavior. 

   The most well-known and serious addiction is to drugs and alcohol. Nearly 1 in 10 Americans have an addiction to both. Of the people with a drug addiction, more than two-thirds also abuse alcohol.

 

                                  The most common drug addictions are as follows: 

-Nicotine, found in tobacco.

-THC, found in marijuana.

-opioid (narcotics), or pain relievers.

-cocaine 

                  Substances or Behaviors That Can Trigger Addiction

   In 2014, Addiction.com, a website devoted to helping those with addiction, listed the top 10 types of addictions. Besides nicotine, drugs, and alcohol, other common addictions include:

-Coffee or caffeine

-Gambling

-Anger, as a coping strategy 

-Food

-Technology

-Sex

-Work

   Technology, sex and work addiction are not recognized as addictions by the American Psychiatric Association in their most recent edition of the diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

   Some habits or social behaviors look like addiction. But in the case of an addiction, a person will typically react negatively when they don't get their "reward". For example, someone addicted to coffee can experience physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms such as severe headaches and irritability, yes I can relate. 

                                     What Are The Signs?

   Most signs of addictions relate to a person's impaired ability to maintain self-control. This includes changes that are as follows: 

-Social, such as seeking out situations that encourage a substance or behavior.

-Behavioral, such as increased secrecy.

-Health related, such as insomnia or memory loss.

-Issues related to personality. 

   Someone with an addiction won't stop their behavior, even if they recognize the problems the addiction is causing. In some cases, they'll also display a lack of control or responsibility, by using more then intended.

Some behavior and emotional changes associated with addiction may include the following:

-Unrealistic or poor assessment of the pros and cons associated with using substances or behaviors 

-Blaming other factors or people for their problems 

-Increased levels of anxiety, depression, and sadness

-Increased sensitivity and more severe reactions to stress 

-Trouble identifying feelings 

-Trouble telling the difference between feelings and the physical sensations of one's emotions

                              What Causes Addiction?

   Addictive substances and behaviors and behaviors can create a pleasurable "high" that's physical and psychological. You'll typically use more of certain substances or engage in behaviors longer to achieve the same high again. Over time, the addiction becomes difficult to stop. 

                                                   The Brain 

   Some people may try a substance or behavior and never approach it again, while others become addicted. This is partially due to the brain's frontal lobes. The frontal lobe allows a person to delay feelings of reward or gratification. In addiction, the frontal lobe malfunctions and gratification is immediate. 

   Additional areas of the brain may also play a role in addiction. The anterior cingulate cortex and the nucleus accumbens, which is associated with pleasurable sensations, can increase a person's response when exposed to addictive substances and behaviors.

   Other possible causes of addiction include, but are not limited to; chemical imbalances in the brain and mental disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These disorders can lead to coping strategies that become addictions.

                                               Early Exposure

   Experts believe that repeated and early exposure to addictive substances and behaviors play a significant role. Genetics also increase the likelihood of an addiction by about roughly 50 percent, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

   But just because addiction runs in the family does not necessarily mean a person will or must develop one.

   Environment and culture also play a role in how a person responds to a substance or behavior. A lack of disruption in a person's social support system can lead to substance or behavior addiction. Traumatic experiences that affect coping abilities can also lead to addictive behaviors.

                                        What Are the Stages?

   Addiction will often play out in stages. Your brain and body's reactions at early stages of addiction are different from reactions during the later stages. 

   The four stages of addiction are as follows: 

1. Experimentation: uses or engages out of curiosity.

2. Social or regular: uses or engages in social situations or for social reasons.

3. Problems or risk: uses or engages in an extreme way with disregard for consequences.

4. Dependency: uses or engages in a behavior on a daily basis, or several times per day, despite possible negative consequences.

                                    What Are the Complications?

   Addiction that's left untreated can lead to long-term consequences. These consequences can be: 

-Physical, such as heart disease, HIV/AIDS, and neurological damage

-Psychological and emotional, such as anxiety, stress, and depression

-Social, such as jail and damaged relationships

-Economic, such as bankruptcy and debt

   Different substances and behaviors have different effects on a person's health. Serious complications can cause health concerns or social situations to result in the end of a life.

                                    How do You/We Treat Addiction

   All types of addictions are treatable. The best plans are comprehensive, as addiction often affects many areas of life. Treatments will focus on helping you or the person you know stop seeking and engaging in their addiction. 

       Some common forms of therapies include: 

-Medication, for mental disorders such as depression or schizophrenia

-Psychotherapy, including behavioral, talk, and group therapies 

-Medical services, to help treat serious complications of addiction, like withdrawal during detox

-Addiction case manager, to help coordinate and check ongoing treatment 

-Inpatient addiction treatment

-Self-help and support groups 

You can also visit your primary care doctor for an evaluation. The type of treatment a doctor recommends depends on the severity and stage of the addiction. With early stages of addiction, a doctor may recommend medication and therapy. Later stages, may benefit from inpatient addiction treatment in a controlled setting. 

                        Where Can You Get support For Addiction?

   Overcoming addiction is a long journey. Support can go a long way in making the recovery process more successful. Many organizations can help, depending on the type of addiction. 

These include:

*Al-Anon

*Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

*Cocaine Anonymous (CA)

*Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)

*Gamblers Anonymous (GA)

*Marijuana Anonymous (MA)

*Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

*Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)

*Faces and Voices of Recovery 

*National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse 

*National Institute on Drug Abuse 

*Smart Recovery

*Women for Sobriety

*Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America 

These organizations can help connect you with support groups, such as:

-Local community groups

-Online forums 

-Addiction information and experts 

-Treatment plans 

   A strong support system is important during recovery. Letting your friends, family and those closest to you know about your treatment plan can help you keep on track and avoid triggers.

  As I have said, but I will say one more time just because your knowing is your being so keep learning, keep growing and never end that pursuit of bettering yourself. Until next time - I want you guys to take good care of each other and especially yourselves. 

If you or someone you know has an addiction, call 800-622-4357 for confidential and free treatment referral information from SAMHSA. Seek emergency care by calling 911 or your local law enforcement  if necessary, especially if they've had or are having suicidal thoughts or actions. 

Cheers, 

Averi 💫

   

   

   

Alcoholism ~

Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog. I hope everyone was able to get a chance to take a look at my last blog on biases honoring International Women's Day and it reminded you to take a moment to let a women in your life know she's special or even take some time out for yourself to do some self-care. I also hope there where some coping techniques and skills that we as a whole can all help take from, to help chip away the biases together. 

And with that being said, I would like to get back into the subject of where we left off: Addictions. And today I want to talk about the addiction of alcoholism. 

Al-co-hol-ism

/'alkehollzem/

noun

An addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency. 

Inability to control drinking due to both physical and emotional dependence on alcohol. 

very common more than 3 million US cases per year

Treatment can help, but this condition cannot be cured. 

According to statistics, alcoholism is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States; 17.6 million people or one in every 12 adults are diagnosed with alcoholism and millions of more individuals engage in risky behaviors such as binge drinking that can potentially lead to alcohol poisoning or death. Unfortunately, the individual who is abusing alcohol is not the only person negatively affected by this behavior. This behavior burdens family, friends, and even children. The mainstream media often does NOT shed light on the gravity of alcohol abuse and INSTEAD publicizes it as acceptable social behavior which can skew the definition of alcoholism. Although there is a fine line between having a drinking problem and having an alcohol addiction, both are unhealthy behaviors that result in difficulties in social relationships and emotional well-being, work or career difficulties, finances, family and other areas in an individual's life. 

Defining a 'Drinking Problem'

Having a "drinking problem" is different from having an alcohol addiction due to one main delineating factor, the ability to take a step back and quit. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH), excessive drinking, binge drinking, underage consumption, and women who drink during pregnancy. By gender, heavy drinking for men is defined as more than five drinks in one sitting and more than 15 drinks per week. For women, it is four drinks in one sitting and more than eight drinks in one week. These individuals may be classified as "almost alcoholic", anything beyond those 15 drinks a week for men and eight for women means you're bordering alcoholism. 

Knowing the Symptoms 

Alcoholism can be mild, moderate or severe, based on the number of symptoms you experience. 

*Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

*Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so.

*Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol, or recovering from alcohol use. 

*Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol.

*Failing to fulfil major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use.

*Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it's causing you physical, social or interpersonal problems.

*Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies 

*Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving or swimming. 

*Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount. 

*Experiencing withdrawal symptoms - such as nausea, sweating and shaking - when you don't drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms. 

Alcoholism can include periods of alcohol intoxication and symptoms of withdrawal.

*Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in our bloodstream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more impaired you become. Alcohol intoxication causes behavior problems and mental changes. These may include inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, impaired judgement, slurred speech, impaired attention or memory, and poor coordination. You can also have periods called "blackouts", where you don't remember events. Very high blood alcohol levels can lead to coma or even death. 

*Alcohol Withdrawal can occur when alcohol use has been heavy or prolonged and is then stopped or greatly reduced. It can occur within several hours to four or five days later. Signs and symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, problems sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and occasionally seizures. Symptoms can be severe enough to impair your ability to function at work or in school or in social situations. 

What is considered 1 Drink?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines one standard drink as any one of these: 

* 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of regular beer (about 5 percent alcohol)

*8 to 9 ounces (237 to 266 milliliters) of malt liquor (about 7 percent alcohol)

*5 ounces (148 milliliters) of unfortified wine (about 12 percent alcohol)

*1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof hard liquor (no harder) (about 40 percent alcohol) 

When to see a Doctor? 

If you feel that sometimes you drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or your family and friends are concerned about your drinking, talk to your doctor. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group, a good way to get get local support is to get in touch with your local Community Services Board in your area they will be able to help guide you towards help specifically tailored to your needs and often can get you support with a case manager who can help you along your journey towards recovery and success. 

Because denial is common, you may not  feel like you have a problem with drinking. You might might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are directly related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Considering seeking help, because there is a pleather of it out there. 

Causes 

Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to Alcoholism. Overtime, Drinking too much alcohol may change the normal function of the areas of your brain associated with experience of pleasure, judgement, and the ability to exercise control over your behavior. This may result in craving alcohol to try to restore good feelings or reduce negative ones. 

Risk Factors 

Alcohol use may begin in the teens, but alcohol use disorder (Alcoholism) occurs more frequently in the 20's and 30's, though it can start at any age. 

*Steady drinking over time. Drinking too much on a regular basis for an extended period or binge drinking on a regular basis can lead to alcohol- related problems or alcoholism. 

*Starting at an early age. People who begin drinking - especially binge drinking - at an early age are at a higher risk of alcoholism. 

*Family history. The risk of alcoholism is higher for people who have a parent or other close relative who has a problems with alcohol. This may be influenced by genetic factors.

*Depression and other mental health problems. It's common for people with a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar to have problems with alcohol or other substances legal or illegal. 

*History of trauma. People with a history of emotional or other trauma are at an increased risk of alcoholism. 

*Having bariatric surgery. Some research studies indicate that having bariatric surgery may increase the risk developing alcoholism or recovering from alcoholism. 

*Social and cultural factors. Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly could increase your risk of alcoholism. The glamourous way that drinking is sometimes portrayed in the media also may send the message that it's OK to drink too much. For young people, the influence of parents, peers and other role models can impact our children's risk greatly, so always take that into account when watching TV or choosing your friends. Your children are predisposed what you put on or put in their life is your responsibility. 

The Complications 

Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. In some people, the initial reaction may be stimulation. But as you continue to drink, you become sedated. Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life threatening coma or death. This is a particular concern when you're taking certain medications that also depress the brains central nervous functions. 

Impact on your safety

Excessive drinking can reduce your judgement skills and lower inhibitions, leading to poor choices and dangerous situations or behaviors, including:

*Motor vehicle accidents and other types of accidental injury, such as drowning

*Relationship problems

*Poor performance at work 

*Increased likelihood of committing violent crimes or being the victim of a crime

*Legal problems or problems with employment or finances 

*Problems with other substance use 

*Engaging in risky, unprotected sex, or experiencing sexual abuse or date rape

*Increased risk of attempted or completed suicide

Impact on your health 

Drinking too much alcohol on a single occasion or over time can cause health problems, including:

*Liver disease, Heavy drinking can cause increased fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis), inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis), and over time, irreversible destruction and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis). 

*Digestive problems. Heavy drinking can result in inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), as well as stomach and esophageal ulcers. It can also interfere with absorption of B vitamins and other nutrients. Heavy drinking can damage your pancreas or lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

*Heart problems. Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure and increases your risk of an enlarged hear, heart failure or stroke. Even a single binge can cause serious damage to the heart arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation. 

*Diabetes complications. Alcohol interferes with the release of glucose from your liver and can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is dangerous if you have diabetes and are already taking insulin to lower your blood sugar level. 

*Sexual functions and menstruation issues. Excessive drinking can cause erectile dysfunction in men. In women, it can interrupt menstruation. 

*Eye problems. Over time, heavy drinking can cause involuntary rapid eye moment (nystagmus) as well as weakness and paralysis of your eye muscles due to a deficiency of vitamin B-1 (thiamin). A thiamin deficiency can also be associated with other brain damages and changes, such as PTSD and dementia and is irreversible, if not promptly treated. 

*Birth defects. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage. It may also cause fetal alcohol syndrome, resulting in giving birth to a child who has physical and developmental problems that last a lifetime. 

*Bone damage. Alcohol may interfere with the production of new bone. This bone loss can lead to thinning bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures. Alcohol can also damage bone marrow, which makes blood cells. This can cause low platelet count, which may result in bruising and bleeding. 

*Neurological complications. Excessive drinking can affect your nervous system, causing numbness and pain in your hands and feet, disordered thinking, dementia, and short-term memory loss. 

*Weakened immune system. Excessive alcohol use can make it harder for your body to resist disease, increasing your risk of various illnesses, especially pneumonia. 

*Increased risk of cancer. Long-term, excessive alcohol use has been linked to a higher risk of many cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, esophagus, colon, and breast cancers. Even moderate drinking can increase the risk of these cancers. 

*Medication and alcohol interactions. Some medications interact with alcohol, increasing it's toxic effects. Drinking while taking these medications can either increase or decrease their effectiveness, making them dangerous. 

Prevention

Early intervention can prevent alcohol-related problems in teens. If you have a teenager, be alert to the signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with alcohol: 

*Loss of interest in activities and hobbies and in personal appearance 

*Red eyes, slurred speech, problems with coordination and memory lapses

*Difficulties or changes in relationships with friends, such as joining a new crowd 

*Declining grades and problems in school 

*Frequent mood changes and defensive behavior 

You can also prevent teenage alcohol use:

*Set a good example with your own alcohol use or have a dry household (no alcohol)

*Talk openly with your child, spend quality time together and become actively involved in your child's life.

*Let your child know what behavior you expect - and what the consequences will be if they do not follow the rules. 

 

The Message 

Alcohol use is the fourth leading cause of Preventable death in the United States (after smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity). According to a 2021 report from WHO, in 2019 the harmful use of alcohol resulted in about 3 million deaths or 5.3% of all deaths around the world, with most occurring among men. The economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption in 2019 were estimated at 249 billion, or $2.05 a drink. 

Where to get help

NIAAA - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

Email: niaaaweb-r@exchange.nih.gov

Phone: 888-MY-NIAAA (888-69-64222)

Lifeline - National Suicide Prevention 

toll free 24/7 phone: 1-800-273-8255

If you or a loved is an crisis and experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings call 911 or your local emergency officials. 

I hope that this blog has been able to help someone today, whether they're in the middle of this addiction, recovering from or have a family dealing with the grips of this monster it's hard, there's a lot of hoping, praying and faith that goes into it, even for the most unbelieving. You have to trust not only yourself if you are the addict, but the addict if you are their partner and trust is the hardest thing to build and the easiest thing to break. While examining this post I hope you were able to take something away, even if this wasn't relatable it's good to keep in mind that our children are our to sculpt and the media is often wrong in what they portray to be right and fun. 

Until next time, you guys take good care of yourselves and each other. 

cheers, 

Averi. 

Breaking Bias ~

 Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog. In honor of International Women's Day I want to discuss ways we can all help support our local communities and women by educating ourselves around how to create a gender equal world. Free from bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated!. And everyone is unique and different, everyone deserves equality. Together I do believe we can #BreakTheBias

                         Definition 

                                                           bi-as

                                                           /bies/

noun

1. prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. 

verb

1. cause to feel or show inclination or prejudice for or against someone or something.

                               Bias and Stereotyping 

Bias is often characterized as stereotypes about people based on the group to which they belong and/or based on an immutable physical characteristic they possess, such as their gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. This type of bias can have harmful real-world outcomes. People may or may not be aware that they hold these biases. 

The phenomenon of implicit bias refers to societal input that escapes conscious detection. Paying attention to helpful biases- while keeping negative, prejudicial, or accidental biases in check- requires a delicate balance between self-protection and empathy for others. 

What is Bias? 

Bias is a natural inclination for or against an idea, object, group, or individual. It is often learned and is highly dependent on variables like a person's socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, educational background, etc. At the individual level, bias can negatively impact someone's personal and professional relationships; at a societal level, it can lead to unfair persecution of a group, such as the Holocaust and Slavery. 

What causes people to be Biased?

Starting at a young age, people will discriminate between those who are like them, their "ingroup", and those who are not like them, their "outgroup". On the plus side, they can gain a sense of identity and safety. However, taken to the extreme, this categorization can foster an "us-versus-them" mentality and lead to harmful prejudice.

What is an Unconscious or Implicit Bias? 

People are naturally biased - they like certain things and dislike others, often without being fully conscious of their prejudice. Bias is acquired at a young age, often as a result of one's upbringing This unconscious bias becomes problematic when it causes an individual or a group to treat others poorly as a result of their gender, ethnicity, race, or other factors like disabilities. 

Can a person be Unbiased? 

Generally, no. 

Everyone has some degree of bias. It's human nature to assign judgment based on first impressions. Also, most people have a lifetime of conditioning by schools, religious institutions, their families of origin, and of course the media!. However, by reflecting critically on judgments and being aware of blind spots, individuals can avoid stereotyping and acting on harmful prejudice. 

How can you reduce Bias? 

Telling people to "suppress prejudice" or racism often has the opposite effect when people are trained to notice prejudiced or racist thoughts without trying to push them away, they are able to make a deliberate choice as a result. This can lead to less discrimination and reduced bias over time. 

Biases and Cognitive Errors 

A category of biases, known as cognitive biases, are repeated patterns of thinking that can lead to inaccurate or unreasonable conclusions. Cognitive biases may help people make quicker decisions, but those decisions aren't always accurate. Some common reasons why include flawed memory, scarce attention, natural limits on the brain's ability to process information and stress, emotional input, social pressures, and even aging. When assessing research-- or even one's own thoughts and behaviors - it's important to be aware of cognitive biases and attempt to counter their effects whenever possible. 

What is actor-observer Bias?

When you are the actor, you are more likely to see your actions as the result of eternal and situational factors. whereas, when you are observing other people, you are more likely to perceive their actions as based on internal factors (like overall disposition). This can lead to magical thinking and a lack of self-awareness.

What is Anchoring Bias?

People tend to jump at the first available piece of information and unconsciously use it  to "anchor" their decision-making process, even when the information is incorrect or prejudiced. This can lead to skewed judgement and poor decision-making, especially when they don't have the time to research through their options. 

What is Attribution Bias?

Attribution bias occurs when someone tries to attribute reasons or motivations to the actions of others without concrete evidence to support such assumptions. 

What is Confirmation Bias?

Confirmation bias refers to the brain's tendency to search for and focus on information that supports what someone already believes, while ignoring facts that go against those beliefs, despite their relevance. 

What is the curse of knowledge and hindsight Bias? 

People with hindsight bias believe they should have certain outcomes, which might only be obvious now with the benefit of more knowledge and perspective. They may forget that at the time of the event, much of the information needed simply wasn't available. They may also make unfair assumptions that other people share their experiences and expect them to come to the same conclusions. 

What is the Dunning-Kruger Effect?

In the Dunning-Kruger Effect, people lack the self-awareness to accurately assess their skills. They often wind up overestimating their knowledge or ability. For example, it's not uncommon to think you're smarter, kinder, or even better at managing others than the average person, but here's a secret; no one's special.

What is the Fundamental Attribution Error 

People are more likely to attribute someone else's actions to their personality rather than taking into account the situation they are facing, However, they rarely make this Fundamental Attribution Error when analyzing their own behavior. 

What is the Halo Effect? 

The Halo Effect occurs when your positive impression of someone colors your overall perception of them (for example Anna Delvy) A negative impression on the first hand, can lead you to assume the worst about a person, resulting in a "Reverse Halo" or "Horns Effect". 

What is the negativity Bias? 

People like to win, but they hate losing more. So they tend to pay more attention to negative outcomes and weigh them more heavily than positive ones when considering a decision. This negativity bias explains why we focus more on upsetting events, and why the news seems so dire most of the time. 

What are Optimism Bias and Pessimism Bias? 

People tend to overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes when they are in a good mood. Conversely, when they are feeling down, they are more likely to expect negative outcomes. In both instances, powerful emotions are driving irrational thinking. 

What is the Sunk Cost Fallacy? 

Have you ever heard, "Don't throw good money after bad?" That expression is based on the Sunk Cost Fallacy. Basically, when someone is aware of the time, effort and emotional cost that's already gone into an endeavor, they can find it difficult to change their mind or quit a longtime goal- even when it's the healthiest choice for them. 

How are our Biases Reinforced? 

Once learned, stereotypes and prejudices resist change, even when evidence fails to support them or point to the contrary. 

People will embrace anecdotes that reinforce their biases, but disregard experience that contradicts them. the statement "some of my best friends are ___" captures this tendency to allow some exceptions without changing our biases. 

  Bias is perpetuated by conformity with in-group attitudes and socialization by culture at large. The fact that white culture is dominant in America may explain why people of color often do not show a strong bias favoring of their own ethnic group. 

  How do we perpetuate Bias?

Mass media routinely advantage of stereotypes as shorthand to paint a mood, scene or character. The elderly, for example, are routinely portrayed as being frail and forgetful, while younger people are often shown as vibrant and able. 

Stereotypes can also be conveyed by omission in popular culture, as when TV shows present an all-white world. Psychologists theorize bias conveyed by the media helps to explain why children can adopt hidden prejudices even when their family environments explicitly oppose them. 

About hidden Bias

Scientific research has demonstrated that biases thought to be absent or extinguished remain as "mental residue" in most of us. Studies show people can be consciously committed to egalitarianism, and deliberately work to behave without prejudice, yet still possess hidden negative prejudices or stereotypes.

"Implicit Association Tests" (IATs) can tap those hidden, or automatic stereotypes and prejudices that circumvent conscious control. Project Implicit -- is a collaborative research effort between researchers at Harvard University, the University of Virginia, and University of Washington-- offers dozens of such tests. 

Believing the IAT procedure may be useful even beyond the research purposes for which it was originally developed. It may be a tool that can jumpstart our thinking about hidden biases; Where do they come from? How do they influence our actions? What can we do abut them? 

Biases and Behavior 

A growing number of studies shows a link between hidden biases and actual behavior. In other words, hidden biases can reveal themselves in action, especially when a person's efforts to control behavior consciously flags under stress, distraction, relaxation, or competition. 

Unconscious beliefs and attitudes have been found to be associated with language and certain behaviors such as eye contact, blinking rates and smiles. 

Studies have found, for example, that school teachers clearly telegraph prejudices, so much so that some researchers believe children of color and white children in the same classroom effectively receive different educations.

Now classic experiment showed that white interviewers sat further away from Black applicants than from white applicants, made more speech errors, and ended the interviews 25% sooner, Such discrimination has been shown to diminish the performance of anyone treated that way, whether Black, or white.

Experiments are being conducted to determine whether a strong hidden bias in someone results in more discriminatory behavior. But we can learn something from even the first studies:

* Those who showed greater levels of implicit prejudice toward, or stereotypes of, Black, white, or gay people were more unfriendly toward them. 

*Subjects who had a stronger hidden race bias had more activity in a part of the brain known to be responsible for emotional learning when shown Black faces than when shown white faces.

           What YOU can do to help #BREAKTHEBIAS Break The Bias

Integration, by itself has not been shown to produce dramatic changes in attitudes and behaviors. But many studies show when people work together in a structured environment to solve shared problems through community service, their attitudes about diversity can change dramatically over time. 

By including family members of other groups in a task, children begin to think of themselves as part of a larger community in which (THEY ARE) everyone has skills and can contribute. Such experiences have been shown to improve attitudes across racial lines and between people old and young. 

There also is preliminary evidence that unconscious attitudes, contrary to initial  expectations, may be malleable. For example, imagining strong women leaders or seeing positive role models of African Americans has been shown to, at least temporarily, change unconscious biases. 

'Feeling' unconscious Bias

But there is another aspect of the very experience of taking a test of hidden bias that may be helpful. Many test takers can "feel" their hidden prejudices as they perform the test. 

They can feel themselves unable to respond as rapidly to (for example) old + good concepts than young + good concepts. The very act of taking the tests can force hidden biases into the conscious part of the mind. 

I'd like to believe that when a person has a conscious commitment to change, the very act of discovering one's hidden biases can propel one to act to correct for it. It may not be possible be avoid the automatic stereotype or prejudice, but it is certainly possible to consciously rectify it. 

Committing to Change 

If people are aware of their hidden biases, they can monitor and attempt to ameliorate hidden attitudes before they are expressed through behavior. This compensation can include attention to language, body language, and to the stigmatization felt by target groups. 

Common sense and research evidence also suggest that a change in behavior can modify beliefs and attitudes. It would see, logical that a conscious decision to be egalitarian and knowledge of other groups. Such efforts may, over time, reduce the strength of unconscious biases. 

It can be easy to reject the results of the tests as "not me" when you first encounter them. But that's the easy path. To ask where these biases come from, what they mean and what we can do about them is the harder task. 

Interested in the test? check out the link below 

Chttps://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatouchtest.html

Recognizing that the problem is in many others - as well as in ourselves - should motivate us all to try both to understand and to act. 

I am officially on Google now, just in time for Internal Women's Day! 

So, if you guys' ever want to just give me a review, or need to reach out by phone I will leave the link below. Thank you all for the continued support of blog. 

Until next time please, take care of yourselves and each other. 

Cheers, 

Averi.