Published on: 09 August 2019
Last Updated on: 11 September 2019
Pescetarianism is a specified diet that substitutes meat for seafood. In a nutshell, it is being on a vegan diet except, you eat seafood. The most common practice of pescetarianism is Ovo-Lacto vegetarianism. Here, the person on this diet would also consume dairy products alongside their seafood. There are two main motivating factors for this diet. These are health and environmental sustainability.
Below are those factors to take into consideration while discussing why being a pescatarian is beneficial. Also, if you live in St. Louis, checkout Food Delivery Service St. Louis, a food delivery that provides its customers with tailored meals fitting every individual and their dietary needs. This will help you get your training wheels off while you get a feel for the different meals the diet is famous for.
Why A Pescatarian Diet Is Beneficial:
To A More Sustainable Environment:
The animal meat, from mammals and birds, usually comes from farming such animals. The downside to rearing animals as food is the production of greenhouse gases.
Animals such as pigs and ruminants we consume emit greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Pigs chip in by producing ammonia while the ruminants contribute by emitting methane gas.
The situation is further complicated by the clearing of forests to create grazing grounds for these animals when this farming is done on a large scale.
Furthermore, water and land resources, which should be used by humans are being used by these farms and slaughterhouses.
Fish do not produce any greenhouse gas. However, when they are caught in their natural habitats, the process usually negatively affects their ecosystem. Fish farming can be a solution to this problem.
The Health Benefits of a Pescatarian Diet:
Going completely vegan in your diet brings with it some nutrient deficiency problems. Vitamin B12 is only found in animal products. Hence, removing such products from your diet means that you lack this vital nutrient.
Essential fatty acids and iron intake are both affected when you switch to a completely vegan diet. When these nutrients are missing from your diet, you risk getting anemia and losing out on your quota of valuable proteins. Adding fish into the equation equals a more balanced diet, nutrition-wise.
With the emergence of meal deliveries, you can find a food delivery to St. Louis to make your transition to this diet a lot easier.
A Healthier Heart:
An increase in your intake of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and other seafood promotes a healthier heart. The critical nutrient helps to lower your blood pressure reducing the risk of heart-related diseases.
The plant diet works hand in hand with your new intake of these nutrients to improve the health of your heart.
Avoid Some Cancers:
Some cancers that affect your digestive system can also be avoided via this diet. Colorectal cancers specifically have been seen to occur less in those who are on this diet.
Manage Diabetes and Inflammatory Illnesses:
The ‘vegan’ diet you consume as a pescatarian can help reduce the risk of getting type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, and high blood pressure. When you add the increase in intake of omega-3 fatty acids, inflammation is also reduced. The two of them combine to improve your anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic qualities.
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You might have heard the term “functioning alcoholic” and wondered what it even means. Then, you might be searching for the meaning of the term and what it means to be a functional alcoholic. Then, let’s throw some light on the meaning of functioning alcoholics for your better understanding.
We often relate alcoholism with people who are unable to function properly in their lives. This stereotype of alcoholic individuals seems to be not accurate. This is because several individuals who are alcoholics seem to function properly and deal with their daily tasks properly.
If this is the case, then why are these individuals living a regular life while being alcoholic? While other groups cannot function properly because they are constantly under influence.
Therefore, in this article, we not only discuss what is a functioning alcoholic but also how they differ from those with more visible signs of alcohol dependency.
Perception About Individuals Battling Addiction
Your concept or perception of an alcoholic will change when you learn how a functioning alcoholic person works. They are capable of living or maintaining a normal life while battling alcohol addiction.
At one glance, you might not even know this person might have an addiction. Because they can do all their daily duties smoothly. Therefore, why was this term created, which means someone who is functioning even when dealing with addiction?
This challenges the common stereotype of an alcoholic person who lives an undisciplined and disheveled life. The term “functioning alcoholic” could be used to describe a person’s condition, but it is not officially recognized.
In the field of psychiatry, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) doesn’t recognize this term officially. However, several professionals use this term to describe a specific alcoholic person’s condition.
So, understanding the phenomenon of the functioning alcoholic is important. Because it helps identify people who are going through this hardship. When you recognize a functional alcoholic, you can help them get the right treatment, which will get them better.
Functioning alcoholics often hide their struggles with addiction while maintaining a normal facade. So, it becomes harder for you to recognize them and get them correctly diagnosed. Therefore, you must read this article to know how to identify one. This is so you can help them get the right treatment for recovery.
What Is A Functioning Alcoholic?
A functioning alcoholic seems to live a normal life while dealing with alcohol addiction. These individuals, you will observe, can do all the regular tasks and maintain a lifestyle without alcohol overriding their lives.
Even if they are always under the influence, they can hold down a job and other obligations. Not only that, but they can also excel in some areas of their lives without alcohol overriding their entire life.
Therefore, it becomes hard for you to identify these individuals. Because they look perfectly normal from the outside while dealing with addiction.
These individuals know how to keep their professional and social lives separate from their addiction. You see, functional alcoholics are aware of their alcoholic addiction, which helps them hide it easily. They become skilled at hiding their shortcomings from the world.
However, this addiction of a functioning alcoholic does not affect anyone other than themselves. It does affect their own lives if kept unchecked in the long run. As they continue to hide their struggle with alcohol, it becomes much more troublesome as time goes on.
Functioning Alcoholics Live In The Grey Area Of Addiction
A functioning alcoholic lives in the grey area of addiction, where addiction coexists with competence. While they are functioning like a regular individual, they also hide their addiction from their friends, family, or colleagues.
So, they operate much more separately than an alcoholic consumed with addiction and a normal non-alcoholic.
So how will you recognize a functioning alcoholic when they are living just like any ordinary person? You see, functioning alcoholics often rationalize their drinking habits as rewards for their accomplishments.
So, if they can get their work done, they reward themselves. Again, if they do their duty towards their family, they will reward themselves with a drink.
Again, their coping mechanism for dealing with the stress of daily responsibilities is through alcohol. So, when they accomplish their responsibilities day-to-day, they reward themselves with alcohol.
But this facade of normalcy is fragile as they become more dependent on alcohol over time. As they start to deal with life problems with alcohol, this results in psychological issues.
Maintaining a long-term facade of alcohol addiction is not the only problem a functional alcoholic face but health problems, too.
High Functioning Alcoholism vs. Traditional Alcohol Use Disorder
Traditionally, you could identify an alcoholic person from their visible signs of dysfunction. These dysfunctional problems were frequent performance issues, relationship problems, and deteriorating health.
In contrast, high-functioning alcoholics may lead seemingly successful lives, masking their dependency behind a façade of competence. They may hold prestigious positions, maintain social connections, and even drink expensive wine without raising suspicion.
Despite their ability to keep up appearances, high-functioning alcoholics often deal with a significant internal struggle. They might spend considerable effort hiding the extent of their drinking from others and themselves.
This can involve elaborate routines to cover up the smell of alcohol and secret drinking sessions. Again, a functional alcoholic persistently worries about being discovered because of their addiction.
You will see that the stress of maintaining a double life can be extremely problematic in the long run. In the long-term, this coping mechanism with alcohol can only affect negatively both physically and mentally.
Along with the stress of hiding their addiction to alcohol and dealing with life’s problems, a functioning alcoholic is bound to break down at some point. This will lead to their worst fear of revealing their true nature.
It’s this dual existence that differentiates high-functioning alcoholism from other overt alcohol use disorders. Other alcohol disorders are more visible due to their impact on an individual’s life.
Recognizing The Signs of Alcohol Abuse
There are significant risks to being a functional alcoholic despite its outward appearance. Because their pattern of drinking can be more than seven drinks per week. This leads to health risks in the long term. Again, continuous dependence on alcohol to deal with life can have adverse effects on the person’s psychology.
From binge drinking episodes to the inability to stop drinking despite its negative consequences, these are some of the recognized risks of alcohol addiction. They may also experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit or cut back on alcohol consumption.
Recognizing signs of a high-functioning alcoholic can be challenging as they are good at hiding their addiction. Therefore, it’s essential to identify these individuals, get them diagnosed correctly, and treat them properly.
It’s important to note that these behaviors can be subtle and easily overlooked, especially when the individual is still managing to fulfill their personal and professional obligations. Over time, you will see that the consequences of high-functioning alcoholism become visible.
Be it strained relationships, personality changes, mental health issues, and physical health problems related to alcohol abuse. You will start to see its effects on a functional alcoholic.
Risk Factors and Consequences
Certain factors can increase the likelihood of high-functioning alcoholism, including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and untreated mental health issues.
While they may avoid some of the immediate consequences associated with traditional alcoholism, such as job loss or legal troubles, high-functioning alcoholics are still at risk for severe health problems, including certain cancers and mental health issues.
These health problems can include liver disease, heart disease, and neurological impairments that may not become evident until later in life. The psychological consequences are equally concerning, potentially leading to depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders that can deteriorate the quality of life.
Moreover, high-functioning alcoholics may face social consequences over time, such as eroded trust in relationships, marital strife, and a gradual withdrawal from social activities as they prioritize alcohol over personal connections.
Despite maintaining a veneer of normalcy, the cumulative effect of these risk factors and consequences can lead to a tipping point where the individual’s ability to function at a high level is compromised.
It is crucial to recognize these long-term risks and understand that the lack of immediate, visible consequences does not diminish the urgency for intervention and treatment.
Seeking Support And Treatment For The High Functioning Alcoholic
Addressing high-functioning alcoholism requires a comprehensive approach involving medical professionals, support groups, and rehab centers in Los Angeles specializing in addiction medicine.
Loved ones play a crucial role in encouraging their family members or close relatives to seek help, but it’s essential to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Initiating this conversation can be delicate, as it often involves breaking through a wall of denial built up by the individual over time.
Friends and family need to be informed about the nature of high-functioning alcoholism, to offer non-judgmental support, and to avoid enabling behaviors that can perpetuate the addiction.
The process of seeking support often begins with an honest self-assessment or an intervention by concerned loved ones. This step is vital in helping the individual recognize the extent of their problem and its impact on their life and the lives of those around them.
Professional interventionists can be instrumental in this phase, providing the guidance needed to navigate what can be a highly charged situation. Once the individual acknowledges the need for help, the next step involves finding the right treatment program.
Treatment can range from outpatient therapy sessions to accommodate the individual’s work schedule. Or a more intensive inpatient program where you must take a temporary step back from daily responsibilities.
The treatment choice should be tailored to the individual’s specific circumstances, considering their level of addiction, personal responsibilities, and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
Throughout the recovery journey, ongoing support is essential for maintaining sobriety. Aftercare programs and sober living communities offer continued guidance and support, helping the individual to reintegrate into their daily life with new coping skills and a renewed focus on health and wellness.
Support And Treatment Facilities
Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide a vital lifeline for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders, offering a sense of community and understanding.
These groups facilitate peer-to-peer support and shared experiences, creating a space where individuals can speak openly about their struggles without fear of judgment.
Treatment facilities offer residential treatment or outpatient tailored programs designed to address the unique needs of high-functioning alcoholics, providing medical supervision during the withdrawal process and equipping them with coping strategies for maintaining sobriety.
These facilities often employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical treatment, psychological counseling, and behavioral therapy to address the complex nature of addiction. The programs may include individual therapy sessions, group therapy, educational workshops on addiction, and relapse prevention planning.
In addition to traditional treatment methods, some facilities offer holistic therapies such as meditation, yoga, and art therapy, recognizing the importance of treating the whole person.
The Importance Of Mental Health Resources
Recognizing that alcoholism is not solely a physical dependency but also a mental health problem is crucial. Access to more mental health resources, including therapy and counseling, can help individuals address underlying issues contributing to their alcohol use and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
These resources are vital in treating the emotional and psychological aspects of alcoholism, which often include stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders that may co-occur with substance abuse.
By providing a supportive environment for open discussion about mental health, individuals can gain insights into the emotional triggers that lead to drinking and learn new strategies for managing these triggers.
Therapy can also assist in repairing relationships damaged by alcohol abuse, rebuilding trust, and improving communication skills. In addition, counseling can offer guidance on how to establish a balanced life. You can set achievable goals and create a supportive network that fosters their long-term recovery.
Treatment programs need to integrate mental health services as a core component of addiction recovery, called dual diagnosis treatment. This integration ensures that individuals receive a holistic approach to their treatment, addressing all facets of their well-being.
As society continues to destigmatize mental health issues, the hope is that more people will feel empowered to seek the help they need without fear of judgment or stigma.
Ultimately, enhancing the availability and accessibility of mental health resources is a critical step in supporting the recovery journey of functioning alcoholics. Their lasting sobriety helps improve their mental health issues.
High Functioning Alcoholics: Is There Such A Thing?
High-functioning alcoholics can often seem to have it all together, balancing significant responsibilities while battling their addiction in silence.
Despite heavy drinking, they are typically individuals who seem to lead productive lives. They often excel in their careers, maintain social relationships, and uphold daily routines.
This can make it difficult is difficult for others and sometimes even for the individuals themselves to recognize the problem, as their success often masks the underlying issues.
We can help individuals struggling with high-functioning alcoholism by raising awareness and providing support. This will help them regain control of their lives and improve their overall life.
How to Help a Colleague (...Who is Also Recovering)
Helping someone in recovery from alcoholism is as simple as learning the signs and subtly helping.
But remember they are on a journey, not at the destination. Part of that journey includes being open about their lives but not praying too much. A casual “How are you doing today?” can go a long way.
Be Responsible Yourself First!
Help your co-workers make healthy choices by creating a clean, responsible environment.
Don’t go to work events where the primary focus is drinking, and don’t invite them to join if you do.
Be mindful of their limits; never encourage or force them to drink more than they feel comfortable with.
If they make the choice to leave an event because others are drinking too heavily, offer to accompany them.
Find Alternative Activities
Encourage them to engage in healthy activities, even if it is during office breaks. You can go for a walk with them at lunch or get involved together in a wellness group at work.
Not only do these kinds of activities help alleviate stress, but they also give your colleague something positive to focus their energy on.
Plus, showing that you’re willing to invest in their well-being as professionally appropriate helps build a stronger working relationship between the two of you and gives them an added source of support while they recover.
Do not Get Too Personal
But still, you need to draw the line and not become too personal with them. You should only keep any conversations limited to work-related topics unless they would like to share them with you.
Be mindful of their personal space as well because, in the end, it is their own recovery.
Supporting a colleague in recovering from alcoholism requires empathy, respect, and understanding.
By being a supportive colleague, you help to not only nurture their recovery but also help foster an inclusive and compassionate workplace. Remember, it’s the little things that mean a lot.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to understand that high-functioning alcoholism is a real and serious condition. When you acknowledge its existence, you take the first step towards addressing the unique challenges it presents.
With the right resources and support systems, you can improve functioning alcoholic individuals to live a life free from alcohol. You can find them the help they need to recover from alcohol dependency.
Therefore, you need to know about functional alcoholism and identify functional alcoholic individuals.
Read Also:
How 12-Step Works As Addiction Recovery Support
Addiction Treatment: 11 Tips To Find The Best Rehabilitation Center
It is every woman's dream to dwell in her youthful years forever. Unfortunately, life is a wheel that keeps turning and change is inevitable. Just because you're now entering the menopause stage doesn't mean that your life is over. There always is a perk to every stage of life and focusing on the negatives only blurs your sight of the good things. Truth be said, menopause strings along troublesome effects. It may seem like the end of the world when you're experiencing hot flashes or mood swings. However, you can stay ahead of the game the natural way.
1. Hot Flashes
This is the most complained about symptom in regards to menopause. The random changes from sweaty to chilly temperatures are disturbing. However, just because it's normal doesn't mean that you should sit around waiting for it to disrupt your life. You can gain control over it ahead of time by avoiding situations such as; hot tubs, hot drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, stress, hot showers, intense exercise, white sugar, caffeine and hot weather.
Although there aren't many studies backing this up, soy products are also thought to help control the irritating hot flashes. In addition to these, you may also want to give Black Cohosh a try. These are available as health supplements in health stores. Black Cohosh is believed to regulate night sweats, hot flashes, and mood changes.
2. Unreliable Mood Changes
Our bodies have a mind of their own and we sometimes can't control what happens whether we like it or not. Another con symptom to expect during menopause is unstable mood swings. Just because you can't get hold of the burning urge to sob five minutes after sharing a hearty laughter with your friends doesn't mean that you should settle for it. There is scientific evidence proving that Omega 3 Fatty Acids supplements are highly effective in the treatment of menopause-related mental health problems. These include distress and mild depression. For better results, you may need to pair this up with exercise, ample rest and a healthy diet.
3. Vaginal Dryness
Menopause does not necessarily mean the end of a healthy sex life. You may notice increased bouts of vaginal dryness during intercourse but nothing that a good tube of lube won't fix. Since there are many products out in the market, you may want to consult your doctor before settling for a particular one. There are special lubricating gels that are specially designed for menopausal women hence feel a bit more comfortable for you.
4. Weight Gain
Noticed the numbers going up on your scale? Well, this is common during menopause. Unlike the common teachings that fats are to be avoided to prevent weight gain, you should actually incorporate then in your diet now. Yes, they may have more calories than proteins and carbs. However, fats are vital for hormone production, increased metabolism and lowering inflammation levels which are all key to effective weight loss. Always go for healthy fats such as unrefined oils which are rich in Vitamin E. This is effective in regulating estrogen production. You may also want to invest in flaxseed oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and extra-virgin olive oil. You may also find healthy oils in coconut milk, nuts, avocado, wild seafood, and seeds. You may be pardoned for considering a laxative for weight loss. However, this is highly discouraged as it only leads to water loss which is quickly gained back thereafter. Stick to healthy weight loss choices.
5. Disturbed Sleep
Are the tossing and turning driving you nuts? Worry not, there's a natural curb to it. The first step is getting your sleep routines in check. Go to bed at a particular time and stay there whether you're sleepy or not. With time, your body will sense bedtime ahead and start the shutting down process. You will notice yourself feeling drowsy whenever it's close to your bedtime. Avoid vigorous activities such as workouts and keep off caffeinated drinks in the afternoon. Sipping on some warm milk and herbal drinks may help you sleep better. Move the television, laptop, and phone from your bedroom as they are easy distractions.
Menopause may be a challenging stage of life but it doesn't last forever. Stick to these routines even when you wish they results would kick in much faster. Avoid harmful practices such as consuming a laxative for weight loss in the attempt of speeding up the results. This will only lead to water loss which is quickly gained back thereafter. Besides this, laxatives may lead to internal damage which is definitely not worth it. There are a lot of benefits to reap from nature if you only give it a chance.
Do you want to know what happens in rehab? You're ready to admit that you're completely powerless over your addiction to drugs or alcohol.
You know that you need help -- and that a rehab facility is likely your best shot.
But what happens in rehab, exactly? what happens in rehab is a question in the minds of many.
Is it all just 12-step programs and little else? Will you be able to succeed in this environment? Most of all, how will rehab treatment help you to maintain your sobriety once you get out?
These are all absolutely normal questions, and they show a true commitment to getting better.
In this post, we'll tell you exactly what to expect from drug or alcohol rehab.
Read on to get empowered and informed.
The First Step: Detox:
Detox rehab is one of the most frightening -- and difficult -- parts of your overall recovery process.
In fact, this fear of withdrawal is why so many people go so long without getting the help they desperately need.
However, if you enter into a professional facility, you'll get the level of care you need to detox safely. You may even be given medication to help you manage the symptoms of withdrawal.
Most importantly, you'll be supervised, so if something does go wrong, you'll get help and relief right away. Be aware that you may experience nausea, stomach pain, mood swings, insomnia or exhaustion, and many other withdrawal side effects.
Curious to learn more about the overall detox process?
Visit the Recovery Resource Center for more information.
Treating the Emotional Wounds:
Of course, understanding the underlying causes of addiction -- and removing psychological blocks you've likely had for years -- is a huge part of your recovery process.
You'll likely engage in many different types of therapy.
These can range from things like classic cognitive behavioral therapy to things like horseback riding and art therapy. You'll soon learn which ones work the best for you.
You may even receive a dual diagnosis that helps you to understand your addiction. This means that, in addition to dealing with substance abuse, you also have an underlying mental health condition.
Knowing this and getting the right treatment is a huge part of helping you to move forward.
Rebuilding Your Physical Strength:
What happens in rehab isn't always exactly what you see on television and in the movies.
Yes, you'll journal, have breakthroughs and breakdowns, and even go for a few walks along a beach.
But you'll also get a little sweaty.
Often, you're not in the best physical shape when you first enter rehab.
You've been neglecting and abusing your body for a long time. You may be severely over or underweight. You might have problems with nutrition, tired, or simply weak.
Physical exercise is a big part of the recovery process.
You'll do things like yoga, pilates, and perhaps even running to gain your strength back.
Meeting With Other Addicts:
Group therapy is another enormous part of the rehabilitation process.
Connecting with other people who also struggle with addiction and are now committed to recovery is incredibly helpful. Together, you'll all rehash the reasons behind your addiction.
You'll support each other and hold one another accountable. You'll share coping mechanisms and strategies. Sometimes, you'll simply listen.
Group therapy also teaches you how to talk about your addiction to other people, and helps to reduce the stigma and anxiety surrounding these types of discussions.
Connecting With Family Members:
A huge part of many rehab treatments is meeting with your family members for the first time after you've gotten sober.
Often, a therapist will be there to facilitate a meeting between all of you. You'll usually have the chance to address past wrongdoings, apologize, and talk about the level of support you may need from them in the next phase of your life.
Keep in mind that programs like Al-Anon are incredibly helpful for family members and loved ones of addicts. Just as you've undergone intense therapy while in rehab, your family may also have been doing the same thing.
Considering Sober Living and Next Steps:
Once you've completed your rehab treatment, you'll then begin to think about your next steps.
Many people are incredibly frightened of this phase. After all, rehab is a safe and comfortable environment. It's almost entirely free from triggers and reminders of your past addiction, like the bar you used to do drugs at.
Re-entering the real world, for many addicts, comes with a real risk of relapse.
If this is something you're worried about, you may want to learn about your sober living facility options. This is a facility that has a set curfew every night, assigns people responsibilities like cooking and cleaning, and still has a bit of a rehab-like environment.
You'll be able to work and visit with friends and family throughout the day but then return to a safe space at night.
What Happens in Rehab Will Help You Heal:
Above all, remember that it's perfectly normal to feel anxious about what happens in rehab.
In some cases, you may not even remember what it was really like to be sober. Yes, you'll be vulnerable, and you'll confront some difficult things about your past.
But you'll grow stronger and appreciate life more as a result. Above all, know this: you are always worth it, and you deserve a happy, sober existence.
Are you interested in learning more about what to expect out of treatment? Need to know the best way to encourage a friend or family member to get help?
Keep checking back with us for more advice on recovery and wellness as a whole.
Read Also:
Is Outpatient Treatment For Drug And Alcohol Addiction Effective?
3 Alcohol Prevention Tips To Kick Your Old Drinking Habits To The Curb
Cannabis Can Help In The Fight Against Drug Addiction
Famous Alcoholics And The Symptoms Of Their Addiction
When Someone You Love Has An Addiction: 5 Tips On How To Help An Addict
Vaping: More Than Just A Fad
