Help to stop drinking

This is an interesting article that I posted about back in 2015. I have not seen any follow-up articles and have not researched anything further about this. The "naltrexone angle" and the Finnish approach sounds interesting to me, though.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazin...irrationality-of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/

We certainty know more about the brain than when AA was started in 1935. There is much to consider: cost, likelihood of success, inpatient or outpatient, group or individual or family....
Attached is literature review of alcohol treatment.
https://www.princeton.edu/~ota/disk3/1983/8307/830707.PDF
 
We certainty know more about the brain than when AA was started in 1935. There is much to consider: cost, likelihood of success, inpatient or outpatient, group or individual or family....
Attached is literature review of alcohol treatment.
https://www.princeton.edu/~ota/disk3/1983/8307/830707.PDF

ChaplainCharlie- very good point, we know more about the brain etc.. than we did in 1935- kind of whole issue current US DVA "Schedule Ratings" and MH Profession in general.

I think folks, and not speaking for them, like LTC(ret.) David Grossman are trying to change the view of "veterans" of our generation with things such as "The Myth of our Returning Veterans and Violent Crime" at http://www.recoverytoday.net/articles/350-the-myth-of-our-returning-veterans-and-violent-crime

I only bring this up as a PEBFourm Member- Bunt0025(??), asked me, in response another post how to contact LTC (Ret) Grossman, and just got around to telling him. [[email protected]]

But of interest might be one of his websites: https://www.killology.com/ "Killogy Research Group" and address is in Illinois- were one of my "favorite" professors from "college" received their "advanced" degree to teach at my undergraduate "institution"- and is accomplished author themselves- and would have worked "under" in Iraq had things been different or perhaps handled differently.... oh well it is all the past....

Kind of like how as guest of US Government at, Institution (MN)- one of my "providers" got licensed in "AL" as "AL" supposedly one of easiest "states" to get licensed in in psychology- just like Nero-psychologist at WRIISC, Washington DC, was, as well and in Iraq same time as myself...... Oddly, thought, when one tries contact the AL Psychology Organization they are in fact "much less than helpful" as I and other's have had similar experiences with this.... when "attempting" online degree in "I/O" Psychology.... (this Nero-psychologist at WRIISC was in fact supposedly "responsible" in some manner for the "tragic" "non-combat related" death of a solider in Iraq.....IAW media accounts)

Wonder why the US DVA/ Federal Government does not try and "recruit/ sponsor" more "combat veterans" that were actually the "boots on the ground" and not "Bob On The FOB" into the MH Profession as would think greatly benefit the Nation in general- perhaps????

Veterans, etc... who read books on US DVA, their conditions or really anything- in genral, if so desire and "take" the initiative can in fact contact- in a lot of cases- the author- and ask questions....

ChaplianCharlie- thanks......hope this helps a whole lot of vets in some small way....???????
 
TIC might help a person be a better therapist, but it might not. Counter transference could become a disqualfying issue for high TIC GIs that became therapist.

My best guess is that most experience folks choose not to work for the VA or the local government funded MH facility because the pay is terrible.
 
TIC might help a person be a better therapist, but it might not. Counter transference could become a disqualfying issue for high TIC GIs that became therapist.

My best guess is that most experience folks choose not to work for the VA or the local government funded MH facility because the pay is terrible.

ChaplainCharlie... where did you get the pay data for US DVA medical personnel? As what you are in fact stating, in some cases is correct but in other's very much not so. Furthermore, working US DVA- Federal Government, has numerous benefits- no "malpractice" insurance, steady pay check, do not have to worry about an office and all associated costs, nor maintaining a consistent "client" base, nor being fired very easily... suggest check out US Department of Labor Statistics, US Jobs etc.....?????????
 
While there are benefits; to working for Uncle Sam; there are also restrictions compared to having a private practice.

As for pay, an example:
Psychiatrist makes between 160K and 270K according to https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Psychiatrist/Salary
103,395 is starting pay at VA according to https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/?k=psychiatrist

ChaplainCharlie- I am going to do what I do not like, but here goes anyway. I think you are not factoring a whole lot of things.... "practice start-up costs," "Mal-parctice insurance- exceedingly expensive" "experience before ever reach 270K (+-) - which takes years and generally working long time for others-prior striking out on own, and if working for one's self 270K mark if a highly floating target year to year... etc.... Also, the 103K you cite is just "bargain" basement as know numerous in MH field and others at US DVA make much more.........

Bottom-line: Best MH Professional's to deal with Vet's for whole host of issues, in my opinion, is in fact those very few who have in fact been actual "boots-on-the ground" and not "bob" on the FOB....

Furthermore, a question I would further pose, is why can a MS in Psychology, which can take 2(+) years, be an FBI Profiler, do research and testing, etc.... but not treat/counsel patients, and a mere Social Worker, which takes roughly 18-months to get a degree, be an active counselor, etc.....??????? Very odd to me....wonder if others thank so, as well??????

Thanks ChaplainCharlie.....
 
You are entitled to your own opinion.
 
You are entitled to your own opinion.

Thanks ChaplainCharlie- as this epitomizes what in fact I am talking about, and probably long forgotten, and came out during "surge" etc.... and about time I was in Iraq and all found "hilirious" as too all true, from http://www.specialforces.com/newsletter/2008_02/BobOnTheFOB.pdf by SGT Albert J. Merrifield as well as attached file....

Pic Bob On The FOB- 10 APR 2018 0119 AM CST.JPG

Sometimes, humor is best medicine, and granted there are those whose job, is in fact more "administrative" in nature and have little need nor necessity to leave the FOB- or secure areas.... but as SGT Merrifiled explains in attached file (at:http://www.specialforces.com/newsletter/2008_02/BobOnTheFOB.pdf )

1523347109636.png

Furthermore, we were not supposed to leave the FOB without and very specific Task, and Purpose- i.e. Mission Objective...........

That being stated, how can someone who, has most likely never gone on patrol, spent days planning and executing missions, in all th daily "Fog of War" - "chaos," assume to know what those who were on the MSR's everyday or in the "cities" "caves" et. al. on foot, etc... claim to really understand what much of anything for the actual "boots/ wheels-on the ground" or in the "air," was in fact really like......????? Simply something, one must "live" the dream to understand completely..... ergo why I believe US DVA/ Federal Government should in fact be pushing to get those with aptitude and perhaps desire, who actually did all this successfully, into MH Profession..... for once again, a whole host of reasons' !

Thanks ChaplainCharlie... and hopefully ends this tread....
 

Attachments

  • BobOnTheFOB.pdf
    2 MB · Views: 0
Anyone who has successfully kicked the alcohol habit please tell me how you did it. I’ve been drinking 2-4 fifths of whiskey a week for about 4 years now. I need to stop but can’t seem to.



Read this book, https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Way-Stop-Drinking/dp/1402736479

The Easy Way to Stop Drinking by Allen Carr

Try not to be put off about how this sounds like a stupid easy way to stop drinking and it won't work.

You might find the insights in the book to be so simple, you're wondering why you hadn't thought about drinking like that earlier.

You can get in audiobook form too, if you'd like reading a physical book.

Give it a try. It might make it sound too simple, but it just might be. It might not be as complicated as you think.
 
Also, look into the use of a vitamin/nutrient called "Niacin"

Google niacin and alcoholics

or niacin and alcohol

or niacin and alcoholism

You will find many people struggle with alcohol improved or stopped drinking after using niacin

Another really simple thing

Even AA members have a history of using niacin to decrease their habit
 
Tony292- others to demonstrate what I am talking about I would encourage those with the inclination to visit "Military Chaplain" at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_chaplain , at this website one can see how in "history" chaplains actually "served" with their soldiers on the actual front lines.... or even "Francis P. Duffy" at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_P._Duffy or "Four Chaplains" at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Chaplains

Hope this helps Tony292- as well as others.....

PS: I do not think the Gulf Coast VA/VISN-16 thinks to highly of its own Chaplains, as just spoke with new one, supposedly just been there 2-months, and still did not have email, etc... nor anyway to communicate with anyone on behalf of a veteran...humph..... sad but true......simply other's can decide for themselves....


Tony292, ChaplainCharlie, et. al..
At the suggestion of a US DVA-Gluf Coast VA/VISN-16 Chaplin, as was having little luck finding what I was looking for, I contacted a "prestigious" university in NC "Research Triangle Area" about possibly attempting to get a Master's in religious studies and perhaps a Juries Doctorate along with it (such program exist) Sadly, without much discussion, nor asking see my transcripts, etc... was told not a "good" fit- immediately- when I simply told them very briefly a US Army Officer, Combat Veteran etc....... Much more, interesting, they highly suggested a degree in "divinity" was easier to obtain than a MA in religious Studies....hummph ????? Also, really no response when asked the dreaded "academic" vs. "practitioner" question.....??????

Perhaps, other's out there might have better results with the following if interested in this "track" of study at all:

https://religion.unc.edu/

http://college.wfu.edu/religion/

https://religiousstudies.duke.edu/

Wonder if any Chaplains out there would be willing to comment on this "state of affair's?" As after all are we not allowed to try and better our selves despite our "service" connected issues?

Tony292, ChaplainCharlie, et. al... hope this assist's and perhaps it is just as "Nena" sings....... at YouTube "Nena ‎- 99 Luftballons"
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La4Dcd1aUcE
 
Thanks ChaplainCharlie- as this epitomizes what in fact I am talking about, and probably long forgotten, and came out during "surge" etc.... and about time I was in Iraq and all found "hilirious" as too all true, from http://www.specialforces.com/newsletter/2008_02/BobOnTheFOB.pdf by SGT Albert J. Merrifield as well as attached file....

pic-bob-on-the-fob-10-apr-2018-0119-am-cst-jpg.2713


Sometimes, humor is best medicine, and granted there are those whose job, is in fact more "administrative" in nature and have little need nor necessity to leave the FOB- or secure areas.... but as SGT Merrifiled explains in attached file (at:http://www.specialforces.com/newsletter/2008_02/BobOnTheFOB.pdf )

1523347109636-png.2715


Furthermore, we were not supposed to leave the FOB without and very specific Task, and Purpose- i.e. Mission Objective...........

Tony292, ChaplainCharlie, et. al... I thought folks might also be interested in the following: from https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Awards%20and%20Decorations%20Statistics%20by%20Conflict

1523720895546.jpg

As well as: from https://www.va.gov/vetdata/pocketcard/index.asp

1523720941074.jpg

Tony292, ChaplainCharlie, et. al... after all stastics are in fact what are by and large utilized by "decision's makers" to make decisions or in other words "policy"...... hope helps some folks out there....
 
Niacin as a treatment of alcohol dependence was promoted many, many years ago. Scientific studies do not support the use of niacin for alcohol dependence.

Large doses of niacin can damage your liver!

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/924.html
 
Hello. Thanks for your reply. I did not recommend high dose niacin use. Some of that adverse affects is if you take time released forms.



  • A 2014 review of research and case studies concluded that niacin supplementation can improve psychological and physical recovery from alcoholism (source)
  • A 2014 study showed that niacin supplementation helped reverse alcoholic fatty liver disease (source)
  • A study on rats showed that a group given high doses of niacin consumed 36% less alcohol than rats given normal levels of niacin (source)
  • A scientific review of the safety of niacinamide concluded that it is safe at doses of less than 3 grams per day (source)


QUOTE="chaplaincharlie, post: 201921, member: 7378"]Niacin as a treatment of alcohol dependence was promoted many, many years ago. Scientific studies do not support the use of niacin for alcohol dependence.

Large doses of niacin can damage your liver!

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/924.html[/QUOTE]
 
Niacin deficiency can cause depression and some people can be actually self treating their depression with the alcohol. If you correct he nutrient deficiency, you can feel less depressed and drink less. Niacin can help reverse fatty liver and lower cholesterol.
Read Nutrition and your Mind. By George Watson.

https://www.amazon.com/Nutrition-Your-Mind-Psychochemical-Response/dp/0060145250

Any anything William Walsh. Nutrient Power

https://www.amazon.com/Nutrient-Power-Heal-Biochemistry-Brain/dp/1626361282


Usually people are using alcohol to self
Medicate a condition that is related to nutrient deficinecies that are underlying and trauma makes worse. Hard to heal from trauma in nutrient depleted states.
 
also if you can treat high cholesterol with a vitamin you can buy for $6 at any store otc, pharmaceutical companies would not be making big bucks on cholesterol lowering medications which is big business. Of course there will be studies (paid for by the pharma) trying to scare people off.
 
Top