Question: When is it safe for me to drive after drinking? How long do I have to wait before I can safely drive? How long does it take alcohol to leave my body and how long do I stay drunk? Answer: It is safest to drive when all the alcohol has left your body. Alcohol is metabolized at the … Read More
The Book of Answers is essentially a question and answer book, a compilation of FAQs followed by meaningful, reliable responses. Many of the questions came in the form of edited letters sent to the author, doctor James W. West–letters addressing real scenarios, letters asking for his comments or letters asking for his advice. The Author The author, James … Read More
Question: What is moderate drinking? And when am I at risk for developing alcoholism? Answer: Moderate drinking is the consumption of alcohol without reaching the point of being drunk. This “point” may differ from person to person, but general guidelines have been identified for most people. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate … Read More
It seems like the recently failed marijuana legalization did nothing to dampen the efforts of weed dealers as they continue to find creative ways around the law enforcement. The latest one discovered this morning disguises itself behind America’s most beloved foods: desserts. Farmer’s Daughter restaurant right here in northern California (Sacramento) seemed like your typical dining establishment until dessert … Read More
Ah, another holiday. Others may be eagerly anticipating the celebration, but you might be a bit nervous as you think about all the beer and alcohol that will be served. How do you stay sober during yet another holiday? Here are four practical tips that may help you stay sober on the Fourth. 1. Hang … Read More
We’ve all been there trying desperately hard to encourage our loved one—parent, friend, father, mother, sister, brother—to remain sober and enjoy their life of recovery. But it isn’t aways easy, especially when holidays come around. It’s so easy to assume that just because others enjoy alcohol on the holidays, our loved should be “able to … Read More
Question: What is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence? Answer: Alcohol abuse, in the simplest terms, is a pattern of excessive use of alcohol to the point of self-harm. You continue to drink even though adverse consequences–ranging from marital problems to DUIs–have occurred. An example would be frequent episodes of binge drinking, followed by … Read More
Two years ago, 15-year-old Sasha Rodriquez attended a rave party at the Coliseum in Los Angeles for people 16 or older.Later that night, though, Sasha arrived at the hospital in a coma after experiencing seizures and abnormal heart rhythms. And two days after she was admitted, hospital tests still showed no brain activity. The cause … Read More
Question: Why shouldn’t I drink alcohol on an empty stomach? Answer: Food in the stomach slows down the absorption process of alcohol, which means it slows down the rate that alcohol enters your bloodstream. This results in slower intoxication. If a person drinks the same amount 1-2 hours after an average meal, the blood alcohol … Read More
I just read an inspiring testimony from Courtney Rundell, a freelance blogger, I want to share with you. Courtney is bipolar and in recovery herself from alcohol and drug addictions. Courtney begins her article, “My Happy Pill,” by describing the Zoloft commercial with the little bouncing ball and the blue bird and the raining clouds … Read More
