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Most of our childhoods were full of happiness, fulfillment and good memories. Even as adults we all have times when childhood memories beckon us to the point where we daydream and sometimes even hope that we could relive our youth. But for many, those childhood memories are not so good. Unhappy memories might include recollections of times when one (or sometimes both) of our parents or caregivers were under the influence of alcohol. 

Heroin use has increased in the suburbs, with women and those with higher incomes. The use of heroin has doubled among those 18-25 years old. There is a heroin epidemic in the St. Louis region due to being in close proximity to Chicago, decreased cost and increased availability in the powder form. Heroin addiction can be difficult to stop. Addiction can start gradually for some, or for others it can be immediate.

Q. I am a skeptic who believes that alcoholics can’t learn to quit drinking. Aren’t success rates from treatment programs overblown? My father drank until his last days, and there were a lot of incidents that should have motivated him to quit.

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. Approximately 80,000 deaths are attributed to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. This makes excessive alcohol use the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death for the nation. 

Alcohol is the most widely abused drug. Approximately 10% of the U.S. population has an alcohol problem, and nearly all people with an alcohol issue are employed and have a family. Signs of alcohol abuse include drinking to relax, having blackouts or forgetting what happened while drinking and increased alcohol use. Those who abuse alcohol may not as responsible at home or at work as they once were. They may also have legal issues such as DWIs. Financial stress can increase due to job loss and money spent on drinking. Alcohol problems affect job performance, creating absenteeism, tardiness and decreased performance. Alcoholics may experience tolerance, which is when a person has to drink more to get the same effect.