Let’s face it. We all know how difficult it is to overcome alcohol and/or drug abuse and stay on the wagon for the rest of your life. Even if it’s not an issue for you directly, most of us are familiar with at least one family member, friend, employee or acquaintance struggling with addiction. People tend to abuse these substances to deal with life situations that cause them stress or anxiety. When these feelings rear the ugly heads in daily life, it can be quite tempting to try to escape by having just “one” drink, especially if your body is already predisposed to crave this fulfillment.

This lack of control due to addiction touches all races, religions, ages and social statuses. This past weekend news came out that Ozzy Osbourne, a high profile celebrity and rock star is again facing this dark place. According to MTV news, Ozzy wrote “For the last year and half I have been drinking and taking drugs. I was in a very dark place and was an a*hole to the people I love most, my family. However, I am happy to say that I am now 44 days sober.” Ozzy was forced to make this public statement when paparazzi realized that he and his wife Sharon were actually living separately and started to post misinformation about a pending divorce.

Recent research from the Indiana University School of Medicine shows that just the taste of a drink containing alcohol releases dopamine in the brain. Participants tasted Gatorade and Beer. Even though most liked the taste of Gatorade better, more of them had an increased craving for beer after tasting it. This research reinforces how important it is to completely abstain from alcohol once an individual is on the wagon like Ozzy.

Sobriety takes a great deal of support from those around you. Many people find that group meetings such as AA, one-on-therapy and/or alcohol education classes are also necessary. For those that don’t like the idea of going into a group environment to talk about their problems, or are high profile celebrities and can’t find any sort of anonymity in public, online alcohol and drug awareness classes are the way to go.

Online classes provide clients with complete privacy, as no one else needs to know you are taking the course (unless it’s for court requirements). Classes are designed to be simple to use so you don’t need much computer experience. Participants just enroll in the 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 or 24-hour alcohol awareness class and it immediately becomes available on the computer screen in front of them. Classes can be taken wherever Internet service is provided, so it’s easy to continue with them while traveling if necessary. Furthermore, online alcohol awareness classes are available to access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Previous clients have commented that this is a huge support in trying to stay sober because if they are craving a drink late a night, they can redirect the behavior by logging into the class. The facts and reality of alcohol and drug abuse as discussed in the program is enough to keep them from following through on pouring the alcoholic beverage.

Online alcohol awareness classes provide privacy and support during difficult times.

The addiction to opioid painkillers is a major epidemic in the United States. More than 200 millions of these kinds of drugs are prescribed each year to help people get through injuries. They are meant to be a short-term solution for relief but instead are highly addictive and according to USA Today, contribute to more than 16,000 deaths a year.

You are addicted to painkillers if:

• You are taking opioids even though you are no longer in pain.
• You are constantly thinking about how you will get the money to pay for, or get your hands on your next prescription.
• You are asking for the same prescription from multiple doctors.
• You are using painkillers to change your mood.
• You have had to increase the amount of painkiller you are ingesting because your body has become so accustomed to it.

The path to drug addiction can start at a young age. Young adults are often exposed to marijuana, meth and ecstasy as early as middle school. Prescription drugs like Oxycodone are often found in the medicine cabinet at home. The addiction results in uncontrollable craving and can be deadly. It’s important for parents and caregivers to talk with their teenagers about drug and alcohol use and abuse at an early age. Studies show that the more educated the young adult is about the topic, the higher the chance that they will not partake.

The good news is that drug and alcohol users can be successfully treated for their addiction. If you or someone you know is going down this path, or could use some drug education, than taking an online drug class is a good way to start. Online classes are available for participants to take from any computer device that is connected to the Internet. For self-improvement purposes an individual would most likely choose an 8-hour drug class online to begin. Simply register and the class becomes available to you on the screen in front of you. This can be from an IPad, Smartphone, PC or laptop. The participant does not need much computer experience, simply scroll through and read the material.

It is highly recommended that you choose a program that is designed by a licensed and practicing psychotherapist and expert in the field of drugs and alcohol abuse. This will ensure that you are learning the most recent information and skills available. Do a thorough background check to make sure that the class has an A+ rating from the BBB and a customer service number to call if any questions should arise while you are taking the course.

A quality drug education class online will also include all the information that the courts require so that it can be used to fulfill a court mandate as well. Just check with your judge, probation officer or attorney to make sure that a distance learning class is acceptable for court purposes. If so, be sure that the class issues a Certificate of Completion free of charge when you are done so that you can prove to the court that you fulfilled legal requirements.

Effective treatment of drug or alcohol addiction may take counseling as well as education. An online drug class is a convenient, stress-free way of learning new skills for sobriety.

A myth in American society is that alcohol helps make you feel better. Often when people are stressed or depressed, they turn to alcohol to help them forget their worries. The truth is that alcohol is a depressant that can do serious damage to the body and your behavior while on alcohol can instantly change your life forever. Alcohol travels through the blood stream and hurts your liver, kidneys, muscle coordination, brain and stomach lining. Yes, alcohol can help you loosen up, calm down and relax in the short-term but heavy use also damages the part of the brain that controls memory, decision making skills and coordination. Your reactions become slower and although you may feel like you are in control, you aren’t.

One of the reasons that the drinking age is 21 is because it has been determined that drinking during the teenage years, while the body and brain are still developing, can cause damage for the rest of your life. It slows you down, makes you lethargic and will prevent you from reaching your full potential in sports, academics and your social life. No matter what age, individuals under the influence of alcohol tend to make bad decisions. This might mean taking an unnecessary physical risk, or breaking up a family. Some specific physical risks include:

• Cancer of the mouth, esophagus, stomach
• Liver disease
• Ulcers and gastritis
• Brain damage
•  “DTs”, shaking and tremors
•  Heart disease
• Malnutrition

If are not sure whether you have a drinking problem, are concerned about it or have actually been cited by the law, then taking an online alcohol and drug awareness class is a good place to begin. High quality online classes are available to take in your own home so you begin your journey to recovery with complete privacy. If you have hesitated to go to AA or join an in-person class because of embarrassment or shyness, then taking a class online is perfect for you. Online alcohol and drug awareness classes are an educationally based way of understanding use, abuse, relapse and prevention. Participants learn the in depth details of how they are harming themselves and how their behavior is also affecting loved ones around them. Classes teach you new skills for prevention and ways to support sobriety.

Upon enrollment in an online alcohol class, the course becomes immediately available to you on your computer screen. The participant simply scrolls through and reads the material. Be sure to choose a program that includes customer service, so if you would like to speak directly with a licensed psychotherapist and expert in the field, you can. Online classes can be entered and exited as many times as you would like, so it’s completely self-paced whenever you have free time.

Online alcohol and drug awareness classes are also available to fulfill court requirements. It’s suggested that participants get prior approval from their judge, probation officer or attorney to make sure that a distance learning class will be accepted by the court. If so, simply choose the length the court has mandated and take the class in one day, a few days or a few weeks. At the end of the program a Certificate of Completion is sent to you free of any additional charge. This proves to the court that you fulfilled the order.

Let’s face it; it’s easy to fall into a habit of abusing alcohol to manage our stress and anxiety. If you feel you fall into this category, taking an online alcohol class is a good way to get yourself back on track.

Have you been court ordered to take an alcohol and drug awareness class? Or have you been told to take one for reduction of Auto Insurance Premiums? Or, sometimes there have been cases of the law reviving an old alcohol violation when the police pull you over and cite you for a current offense. The court may have ordered you to take the class due to a public intoxication charge or underage possession of alcohol or drugs, whatever the reason, it is better to take the class online than physically going into a class. The simplest way to clear the record is to fulfill the requirement with an online course from your very own home. However, if the class has been ordered by the court it is important to get clarification from the court whether it is okay to proceed with an online course.

The advantages of taking an alcohol and drugs awareness class online are many. First of all, once you register, the class is available at any time of the day or night 24/7, so you can choose the most convenient time for you to take it. This means that you choose the time you are most able to concentrate, which enables you to absorb the information without distractions. You can login and out whenever you want and the computer holds your last spot for you. Additionally, you are at liberty to take more time in an area you feel affects you personally or in the case of a topic that you are not very familiar with, you can take it slowly. Taking the class online also saves you on travel time and costs of driving to a traditional class elsewhere. With gas prices so high right now, this is a huge bonus! Finally, if you are the type of person who is not comfortable discussing details of your life with strangers, then you may choose to take the class online to avoid the hassle of taking a physical class where you have to interact with people you aren’t comfortable with.

If you take the class, the course includes topics such as:

• Who is at risk for addiction and the reasons why 
• Understanding the different substances available and how to avoid them 
• Health effects and social repercussions of addiction 
• Stress management skills and abuse prevention communication 
• Effects of drugs to the brain and the body and the permanent damage to your body 
• Learn how to overcome an abuse problem and who to talk to in case of a problem 

Once you have taken and completed the course there is a simple multiple choice test that requires a score of above 70% to pass. On successful completion of the course a certificate is made available for download or shipped to you to present to the court or to whoever required you to take the class. There has never been a better time to take mandatory classes like now since you are able to take them in the comfort of your home!

New Hampshire lawmakers are currently trying to get The Good Samaritan bill passed. This bill would provide immunity for anyone who makes a call to 911 to report an alcohol or drug emergency and also for the victim they are calling about. Nine other states have already passed a similar law. According to Representative Jenn Coffey “It gives us a chance to save that person’s life. If they’re too afraid to call, we can’t help them.”

In the last four years, New Hampshire has experienced a higher rate of drug related deaths than traffic deaths. The bottom line is that it can often take many hours for a drug overdose to actually kill someone. If a call is made to emergency personnel, they often have time to prevent the death.

If you or someone you know is having trouble with drugs, a leading cost-effective and informative way to direct the conversation toward rehabilitation is to take an online drug education class. People use drugs for many different reasons. It can be for social reasons because it makes them feel included in a group, or to deal with everyday anxiety and stress, or to help them with energy during a busy workday or to relax at night.

Signs of drug abuse can include sleeping in late, slacking off on homework or work, an isolation from old friends or family, a new peer group, a new lack of funds, and a general disinterest in activities or hobbies that the person used to like. If you notice these signs, it’s important not to overlook them but instead to gently check in with the person and see if you can help in any way.

Online drug classes are becoming a more and more popular way of learning to understand the risks and repercussions of drug use and learning new skills to support overcoming the addiction. Online courses offer the client the ability to stay in the safety, privacy and comfort of their own home to address the problem. In many cases, the individual might be in denial or not ready to publicly accept their challenge. This way of learning keeps it within the household until they are ready to take it to the next level. Parents, a close friend or sibling can even sit with the participant to take the class and discuss any issues that arise as different topics are covered.

An 8 hour level 1 drug education course will provide participants with statistics and research about the current state of drug use in America, an understanding of the different types of drugs out there, how drugs detrimentally affect development, how to understand addiction and how it affects everyone around you, and coping skills for creating a change and staying clean.

The beauty of an online class is that it is available to the client 24/7, so learning the information does not need to interfere with school or work. It’s a completely self-paced situation. Participants can login and out of the course whenever they have free time and need very little computer skills to scroll through and successfully complete the class. There is nothing to print out and no workbooks. The material is simply on the screen in front of you.

Help a friend or yourself today with the convenient, low cost and effective support of an online drug class!