Did you know that alcohol consumption is responsible for approximately 4,700 deaths per year for individuals under 21? More than 70% of high school students drink alcohol and about 22% participate in binge drinking?

What do you do when you get a call from law enforcement, school or even your friends telling you that your teenager has been caught drinking? You may be shocked and caught completely off guard, or have had suspicions but haven’t gotten around to dealing with the situation. If it’s a legal offense the court will mandate that the underage youth take a MIP or minor-in-possession class. This is the same thing as an alcohol and drug education class. Judges will often order this course with the goal of teaching young adults why the choice they have made is illegal, the risks and repercussions that come with underage alcohol abuse and new skills to avoid a repeat performance. MIP classes are also a proactive way of handling a drinking problem in a youth that hasn’t been caught up in the legal system yet.

The easiest way to fulfill a court mandated MIP class is to take it online. This is becoming an increasingly popular way of taking the course because it allows the student to go at his or her own pace and schedule. A minor in possession class can be taken online from any computer device that is connected to the web. There is nothing to download or print out, so the client can be sitting at home, at the library, a coffee house or even a friend’s house. Classes are available in 8, 12, 16 and 24 hour increments, or can also be tailored to your particular needs. Simply start with an 8-hour MIP class, or choose the length the court has mandated and upon registering the class becomes immediately available to you on your computer screen.

Busy parents really like this method of education for their adolescents because they don’t need to miss work to drive their child to a traditional classroom across town. It can all be done in the home either independently or sitting together with your child. Online classes give you complete privacy so they take away the stigma or embarrassment involved for your teenager to have to attend a public classroom setting. Parents also find that when sitting at home, the relaxed environment will create an atmosphere in which your child opens up to you.

According to the first national survey from researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health and the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, the following are the top 10 most consumed brands for underage youth:

1) Bud Light 27.9%

2) Smirnoff Malt Beverages 17%

3) Budweiser 14.6%

4) Smirnoff Vodkas 12.7%

5) Coors Light 12.7%

6) Jack Daniel’s Bourbons 11.4%

7) Corona Extra 11.3%

8) Mike’s 10.8%

9) Captain Morgan Rums 10.4%

10) Absolut Vodkas 10.1%

Take immediate action if your child has been drinking any of these beverages and enroll him or her in an online MIP education class today!

The signs of drug use and abuse vary based on the individual and the type of substances they are using. If you are concerned about a family member or friend because you think they have a problem, look for the following top signs:

1) Mood swings.

People who are taking drugs will act differently depending upon if they are under the influence or not. When the person is off drugs he or she might become depressed, irritable, and stressed until they get their next fix. Or, while under the influence, a person can become talkative, elated and more outgoing even when it’s not socially acceptable to act in this manner.

2) Change in physical appearance.

Individuals who are under the influence of drugs often experience a change in appearance. Drugs like cocaine and meth might cause users to lose weight. Heroine users might look withdrawn, spaced out and emaciated. Bloodshot eyes, and pupils that are smaller or larger than usual are also signs of use.

3) Theft behavior.

Individuals who are addicted to drugs will often do anything it takes to get money to buy more. This includes robbery and other illegal crimes.

4) Change in social circle.

Teenagers will often leave their old grade school friends behind as they assimilate into a different peer group. Parents should be on high alert when a child becomes immersed in a new group of friends that are unfamiliar to them.

5) Secretive behavior.

Individuals who begin to lie, neglect their responsibilities or avoid explaining where they have been or what they are doing are displaying signs that something is amiss.

6) Increased anxiety.

Drug abusers often are fearful, paranoid or anxious with no apparent reason.

If you recognize any of these behaviors in your child, friend or spouse, it’s important to take action immediately. Many times, the drug user will be denial and will not be open to going to group meeting or attend one-on-one therapy. This is when drug awareness education classes online become extremely helpful. An 8-hour level 1 drug class can be taken online for self-improvement and educational purposes. This means that the client can stay in the safety and relaxed feeling of his own home to begin the process of overcoming drug use. Online classes give the student complete privacy and the freedom to take the classes whenever his or her schedule allows. There is nothing to print out or download, everything is 100% on the computer screen in front of you and can be accessed from any computer device that is connected to the web. An Ipad, PC or laptop will all work great.

Online drug classes teach students about the risk factors and health risks of alcohol and drug use and how this substance abuse not only hurts themselves, but everyone around them. Classes get very specific about how users are negatively impacting their brain, central nervous system and entire body. The goal is to educate students on new techniques and skills to use to stop this behavior and prevent relapse.

Online drug classes are a convenient, affordable and effective way to begin the education and discussion with your loved one. Classes are easy to take and will lead the user back to a healthier and happier lifestyle.

If you are thinking about taking an alcohol and drug awareness class, you probably already suspect that you may have a problem with substance abuse. An alcohol and drug awareness class can give you insight into whether you have substance abuse problems and teach you ways to redirect or overcome this behavior. Learning new information about how these substances can ruin your life will help you to either moderate or stop the habit.

Many people, however, have certain reservations about taking a drug and alcohol awareness class, and their hesitation is completely understandable. Most busy people only have a limited amount of time for classes and other activities, while others may not feel comfortable interacting with other students in the class. Some people are just naturally shy and may be concerned that the personal nature of this type of class would require them to reveal details about their personal lives that they are not comfortable sharing with strangers. If you feel as if taking a drug and alcohol awareness class could possibly involve intrusions into your personal privacy, you should consider taking one online.

Online classes are becoming widespread in our society and are even becoming the norm in many educational venues. The benefits of them include allowing the participant to schedule class time around work and family obligations and to learn at his or her own pace. An added benefit for those taking online drug and alcohol awareness classes is that taking the course from the privacy of your own home will decrease the chances that you will feel self conscious or that your privacy is being violated by being asked to share your story. In fact, you're more likely to get more out of an online class than a similar course held in a traditional classroom setting because you'll be more at ease and won't feel as if anyone is judging you.

Taking an online course will also allow you to more completely focus on areas that have significance to you rather than simply going at a pace set by the instructor. For instance, you may have little or no experience with recreational drugs such as cocaine and therefore no need to explore whether you have a substance abuse issue specific to that particular drug. However, you may be worried that your alcohol use is becoming something that you think is getting out of hand. An online course will allow you to more fully explore whether you may be developing a substantial problem with any given substance.

Most importantly, taking a drug and alcohol class online will allow you to login and out during your own time rather than at a time set by someone else. This will mean that you'll be rested; refreshed and ready to learn when you sit down at your own computer to participate in the class. Because you won't feel stressed due to trying to cram the class into your busy schedule, you'll get much more value out of it. Online alcohol and drug classes give you the control over your learning that will most benefit you!

Are you in a marriage in which either you or your spouse drinks too much alcohol? Have you questioned whether you could be considered an alcoholic? If so, it’s time to take action not only for the person’s physical health but also for the health of your marriage. An upcoming May 2013 issue of the Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research journal concludes that the risk of divorce is especially high in couples where one partner drinks frequently. In fact, according to one study researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health “the risk of divorce is estimated to be tripled when the husband’s level of drinking is low and the wife’s drinking is heavy, compared with couples where both drink lightly”. The bottom line is that the more people drink, the higher the chances for divorce.

Couples who intend to marry should be cognizant of how much the other partner drinks. According to this study, if your spouse drinks heavily, you should encourage them to cut back or abstain if the goal is a lasting and strong marriage. Unfortunately, this topic can often be difficult to approach because the heavy drinker is in denial about his/her drinking habits. A high quality tool to use in this situation is an online alcohol awareness class.

Online classes are an educational approach to adjusting a person’s behavior. They are highly beneficial for busy couples because they can be taken from any Internet based computer in the privacy of your own home. This alleviates any worry of “airing your dirty laundry” by being seen in a public classroom setting. It also takes away the argument that there’s no time to attend a course. Once you register for an online alcohol awareness course, it is immediately available to you on your computer screen. There is nothing to print out or download; it’s simply like reading through a non-fiction chapter book. The client scrolls through the information which is divided by topics and concludes with a final exam.

High quality online alcohol awareness classes are an interesting and informative way to learn about alcohol use, abuse and alcoholism. The program covers such main subjects as:

1) Risk factors for alcohol abuse

2) The affects of alcohol dependency on the others in the family

3) Short and long-term health risks

4) Skills and assistance to support overcoming alcohol problems

Spouses can sit together to learn and discuss the information and can take the course at their own pace. This gives the opportunity to talk about what the problems are, what is triggering them (stress, anxiety, anger?) and ways to resolve the issues to make the marriage a happier one. There is no pre-determined timeline. Clients can login and out of the class as often as they would like and the computer holds the last spot. It’s also possible to go back and review material until the class is officially completed.

Don’t let alcoholism contribute to the destruction of your marriage. Take an online alcohol awareness class to help learn the skills to get your relationship back on track.

Are you a social drinker? Can social drinking lead to alcoholism? At what point does drinking alcohol become too much? If you have thought about where you fall on the drinking spectrum you might be interested to know moderate drinking is generally defined as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two per day for men. For some people, drinking a glass of wine or a couple of beers each night after work is a social outlet that helps them to relax. However, you don’t have to drink alone to become an alcoholic. Someone who mainly drinks during social situations like birthdays, work parties, or with friends can also find himself becoming alcohol dependent. Individuals who are social drinkers usually don’t drink to become inebriated, but day after day use can create a tolerance in which the body begins to crave more.

One way to gain insight into your drinking behavior is to try to go to a party or out to dinner with friends and not drink. Or, try to go for a week or month without having any alcohol. Can you have fun around other people without using alcohol to help you relax or as a crutch to gain confidence?

If you’re wondering whether your social drinking has turned into something more complicated, ask yourself the following:

1) Do you use alcohol to cope with stress?

2) Do you get defensive if others show concern about your drinking habits?

3) Do you lie about how much you drink?

4) Has your tolerance to alcohol increased?

5) Do you ever feel guilty about your drinking?

The amount of alcohol it takes to cause health and emotional problems in one’s life differ from person to person. You may consider yourself a moderate drinker, but if it’s enough to worry you then taking an alcohol awareness class is a good place to start. Alcohol classes provide clients with information about alcohol, how it affects the brain and body, long-term health risks and how to determine if it is causing a problem in your life. Clients also learn skills to avoid using alcohol like stress management and improved communication skills.

For individuals who are looking for a completely private and self-paced way to learn this information, high quality alcohol and drug awareness classes are available to take online. These courses enable the client to learn the information in the comfort, quiet and privacy of their own home from any web-based computer device. This is a more relaxed approach to learning new skills because you don’t need to meet someone else’s schedule in a classroom across town. You can literally sit on your couch and take an 8-hour alcohol class on your Ipad. Many clients agree that this is a more effective and interesting way to learn because the material is completely current and you don’t have to waste time listening to other people’s stories or questions. It’s a completely individualized experience.

Clients can login and out of the class as many times as they want. The computer program holds your last spot, so there’s no need to worry if you need to leave and haven’t finished a chapter. You can access the class at any time of the day or night and from any WIFI location. This is particularly beneficial for people who travel for business. Online alcohol classes are the most cutting edge way to help you learn more about alcohol abuse and determine if it’s time for you to change your ways.