Staying aware of the harms and dangers of drugs and alcohol reminds people of what potentially fatal actions they causing to themselves and those around them. While many view it as recreational and a way of relaxing and having a good time, the potential repercussions far outweigh the fun. Taking an online drug and alcohol class is an excellent way to educate people that may not have the knowledge or understand what consequences their actions may cause.

Courts realize what these classes have to offer the people so many courts now order a person to attend an alcohol and drug awareness class as part of their punishment. People cited with public drunkenness, driving under the influence, and teens that have been caught with drugs or alcohol are just a few of the people that may find themselves in one of these classes due to a court order. Families may also come together and encourage an addict to enroll in one of these classes. Whether you have to take an alcohol and drug awareness class online to fulfill a court order or to appease some of your loved ones, it will help you to better understand what you're doing to your body, your life and how your behavior is affecting your family and friends.

While you may have the option of taking an alcohol and drug awareness class in your local community, that class time may not fit into your schedule. You may have work or school that conflicts with the class schedule offered in your town. While you may not have the time, you still have to take an alcohol and drug awareness class, especially if it is because of a court order. If you do not have time to attend one nearby, you can take an alcohol and drug awareness class online to fulfill court order. Taking the online class provides you with a variety of benefits that you may not have access to by taking it in a classroom.

One of the most obvious reasons for choosing to take an online course is the flexibility it offers to the students. You can complete the course little by little as you go throughout your business week. When you find a bit of downtime in your schedule, you can work on the class. When you take an alcohol and drug awareness class online to fulfill court order, you are able to do it at your own speed and on your own time.

Another benefit to doing the class online is the lack of distraction. Getting involved with a large group of people that are mandated by the court to take a class may lead to large hindrances. When you take the class online, you are able to focus all your energy into the course material. You will not be distracted by the people next to you in class. By having the ability to focus, you have a greater opportunity to learn from what the course material has to offer you.

Furthermore, taking an alcohol and drug class online provides you complete privacy. Not only will you not be distracted by others, you don’t have to worry about any embarrassment of sharing your story with others. If you are widely known in the community, you don’t have to be concerned with other people finding out you are working on this problem. Online classes keep the entire situation under the radar.

When you take an alcohol and drug awareness class online to fulfill a court order or appease your family or friends, do all you can to glean from what the material has to offer you. You may be aggravated that you have to take the course but will be surprised by all you will learn.

Alcoholism is one of the most difficult addictions to fight. Some people can have a drink once or twice a week without any further cravings; however, many people become dependent on alcohol and find it very hard to stop the behavior. With this addiction come myths about alcohol that are just as abundant as the substance itself. For those interested in going deeper into relevant information about alcohol’s affects on the body both mentally and physically, alcohol awareness classes are highly recommended.

Here are some widely touted rumors that are interesting to briefly discuss:

1. Taking an aspirin before drinking prevents hangover.

The hangover after a night of drinking can be horrendous. In a bid to prevent hangovers, many people believe that taking an aspirin prior to or while drinking alcohol can help put that feeling at bay. On the contrary, scientific research has established that aspirin actually increases the alcohol content that ends up in your system. In return, this makes you get drunk quicker and for longer.

2. Coffee will help you sober up.

This is a remedy that we’ve all seen in the movies. Yes, it has been proven that caffeine makes people more alert, but this alertness does not instantly sober you up. While studies show that caffeine improves reaction time in addition to increasing alertness, it does not completely counteract the effects of alcohol impairment. Depending on how much you weigh, it takes about 3 hours to eliminate the alcohol content of 2 drinks. Coffee or even cold showers do not speed this process up!

3. It takes more beer than other alcoholic beverages to get a person drunk.

This is untrue. A 12 ounce bottle of beer has the same alcohol content as a standard shot of 80 proof liquor or a 5 ounce glass of wine.

4. The best remedy for a hangover is getting up the next day and drinking a Bloody Mary or another alcoholic beverage.

This is arguably the best-known myth that is doing the rounds. Even though it is true that having a drink first thing in the morning delays the symptoms of a hangover, the truth is that this is only a short-term remedy. This is because once your alcohol content is back to normal, the symptoms may return possibly worse due to additional alcohol content.

5. Alcohol is a stimulant.

Alcohol is actually a depressant. It sedates the central nervous system and affects judgment, self-control and inhibitions. Because these behaviors are depressed, it might result in what appears to be excited behavior because you have less decorum.

Does any of this surprise you? Much of what we think we know about alcohol and drugs are inaccuracies that we hear from other people. There are many misconceptions that lead both adolescents and adults down this tenuous path. To learn the truths about the risks and repercussions of alcohol and drug abuse, it is important that we educate ourselves with accurate information. An interesting, convenient and factual way of doing this is to take an 8-hour alcohol and drug awareness class. The beauty of online classes is that they are completely private and secure. You will gain knowledge and skills to address use and abuse.

Many young adults are exposed to alcohol, tobacco and marijuana either in the home, at school or at parties by the time they are in middle school. These three substances are the most popular “gateway drugs”. A gateway drug is a drug that literally opens the door to the use of other harder drugs. They are generally easy to get a hold of from the parent’s liquor cabinet or from older friends, and are not too expensive. The theory is that sometimes adolescents will try one of these gateway drugs, become hooked and then crave something that gets them higher like methamphetamines, cocaine or heroine.

These readily available drugs seem harmless to young adults because they see their parents drinking alcohol and they are fine, or they don’t realize how addictive they can be. They attract non-users and get them started down a path that they should never have gone down. As parents, what can we do to help eradicate underage substance abuse?

Obvious steps can be taken like locking the liquor cabinet, but most importantly it is our responsibility to educate our children about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use. The earlier we start the conversation with our kids, the better. Most public schools across the country participate in Red Ribbon week which is a week devoted to publicizing the negative effects of alcohol and drug use and to get kids on board to just say “no”. By the fifth grade, many schools bring in a program sponsored by the police department. An officer dressed in uniform will come in and talk to students over a period of a few weeks about the risks of getting involved with drugs.

To supplement this discussion, a highly beneficial tool is to enroll adolescents in online drug and alcohol education classes. Online classes are of utmost importance for children who may be exposed to these drugs because a child that is unaware of the consequences surrounding these drugs is more prone to be open to trying them. It is a proactive approach to deal with the subject before it becomes an issue. It is much easier for teenagers to just say no if they are aware of the problems associated with these particular drugs. Hearing stories of DUI deaths, health problems associated with drug use and potential overdose may seem harsh at first, but research shows that this education helps deter kids from making that first choice to just try it once.

Online drug and alcohol classes will professionally and appropriately teach children and teenagers all about the risks of substance abuse, the path it can lead you down and the repercussions faced by many drug users. They are easy to take from any Internet based computer in the comfort of your own home. There is nothing to download, the child simply scrolls through the class, takes a multiple choice quiz at the end of each chapter and a final exam that encompasses all the material at the end of the course. Parents can sit with the child while they take the course to talk about any questions that arise. Instead of watching a child's life suffer at the hands of a youthful mistake, help prevent them from harming themselves. An 8 hour drug and alcohol education course is key to keeping your children safe and substance free!

Studies have shown that moderate amounts of red wine might actually be good for heart health. The antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols may aid in protecting the lining of the heart. Specifically, a polyphenol called resveratrol might help to prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce bad cholesterol and prevent blood clots from occurring. However, doctors agree that people should not start drinking alcohol as a method of reducing their risk of heart attack.

In a recent study published by the Journal of Circulation Research this past month, results suggest that the non-alcoholic version of red wine is even more beneficial. The study was performed on 67 men who were at a high risk for heart disease. Some drank 10 ounces of red wine, some 10 ounces of non-alcoholic red wine and some 3 ounces of gin every day for 4 weeks. Both types of red wine contained the same amount of polyphenols, however, the non-alcoholic red wine was found to be even more effective at decreasing blood pressure among these men. The conclusion was that 1 glass for women and 2 glasses of red wine with the alcohol removed for men, per day, could reduce cardiovascular events. The alcohol in red wine might actually be blocking the full potential of the antioxidants on the body.

This news might initially sound exciting for those who like the taste of red wine, but don’t want to consume the alcohol. However, alcohol and drug rehabilitation specialists agree that those who are trying to stay sober and abstain from alcohol should not begin to drink non-alcoholic red wine for these potential health benefits. First of all, beverages labeled “non-alcoholic” are not always entirely alcohol-free. By law, alcohol companies are allowed to include up to half a percent of alcohol by volume in “non-alcoholic” beverages. Secondly, the taste of the red wine might induce cravings for alcohol in those trying to stay sober. Moderate exercise for at least 140 minutes a week and following a healthy diet with reduced intake of salt and saturated fats is a much safer path to take.

In response to this news, many doctors and researchers are stressing that further more detailed studies need to be done to confirm the findings. Also, this research was only performed on a select group of men, what about women? Most importantly, it should be emphasized that alcoholism, including drinking too much red wine, causes cardiovascular disease. There is a fine line here and anyone with any inclination towards addiction, should not start drinking non-alcoholic red wine.

For individuals trying to reduce their alcohol intake or those interested in learning to completely abstain, taking alcohol awareness classes online is highly beneficial. Programs are available at the click of a button from any web-based computer in the privacy of your own home. Look for a high quality class that is designed by a licensed and practicing psychologist. Classes include information on the risks and repercussions of alcohol abuse both physically and psychologically. Proactive steps are given to stop the cycle and sustain sobriety. Also, be sure to find an online class in which you can also speak with a therapist for questions or concerns. Taking online classes are a positive way to regain a stable, healthy, and happy life.