Alcohol And Drug Addiction Recovery - Harriet Hunter, Author Of Bestselling Book About Alcoholism Recovery, Miracles Of Recovery, Details Alcoholism And Covid Symptoms

    WILMINGTON, NC, June 17, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- We all know the far-reaching implications of COVID differ for many of us. For those, however, with alcohol use disorder, the impact on individuals and their families can be affected in ways not considered previously.

Plenty of folks new to alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) experience an even deeper isolation than that of COVID: personality changes, avoidance and lies, ‑‑ these are but a few of the milder complications, of symptoms that there may be more going on than a few drinks.

On March 22, 2022, Matt Stieb published an article in New York Magazine stating that alcohol killed more people under-65 than COVID in 2020. In a new study by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, researches sifted through death certificates to find that alcohol was the underlying, contributing cause of death. Here, 74,408 vs. the 74,075 deaths from COVID were attributed to alcohol related factors.

It is inevitable many of those experiencing AUD will become affected by one or more of the following symptoms:

Trouble breathing
Impaired Judgment
Headaches
Blackouts
Distorted vision and hearing
Slow reflexes
Words mismatched, slurred

More long-term effects considered dangerous: may cause irreversible damage leading to death:
Depression
Permanent brain damage
Psoriasis
Anxiety disorders

Neurological impairment
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Chronic pancreatitis
Hand Tremors
Compromised Immune System
High Blood Pressure
Sexual problems
Nerve damage
Vitamin B1 deficiency
Malnutrition
Gastritis
Alcohol Poisoning
Cancers of the mouth, throat, liver and more.

Non-medical side-effects of alcohol use disorder might be:
Legal Issues
Mental Health issues
Disruption with relationships in family, work friends;
Needing alcohol to function;
Making excuses/lies to allow for drinking;
The giving-up of social, professional or recreational activities because of the need to drink;
Isolation;
Cravings or obsessive thoughts;
Poor memory.

ALCOHOLISM SYMPTOMS: PROGRESSION AND WARNING SIGNS – MY STORY

I remember going to a doctor at age 19 because of drinking in my late teens. I walked into a lounge with friends, already drunk and with a couple more under my belt, and within the first hour there, blacked out and fell over a few chairs breaking my ribs. When the doctor asked what happened, and "how much did I drink?" I remember stating, "just a couple, was all," my excuse being that I had slept very little the night before and didn't eat dinner. At the time, my friends laughed thinking "you really did it this time," when in reality, it was never just about, "this time."

A typical night out on the town of drinking one or two drinks soon showed that I was a black-out drinker: in my case, losing 30 or so years of my life to alcohol and who, to date, cannot recall the end result of my nightly escapades: who I was with, where I had ended up or how I made it home on a particular night. I was a chronic alcoholic who had, from the very beginning, drank to drown the noise in my head that reminded with each move what a loser I was.

Toward the middle of my drinking career I began to isolate, making excuses to everyone why I needed to stay close to home. Of course I worked, that was part of my façade, only to come home, calculating on the way how much booze was there, how much more I needed for the night, the next day and always the weekend. The more isolated I became the sicker I became because when I think‑‑‑I drink!

Now, imagine those families who suffered from COVID, lost their jobs, confined to their homes. If a member or members had alcoholic tendencies to begin with, the hopelessness and high-anxiety brought by COVID, coupled with financial and job worries would be more than enough to send a weekly problem drinker into chronic alcoholism.

One of the main problems with long-term, chronic abuse, regardless of the amount one drinks, is that we don't "see" it. We have no idea the degree of damage being done to our brain and physical bodies. We have a disease of perception; the brain determines incorrectly replies, "this is just what I needed" and we drink more, as the obsession called the phenomenum of craving begins to change our thinking and behaviors. Inside our livers, heart and internal systems try to keep up with the assault of the poison of alcohol ascetate and other substances, but it cannot.

The full article is available at Hunter's website at https://harriethunter.org/alcohol-use-disorder-and-covid/

Featuring 365-daily inspirations. Miracles of Recovery was written not just for those addicted, but for the parents, the spouses - anyone touched by the disease, because addiction is absolutely a family affair. Using the foundation of 12-Step Recovery, Miracles of Recovery embraces holistic suggestions as a practical approach for those who must face life on life's terms, clean and sober. Encouraging and thought-provoking, Miracles of Recovery inspires with Universal Truths, "Because," Harriet says, "once we know better, we do better."

Substance abuse issues have been on the increase, primarily due to the overwhelming effects of a global pandemic. The National Institute of Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse mentioned in 2018 that 88,000 people die each year to alcohol-related deaths. They go on to say that globally, alcohol misuse was the fifth leading risk factor for premature death and disability in 2010. Now these statistics look even more dire with the onslaught of the Pandemic effect: premature death, isolation, job loss and so much more.

While there are many treatment approaches and programs, what is common to successful individuals who find themselves within a substance abuse program is the shared pain and the loneliness, often with an ongoing support system for the person battling the disease. That support system is what Harriet Hunter offers in "Miracles of Recovery: Daily Meditations of Hope, Courage and Faith."

Miracles of Recovery shows through personal examples how to achieve long-term sobriety by embracing new behavior and positive reinforcement, regardless of what happens in one's life. She offers a personal, sometimes raw reflection of the truth about addiction seldom seen elsewhere.

Tools necessary to maintain sobriety and change one's life through changing one's perspective are also proposed. Miracles of Recovery suggests that readers "Do life differently," through exercises, solutions, and methods to improve self-esteem, confidence, and embrace a profound sense of hope needed to succeed. The author spurs the reader to embrace the belief that, regardless of challenges life presents, "NOTHING can change the course of recovery when you keep yourself, your sobriety, and your Higher Power first in your life." In short, Miracles of Recovery offers hope where there is none through a simple program of actions for complicated people.

Hunter has received rave reviews for her work from readers and reviewers alike. Vernita Taylor of Readers Favorite stated, "Miracles of Recovery: Daily Meditations of Hope, Courage, and Faith by Harriet Hunter is a great choice if you're struggling with addiction because it offers a full year of inspiration and affirmations which I enjoyed. I see this book as a mentor or sponsor that is walking by your side and helping to lead you to a better, more improved you while teaching you how to deal with your stressors. The best teacher is someone who has been there and done that, and this book doesn't disappoint. The author knows first-hand what it takes and how it feels to be addicted. If you need help along your journey, pick up a copy of this book; it's highly recommended."

Anthony Capozzolli of Dismantled Life Podcast said, "Miracles of Recovery has been a feast for my recovering soul. Every page is filled with love and helpful insights that lead to discovery. I read each page by date and randomly turn to other pages for an additional spiritual hug when I need one. It's almost as if Harriet wrote her wonderful book for me. Page after page hits so close to home I often tear up from positive awareness and clarity of emotion."

Miracles of Recovery received the first place President's Award in nonfiction from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.

Since her walk into recovery in 1999, Harriet has had one primary purpose: to show others how they can find hope and achieve their miracles while staying sober with a vision and determination to never go backwards, one day at a time.

Using her experience strength and hope, Harriet strives to be a conduit of hope and encouragement to others in their addictions, by showing them what continues to work for others. With practical tools, principles and promises as found in A.A., and other 12-step programs, she mirrors examples of how anyone can be free from the bondage of self, regardless of their situation.

With each purchase of a personalized autograph copy of Miracles of Recovery from her website, Hunter provides a no-charge copy of her e-book, "Your Daily Reprieve; How To Maintain Long-Term Sobriety Serenely Just For Today" in PDF format.

Details are available at her website at https://www.harriethunter.org/jwap.

Harriet Hunter is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be contacted using the information below or by email at [email protected]. More information, including the journaling course, no-charge audios, e-books, handouts and other gifts can be found by visiting https://www.harriethunter.org.

About Harriet Hunter:

With over 22 years of sobriety, Harriet has worked with hundreds of women who suffer with alcoholism and drug addiction to help them find peace in active sobriety, and sponsors women both face-to-face and online. Readers can find her in the global recovery site, Intherooms.com, where she's been given her own room and brings Miracles to life each Sunday at 2:00 P.M. EST.

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