-How does alcohol affect the brain in terms of the way it elicits anxiety or depression?  What most people don’t realize is that alcohol is a drug.  It is in a category of drugs called “depressants”.  What this does to someone who is already predisposed to depression is going to make them feel worse. While many use alcohol as a way to escape, it is really just a one way ticket to bringing on a whole other range of problems, including psychological ones.  

Alcohol can even affect heart rate, and can create the possibility of causing heart disease and other problems with our internal organs. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to pancreatic cancer, liver disease and eventually death.  This is mostly due to the strain and stress it puts on our internal organs to function normally.

The response to stress is different in each individual. Some people cope with stress better than others.  People with poor coping skills tend to use drugs and alcohol as a way to escape or retreat from their problems without having to actually deal with them head on.  Rather than processing an issue and taking personal responsibility, alcohol or drugs can temporarily “stuff” or mask problems, which gives the user the illusion that everything is fine.  The reality is, everything is not fine.  Until one faces their internal demons, problems don’t go away on their own.

Alcohol and drug users can benefit greatly by learning more effective stress management techniques.  These skills might include relaxation exercises or learning to get proper exercise. Other stress management skills could include improving ones diet, getting more rest, taking daily breaks, or learning some simple meditation techniques.  

Other skills that help improve stress are skills in communication and listening as well as empathy.  Most alcohol and drug users will say they have a hard time letting other people know how they are feeling and what is wrong.  Gaining skills in speaking more effectively can be a huge step.  

Many of these skills can be gained in an Online Drug Class or Alcohol Awareness Class. For those under 21 considering Minor in Possession Classes might be the wise choice.  These programs are educational in nature and can help the participant really understand the effect of alcohol and drugs and teach some useful strategies for dealing with them better.

Drug addiction is a disease like any other that needs to be controlled. In heavily populated cities such as New York and Chicago, drug addiction is common place. There are many people out there who are suffering because of various types of drug addictions that are slowly by slowly affecting them physiologically and psychologically. There is another group of people that are prone to drug addiction. All these people need to be catered to, by educating them. Are you a person who is affected with any drug problem? Do you need to put an end to your situation? Are you interested in educating yourself about drugs?  I am a firm believer in education about drugs in order to create awareness to help stop its adverse effects on people. A healthy nation is an educated nation and there are various ways that  people can be educated about drugs. Some of the ways include classes or online programs people can attend.  

Of all the modalities mentioned above, online drug education classes are the best way to teach people about drugs. There are people who might not understand this analogy. Let me just give you a brief example. Imagine you are a person who wants to enroll in a drug class and you live very far from one. What are you going to do? Skip classes because you live far or you will just attend? This is the reason why online drug classes are very important and easy to access. 

There are many reasons why online classes should be emphasized and encouraged for the people who want to be educated about drugs. I am going to talk about them shortly. This kind of education is also very important for the people who are drug addicts and want to find ways of stopping the bad habits. 
The first reason is that thse programs are convenient and often much more affordable then a traditional in person class. Online classes are always available, all you need to do is just to log into the internet and register yourself in a class that will suit you best. All the lessons that you are going to undertake will be at your convenience. It will save you the trouble of having to go all the way to a class physically to be taught. You won't have to lose out on other activities you may have scheduled either.

Apart from you having classes at your convenience, they are also cheaper than the other classes where you have to attend physically. Most online drug awareness classes do not go beyond 200 dollars.  So before you shrug your shoulders and make excuses why you can't enroll in an online drug education program, consider the alternative?  This classes will help improve your decision making because you will better understand the risks and downside that drugs can do to both the mind, body and spirit.

There is scientific evidence that shows that those who start drinking alcohol earlier are more likely to have serious alcohol problems in later life. Most of the social activists that are fighting against underage alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence feel that underage alcohol is a major threat to the nation. It is estimated that 40 percent of those who start drinking before the age of 15 become alcoholics at some time in life. 

Facts speak the truth. There are about 3 million kids in the age group of 14 to 17 years who are regular drinkers and have a diagnose alcohol issue. In a study 24 percent of children studying in the 8th grade said that they had consumed alcohol in the last 30 days, with states like California, New York, and Texas leading the pack. 

Alcohol awareness classes can help in ensuring that your children are aware of the harmful effects of alcohol. These classes are also helpful in bringing out the negative aspects of alcohol. In addition to that they help teenagers in fighting off the peer pressure that is often responsible for the first drink.

There are also some alcohol awareness classes that deal with those who already have issues with regards to alcohol consumption. It is therefore that the right alcohol awareness class is selected with care. Here are some of the aspects that you should consider. 

-    Are the counselors asking the right questions? Do they seem interested in understanding the specific case so that it can be handled in the right manner?
-    Do the counselors seem knowledgeable enough about the subject? Does it seem that they can inspire confidence among the children and teens that they shall be talking to?
-    Does the alcohol awareness class cover only the facts about alcohol or do they also discuss aspects such as relationships, effect on career and effect on the body in detail? Does the class also help in counseling those who may have started consuming alcohol recently or have trouble with the same?

In addition to the above you also need to understand whether the alcohol awareness class has an extended session to help those who need to give up alcohol dependence and the methods that are used for the same. 

Some people feel that it is fine if they are open with their children and allow them to drink with them at home. This is something that can backfire. Parents who try too hard to be buddies by allowing such behavior realize (and mostly too late) that their kids have already gotten into the habit of drinking too much. Counselors and researchers believe that a zero tolerance practice in such areas may be better.

Talking to your child and explaining the need to take alcohol awareness classes or a minor in possession class is a step that all parents need to take with their children. Hesitating at this stage is something that parents can pay for in the future. Open communication is an essential part of parenting a teen. It is also important that you try and look at life from their perspective. Remembering these aspects and enrolling in alcohol awareness classes can keep your children away from alcohol issues later in life too.