Arresting the 7 Thieves of Alcohol: Secure, Defend, Progress

Some people lose so much in life through excessive alcohol consumption. The intention is to conscientise the reader on the thieves that may be lurking at the bottom of a heavy drinker's glass.

Contents

Preface

Thief 1: Steals Your Self-Esteem

Thief 2: Steals Your Productivity

Thief 3: Steals Your Financial Well-Being

Thief 4: Steals Your Social Aptitude

Thief 5: Steals Your Intimate Relationships

Thief 6: Steals Your Physical and Mental Health

Thief 7: Steals Your 'Best You'

Arresting the Thieves

ADDENDUM: Arresting the Thieves for Teenagers and Young Adults

The Purpose of this Book

Appropriate alcohol consumption is not just about discipline, but also about awareness. The purpose of this book is not primarily to stop someone from drinking alcohol, but to help develop a drinking conscience to arm the reader with an ability to identify and mitigate how excessive alcohol consumption may be stealing 'the best you' that you, a partner, a child, a relative, a student, a coworker, or a patient have to offer the world.

Writing this book has been in my heart for over 10 years now. I have procrastinated, got too busy, changed focus, started, and stopped up until now. The ultimate push to see this book to completion came when I asked a friend to proofread the chapter 'Thief 1: Steals Your Self-Esteem' because that is actually the first chapter I wrote. After reading it, she immediately opened her purse and handed me a $10 note saying 'I am paying up-front for my copy when you finish writing this book'. Thank you for making me understand the book's potential power to impact lives positively.

Alcohol consumption is not only legal in most nations, but it also can bring a variety of pleasurable effects, such as relaxation, euphoria, and increased sociability. These effects can be attributed to alcohol's ability to affect the brain's neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine, which is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.

While drinking in moderation is generally considered acceptable, the unfortunate reality is that some people may abuse alcohol and develop an addiction. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic and often progressive pattern of alcohol consumption that leads to significant impairment in daily functioning and negative consequences. AUD is characterized by a strong craving for alcohol, difficulty controlling alcohol intake, and continued alcohol use despite negative consequences. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism both fall into the AUD category and can lead to serious consequences. Although both come with risks, there are some key differences between alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

It is my wish to impact as many lives as possible that are affected or have the potential to be affected by their excessive consumption, or that of their partner, their child, friend, relative, student, patient, or community members. Arresting the 7 Thieves of Alcohol starts with someone knowing what they are up against. - Tatez Chiweshe