Problem Drinking Leads to Health Risks and Possible Alcoholism Signs
Alcoholism is a progressive debilitating disease with four main components:
· Loss of control – the inability to stop drinking once the person has started drinking
· Craving - a strong need or compulsion to drink
· Tolerance - the need to drink increasingly more amounts of alcohol in order to get a “buzz” or to get “high”
· Physical dependence – experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, the shakes, excessive sweating, or nausea after stopping drinking
Alcohol is a problem if it causes problems in any part of your life. This includes your finances, employment, relationships, health, or your life at home. You probably have a problem with alcohol if you keep trying to quit on your own but cannot, if you think about drinking throughout the day, or if you often drink more than you plan to.
The following represents some of the symptoms of alcoholism:
· Feeling a need or compulsion to drink
· Ordering doubles, gulping drinks, or becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel “normal” or to feel good.
· Irritability when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn’t available
· Losing interest in activities that used to be fun or interesting
· Drinking alone or in secret
The following list includes additional “signs” that alcohol is an issue in your life:
· Depression
· Being unusually suspicious
· Not taking care of yourself, especially your personal appearance and your hygiene
· Anxiety or becoming easily irritated
· Accidents at work, at home, or in your vehicle
· Poor work performance
It should be pointed out that alcohol dependency is not necessarily caused by an unhappy childhood, stress, relationship difficulties, or financial problems.
Alcoholism is a treatable brain disorder in which people lose their ability to control their use of alcohol. Fortunately, there have been notableadvancements in alcohol rehab in recent years.
For alcoholics, all the willpower and self resolve in the world typically does not help the person abstain from drinking. Stated differently, alcoholics are for the most part powerless to manage their drinking without assistance.
Many people seeking to end their alcohol dependence, and their family members, find that participating in support groups is a key part of coping with the disease, avoiding or dealing with relapses, and staying sober.
Do you need a drink the first thing in the morning? Do you need an increasing amount of alcohol before you start feeling its effects? If you feel that you have a drinking problem and if you feel guilty about your drinking and can’t seem to control how much you drink, make an appointment with your doctor so that he or she can evaluate your drinking circumstance.
Based on your healthcare provider’s evaluation of the severity of your problem, you may require alcohol therapy. Your alcohol treatment will commonly consist of several stages. If you have become alcohol addicted, rehab may include detoxification, taking doctor-prescribed medications to control your alcohol withdrawal symptoms, medications to help avoidan alcohol relapse, individual and/or group counseling, support, and outpatient follow-up treatment.
Alcoholism treatment is typically available in rehab hospitals, alcohol rehab centers or clinics, or in residential treatment facilities. Some of the more successful alcohol dependency programs also provide outpatient follow-up rehab that can last up to a year or longer.
Alcoholism is a disease that can be treated, but there is no current cure. Alcoholism is a serious problem that affects millions of American families. If you or someone you love has an alcohol problem, get professional rehab now.