Every day, people around the world consume alcohol recreationally. They could be enjoying beers with friends, drinking a glass of wine after work, or taking shots at a bar. Drinking can be a fun and somewhat harmless activity, but only if it is done responsibly and in moderation.
Casual drinking can turn into abuse without an individual even realizing it. After all, the line between recreational drinking and over-drinking is very thin. But over time, someone may begin to rely on alcohol every day. That is where alcoholism or alcohol abuse syndrome begins.
Some alcoholics are considered “high-functioning,” which means they still maintain a job and stable relationships. When someone is in this stage, it may be hard to understand or admit that they have a problem. In order to get the help they need to live a happy and healthy life, those who are considered “alcoholics” should seek treatment as soon as possible. But how do you know if you’re an alcoholic?
Side Effects and Dangers of Alcoholism
If an alcoholic does not receive treatment, they may be at a higher risk for serious health issues. These conditions may include:
- Liver disease
- Pancreatitis
- Cancer
- Brain damage
- Memory loss
- High blood pressure
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
In order to prevent developing these serious health conditions and disorders, it’s important to recognize the signs of alcohol addiction and abuse.
Am I An Alcoholic? Signs That You Have An Alcohol Problem
Do you think that you may be an alcoholic? While the symptoms of alcoholism and alcohol abuse are different for everyone, there are some general signs of addiction that may help you recognize if you have a problem.
You might have a drinking problem if…..
- Drinking gets in the way of your happiness
- You have given up hobbies or activities you used to enjoy
- You regularly drink more than you plan to
- You have had legal or financial problems related to drinking
- You need alcohol to feel relaxed or confident
- You’ve tried to quit drinking but were unsuccessful
- You drink daily as soon as you get home from work
- You have had an urge for drinking or a craving for alcohol
- You have missed school or work due to drinking
- Drinking has caused you to lose friends and family members
- You have displayed risky behaviors while drinking
- You have gone on benders for days at a time
- Your doctor has suggested that you cut down on drinking
- You rarely feel intoxicated no matter how much you drink
- You get withdrawal symptoms when you don’t drink for a short period of time
Of course, displaying some of the signs above does not necessarily mean you’re an alcoholic. To receive an official diagnosis, talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing. They will be able to offer you treatment options that could benefit you in the present and future.
Ways To Treat Alcoholism
There are many treatment options that could help individuals with alcohol problems recover from their addiction. Primarily, those with alcohol addictions can enroll in an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program. Whether they will enroll in an inpatient or outpatient program depends on the severity of their addiction and their situation at home. Further treatment options for alcohol addiction include one-on-one therapy, support groups like AA, and more.
If you think that you or a loved one might be an alcoholic, contact our team of addiction and abuse specialists to explore your treatment options. Give us a call at 267.719.8689 to learn more.
