When alcohol consumption has become a problem or an addiction, finding an effective alcohol treatment program is important. Chances are if you’re the one that’s struggling with drinking, then you’ve probably tried to quit drinking on your own more than once.
You may have found some success for a short period of time, but sooner or later you started drinking again and it started to get out of control. Here at Into Action Recovery, we are committed to helping every person get free from alcohol addiction and go on to create the kind of life that they truly desire. We work at the core level of the disease of addiction, using evidence-based, effective resources, and tools.
Alcohol Addiction: How Does It Begin?
It’s not always easy to know exactly why or how alcohol addiction starts. Some people start drinking and find themselves addicted in a short time. Others may drink for years before they develop an addiction. Some experts assert that alcoholism is a disease of the brain. Essentially, this means that for some people, the way alcohol affects their brain is different. While one person may be able to have a couple of social drinks and stop drinking, someone with alcoholism may not be able to stop. It’s like their brain has trouble stopping the drinking, even when they consciously desire to and/or problems are occurring.
How Can I Tell If I’m Addicted To Alcohol?
We live in a society that promotes alcohol as if it’s the most necessary ingredient to have fun. There are plenty of commercials that portray people having a grand ole time while drinking. But what they don’t show you are those who have become addicted to alcohol and the pain associated with that for themselves and their loved ones.
You may wonder if you’re struggling with an addiction to alcohol. Or perhaps you wonder if a family member is addicted. According to the Canadian Center On Drug Use, at least 20% of the population in Canada drinks more than Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines. Of course, some are considered “over-drinkers”, while others fall into the category of having substance use disorder (SUD).
Note that people may differ on the way they drink or misuse alcohol. Some may be more of a binge drinker. This means they don’t drink for perhaps days or weeks and then “binge”. They may binge one night or go on a few days or longer “drinking bender”.
Others may drink every day or close to it. They may drink several drinks a day/night and still be able to function quite well with their job, family, and so on. Still, others may drink consistently much of the time. They may start drinking in the morning and continue throughout the day, perhaps passing out at night. All of these scenarios could involve alcohol addiction.
If you’re wondering if you have an addiction to alcohol, here are some signs and symptoms:
- You continue to use alcohol even though it’s causing you problems. These could be mild or severe problems. Examples may include missing days of work or school, losing a relationship due to your drinking habits, getting into law enforcement problems such as DWI, experiencing an injury due to being intoxicated, health problems, and more. The bottom line is your drinking isn’t doing you any good, and you admit it, yet you continue to drink.
- Your tolerance for alcohol has increased. Whereas you used to drink perhaps a few drinks to feel the effects that you want to feel, now you drink two, three, four, or five times more than that to feel the same effects. An increase in tolerance is a sign that you are over-drinking, and this can certainly lead to dependence and alcoholism.
- You experience blackouts, forgetting what you did while intoxicated.
- You’re not able to sleep very well and often use alcohol as a relaxer to help you fall asleep.
- Your diet has changed for the worse. You may not eat that much because you consume a lot of alcohol.
- You’re consumed with thinking about alcohol and the next time you’ll be able to drink or party with your friends.
- You isolate, so you can drink more.
- You lie to others about how much you drink. You might drink before a social event, just so others won’t know how much you’re drinking.
- You hide alcohol.
- You struggle with mood disorders like depression and perhaps anxiety and you’re using alcohol to try to cope with them.
- You think you should stop drinking, but you’re not sure you can, or you’ve tried and just have had a tough time doing so.
- You hate when people bring up to you your drinking habits. You might get angry and defensive and act out.
- You rely on alcohol to run, escape, or numb out to inner pain.
- You get up in the middle of the night to have a drink.
- You start drinking as soon as you wake up in the morning to calm withdrawal symptoms.
- You are experiencing health problems due to drinking and still continue to drink.
- You try so hard to only drink a few, but more often than not, you find yourself drunk.
How Dangerous Is Alcohol?
Alcohol is more dangerous than most people believe, largely due to the way the media markets it as a necessity for fun or relaxation. According to The Center For Disease And Control, drinking large amounts of alcohol over time can lead to plenty of health problems and chronic diseases. These may include:
- Addiction
- Liver disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Brain damage
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Cancer
How Alcohol Addiction Affects The Body
Alcohol affects the brain and the body. Typically, short-term effects include feeling drowsy, euphoric, relaxed, off-balance, and decreased coordination. However, the more you drink, the more effects you may feel.
On the severe end, you put your body at risk of alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal.
What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
When you want to stop drinking, the first thing you should know is that you may have to face withdrawal symptoms. This means that your body will try to balance itself out without alcohol, and can produce mild to severe symptoms that can be challenging to get through without support.
Note that going through alcohol detox should not be done on your own. Those who drink moderately or severely should reach out to recovery professionals to help them get through the detox process. Quitting cold turkey could send your body into shock and put you at risk of coma, seizures, and/or death.
The following are various alcohol withdrawal symptoms:
- Increase in anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Shaking
- Headache
- Stomach problems
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry heaves
- Tremors
- Increased blood pressure
- Sweating
- Trouble concentrating
- Confusion
- Fever
- Feeling agitated or restless
- Depression
On the severe end, about 5 percent of those experiencing withdrawal have:
- Delirium tremens, which may include hallucinations and/or delusions.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, rest assured that effective treatment is available. Sometimes you just have to reach out for help in order to get the expert help necessary to get free from alcohol addiction.
Fortunately, there are plenty of alcohol detox and rehab centers available to help you.
Here are some of the top advantages of going to an inpatient or outpatient treatment center:
Substance Abuse Professionals Know How To Help
When you attend an alcohol treatment center, there are substance abuse professionals there that know how to best assist you. Once you’ve gone through a detox process, you will be able to sit down and discuss your personal treatment plan. You will be treated with respect, educated, and be given ample time for counseling while you are there. Most likely you have some issues that underline your alcoholism that need to be addressed and worked through. You will be able to work through such while you are at the rehab.
You Can Take Time To Solely Focus On You
Sometimes it is difficult to really focus on your recovery when you are surrounded by family and friends, so getting away to a treatment center may do you a world of good. Many treatment centers are about 30 days in length, so this gives you a good amount of time to get a firm foundation in your recovery without a lot of stress or time constraints with family or work obligations.
You Get Educated
Many alcohol rehab centers will have staff that will educate you on the disease of addiction, which can really benefit you in the long run. If you simply try to stop drinking at home, you may relapse and get frustrated, but at a rehab, they will help you learn to identify your triggers and create a relapse prevention plan that will help you long term.
Make That Call Today
Here at Into Action Recovery, your quality of life matters. We’re here to help you get free from addiction and contend with any emotional or mental health issues you may be struggling with. We assure a safe and supportive environment where you feel seen, heard, and valued.
If you’re struggling with an addiction to alcohol, know that help is a phone call away. We are here to answer any questions or concerns you have. Follow the footsteps of other men who have gotten free and are now living beautiful, happy lives sober.