Did you know that over 15 million people have alcoholism? Because of how easy it is to access this drug, many people take for granted how dangerous it can be. Developing this disease takes very little time and can be deadly for those who reach the chronic stages of alcoholism. If you’re wondering if you or a loved one has a problem with alcohol, it’s crucial to learn the signs of alcoholism. Below are five of the most common signs that might indicate the need for substance abuse treatment.
Inability to Cut Back on Drinking
Have you ever found yourself saying “I’ll just have one tonight,” and then ended up drinking way more than you planned? Does this happen to you on a regular basis? One of the most prevalent signs of alcoholism is wanting to slow down or stop drinking, but not being able to. Those who have been struggling with the disease for a while often continue drinking even when alcohol begins to cause negative consequences.
The reasons you can’t stop are generally both physical and psychological. Your body depends on the alcohol to feel normal, and your brain tells you that you won’t feel okay without another drink. Breaking this cycle requires both alcohol detox and rehab.
Isolating From Friends or Family
You may not notice that you’re doing this at first. It can start with preferring to drink at home so people don’t see how much you’re having each night. Eventually, you get to the point where you’re avoiding friends and family members who express concern about your alcohol consumption. This lends itself to both denial and depression.
Alcoholism can take you away from those you love. If you’re starting to recognize a pattern in yourself, let them help instead of pushing them away.
Increased Tolerance
When you drink or use drugs, your body eventually gets used to the amount of the substance you’re giving it. It starts to recognize this as your new normal. As a result, you begin to need more in order to experience the same buzz you did the first time you drank. This happens in a recurring cycle, causing you to constantly need to drink more in order to feel okay. As your tolerance increases, so do your health risks. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can result in the following health problems:
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Brain damage
- Overdose
Each of these health concerns can be fatal.
Declining Performance at Work or School
Alcoholism can affect anyone, including straight-A students and dedicated employees. However, drinking can cause these students and employees to suddenly end up on a downhill slide. They may stop showing up to work as often or fail to turn in important assignments. Seeing a definite decline in performance is often a sign of alcoholism or drug use.
Trouble with Law Enforcement
When alcohol causes you to get in trouble with the law, whether it’s one time or repeatedly, it’s time to step back and take a look at what you’re doing. Public intoxication, DUI, or fighting while drunk are all examples of poor decision-making that can lead to trouble with the law or worse. This also ties in strongly with one of the other signs of alcoholism — not being able to quit or cut back, even when drinking is resulting in consequences in your life.
Help is Available at Woodlands Recovery Centers for Signs of Alcoholism
If you or a loved one is exhibiting any of the above signs of alcoholism, it’s time to seek help. At Woodlands Recovery Centers near Woodlands TX, you can begin your journey to a life of sobriety. We offer a variety of addiction treatment programs including:
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization programs
- Intensive outpatient treatment
To learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment options, give us a call today at 855-752-3377.
