How to Be aware of the Signs That You May Be an Alcoholic
Millions of Americans are afflicted by alcoholism and alcohol abuse. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, alcoholism is the country’s third-leading cause of death related to lifestyle choices. With 17.6 million, or one in twelve, U.S. adults suffering from addiction and dependence, alcohol tops all other addictive substances in terms of its negative impacts.
Alcoholics who could benefit from acquiring help, must identify their need first. Regrettably, many people mistake the signs of alcoholism as innocent behaviors because drinking is such a widespread activity. Here are some obvious signs that let you know you might be an alcoholic who requires expert support.
You Have Difficulty Managing Your Drinking
AION Recovery recognizes many different alcohol abuse symptoms that are related to drinking behaviors and your control over them. For instance, if you devote a lot of time to drinking, obtaining alcohol or recovering from side effects like hangovers, you could have a problem. In some extreme cases, you’ll find it difficult to drink less than you normally do or altogether fail to give up drinking when you try to stop.
You Experience Negative Physical and Mental Effects If You Don’t Drink
Alcoholics often go through withdrawal when they give up drinking. Signs and symptoms of such conditions can consist of shaking, sweating and feelings of nausea. You may also deal with challenges like uneven heartbeats, hallucinations or even seizures. Some people face mental symptoms, like anxiety, distraction, mood swings, nightmares or depression.
Withdrawal occurs when you stop or dramatically cut back after you’ve been using alcohol for a prolonged period or in copious quantities. Although its onset and symptoms vary, most medical experts concur that withdrawal is related to alcohol abuse and not just mild drinking.
Your Alcohol Consumption Impacts Other Areas of Your Life
It’s important to remember that alcoholism exists along a spectrum. Drinking behaviors that don’t impact other people negatively may have impacts on you.
Not all indications of alcoholism are quite as evident as going through withdrawal or having difficulty quitting. Many individuals who display alcoholic behaviors normalize them because they seem socially appropriate.
Drinking Habits That Make Your Life More difficult
Some alcohol abusers take these practices further and enter damaging, self-perpetuating patterns. You may even stop going to work, drop out of class or quit trying to get along with others because you ‘d rather participate in activities where drinking is the key focus. The more you drink, the more difficult it is to break free of these habits.
You and a friend could both drink the same amount during a night out with each other, but you might find it more difficult to recover the next day, have trouble focusing on your work or get into scuffles with your significant other. Even though many various aspects can contribute to these kinds of scenarios, your consummation of alcohol most likely doesn’t help. If you continue to drink despite the understanding that alcohol doesn’t make you any better at resolving your problems, then you may be an alcohol abuser.
Risky Drinking
Another typical sign of alcoholism is when you validate using alcohol in harmful situations. The most obvious example of this is drinking and driving, but motor vehicles aren’t the only things that are incompatible with alcohol consumption.
Drinking while you’re swimming, participating in sports or executing other hazardous tasks is obviously a bad idea, but this doesn’t stop many alcoholics. Think about whether your emphasis on risky drinking is related to mere individual preference or a more extreme dependency.
Your Drinking Problems Keep Getting Worse
Abusing alcohol makes it far more difficult to take pleasure in drinking. The more your body becomes accustomed to consuming alcohol or any other drug, the more tolerance you’ll develop to that substance. In other words, you won’t be able to get the same sensation or effects from drinking unless you raise the amount that you drink.
Although it’s typical to get used to any new experience or substance, developing a heightened tolerance is a common indicator of alcoholism. Your high tolerance doesn’t make you immune to the ill effects of consumption, and as you drink more to get the same amount of pleasure, you’ll suffer worse negative consequences.
You Crave Alcohol
If you find yourself constantly fighting cravings, then it’s a safe bet that you have an alcohol problem. Having to regularly take steps to avoid situations that may trigger you, remind yourself not to drink or sidetrack yourself from your urges are also signs of dependency.
Having a drinking issue doesn’t just mean that you struggle to quit or that you’re going through a full-blown withdrawal. Many alcoholics experience yearnings and strong urges to drink alcohol. These feelings may materialize seemingly at random or be of varying seriousness.
Specialists say that external and internal circumstances or events can trigger cravings. For instance, you may suddenly produce an externally triggered craving when you’re in a high-risk situation that you normally associate with drinking, such as a bar or party. Internal triggers often relate to your emotional state, stress level or sense of physical wellness.
What Can You Do?
These are just some signs of alcoholism, and each person’s journey is unique. Don’t be afraid to seek aid if you:
• Spend too much money on alcohol,
• Need to drink just to feel normal,
• Drink to the point where you hurt yourself or others,
• Make decisions that you regret while you’re drunk, or
• Have been told that you have a problem by a friend or loved one.
Dealing with alcoholism is nothing to be embarrassed of, but it’s up to you to make an adaptation and pursue a healthier lifestyle. Learn more by talking to one of our professionals or checking out our other blogs today.
Get Help You Can Trust
Here at AION Recovery we believe that everyone deserves a second chance at starting fresh. Every situation and individual addiction is different. Call us today to talk about your futures potential at 888-811-2879.
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