Warning Signs For Alcohol Abuse

"Everything in moderation," the saying goes. That saying has often been related to the consumption of alcohol, but what exactly is moderation? It can be difficult to see if your drinking has become problematic, so here are some signs that could mean it is time to seek treatment for your drinking problem.

2 Day Hangover

Did you drink enough over the weekend to leave you with a hangover that lasts more than a day? This is a very strong sign that your drinking has entered "binge drinking" status.

Drinking Cheaper Alcohol to Afford More of It

This may seem like an obvious sign, but many people do not even realize they are doing this at the time, and simply see it as a way of saving money, not that they are stocking up for a lot of alcohol.

Drinking to Handle Situations

Have you ever been scheduled to be in a certain situation at a certain time, and drank alcohol to prepare for that event? Whether you believe it is harmless, self-medicating, or just a bracer, that "needing" is a sure sign of a possible alcohol abuse problem.

Have You Been Abusing Alcohol, and Are Seeking Treatment?

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Alcohol Abuse Treatment

The use of alcohol is very widespread, and therefore people see it as safe. But the truth is that alcohol abuse is one of the biggest problems facing American society, with over 25,000 alcohol related deaths every year. That figure does not include people dying as a result of an accident while drunk, or alcohol induced homicide.

Regular drinking is not considered to be a problem, as long as it is kept within the levels recommended by the Government. However, there are at least 12 million alcoholics in the US, who are physically and emotionally dependent on alcohol. The number may be even higher than this, as alcoholism often goes unnoticed for a long time, since the more obvious side effects can take some time to manifest.

A person is considered to have an alcohol addiction if their relationship with alcohol is having a detrimental impact on their everyday lives, their health or their psychological wellness. For instance, if a person will only go out with their friends if they are going somewhere which serves alcohol, it may be a sign that they have a dependency on drink. Or the person may be unusually irritable or suffering mood swings.

Once the addiction really takes hold, the problem becomes more easy to spot. A person may lose interest in anything other than drinking, and there may be noticeable physical effects such as weight loss or tremors. At this stage, getting professional help is a must.

Alcohol abuse treatment can be a long process. The withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant, which can make the treatment program difficult to stick to. In the most serious cases, medication will be required to relieve the withdrawal side effects. A person may need continued support for many months, or even years, as the impact on the brain is so strong that relapses can occur even after several years.

Alcoholism Could Be The End Of It All

Some people drink moderately or only in social settings, but sometimes, it can all get out of hand. Most people who cross the line to alcoholism don't even know that they have done so. Those who have problems coping with negativity are the ones that are coasting dangerous waters. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are often present genetically in families or certain racial groups.

Many often find solace in alcohol due to mental health ailments. Those who suffer from anxiety, depression or even bipolar disorder are often affected deeply by alcohol. Most people will often head straight to denial and refuse to accept that they suffer from alcoholism. However, if you or a loved one exhibits any of the signs below, you could be at risk.

You could have a drinking problem if:

- You feel any form of guilt after drinking
- Try to hide your drinking habits from people you are close to
-Need a certain amount of alcohol in order to feel at ease
- Drink more than you normally allow yourself to
- People start to show concern towards your drinking habits
- You often forget what you did when you were out drinking

It is not easy to deny that those who suffer from drinking problems will also suffer from health ailments such as heart problems, cancer, and even liver damage. What most alcoholics often overlook is the fact that their health may not be the only thing at risk. Alcoholics often get divorced, experience poverty, destroy all personal relationships and may even turn abusive towards family members.

The most important thing alcoholics can do is to check into an alcohol abuse treatment center. Alcoholics need a wide network of people who care about their well-being. No one can deny that the journey away from alcohol is not easy, but when someone with a drinking problem gets help, the effects can only be positive in the future.

Working With An Alcohol Abuse Issue

If you'd like to learn a little bit about alcoholism, then you've come to the right place. There are many signs that you can see in someone with an alcohol problem. If you or someone you know is dealing with alcohol abuse, then now is the time to seek out help.

You can tell if you're an alcoholic if you can't imagine doing certain things without having a few drinks in you. Even if you just have a glass of wine two or three times a night, you may be dealing with an alcohol problem. Just see if you're able to make it through things without a drink. If you find that it's a crutch you use because it helps you mingle with people, then know that there are medications that are safer than alcohol that can help you with these underlying problems you may be self medicating to get rid of.

Look at your monthly budget to see if you have to have a lot of money set aside to get the drinks you need. If you find that a good portion of your income goes towards getting drunk or paying for bar tabs, you may want to talk to a doctor about what you can do to quit drinking. Stopping drinking all at once is a very dangerous thing. It's one of the few withdrawals that can kill you, so go check into a hospital if you don't have a doctor and wish to detox from alcohol.

It shouldn't be hard to figure out now if you have a problem and need treatment. It's not easy to admit to yourself that you're dealing with alcoholism in any way, but once you can tell yourself that you need help you should get it right away.