Recognizing when you or a loved one has developed alcoholism can be confusing as there are mixed messages about what constitutes alcoholism in the media and in society. Those who believe in sobriety might fear any alcohol use at all, while those who defend the use of alcohol may excuse addictive behavior. Alcohol use is so prevalent that it is common to be desensitized to the very real physical, mental and social threats of alcoholism, but fortunately, substance abuse professionals have compiled a list of signs and symptoms so you can know when to seek treatment for yourself or a loved one in the fight against alcoholism. These signs include:

• Drinking in order to destress, to cope with a problem or to relax. Alcoholics often don’t feel normal unless they are drinking.
• Being unable to give up or limit alcohol consumption, even if the alcoholic is aware it is having a negative impact on their life
• Building a physical tolerance to the effects of alcohol and in turn consuming more of it, which is especially recognizable if the addicts level of consumption has noticeably increased.
• Being prone to black outs, or experiencing memory loss of something that happened while intoxicated. Alcoholism can affect other memories as well, even if the alcoholic wasn’t intoxicated at the time.
• Withdrawal symptoms take place when the alcoholic does not drink or limits the amount they drink; symptoms may include anxiety, depression, shaking, sweating, nausea and more
• Drinking becomes ritualistic and the alcoholic turns irritable toward anything that inhibits the ritual. Alcoholic will also become irritable if alcohol isn’t available.
• Encounters with the law have taken place as a result of inebriation, such as DUIs or disorderly conduct
• Work performace, school performance, finances, personal relationships and/or life obligatons are failing due to alcoholism, often paired with the reprioritizing of activities to place alcohol above all other matters
• Alcoholic is observed drinking alone, trying to hide their habit, or keeping alcohol hidden in their working or living space

The effects of alcoholism can be devastating, and you do not have to go through it alone. There are a variety of alcohol addiction treatment facilities that are able to house, counsel and rehabilitate addicts, restoring them to a healthy lifestyle. Contact a reputable rehabilitation center to learn more about treatment for alcoholism.

Rehabilitation for Alcoholism

You’ve read the articles, you know the warning signs, and you have come to the realization that you are an alcoholic. What comes next? First of all, congratulations on beating denial, one of the hardest stages for an addict to move out of. It is not uncommon for an alcoholic to go years without seeking treatment because they are either unaware of the problem or they don’t want to admit it to themselves or loved ones.

Now that you have confronted the truth, it is time to reach out for help. You will discover a variety of alcohol addiction rehabilitation treatment options, ranging from counseling to support groups, outpatient treatment to residential rehabilitation. Statistically speaking, residential rehabilitation, or inpatient addiction treatment, is the most successful and intensive. It involves the addict moving into the treatment center to be under surveillance as they begin their recovery, and submitting to the rules of the treatment center in order to maintain sobriety. Inpatient stays usually begin with a thorough, medically supervised detox to enure that you are in good health and thinking clearly about your recovery. Good quality alcohol addiction facilities will offer therapy sessions, counselling, group activities, therapeutic activities, meals, and after care, specializing in alcohol addiction. There are a range of inpatient treatment options located throughout the United States and Canada, such as rehab centers of CA, treatment facilities of NY and BC alcohol rehab and detox centers.

If inpatient treatment is not your preference, there are many other options available to you through outpatient treatment centers, support groups and addiction resource centers. Outpatient treatment centers can connect you with a specialist who will help you develop a recovery plan to execute in every avenue of your life. They can also provide you with counselling for your addiction and for underlying mental and medical issues, connect you with proper medical care for any side effects of alcoholism you are experiencing and help you obtain any medications you need in order to prevent a relapse. Support groups and sponsors are available to recovering addicts to keep the recovery network in tact, and involvement in spiritual groups are often encouraged to maintain sobriety. Whatever your preference may be, there is an alcohol addiction treatment program available for you.

What is Alcoholism?