Determining When You Need Alcohol Addiction Rehabilitation   by Ben Pate

in Health / Diseases and Conditions    (submitted 2012-01-23)

The alcohol treatment can be the result of your journey in discovering that you no longer can manage your drinking. The warning signs of problem drinking can be subtle at first and grow more overwhelming as your loss of control plays a bigger role in your life. Knowing the warning signs can help you ward off the risk of alcoholism and return you to a more balanced, healthful existence.

Are You Addicted

It may not be easy for you to define yourself as a problem drinker. You can be a high-functioning person with a demanding, rewarding job and still be unable to control your drinking. Your friends and family may drift away in hopes you will confront your drinking as your consumption becomes more of an issue and an aide to help you get through each day.

Signs

As part of a loss of connection to the outside world, you might notice you are spending more time at home drinking alone, maybe for hours at a time. You also may find yourself going to bars more often and drinking after work or other times of the day. During these drinking sessions, you can easily lose track of how much you have consumed, which is another sign that you may need treatment.

Why You Drink

You might drink for feelings of comfort, relaxation or peace. The drinks may give you the courage to go out and socialize but it also may take away your ability to go to the event if you drink in advance. You may decide to go to the event anyway, showing up drunk or becoming so shortly after arrival and black out any memories afterward.

The Toll

You may decide to undergo treatment if you experience depression and changes in your mood as you increase the amount you drink each day. For example, you might find yourself holding grudges against others or suffer feelings of guilt about past relationships. You can feel anxious about an inability to stop or control how many drinks you have each day.

Increased Need

You may begin to have cravings for alcohol at certain times of the day or begin to have physical reactions in times when you go without alcohol. This can develop into obsessive thoughts about obtaining liquor and keeping a supply on hand at all times. You also may carefully note when someone else drinks from your supply or you may not understand why others do not feel the need to drink as much as you do as a warning that you need help.

Family and Friends

Many friends and members of your family may choose to stay away from you as your drinking advances. There may be uncertainty of how safe it is to be around you or whether you will drive while intoxicated, putting yourself and others at risk. All of these issues may eventually lead to an intervention by your loved ones to prompt you to seek outside help. Get to a residential treatment program.

About the Author

When you finally decide to seek help through alcohol addiction rehab, a wave of relief may come over you. The residential treatment program type of help can give you a solid footing to begin life again and regain your health and connections with friends and family. You may soon learn how to get through your days without alcohol.