Am I an alcoholic? If you’re asking yourself or loved ones this question, there’s a good chance that the issue has gone beyond casual drinking. How can you tell if you or someone you love is among the 17 million Americans who suffer from an alcohol problem? Thankfully, there are several signs and symptoms that you can notice sometimes early on.
Defining Alcoholism
If you have a problem controlling your alcohol intake, some people might say that you suffer from alcoholism. Scientists prefer the term alcohol use disorder because it more accurately conveys that there are stages to the condition. At one extreme, you have the individual who binge drinks occasionally. On the other, there’s the person who can’t function properly without drinking alcohol.
Both camps agree that alcoholism points toward an uncontrollable compulsion to drink. Withdrawal symptoms are the body’s way of telling you that you need to start drinking again. Your mind may compel you to drink by leading you to believe that you can’t function without the drug. You may also experience both conditions.
Am I an Alcoholic?
There’s a group of five questions that can help you determine whether you or your loved one fall into the category of having a problem with alcohol.
- Do certain situations make you drink heavily?
- Do you try to hide your alcohol consumption or the number of drinks you have from others?
- Are there mornings when you can’t remember everything that happened the night before?
- Have you experienced regret about something you did when you were drinking?
- Have friends, coworkers or family members expressed concern about your drinking habit?
As a bonus question, think back to the drinking habits of close relatives. Do others consider one or more of them to be alcoholics?
How to Get Alcohol Addiction Treatment
If you or your loved one’s alcoholism has become unmanageable, there’s good news. Drinking doesn’t have to define the rest of your life. Addiction treatment at Crest View Recovery Center makes it possible for someone struggling with a substance abuse problem to achieve lasting sobriety. We rely on reality therapy to offer program participants the opportunity to change their lifestyles.
Examples of treatments include:
- Rehab treatment that provides daily clinical care and living environments with others overcoming alcohol or drug abuse
- Development of life skills that help you get back on track if you’ve let daily living tasks slide during alcohol abuse
- Improvement of coping strategies that help you deal with stressors in a real-life setting
- Exploration of recreational activities that don’t include alcohol
When treatment modalities emphasize a comprehensive wellness program, you get the best chance at achieving lasting recovery. At Crest View Recovery Center, our caring staff will be there to help you every step of the way. Call us today at 866.327.2505 to take the first step to sobriety.
Start by asking yourself, “Am I an alcoholic?” If the answered yes, it’s time to get help. Call Crest View Recovery Center today at 866.327.2505 to take the first step to sobriety.
