Do you know someone with an intense desire to consume alcohol beyond his or her capacity to control it, regardless of the rules of common sense? If so, it is possible he or she may be suffering from alcoholism. This illness can completely ruin an individual’s life if not handled with serious caution.
People who abuse alcohol generally may not display symptom characteristics in an obvious way, but they may still have a significant drinking problem. An alcoholic, on the other hand, generally refers to a person that suffers from alcoholism and is seriously dependent on alcohol. The alcoholic individual often feels the need to have at least one drink every day, and they may find that they need to increase how much they drink in order to experience the same effect. People with alcoholism are also more likely to have withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking, and often they want to quit drinking alcohol and/or try to do so, but find that they can’t.
What are the Signs of Alcoholism?
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are serious issues with potentially fatal consequences. Side effects and withdrawal symptoms include:
- Drinking alone
- Inability to limit consumption of alcohol
- Losing interest in hobbies/activities
- Blackouts or memory loss
- Recurrent arguments or fights with family members or friends
- Problems with the law
- Irritability/mood swings/depression/anxiety
- Headaches/nausea
- Insomnia/irregular sleep patterns
- Diarrhea/vomiting blood
Alcohol abuse, dependence and alcoholism can be influenced by a number of factors including: genetics, the age of a person’s first alcoholic drink, accessibility of alcohol, stress levels, low self-esteem, peer pressure, and depression, to name a few. The good news is that there are a variety of treatment options available for those looking to overcome alcoholism or alcohol abuse. With proper treatment, about 70% of people with alcoholism are able to decrease the number of days they consume alcohol and improve their overall health status within six months. If you are worried about someone suffering from alcoholism, it is possible he or she might not even be aware of the problem. It is important to talk to your family member or friend one-on-one and let them know you care.
How Can You Help?
Choosing the right treatment program is an important and life-changing decision. Crossroads understands the significance of this process and offers a variety of successful treatment programs individualized to meet each person’s needs. Some of the available treatment options include residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, counseling, and detoxification.
We offer a full continuum of substance use and alcohol abuse treatment programs and provide help to address physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Your new life of healing, hope and recovery can start today. Read about some of our clients’ successes and contact us today to learn more about the admission process.
