Alcohol is a drug that can be consumed responsibly and in moderation. However, for some people, alcohol consumption leads to frequent or heavy drinking that causes problems in their personal and professional lives.
Drinking too much has other serious consequences, such as memory blackouts and increased cancer risk. AUD affects nearly 12 million adult Americans every year.
Since the negative effects of alcohol can be so severe, it’s important to know when it’s time to get alcohol addiction treatment.
Read this article to learn more about why you should get help now rather than later if you suspect you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
Table of Contents
1. You Experience Negative Consequences From Drinking
Some people consume alcohol to calm their nerves or to cope with stress. Although it’s not a healthy coping mechanism, it’s understandable that people use alcohol in this way since it’s readily available and generally accepted in many social situations.
However, if drinking leads to serious problems in your social, work, or romantic relationships, you might need help to stop drinking or, even better yet, seek alcohol addiction treatment to help break the habit and stay sober.
2. You’re Constantly Craving Alcohol
Many people feel an urge to drink, but that doesn’t mean they have an AUD. However, if you’re craving alcohol constantly, especially when doing other activities, getting help is a good idea.
Cravings are often tied to anxiety and depression, which are common with AUD. The therapist you see for treatment can help you break the cycle of craving, depression, and anxiety. They can also help you identify the root cause of your cravings. The more you understand your cravings, the easier it’ll be to resist them.
3. Alcohol Consumption Leads to Substance Abuse
If you drink occasionally or only at home, you don’t have a drinking problem. However, you may have an AUD if you cannot stop drinking after a few drinks.
Alcohol dependence is characterized by physical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia when you don’t drink, withdrawal symptoms when you stop, and a persistent desire to drink despite being aware of the negative consequences.
If you’ve developed alcohol dependence, getting help as soon as possible is important. The longer you wait to seek help, the harder it’ll be to stop drinking.
4. You’ve Tried To Quit and Failed
Quitting alcohol can be difficult, especially since many drinks relieve stress or anxiety. So, if you’ve tried to stop drinking on your own and failed, you may need to see a therapist.
A therapist can help you deal with your issues and develop healthy coping skills, so you don’t need alcohol to get through life. They can also help you address the situations that lead you to drink so you can avoid them.
In Conclusion:
It’s no secret that alcohol has a tendency to make people feel good. That’s why it’s the third most popular drug in the world, after caffeine and tea. But for some people, drinking alcohol starts becoming an everyday thing.
And for those individuals who regularly drink alcohol to escape reality for a while, it might be time to seek professional help from alcohol addiction treatment.
Look for signs that indicate the need for alcohol addiction treatment programs listed above so you can feel confident you’re making that first step toward recovery.
