If you have ever said, “ I’m an alcoholic ,” then you have already taken the first step. Once you recognize that drinking is a problem, you can begin the process of getting help. Becoming sober may be challenging at times, but there are people and addiction specialists available to help you along the way.
How Do I Know If I’m an Alcoholic?
Since drinking occurs at many social events and celebrations, it can be difficult to tell when it becomes a problem. Most cases of alcoholism start with just social drinking. Before long, social drinking turns into alcohol abuse. Once the body and mind become dependent on alcohol, the individual has developed alcoholism. There are alcoholic tests around to help you decide if alcohol has become a problem.
The Signs of Alcoholism
While each person and addiction is different, there are a few signs that someone may be an alcoholic. Some of these signs include:
- Not being able to remember things after drinking
- Feeling depressed, guilty or ashamed about drinking
- Having an increasing tolerance for alcohol over time
- Going through withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is unavailable
- Regretting things that happened while drinking
- Being told by a doctor to drink less
- Feeling uncomfortable, anxious or upset when alcohol is not available
- Planning events or activities around drinking.
Over time, individuals develop a tolerance and dependency on alcohol. When this happens, their body essentially needs alcohol to feel normal. If the individual quits cold turkey, they may experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or shaking. Since withdrawal symptoms can be severe, it is always important to get professional treatment at an alcohol detox center.
Who Can Help If I’m an Alcoholic?
Once someone realizes that they have an addiction, the next step is to seek help. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. Because of this, it is important to go through detox at a treatment center. At a detox center, patients are medically supervised at all times.
When detox is finished, patients can go on to complete rehab and other treatments for their addiction. Holistic programs can help treat all aspects of an addiction and identify the root cause of alcohol abuse. With time, individuals can become sober and lead a healthier lifestyle.
The first step in any treatment program is to go through detox. You have to safely remove alcohol from your body and end the physical dependency before you can start rehab. To start detox and prepare for your long-term recovery, call Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 866-294-5306.
