Alcohol addiction is a severe condition that can have devastating consequences. It is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide and can lead to various mental and physical health problems. While it can affect people from all walks of life, alcohol dependency may start as early as one’s teenage years.
It is integral to recognize the signs when someone you know or care about begins to abuse alcohol. While various signs may signify this addiction, a few integral ones include severe dependence on alcohol, an increased tolerance, prioritizing drinks over other important responsibilities, disregarding any claims of addiction, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Besides physical ailments such as a lack of coordination and blurry eyes, this condition can severely harm your mental health. Read on further to understand how this disorder can negatively impact your lifestyle and bring life as you know it to a standstill.
What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism can be characterized as an intense desire to drink. Individuals suffering from this chronic condition experience a strong craving for drinks and are unable to control their drinking even after facing various negative consequences.
Simply put, it is a severe addiction that tends to affect your health and causes adverse effects on your mental well-being.
Why is it So Dangerous?
Excessive intake or binge drinking may increase your risk of developing various health issues. From short-term issues such as accidents due to drunken driving or alcohol poisoning to long-term health issues such as cancer and depression, this condition can lead to life-threatening diseases.
While you may not recognize the physical symptoms initially, you may soon become a victim of persistent headaches, nausea, blackouts and blurry vision. Your judgment may become impaired, and you may have trouble performing your daily activities. Over time, your body might become dependent on intoxicating drinks, which can severely affect your liver and brain’s functioning.
Read on further to learn more about this disorder’s dangers.
1. Inability to Stop Drinking
If you suffer from this condition, you may find yourself drinking continuously to function. Drinking regularly can alter the functioning of your liver and brain, and you may become severely dependent on alcoholic substances, i.e., you may find it hard to relax or enjoy life without sipping on a drink. People suffering from this condition cannot control their urges and are unable to put down their drinks. Not being able to control the duration, the amount of alcohol, and the frequency of your drinking sessions is a major symptom of dependency.
If you feel like having a drink quite often, or you consume alcoholic drinks at an improper time or place, you may be suffering from this condition.
2. Drinking Becomes a Priority
Prioritizing drinking over your routine activities and avoiding responsibilities is a major symptom of this disorder. You may begin to prefer drinking over your duties and obligations (such as work or personal relationships). Alcoholism is a condition that develops over time. Even though you may be partaking in casual drinking, it may soon become dependence and addiction. Once you begin drinking regularly, your body becomes dependent on the substance to release the neurotransmitters, thereby inhibiting the natural release of said neurotransmitters. So you may place your drinking sessions over your family, children, or job. Giving precedence to drinks due to the intoxicating sensation and denying or avoiding any negative consequences indicates an intense drinking problem.
3. Having Increased Tolerance
Increased tolerance is a sign of excessive alcohol use. You may have noticed that the effects differ from person to person. While one person may feel intoxicated after just a few drinks, the other may remain sober even after innumerable drinks.
Experiencing diminished effects even after heavy consumption is known as having an increased tolerance. Since your body can process alcohol more efficiently, you may need to drink more to experience the effects of alcoholic drinks. A high tolerance level is hazardous as it can negatively affect your physical and mental health.
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4. Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms
Individuals with severe dependence may experience withdrawal symptoms if they reduce their consumption or intake. While these symptoms can range from mild to severe, the most common symptoms may include tremors, anxiety, a rapid heartbeat, insomnia, incessant sweating, depression, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, these symptoms can turn life-threatening and may require immediate medical assistance.
You are more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if you partake in regular heavy drinking. When you suddenly reduce your intake, your body needs time to adjust to functioning without the effects of alcohol. This period may be challenging as your body may have become highly dependent and may struggle to adapt to its absence.
5. Disregarding Everyday Responsibilities
One of the most common and dangerous effects of alcohol addiction is the tendency to disregard everyday responsibilities in favor of consumption. When you become addicted, your primary focus may become obtaining and consuming the substance, often at the expense of your duties and obligations. This can lead to various problems, such as latency in work, relationship issues, and financial instability. Such an addiction may impair your decision-making abilities, worsening your prioritization abilities. As a result, you may neglect your family, friends, and work.
6. Being in Denial or Hiding Alcohol
If you are in denial about your drinking habits or are hiding the beverages, you may be refusing to acknowledge the negative effects that it is having on your life. You may downplay the number of drinks you consume, deny the problems caused by the addiction or simply hide your consumption from others. This behavior can be triggered by multiple factors, such as shame, guilt, fear, or a desire to avoid confrontation.
Being in denial about your condition can prevent you from seeking help. It can also thwart any supportive actions taken by your family or friends. As a result, you may continue to abuse alcohol, even as your health and relationships suffer. You may face several negative consequences, such as severe health problems, or other legal consequences, such as drunken driving or public intoxication.
How to Treat It
Treatment for this addiction can involve a combination of therapy, medication, and support groups. While treatments for individuals differ based on their medical history, let’s look at some common forms of treatment for people diagnosed with these disorders.
- Detoxification — Also known as detox, it is the process through which the body rids itself of all the toxins that may be present in your system. Although rigorous, detoxification is the first step in curbing this disorder. It helps mitigate withdrawal symptoms and prepares the individual for further treatment. The process commonly involves stopping the consumption of any alcoholic substance while under a specialist’s supervision. The duration of this process may depend on your level of dependence and various other factors. Never forget that detoxification must always be performed under medical supervision.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy — CBT can be effective as it may help you recognize your negative thought patterns and promote healthier thinking concerning intoxicating substances. This process generally involves opening up to your therapist about your thoughts and feelings to gain a deeper understanding of your beliefs. Your therapist may help you set up strategies and skills for managing your underlying issues, such as depression or trauma contributing to your alcohol abuse.
- Support Groups — Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to open up about their issues. You can share your challenges or feelings with people in similar situations. This mutual support can provide immense encouragement and help you remain positive throughout your journey to recovery.
When to Seek Help
If you’re battling alcohol addiction, it is integral to recognize the symptoms and seek medical intervention. This condition can have serious health and social implications if left untreated. Some signs that may indicate that you need help are:
- Inability to stop drinking even after trying to cut back your intake.
- The emergence of relationship and work problems due to your drinking habits.
- You have an increased tolerance and drink more to feel the effects.
- You feel depressed and prioritize drinking over everything else.
If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these signs, seek immediate assistance from your health care provider.
Get Started With a Trusted Therapist on DocVita Today
Alcohol abuse disorder is a chronic condition that requires consistent support and treatment. Taking care of yourself and seeking help from a trusted health care provider is important. They can help you assess your situation and design a plan per your needs. DocVita is a host to various providers who can help you on your journey to betterment. Book yourself a call with a qualified therapist at DocVita today!