Alcohol is a mainstay in American culture. Prohibition didn’t work because Americans love their booze, and taking it away proved to be ineffective. For some of us, our love for booze became a little too much. It may have started in college or earlier, with tailgates and weekend benders. For others, happy hours with coworkers started becoming more frequent. In most cases, alcohol began to alienate us from what mattered, and before we knew it, we had no idea where it all went wrong.
Here Are a Few Signs to Look Out For
- Cravings for alcohol
- Consistently drinking more than intended
- Spending an excessive amount of time consuming, obtaining, and thinking about alcohol
- Extended hangovers and increased time recovering
- Continuing to drink despite relationship, physical, or work-related consequences
- Partaking in risky behaviors such as driving, unsafe sex, drinking to blackout or pass out
- Having to drink more to get the effect you want due to increased tolerance
- Developing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, such as shakiness, trouble sleeping, irritability, anxiety, sweating, restlessness, depression, or nausea.
Getting Help
If you have any of these symptoms, there is a cause for concern. The more symptoms a person has, the more serious the problem could be and treatment should be sought. Alcohol use disorder is typically diagnosed on a scale from mild to severe, and no matter where you are on the spectrum, it is never too late to get help. Sadly, less than 10 percent of people who need treatment, receive it.
The process of becoming dependent on alcohol is a sneaky one. Some people are surprised when they realize just how much alcohol has become a part of their lives. Once it has gotten even a little bit of a grip on you, it will only get worse. It never gets better—the disease will tell you it will, but it won’t. The sooner help is sought, the better chance of stopping the disease in its tracks, and the sooner you can recover.
If you think you might have a problem with alcohol or drugs, call The Lakehouse Recovery Center. There will never be a better time to get help, than right now. Give us a call, we are available 24/7, toll-free at (877) 762-3707. You can get well, and you can recover. Call now.