Drinking is ingrained in many different aspects of American. It’s common to see alcoholic beverages served at various sporting and social events. Enjoying a beer at a football game doesn’t make someone an alcoholic. However, if you follow up that beer with eight to ten more, that can be a sign of alcohol addiction. Education can help you figure out if your relationship with drinking is more about casual drinking or alcoholism. For more information, please contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today at 866.294.5306.
What Is Problem Drinking?
It’s not easy for many people to figure out if they have an alcohol addiction. Someone who drinks a lot may see themselves as merely being social. Someone who may rarely drink but consume large quantities when they do may have a hard time telling if their situation is more about binge drinking or alcoholism.
People drink to relieve stress in a situation, make themselves feel more comfortable, or make themselves feel better. Crossing the line between casual drinking vs. alcoholism can lead to issues like:
- Developing a physical and psychological addiction to alcohol
- Issues with your lungs, liver, and nervous system
- Problems with memory and coordination
- Congenital disabilities in fetuses
If you have trouble controlling your drinking, it could lead to situations where you put your life or someone else’s at risk. There’s no age limit when it comes to developing an alcohol addiction. For that reason, parents should talk with their kids about the consequences of too much drinking.
Signs of Unhealthy Drinking Habits
Signs that you may have unhealthy drinking habits include:
- Constantly having episodes of uncontrolled drinking
- Getting behind the wheel after consuming large quantities of alcohol
- Drinking until you are drunk
- Getting into trouble at home, school, or work because of your drinking
- Drinking to make yourself feel less sad
If you’re experiencing several of these signs, it may be time to seek treatment.
How Can I Recognize Problem Drinking?
If you think your drinking has become an issue, you may want to start by speaking with an addiction specialist. They can assess your situation and decide whether you might require alcohol addiction treatment. Even if your level of drinking doesn’t meet the standards of an alcohol use disorder, not changing your behavior could put you on the road to becoming an alcoholic.
Alcoholism involves having a chronic brain disorder that causes a person to lose control over how much they drink. Individuals find themselves unable to stop drinking even when they experience negative consequences. Signs that you can look for if you suspect you have an alcohol addiction may include:
- Behavior consumed by finding and drinking alcohol
- Constantly drinking more than you intended
- Experiencing cravings for alcohol
- Building up a tolerance to alcohol, meaning you have to drink more to feel the effects
- Having withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop drinking
However, an alcohol use disorder must be diagnosed by a qualified physician or mental health professional.
What Can I Do About Problem Drinking?
If you’ve grown concerned about your current level of drinking, you can try some self-help techniques to cut back on your alcohol consumption. Think about how much you want to drink before attending an event. Write it down if you need to so you have something to refer back to once you’re in the moment. You can also limit how much money you bring with you when going out so you can’t spend over a certain amount on alcohol.
Talk with friends and family about what you’re trying to do and ask for their support. They can encourage you to continue your progress when you’re tempted to go over your set limit. Work some alcohol-free days into your week to see how well you handle going without alcohol. If these tips don’t work, you may need more extensive alcohol addiction treatment.
Get Help at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida can help you learn to control your drinking. We have programs designed to help individuals deal with a variety of addiction issues.
Start gaining control over your drinking by contacting Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306, or contact us online.
