What Are The Warning Signs?
Knowing if you are an alcoholic or have a drinking problem can be difficult. Many people are in denial of the subject and it can often take a breakthrough or intervention to realise the extent of the issue.
We can look at some common traits people display when they suffer from an alcohol addiction, if these traits sound familiar, you may have a problem that needs addressing.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism
While the below signs and symptoms can reflect alternative conditions or issues, especially when considering mental health issues, it’s important to be vigilant. Someone around you could be living through denial yet display the symptoms of alcoholism.
When considering your own alcohol consumption, we urge you to reach out for support if you are encountering the below. You could unknowingly be misusing alcohol, with a high probability of alcoholism if uncontrolled.
- Inability to stop drinking
- Choosing to drink at inappropriate times
- Drinking alone or secret drinking
- Mood Swings
- Changing of appearance
- Black outs and memory loss
- Increased isolation from friends and family
- Increased anxiety, depression, or paranoia
- Blaming drink on other factors such as stress or money issues
- Avoidance of old interests or responsibilities
- The priority of alcohol consumption over relationships, your health, your normal way of life
If this resonates with you, if the common signs of alcoholism reflect your current behaviours, reach out for our support at Asana Lodge. We are addiction and mental health recovery specialists, here to guide you through withdrawal and recovery from alcoholism.
Understandably, it can be difficult to admit if you are experiencing common alcohol dependence symptoms. However, it is necessary to help you rehabilitate and withdraw from alcohol.
Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions experienced by many across the globe. Unfortunately, down to the normalisation of alcohol consumption, especially in the UK, many individuals believe that excessive consumption is ordinary, that it can be manageable, that it’s safe.
However excessive alcohol consumption can in fact be uncontrollable, hazardous and highly addictive; usually leading to an alcohol dependence.
Drinking Calculator Measurement
You can add put your details into our drinking calculator to gauge how much you drink and how much you should cut down on drinking.
The recommended guidelines are 14 units of alcohol per week. If you drink a lot more than this amount you could be at risk to a variety of health problems caused by alcohol abuse.
What is an Alcohol use Disorder?
Alcoholism, alcohol use disorder, an alcohol addiction all describes a very common yet dangerous physical and psychological relationship some individuals sadly have with alcohol.
Unfortunately, alcohol is now used as a coping strategy through many situations, whether that be a positive celebratory moment, or a sad, stressful life event. Yet, now more than ever, alcohol is also used as an escapism for many, from mental health conditions, from sadness, from everyday pressures, and from ill health.
Down to this high reliance, many individuals are misusing alcohol and falling victim to its innocent branding. This is commonly down to the fact we can purchase alcohol from our local shop, easily and at low cost. Through this accessibility, alcohol is viewed as a regularised item. When in fact, it’s a drug in itself.
Through abusing alcohol, through excessive consumption, through developing a reliance, alcoholism can soon follow. Here is where a physical and psychological association will be made, where alcohol consumption takes priority over other responsibilities and roles.
As sad as it is, many individuals are unknowingly suffering from alcoholism, putting it down to binge drinking or high tolerances. To help you identify whether this life-threatening behavioural illness is present, whether for yourself or loved ones, here’s the signs and symptoms of alcoholism to look out for.
The Dangers of Long-Term Alcoholism
Overtime, excessive alcohol consumption can develop into an addiction. This can materialise either through short-term or long-term periods, depending on the consistency and depth of consumption.
Without stepping in and taking control of this through addiction treatment, through withdrawal, through visiting a rehab clinic, you’ll likely fall victim of a chronic addiction and the negativity it will carry.
Long-term alcoholism can deter many areas of life. However, the greatest concern is your physical and psychological health, including the probabilities of a dual diagnosis.
Many life-threatening health problems can develop from excessive alcohol consumption, especially kidney and liver problems, along with cognitive adaptations. Through this, there’s also risk that further addictive substances will be abused, again aggravating long-term risks of addiction and ill health.
Down to these worries, if you do spot the signs and symptoms of alcoholism, it’s important that you consider your next steps. By enabling ongoing alcohol consumption, rehabilitation will be difficult, multiple streams of treatment will be required, and a dual diagnosis will be very likely.
Treating Alcoholism at Asana Lodge
To overcome alcoholism, professional support and addiction treatment will be mandatory. This is firstly down to the risks of withdrawal and detoxification. However, also linked to the necessary stream of psychological intervention.
Both physical and psychological withdrawal are required, which can be influenced through a variety of addiction treatments. A detox programme and therapy, along with cognitive behavioural therapy and relapse prevention are a few to consider.
However, through Asana Lodge, we assess further pre-existing weaknesses, present within your brain to influence even greater and safer addiction treatment options. As a result of this, art therapy and other holistic treatments may be used to treat alcoholism.
Withdrawing from alcoholism should always be completed via rehab clinics. You’ll have the chance to detoxify safely from alcohol, you’ll have mental health support to tackle a dual diagnosis, and you’ll also be able to work through your initial causation.
As there can be a multitude of causations, causing a complex diagnosis, professional rehabilitation will be key to promote sustainable, long-term recovery.
While it may feel daunting to consider your own alcohol consumption, it is imperative to reduce your risk of alcoholism. By increasing your awareness around the signs and symptoms of alcoholism, and by understanding that there is a way out, you’ll be prepared for any future risks. If you’re worried that a loved one may be suffering from alcoholism, we can also support through a family referral.
Alcohol should be consumed carefully and sensibly. Relying on it as a crutch will increase your risk of addiction. Reach out before the key signs of alcoholism materialise for you.
