Identifying Alcohol Addiction and Getting Help from Inpatient Rehabilitation Centres and Programs
Alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, is characterised by having trouble controlling how much or how often you drink, preoccupation with alcohol, inability to stop using alcohol even though it causes problems in your life, building a tolerance to alcohol, or suffering withdrawal symptoms when you stop or suddenly decrease your drinking.
Any alcohol use that puts your safety or health at risk or causes other problems related to consumption is unhealthy. This includes binge drinking, a pattern of drinking where a female consumes at least four drinks within two hours, or a male consumes at least five within the same time frame. Binge drinking carries serious health and safety risks.
If you find that your drinking causes distress or problems in your daily life, you have likely become dependent. Alcohol addiction ranges from mild to severe, but even a mild dependence can escalate and result in serious problems, so it’s essential to seek treatment as soon as you realise you may have a problem.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
Signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with alcohol include:
- Inability to limit how much alcohol you consume
- Wanting to drink less but being unable to cut down on how much you drink
- Spending significant amounts of time drinking, obtaining alcohol, or recovering from overindulgence
- Intense cravings or urges to drink
- Failing to fulfil work, school, or home obligations because of alcohol use
- Inability to stop drinking even though it’s causing major problems
- Giving up hobbies or social activities
- Partaking in dangerous activities such as driving or swimming while drinking
- Needing to drink more and more to get the same effects
- Withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, and nausea when you don’t drink
Alcohol intoxication is the result of an increased amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. The higher your blood alcohol concentration, the more impaired you are. Intoxication causes changes in the way you think and behave. These changes may include slurred speech, unstable moods, impaired judgment, inappropriate behaviour, impaired memory, and poor coordination. Very high blood alcohol levels can even lead to coma or death.
When to Seek Help from Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation Centres
If you believe that you drink too much or that your drinking is causing problems in your life, or if someone you love has approached you about your drinking, talk with a professional counsellor. Denial is common among alcoholics, and you may not recognise that you have a problem. You may not realise how much you drink, how your drinking affects others, or how many of your problems are related to alcohol. If a friend, relative, or co-worker mentions your drinking habits or asks you to get help, listen. Know that there are many rehab centres available to help you work through your problems and begin recovering.
At DayHab, our staff members have all made it through personal struggles with addiction, and they understand your struggles. Our inpatient alcohol rehabilitation programs are designed with people just like you in mind. We provide both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs for individuals who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction and help them build the skills they need to start over and live a life of sobriety and personal fulfilment. Contact DayHab today for more information on inpatient alcohol rehabilitation.