Are you addicted to alcohol? Try not to drink for a month. And if you can’t take it, you have a problem
Alcohol addiction is one of the least appreciated mental disorders. The reason is clear: tolerance for drinking is really high in our country. How do you know that you are really addicted and that it is changing your life?
The most insidious thing about alcoholism is the slow rate of onset of addiction. The line between when you’re flying, so to speak, and when it’s just normal consumption, over which you have full control, is very blurry. Furthermore, drinking alcohol is highly tolerated by society and is even considered a normal part of entertainment and culture.
How Do I Know If I Am Addicted to Alcohol?
In general, it can be said that if the question has arisen for you, then you are probably already in the endangered group and are afraid of the so-called risky consumption. Low-risk drinking for men is typically listed as two drinks of alcohol (2 pints of beer, two glasses of wine) per day for up to five days per week, ie at least two days of total abstinence. The same for women, only the alcohol dose is half. The following list shows some of the signs of addiction.
Signs of alcoholism:
- Memory lapses, so-called windows
- Concealing alcohol use or refusing to drink when asked if the person in question had been drinking
- Feeling guilty about drinking or related behavior
- Overthinking about alcohol
- Inability to stop drinking – loss of a ‘clamp’
- Morning drink to cheer up
- Mood swings and irritability
- Sadness and feelings of worthlessness
- Great self pity
- Arguments and loss of social ties.
- Family breakup
- Lack of work, job loss.
- Risky behavior while intoxicated: unprotected sex with random partners, driving while intoxicated
What Is Alcohol Addiction?
Alcoholism is an addiction. This means that a person becomes dependent on alcohol both psychologically and physically over time. You can’t do without it. He drinks regularly, and sometimes or even frequently loses control of his drinking, getting very drunk: he has memory lapses or acts in such a way that he has a bad conscience the next day. All this is already a clear manifestation of addiction. People tend to underestimate the situation: they think they can stop drinking, but they don’t want to. This is a habitual lie that the mind will present in order not to have to face an uncomfortable truth.
Warning Signs That You Are Addicted To Alcohol
The first manifestation of addiction is changes in lifestyle habits. Thoughts increasingly revolve around alcohol. It will be necessary to “compare” with the first glass in the morning. Hidden bottles serve as save points. Without alcohol, one becomes irritable. Mood swings are becoming more frequent. The neighborhood begins to notice and call attention to alcohol problems. Subject has frequent drunken injuries. Minor health problems are increasing and becoming more serious. Often the appearance of a person also begins to change.
Causes Of Alcoholism
There are two basic prerequisites for alcoholism: 1/ sensitivity to alcohol: it makes the person feel good and 2/ impulsiveness: the person wants things right away. Then there are other reasons, for example social conditions: drinking is a normal part of life in the family and in the neighborhood. A large group of possible causes consists of psychological problems and disorders, which at the first stage alcohol helps to overcome or endure: it is a psychoactive substance that “calms” the nerves, relaxes, suppresses unpleasant feelings, increases self-confidence and it is . In fact, a shortcut to happiness. Therefore, the availability of alcohol is not the only cause of alcoholism, and treatment must also be approached in this way. For example, people with ADHD are at higher risk.
How To Help Yourself With Alcohol Addiction
Depending on how strong the addiction is, you may be able to handle the situation on your own. The key step is to admit that you have a drinking problem. The second step is to reflect on reality: an alcoholic often lies to himself, so it is helpful to keep track of his actual drinking. The next step is to change habits and “take the challenge” that is so common today: if you go, for example, 30 days without alcohol, it turns out that the addiction is not good and at the same time you get insight into the problem.
During withdrawal, problems that alcohol was supposed to cover up often come to light. Dissatisfaction with oneself, anxiety, sadness, or perhaps dissatisfaction with family or work, people with ADHD, for example, are at greater risk. It is very important to start dealing with these problems, otherwise a relapse is likely. And if you fail the challenge? Then it is recommended to contact an expert.
How Is Alcohol Addiction Treated?
The acute withdrawal phase of treatment generally does not require hospitalization. Only a person can not resist, it must be out of reach of alcohol. After managing this acute phase, which is usually associated with various types of medication and psychotherapy, the second, somewhat more important phase, post-treatment, begins. Aftercare takes a long time, usually a year. During this time, the alcoholic changes his lifestyle and develops his personality in such a way that he can do without alcohol. Although there are trends that see an opportunity in the recovery of self-control and a possible return to controlled alcohol consumption, the predominant recommendation is permanent abstinence.
