Alcohol is a legal drink that most people imbibe from time to time. Generally, there’s nothing wrong with having a couple of drinks for special occasions. However, drinking alcohol can be a slippery slope. The line between casual drinking and abuse is fine. It’s possible you will become dependent on alcohol. Then, you’re left wondering “Am I an alcoholic.” Alcoholism is an addiction to any intoxicating liquor. Whether beer, wine, or tequila, alcoholics compulsively drink to soothe intense cravings. In other words, their bodies start needing alcohol to function and feel good. Presently, the NIH reports 15.1 million Americans are battling alcohol use disorders. Below, this article outlines how to achieve alcohol rehab success.
Determining Am I an Alcoholic
First, you must honestly reflect on your own drinking habits. Specifically, estimate how much alcohol you consume each week. Alcoholics will have 14 or more drinks weekly. The drinks might be equally spread throughout the week or had in binges. Binge drinking involves four or more drinks in a couple of hours. Second, analyze your feelings about alcohol. For example, drinking might make you feel ashamed or guilty. Perhaps you’re feeling increasingly depressed or sad. Sometimes, alcoholics under the influence have moments of anger and violence too. Third, take stock of how you’ve been acting. Decide if you’re drinking alone and hiding alcohol more often. Maybe you’re pouring a drink whenever you have negative thoughts or stress to cope with. Other signs to judge “Am I an alcoholic” include:
- Making alcohol your biggest priority
- Experiencing frequent blackouts
- Skipping obligations to drink
- Letting alcohol disrupt relationships
- Developing a high tolerance for alcohol
- Spending too much money on beer
- Being unable to quit drinking
Dangers of Being an Alcoholic
Now, you’ve figured out the answer to “Am I an alcoholic.” Next, seeking an alcohol addiction rehab center is important. After all, alcoholism poses significant risks to your health. For instance, heavy drinking destroys the inside of your liver. Similarly, alcohol damages your heart, brain, colon, and esophagus. In fact, frequent drinking has even been linked to higher breast cancer rates. Alcoholics are in jeopardy of hurting themselves while drunk. For instance, you might drive while intoxicated and cause a deadly car accident. Not to mention, you could engage in unsafe sex under the influence and contract an STD. If pregnant, then women could cause defects in their unborn baby. As a depressant, alcohol can also cause thoughts of suicide.
Overcoming Your Alcohol Dependence
On the positive side, you have the power to stop drinking today. Explicitly, you can enter an accredited outpatient alcohol rehab or clean living environments like sober living Philadelphia. Immediately, experienced clinicians will guide you through the detox process. Afterward, you’ll enter holistic therapy to address the causes of your drinking. Many approaches are effective for alcoholics, such as:
- Behavioral therapy
- 12 step support groups
- Recreational therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Cognitive therapy
- Mindfulness meditation
- Expressive arts therapy
Don’t let the answer to “Am I an alcoholic” freak you out. Instead, admit your problem and seek qualified professional help. Uniquely, alcohol addiction treatment develops the life skills needed to resist drinking and remain sober.
