Addiction
Warning Signs of Alcoholism to Watch Out For
by Alex McLay
Drinking alcohol is a common leisure activity that people enjoy especially on a night out with friends. Consumption of alcohol in moderate amounts occasionally does no serious harm to your body, and most enjoy a drink or two to celebrate an achievement or simply unwind after a long day.
However, too much reliance on alcohol can turn into a serious problem. Alcoholism is a serious form of problem drinking, and those suffering from this often have a strong and uncontrollable desire to drink. People who suffer from alcoholism often prioritize drinking over any other tasks, and most end up neglecting other aspects of their lives such as their family and work.
Alcoholism or sometimes known as alcohol dependence is a serious condition that can lead to a negative impact on one’s life. Those who suffer from this find it difficult to quit, since the longer they consume too much alcohol, the higher the possibility for them to build up a physical tolerance on alcohol which may lead to withdrawal symptoms if they stop.
It is important to know when an occasional drink can turn into alcohol addiction. And more importantly, it helps to know when you or someone you know is already suffering from alcoholism.
Common signs and symptoms of alcoholism
It can be very difficult to deal with our problems and sometimes the easiest way to battle our own anxieties and inner demons is by drowning in alcohol. Although we all deal with our own challenges differently, some find it easier to drink their worries away, and can very easily turn into a cycle of never ending reliance on alcohol.
Seeing a friend slowly succumb to alcohol addiction can be very painful to watch. You might find yourself going to a bar with your friend who had a rough day, and noticing how often those late night trips have become. After quite some time, you’ll probably notice that your friend will start having drinks on odd times of day, or slowly grow distant from friends and family.
Dealing with alcohol addiction can be very challenging, and seeing your friend suffer from it can be quite difficult to take in. Watching for signs of alcoholism can help you take the necessary actions to help your friend through recovery.
One of the common signs of alcoholism is the inability to control drinking. If you see your friend become too dependent on alcohol, to a point where he cannot say no to a drink, or cannot seem to reduce their alcohol consumption, it can be a warning sign of their addiction.
Increase in volume of alcohol consumption can also be one of the first signs of alcoholism. You should watch out whether your friend started out to consume much more alcohol than usual. Changes in alcohol consumption patterns often indicates a larger problem.
People who suffer from alcoholism usually suffer from poor professional or academic performance. Too much alcohol consumption can lead to an inability to focus or loss of interest in activities that a person usually does. If you see your friend slowly lose the ability to perform usual daily responsibilities and experience a decrease in motivation and productivity due to alcohol consumption, chances are your friend has become alcohol dependent.
Other warning signs can be personality or behavior change. Since too much alcohol can have harmful effects on the brain, it can result in a more aggressive, irritable, tired or forgetful attitude.
Most people who suffer from alcoholism don’t recognize that they have a problem. They often tend to deny that they rely too much on alcohol and insist that it is not a serious concern.
Treatments for Alcoholism
The first step in treating alcohol addiction is recognizing that there is a problem to be addressed. It might be difficult especially for someone who suffers from it for a longer period of time, but it helps to be brave enough to admit that assistance is needed. Having a friend help out during a difficult time can help in recovery.
Helping a close friend overcome alcoholism is challenging, but thankfully, there are plenty of ways to recover.
It is important to discuss with your friend his condition. It helps to let them know that there are better options in life and they can surely get better. It might take some time to convince them to receive treatment, but it helps if you state your intentions clearly, and assure them that you’ll be by their side encouraging them to get better.
One treatment option is to go to a rehabilitation facility that offers a comprehensive and high quality treatment. It helps to find a treatment center that offers a variety of options, from counselling to a series of wellness exercises that help someone recover from alcoholism.
Calm Rehab Bali is one of those rehab centers that provide a holistic approach to alcohol addiction recovery. From conducting consultations to providing leisure activities, it helps for anyone who wishes to get better to get access to various treatments available. Being in a peaceful and calm environment can help speed up the recovery process and it helps to release some stress.
The road to recovery from alcohol addiction can be difficult but the most important thing is to take the first step. It helps to have a support system than will be there for encouragement. If you ever find your friend suffering from alcoholism, don’t be afraid to offer assistance and guide them through their recovery.
About the Author
Alex McLay is a Marketing Consultant with Calm Rehab. Calm Rehab is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, providing treatment using evidence based techniques. Based in Bali, Calm Rehab provides help and counselling for anyone suffering from addiction.
