Alcohol use disorder can occur in people of any age, income level, gender, or profession. Noticing the signs of alcohol abuse is vital to preventing death. Getting treatment for this problem could prevent potentially deadly consequences that could occur from problem drinking, such as alcohol poisoning or drinking and driving. A life free of alcohol abuse only can be a reality if you recognize the signs of this substance use disorder and get into an alcohol detox program. To learn more, please contact Fort Behavioral Health today at 844.332.1807.
How Alcohol Abuse Differs from Casual Drinking
Having a drink occasionally is different from alcohol abuse. If you have an alcohol use disorder, you will experience several physical and psychological signs that indicate your drinking interferes with your life. Monitoring yourself for these signs that indicate an evolving drinking problem makes it easier to get help in the early stages of the addiction.
Physical Signs of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol causes physical slowing of reactions, which makes drinking and driving so dangerous. However, alcohol abuse can also cause severe problems throughout the body. In fact, almost every organ system in the body can sustain damage from this type of addiction. Alcohol use disorder can lead to immediate problems such as the following:
- Needing to drink more to get the same effects
- Feeling nauseated or shaky when you quit drinking
- Numbness in hands and feet
- Ulcers or stomach upset
- Erectile disfunction or menstrual disruptions
In addition to the above physical signs of alcohol use disorder that you may notice in the short term, using alcohol for years can also put your health at an increased risk of serious complications. Higher incidences of cancer, heart disease, liver problems, weakened immune functioning, and osteoporosis may all connect to alcohol abuse. Getting help now for alcohol addiction can protect your health in the future.
The physically addictive nature of alcohol makes quitting on your own difficult. You may try to stop, but withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and shaking may prompt you to self-medicate with alcohol. While drinking will stop the withdrawal symptoms, it will not progress you toward recovery. If you experience any physical problems when trying to quit drinking on your own, you need a professional recovery program to help you with alcohol addiction recovery.
Psychological and Behavioral Signs of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol use affects the mind, too. Just as it can depress physical functions, it can also slow down thinking. Mental and behavioral signs of alcohol addiction include the following:
- Depression
- Neglecting work, relationships, or self-care
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Giving up once-enjoyed activities to drink
- Trying to quit but failing
Others may notice these changes in your behavior and cognitive processes first. In fact, concerned loved ones may address the emotional problems you exhibit as reasons to seek help for alcohol use disorder.
For some people who have an existing mental health concern, drinking may serve as a way to try to alleviate the problem. However, drinking alcohol worsens depression or anxiety. In these instances, others may not notice the change in mood. But, the need for treatment still exists. In these instances, you need help for both alcohol addiction and mental health issues through a dual diagnosis treatment program.
Find Help for Alcohol Addiction in TX at Fort Behavioral Health
Once you notice signs of alcohol abuse, you need to understand the importance of getting treatment. Depending on the level of the problem, you may require medically supervised alcohol detox first before you enter into a treatment program. You can find this and other addiction treatment programs, such as a traditional 12-step program for recovery at Fort Behavioral Health.
Don’t let alcohol continue to control your life. You deserve to get treatment to move toward recovery. Contact Fort Behavioral Health at 844.332.1807 as soon as you see that signs of alcohol abuse exist in your life or in that of a loved one.
