What Does Alcohol Addiction Look Like? Fort Myers Alcohol Treatment Center
The Stereotype of an Alcoholic
When you do something well, the last thing you want is to sit back and enjoy your success. No, you improve and innovate, ultimately raising standards for everyone. We do just that at our Fort Myers Alcohol Treatment Center in Florida. Our innovative treatment philosophies help countless people recover from dependence on alcohol. Let us help you decide whether or not our program is right for you.
Many people believe that alcoholics are easy to spot and don’t or won’t work. Streets, bars, and alleys are their natural habitat, and excessive drinking leads to embarrassing scenes at parties, weddings, funerals, or even casual meals with friends. There’s not enough self-control to drink like a normal person, and drunks don’t have it in them.
There’s no reasoning with someone in the throes of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). They ignore the physical damage caused by their own alcohol consumption and drive while intoxicated, endangering everyone around them. No matter how outrageous or hurtful their drinking behaviors are, it’s either a laugh or someone else’s fault.
What Alcohol Addiction Actually Looks Like
It’s easy to see why few believe they’re alcohol-dependent. Unfortunately, loved ones, success, and a home does not grant immunity to alcohol abuse. Our Fort Myers Alcohol Treatment Center helps those suffering from alcohol addiction identify similarities to focus on stopping drinking.
Maybe you spend time each day or week plotting out a drinking schedule. You might skip events where having a few drinks is inappropriate. In other words, some degree of effort is put into your drinking pattern.
Loved ones and workmates often notice the changes in our behavior caused by alcohol abuse. We could be irritable or anxious with so much energy going towards holding off until the next drink, only we call it maintaining control. Some of us experience a gradual withdrawal from society until completely isolated from friends and family.
Signs of Alcohol Addiction
It’s easier to identify the physical signs of our dependence on alcohol. Waking up with a hangover is pretty standard, and waking up with no memory of last night’s events is an even greater indicator. These effects of alcohol are pretty immediate signs. Over time, our bodies become bloated, and we get the shakes or jitters between bouts of excessive drinking. Once alcohol consumption becomes the priority, we’re done. We chase that sense of relief that drinking used to bring back when it wasn’t necessary. Mainly, and no matter how hard we try, or carefully we plan, the choice of whether or not to drink is gone.
In addition to alcohol, learn how to find poison in the home here:
How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?
Some general rules are used to gauge a person’s alcohol consumption, and they tie directly to the number of drinks an average woman or man consumes across specific windows. The CDC recognizes three distinct categories: moderate, heavy, and binge drinking.
Moderate drinkers don’t suffer too many negative consequences. Averaging just one to two drinks per day, if any, they enjoy a healthy relationship with alcohol. Drinking remains a choice. If not already alcohol dependent, heavy drinkers increase their risk of developing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). They typically consume more than 7 to 14 drinks per week and regularly experience the physical effects of alcohol.
A bit more complex is the practice of binge drinking. It’s not a daily habit and may not even happen weekly. What sets this type of drinker apart is the quantities consumed during short periods. They may have four to five or more drinks within two to three hours. Binge drinkers often see these episodes as their reward for a particular accomplishment or as cheat days. If it happens more than twice a month, then they’re likely addicted to alcohol already.
When to Seek Help for Alcohol Addiction
The time to seek help is different for everyone. If your drinking behaviors resemble those of heavy or binge drinkers, you may want to examine your drinking more closely. The truth is that normal drinkers never question their behavior around alcohol.
Speaking with one of our counselors benefits anyone experiencing problems in their work, school, or social life because of alcohol. Our place helps those who continue drinking despite these problems or who cannot limit the number of drinks. We can help you overcome the all-consuming need to drink and find healthy alternatives to alcohol. Asking for help is your first step towards freedom from alcohol addiction. At WhiteSands’ Fort Myers Treatment Center, we are ready to walk the rest of that journey alongside you.
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.