Alcohol is prevalent in our culture. Due to this, a recovering alcohol addict continuously faces triggers. It is important that the addict undergoes appropriate treatment therapy that arms him or her with ways to manage the triggers.
Alcohol vs. drugs
Drinking is different than doing drugs. Drugs are illegal substances. Alcohol is usually not. In fact, you can lavishly dine and drink at some of the poshest restaurants in the city. Drinking is generally not frowned upon.
“Let’s have a drink!”
We live in a world wherein it is perfectly normal to say, “let’s have a drink!” Living in such a world, it is not only a challenge to quit drinking, but also to recognize signs of alcohol addiction.
However, alcohol abuse can start with “innocently” having a few extra drinks at the bar after office or developing a liking for binge drinking, or maybe throwing too many booze parties.
The problem arises when the above-mentioned incidents become frequent in your life and you start considering them normally.
Take help fast
Long-term alcohol abuse can damage your liver, kidneys, brain, and mental state. Well, people usually know about this. Yet, an addict has no control over his or her drinking habit.
That’s why professional intervention becomes necessary.
If you or anybody you know is addicted to alcohol, you must not wait and watch. You must immediately dial the alcohol addiction hotline and seek professional help.
Recognizing alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Experts diagnose AUD on a spectrum that features 11 criteria, based on clinical definitions by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
The 11 criteria are:
- Drinking in amounts larger than you must.
- Want to stop or reduce drinking but cannot.
- Spending a substantial amount of time recovering from alcohol use, getting alcohol, and drinking.
- Getting strong cravings for alcohol.
- Unable to carry out home, work, or school-related duties due to alcohol use.
- Continues to drink despite facing relationship problems.
- Missing important work or social events due to alcohol use.
- Drinking regularly despite facing health problems.
- Continuing to drink despite knowing you are facing a physical or mental health problem that can worsen with alcohol use.
- Need more amount of alcohol to get the desired effect (developing tolerance).
- Getting withdrawal symptoms when not taking alcohol and the symptoms go away when you take it.
Professionals at rehabilitation centers such as Delaware rehab center often use the above criteria to determine the severity of alcohol use disorder.
A person who meets more criteria is diagnosed to have a severe disorder than a person who meets just two or three.
Ultimately, one needs to recognize whether alcohol use is creating any negative effect on a person’s physical, mental, social, financial, and professional health.
If you believe you are addicted to alcohol, search for “drug rehab near me” today.
