Pay Attention to Your Gut If You Think You Have a Drinking Problem
How easy it is to be in a state of denial. Your instincts tell you that you are drinking too much, but your brain refuses to accept it. Instead, you continue drinking more than you should, and even lying about it to loved ones.
It could be that you are able to function quite well, even though you drink a lot. This is called being a high functioning alcoholic. It is a problem, though, as it means your body tolerates alcohol well. You may not feel the effects that others would when they drink the same amount.
But the piper will need to be paid at some point. Alcohol seeps into the fabric of your life, and can even take over your life in time. It is a sneaky, stealthy disease, alcoholism. If you believe you are on the road to an alcohol use disorder (AUD), quit drinking now while you are ahead.
Signs of Alcohol Addiction
How do you know if you have a growing problem with your drinking habits? What are the warning signs that you should look out for? While alcohol affects each person in a unique way due to body chemistry, there are some common red flags. Certain changes in behavior can signal a problem with a substance. Signs of an AUD include:
- You obsess over when you can drink next and how to obtain the alcohol.
- You try to quit drinking and cannot.
- You have blackouts.
- You lie about how much you drink.
- You withdraw from friends and family.
- Loss of interest in the activities once enjoyed.
- Drinking more and more alcohol as tolerance increases.
- Mood swings.
- Losing interest in personal appearance and hygiene.
- You drink in response to stress or sadness.
- Irritability
- Concentration problems.
- Sleep disturbances.
- You get drunk several days in a row.
- You keep drinking even though it is causing hardship and problems.
- Alcohol cravings.
- When attempting to quit drinking, alcohol withdrawal symptoms emerge, like hand tremors or nausea.
These signs should not be ignored, even if you might want to. The longer the problem drinking goes on, the harder it becomes to beat the disease down. If you are seeing yourself in this list of signs and symptoms, it is time to think about quitting alcohol before it becomes a bigger problem.
Common Barriers To Treatment
Even when you know you have a problem with alcohol, there may be roadblocks ahead. Quitting alcohol isn’t always as easy as you hope it will be. Drinking becomes a daily habit that is hard to break. Also, there may be other factors that keep you from walking away from alcohol. Chances are that you already have an AUD. That would mean getting treatment, which can be very hard for some to embrace. Barriers to treatment include:
- Facing detox. Let’s face it, the thought of going through detox can be scary. Keep the bigger picture in mind. Know that no matter how grim detox is it will be over in a matter of days.
- Finding time. Carving time out of your life to go to rehab is really hard. There are job constraints and childcare issues that make this hard. Maybe an outpatient program is the way to go.
- Facing stigma. The social stigma that exists around substance abuse is real. Don’t let that keep you from getting the help you need and deserve.
- Paying for treatment. The cost of rehab is a concern for many. Always check first with your insurance plan to see what it will cover. There also are payment plans offered that can spread out the costs over many months.
What to Expect in Rehab
Once you have made up your mind to walk away from drinking you will need to enroll in a treatment program. Detox will be completed under the close watch of the medical detox team. This is the safest way to go about beating an AUD, going through supervised detox and then expert treatment. The treatment program will involve the following actions:
- Detox. The detox team will closely monitor the withdrawal symptoms and provide meds to help reduce discomforts.
- Psychotherapy. CBT and DBT are therapies that help you make positive changes in thought and behavior patterns. This can help to break the habits that kept you in the drinking cycle.
- Group therapy. Small group sessions provide peer support with others in rehab.
- Education. Classes help you learn about how alcohol affects the brain and also how to avoid a relapse.
- Holistic therapy. Learning how to relax through yoga, meditation, and other holistic actions that help reduce stress are tools you can use in recovery.
- 12-step program. Recovery meetings provide are a great source of social support.
Live Your Best Life
Now that you have finished rehab it is time to embark on a healthy new lifestyle. With each passing day you can work to restore health and wellness. Some things to focus on include:
- Starting a fitness regimen.
- Changing your diet.
- Getting better sleep.
- Connecting with others in recovery.
- Staying productive and busy.
- Nurture your spiritual side.
Getting sober truly does give you a new lease on life. Embrace your new sober life with gusto. You deserve to live your best life.
Ken Seeley Communities Alcohol Rehab Palm Springs
Ken Seeley Communities offers expert help and support for alcohol use disorder. Don’t live another day with a drinking problem. Break free from the grip of alcohol today at Ken Seeley Communities. With the top addiction treatment and a team of caring people it is possible to overcome the early stage of alcohol addiction. Don’t let the problem take hold. Call Ken Seeley today for any questions you have about the program. Call the intake team at (877) 744-0502.
