Because alcohol is sold at ballgames, restaurants, and the local corner store, most people are under the mistaken belief that alcohol is safe and relatively harmless. Nothing could be further from the truth. Alcohol is a highly addictive and very dangerous substance.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been drinking beer, liquor, or wine, if you’ve been consuming alcohol on a regular basis, you may be addicted to the stuff.
Signs that you are Addicted to Alcohol
Alcohol addiction can sneak up on you. What starts out as a few drinks on the weekend can soon develop into a full-fledged alcohol dependency.
Here are a few signs that you are hooked on the bottle:
• When you drink alcohol, you drink more than you planned to. You might buy a six-pack telling yourself that you will only have one, but you drink the entire six-pack before the night is over. Or, you may go out with the intention of only having a couple of drinks, but you end up drunk.
• You are obsessed with alcohol. You can’t wait to have your next drink.
• Your alcohol consumption is interfering with work or school. You might miss work because you are hungover, or you may not be able to turn in your assignments.
• You drink alone.
• You sneak drinks when no one is looking.
• You drive drunk.
• You have stashes of alcohol hidden so nobody will find them.
• You drink before work or school or on breaks.
• You have experienced legal consequences as the result of your drinking.
• You wake up hungover quite frequently.
• Your family has expressed concerns about your drinking.
• You experience withdrawal if you try and stop drinking.
These are just a few of the signs of alcohol dependency. If you think you might have a problem with alcohol, it is recommended that you get assessed by an addiction expert right away. He or she can evaluate your situation and tell you with certainty if you have an alcohol addiction.
Alcohol Withdrawal Explained
If you have an alcohol dependence, and you try to stop drinking the stuff, you will go through alcohol withdrawal – also known as detox. Alcohol withdrawal is what happens when your body has become accustomed to processing alcohol and you suddenly stop drinking it. It is a very painful and uncomfortable experience.
Alcohol withdrawal is a very serious condition, one that can be life-threatening if not treated properly. Here are some of the most common symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal:
• Tremors or shaking, particularly of the hands
• Extreme cravings for more alcohol
• Restlessness or the need to continually move your body
• Anxiety
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• High blood pressure
• Increased body temperature
• Confusion
• Increased heart rate
• Agitation
• Seizures, coma, or death (in extreme cases)
You should not attempt to diagnose alcohol withdrawal on your own. If you have even a small suspicion that you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal, you should seek help immediately.
Alpine Centers Offers Alcohol Withdrawal and Treatment Services
To be clear, alcohol withdrawal can be deadly. If you have an addiction to alcohol, you should not attempt to go “cold turkey” and stop drinking on your own without professional help. In extreme cases, alcohol withdrawal can result in seizures, coma, and premature death.
If you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal, you should undergo a professional medical detoxification. With a medical detox, you will be administered medication designed specifically for alcohol addiction that will allow you to safely and comfortably navigate the process of alcohol withdrawal. You will also be monitored and evaluated around the clock to ensure your safety.
Alcohol withdrawal is the first step toward ongoing recovery from alcohol addiction. Alpine Centers not only offers professional medical detoxification services to our clients, we provide a full-range of treatment options to help those who suffer from the disease of alcoholism.