6 Signs of Alcohol Addiction

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Although alcohol is a legal substance, it’s also one of the most abused drugs available today. According to Psychology Today, approximately 29.1% of the American population (or 68.5 million people) have misused alcohol in some way during their lifetime. Sadly, many people may not even realize that they are forming an addiction. Those who don’t acknowledge the problem may eventually develop hazardous alcohol-induced diseases such as cardiovascular disease and liver failure.

Below are a few of the most common warning signs of addictive behavior with regard to alcohol. Be on the lookout for any of these red flags:

1. You’ve put drinking above all other activities in life, such as engaging with family, work, or hobbies.

Do you only want to drink? Do you daydream about drinking? Is it the only thing that makes you happy or fulfilled? Are your relationships suffering (marriage, friendships, parental, child)? If any of these are true, you may currently have or be in the process of forming a dangerous addiction.

2. You are in denial about having an addiction.

Denial is a coping mechanism by which people attempt to protect themselves from the truth of a particular situation. If you refuse to recognize that you may have a problem, this could indicate a more significant issue. It becomes problematic if you are not open to hearing from others who care about you.

3. You are suffering physical withdrawals when you stop drinking.

When alcoholics stop drinking, their bodies are shocked, resulting in unpleasant physical experiences such as cravings, sweating, shaking, nausea, and other symptoms. If you have experienced any of these symptoms after you’ve stopped consuming alcohol, you may be addicted.

4. You crave alcohol on a daily basis.

An addicted person will crave whatever they are addicted to. It becomes the only thing they desire, and they can’t wait to have whatever it is again. The same goes for alcohol. If alcohol is what your body is constantly wanting, you’ve already conditioned it to crave it.

5. You find it difficult to stop drinking once you start.

Some people set out to stop drinking after two drinks and then go way past this amount. Once they start to drink, they have trouble controlling their consumption, as their bodies want more and more alcohol.

6. You’ve suffered negative consequences in your schooling, work, obligations because of your drinking habits.

Have you skipped classes to drink? Are you always showing up to work with a hangover? Do you keep forgetting about your daily or weekly responsibilities? If you’ve lost care for everything else in your life except for drinking, you are addicted. In addition to seeking treatment for alcohol addiction, it’s also crucial to take steps to mitigate the potential harm caused by drinking, such as fighting hangover symptoms. While there are several remedies for hangovers, one innovative solution is mobile IV therapy for hangovers. This treatment involves a licensed medical professional coming to your home or location of choice and administering an IV drip containing a customized blend of fluids and nutrients.

You don’t have to live as an alcoholic. There is hope for everyone, no matter if you just started drinking heavily a month ago, or you’ve been addicted for thirty years. With professional assistance, a solid support group, and determination, you can beat this addiction.

Don’t live another day bound by your addiction. Help is readily available if you or a loved one are suffering from an alcohol disorder. Visit My Recovery Corps to learn more about your treatment options.