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In these trying and stressful times, it can be easy to turn to alcohol to dull the noise going on all around you. While having a drink every once in a while is not a problem, if it becomes an everyday thing or you start to feel like you have to drink to feel normal, you could be facing alcoholism.
Here you will read about what alcoholism is, the warning signs and symptoms of alcoholism, and how you can go about receiving Long Island rehab treatment for your, or your loved ones, a drinking problem.
Table of Contents
What is Alcoholism?
The textbook definition of alcoholism is a person’s inability to control their drinking habits. However, the problem is much more complex and severe than that definition makes it sound.
Alcoholism is the reality in which you feel you cannot live or function normally without a drink. The mental battle is hard enough but, in severe alcoholics, there are also physical signs of withdrawal in the absence of alcohol consumption. Like any other addiction, it is all-consuming, and the addict will do anything to get their drink.
The suffering of alcoholism is often a lonely one. Since alcohol is legal, you can get it anywhere, and you don’t have to interact with others during the transaction. The cycle of addiction leads you to drive away from the people in your life, and you’re left alone, with only the alcohol.
But, you don’t have to suffer or watch your loved one suffer in silence. There are treatment options available. But, prevention is the best place to start. Noticing the signs and symptoms of alcoholism early gives a higher probability of kicking the habit.
The Common Warning Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism
A lot of the most common signs of a drinking problem are very noticeable. But, some are more subtle and can take a lot longer to come to the surface during the addiction.
Here are some of the most common signs of alcoholism:
- Drastic changes in behavior or personality after drinking
- Feeling like you need to keep drinking and not stop
- Spending substantial amounts of money on alcohol
- Feeling like you crave alcohol when you’re not drinking
- Placing alcohol and drinking over other personal responsibilities
The inability to control your alcohol consumption and to have persistent episodes of “blackout.”
If you’re noticing these behaviors in yourself or a loved one, it’s a good idea to try and find help before the problem gets worse. If you can start treatment while still in the mild first stages of alcoholism, the recovery process will be easier than for someone with severe alcohol addiction.
The Consequences of Alcoholism
You might be wondering, why is it so bad to have a few more drinks or to drink every day? Well, the truth is, alcohol can take a severe toll on your overall health. Any alcohol use is dehydrating and causes your organs to have to work harder to process it out. Alcohol abuse produces a whole other set of health problems.
Some of the expected short-term health effects of alcohol abuse are:
- Poor reflexes
- Difficulty breathing
- Reduced brain activity
- Blurry vision
- Slow reaction time
This is why it is so dangerous to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after you’ve been drinking. All of these effects make your driving worse and make it exponentially more possible to get into an accident.
The long-term ramifications of alcoholism are direr. The typical long-term health effects of alcoholism are:
- Liver disease
- Vision damage
- Increased risk for a variety of different cancers
- Neurobiological diseases
- Brain defects
- Heart problems
- Diabetes complications
- Bone loss
Drinking isn’t worth sacrificing your health and the safety of others. If you think you have a drinking problem, get help now before it’s too late.
How Can I Find a Long Island Rehab Treatment Center?
Here at the Long Island Treatment Center, we offer outpatient alcoholism treatment. If you’re in the mild levels of the disease, an outpatient program may be the right choice for you. You will participate fully in the recovery program but maintain your regular schedule and remain living at home. Depending on your specific problem, your doctor will recommend whether inpatient or outpatient would be the best course of treatment for you.
Ready to Get Well? Long Island Treatment Center is Here to Help You
The professionals at the Long Island Treatment Center look forward to providing you with the information and resources you need to find your Long Island rehab. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, it’s a good idea to get help right away. Talk to your doctor about the potential of rehab and if it would benefit you. The best thing you can do is put yourself, your health, and the relationships in your life above your addiction to alcohol.
If you’re noticing symptoms of alcohol abuse in a loved one, contact us today. We can walk you through some strategies on how to convince them to get the help they need.