It can be challenging to determine on your own when your drinking has become a problem. Many people who suspect they are dealing with alcohol addiction are unaware of all the signs. Oftentimes, an individual struggling with alcoholism does not want to admit to their problem.
Family members may struggle to decide when a loved one requires professional help. They must learn and stay aware of all the signs that their loved one is battling addiction in order to help them.
Excessive drinking can lead to AUD as the body builds up a tolerance and requires more and more to achieve the same effect as before. A drinking habit undermines physical health and can lead to brain damage and death if a heavy drinker repeatedly abuses alcohol. According to a recent study National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA), about 10 percent of U.S. adults have had a problem with substance use at some point in their lives (NIAAA). Drinking problems can also be linked to mental health and bipolar disorder.
Extended or excessive Alcohol Use
The inability to control one’s drug use is a sign of disordered drug use. Individuals with an alcohol use disorder may find it challenging to control their drug or alcohol use, no matter the consequences to their health or social life. When the addiction becomes severe, it is integral to get it treated by medical professionals. The negative repercussions lead to binge drinking, making it hazardous for your body and disturbing relationships. Misusing alcohol for an extended period can make it near impossible for the individual to fulfill their normal obligations at school, work, or home.
Tolerance
Warning indications that should be addressed as soon as possible include evidence of tolerance (needing more drinks to have the same effect) or withdrawal (drinking to stop or lessen withdrawal symptoms). Family members can help an alcoholic who denies drinking identify triggers and confront their problem. A careful medical intervention can be proven highly effective.
After the episodes of excessive alcohol use, a person develops a tolerance for alcohol use and drinks more to get the same feeling of euphoria and pleasure. The severity of this withdrawal can vary depending on the person’s level of use, from moderate drinking to heavy alcohol intake.
Keep in mind that anything that seems manageable at the moment can become out of control quickly. The symptoms of alcoholism listed below are some of the early warning signs that should not be ignored. By receiving addiction therapy as soon as possible, you can become sober and prevent significant health problems, including heart disease and liver damage.
Critical Symptoms
Below are some of the most common early signs of alcoholism:
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Disorientation
- Cognition problems
- Hallucinations
- High blood pressure
- Fetal alcohol syndrome associated with pregnancy
Advice for Intervention
If you or a loved one shows significant alcohol abuse, seek medical help immediately. If you disregard the signs, it might become fatal. Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to seizures, liver damage, delirium tremens, and mental health conditions like brain damage. Alcohol is also known to slow down metabolism. This procedure has a significant impact on the metabolic rates of the organs. It can significantly affect those whose duty is to keep an eye on their weight.
Cravings
To get the intended result in such a situation, the person must raise their drug use’s frequency or dosage. The body may acquire used to steadily higher doses as tolerance grows. This enables individuals to take doses of the medication that might otherwise be fatal without suffering any side effects.
When a trigger is present, a drug or alcohol addict’s initial response is to crave the substance in the issue. After using drugs or alcohol, the complicated interaction between the brain and body leads to intense cravings. Most addictive substances change the dopamine pathway in the brain, which is in charge of pleasure and reward. They also affect memory storage, making it easier to remember how wonderful being high was. The stages of alcoholism can get severe on the length and time a person has been using alcohol.
Addiction-related problems in Relationships
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, substance abuse causes numerous issues for married or dating couples and families. Substance abusers frequently distance themselves from their relationships and argue over trivial matters.
Addiction affects all other relationships in addition to the marriage one. Due to drug use, the person may cut off contact with friends and family or cease participating in day-to-day family activities. If this persists, it can be a sign of addiction.
You can experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking abruptly and go in cold turkey. If a user suddenly quits using, tolerance and other effects of long-term drug or alcohol addiction can result in severe withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be lethal in extreme circumstances, such as when mixed with alcohol or benzodiazepines. Some withdrawal signs include:
Withdrawal Symptoms
Below are a few common symptoms of withdrawal:
- Feeling nervous or trembling
- Irregularities in the heartbeat or respiratory rate
- Distress and depression
- Insomnia
- Sleepiness
- Delirium tremens
Detoxification
We have provided medical detox for years at the Indiana Center for Recovery. During the detox process, each person’s individual needs are considered while creating a treatment plan. Most people in short-term medical detox stay in the detox program for a week or less. This is to see how the body reacts to the detox process and to ease the person into treatment. It is best to get alcohol detox from the health care providers that are recognized as America’s best treatment facilities for the year 2022.
In the same way, patients in long-term medicated detox are given medication to help with the detox process. Getting off of one drug is different from getting off of another. And the same is true for alcoholism. Patients with alcoholism can have uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, like sweating a lot, dizziness, getting cramps, shaky hands, and even hallucinations and seizures.
Along with physical problems like liver damage and ulcers, alcoholics often have mental health problems like anxiety and depression that can be just as dangerous. After detox, patients can choose from various counseling and therapy options and medical treatment options.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment centers for alcoholism teach their patients healthy ways to get over their addiction to alcohol. The alcohol inpatient rehab is a comfortable and safe place for the patient to get individualized care, such as assessment, diagnosis, detoxification, and medically supervised treatment with medications and therapies.
Alcoholism can lead to death because it hurts the brain and the body. Long-term drinking can cause a lot of physical problems and can also cause severe mental illness. When someone quits alcohol cold turkey, there can be excruciating physical withdrawal symptoms. The steps in our inpatient rehab program can help people who are alcoholics get better. The residential program may be beneficial for people with severe addictions.
Outpatient Treatment
People who want to stop drinking alcohol have a hard time doing so because it’s hard to prevent people from drinking, and there are no laws against drinking among people of legal drinking age. People who want to stop drinking have a more challenging time because alcohol is easily accessible. In our outpatient program, people tend to help people to continue attending school and college while they participate in behavioral therapy treatment sessions.
Alcohol Abuse can have detrimental effects on the user and their loved ones. However, you may start the healing process and get back to living the life you deserve with the support of an efficient treatment program. The support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can help with aftercare planning to maintain sobriety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some signs that a person may have a drinking problem?
After the last drink, people will go through severe painful withdrawal symptoms. Restlessness, Nausea, dizziness, and discomfort are some conditions a person faces. Alcohol also has a massive impact on your brain chemistry.
What are the signs that you are drinking too much?
Signs and symptoms include problems sleeping, Nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, sweating, rapid heartbeat, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, ellipsis, and hand tremors. These symptoms vary from person to person.
Get Help with Drinking Problem Today at Indiana Center For Recovery
At Indiana Center For Recovery, we offer Integrated Addiction Treatment to help you out in recovery, assisting you to get back to life. We have clinicians who want to help those dealing with alcohol and drug addiction. Every team member is dedicated to providing you with only the best treatment.
Feel free to contact us at (844) 650-0064 to get more information on how we can provide medical treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.