Medically Reviewed By: David Jefferson, expert in Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Alcohol & Substance Detox.
People frequently use alcohol for celebrations, social activity, and everyday life; however, if alcohol begins affecting you in one of these areas (e.g., health, relationships, career, emotional stability), then perhaps the alcohol abuse has escalated from a “habit” to something more concerning (alcohol use disorder). In this article, we have outlined the 7 Signs You Need Professional Alcohol Abuse Treatment; recognizing these signs will assist you in taking the appropriate steps to prevent long-term consequences caused by alcohol use.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is considered a disease and is either mild or severe. It does require professional treatment to help you recover long-term through tools and support.
What Is Alcohol Abuse and What Are Its Effects?
Alcohol abuse is defined as alcohol misuse that results in the occurrence of upsetting or concerning health issues or results in your inability to fulfill your responsibilities. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), millions of adults in the United States suffer from AUD; however, far fewer than that are treated for it. Without assistance, alcohol misuse results in health issues, such as liver disease and heart issues, as well as negative effects in other areas, including depression, anxiety, accidents, and relationship issues.
Statistics About Alcohol Misuse
| Statistic | Approximate Figure |
| Adults with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) | 28.9 million |
| Annual Alcohol-Related Deaths in the U.S. | 178,000+ |
| Adults Receiving AUD Treatment | Less than 10% |
| Youth (12-17) with AUD | 750,000+ |
Signs That You Might Have Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
1. You Can’t Control How Much You Drink
One example of a sign of alcohol dependence (as your AUD develops) is the inability to limit your alcohol consumption to a manageable amount. Many individuals find that they initially planned to have only a couple of drinks and then continue on to have much more than what was originally intended. An individual may make multiple attempts to cut back or discontinue their drinking. Yet, each time the individual finds themselves returning to exactly where they were before attempting to cut back on or stop the use of alcohol altogether.
The inability to stop or moderate alcohol is due to the effects that alcohol has on the brain’s reward system and decision-making system, causing adverse effects on the brain, which result in a significantly increased craving for alcohol, making it much more difficult for the individual to consume alcohol in moderation. Those who are treated with professional treatment for alcohol abuse can address both physical and mental dependence on alcohol.
2. You May be Experiencing Withdrawal
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms often indicates to the individual that their body has become dependent upon alcohol. Common withdrawal symptoms include: shakiness, sweating, nausea, anxiety, irritability, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. In some severe instances of withdrawal, withdrawal can cause the person to experience seizures and delirium tremens (DT), which can cause death.
A medically monitored detox will allow the individual to be in a safe environment where they will be able to receive the proper medical care and support while they are going through the physical withdrawal process. The professionals who monitor the individuals going through detoxification will be able to provide medical assistance to the individuals as necessary to decrease complications associated with the detoxification process.
3. Your Relationships Are Being Affected
Alcohol abuse can hurt the individual’s personal relationships, including family, friends, co-workers, and partners. Some of the indications that alcohol abuse can negatively affect an individual’s personal relationships include increased conflict, broken promises, lack of trust, and lack of emotional closeness to each other.
Chronic alcohol use can create a repetitive cycle of conflict and alcohol abuse in personal relationships, causing the individual to consider getting help from a professional. Most alcohol abuse treatment programs include family counselling and therapy to rebuild trust and improve communication between family members.
4. You Are Experiencing a Decline in Work or Academic Performance
The use of alcohol can have negative effects on concentration, memory, productivity, and decision-making. You may notice a decline in your ability to meet deadlines, arrive on time to work, perform poorly on the job, or receive low grades; these behaviours might indicate that alcohol is interfering with your responsibilities.
As you continue to drink alcohol, you may find that fulfilling your daily commitments is no longer a priority to you. Professional treatment can help you become more focused, develop new routines, and regain productivity and success.
5. You Are Drinking More Alcohol to Achieve the Same Effects
Developing a ‘tolerance’ means that your body needs increasingly larger amounts of alcohol to obtain the same effect as you did when you first started drinking. What once was a few drinks that made you feel relaxed may now require significantly more alcohol.
A warning sign of tolerance is that it can lead to increased drinking and a greater risk for negative health effects associated with an alcohol use disorder. Professional treatment can help people break the cycle of alcohol dependency before it advances to a higher level.
6. Continuing to Drink Although You Have Experienced Consequences
For many individuals with alcohol dependency, unfortunately, they continue to drink even after they have experienced a variety of negative consequences. These may include health issues, financial issues, legal issues, relationship problems, or disciplinary actions at work.
Continuing to consume too much alcohol even when it leads to clear and obvious harm is one diagnostic criterion for the condition known as alcohol use disorder (AUD). Specialized treatment gives people the tools they need to understand the reasons behind this type of behaviour and develop alternative behaviours to treat their issues.
7. Alcohol Has Become Your No. 1 Priority
Another symptom that your alcohol use is problematic is when alcohol begins to replace all other priorities in your life – such as family, work, and social activities. You may find yourself spending more time than necessary just to get alcohol, drinking, recovering from drinking, and planning activities that revolve around where the alcohol will be.
When people begin to make drinking the primary focus for everything that they do daily, it is usually an indication that they have developed serious alcohol dependence and require professional assistance. Alcohol abuse treatment programs will assist people in rediscovering their purpose in life, rebuilding their daily routine, and creating a healthier overall lifestyle.
Benefits Of Alcohol Abuse Treatment From A Professional
Receiving support from a professional organisation when trying to treat your alcohol dependency is about more than just putting down the bottle; comprehensive recovery programs will address all the physical, emotional, and behavioural components associated with being addicted to alcohol. Some of the benefits of receiving professional support while recovering from an alcohol dependency include:
- Doctors who will supervise your detox
- Individual counselling with a licensed therapist
- Group counselling
- Relapse prevention planning
- Mental health support
- Family counselling
- Long-term recovery resources
- Improved emotional and physical well-being
Receiving treatment using evidence-based practices dramatically increases the chance that someone will successfully become and remain sober, compared to if an individual were to independently pursue recovery from alcohol.
Alcohol Abuse Treatment Program Types
| Treatment Type | Description |
| Medical Detox | Safe withdrawal management under medical supervision |
| Inpatient Rehab | Residential treatment with 24/7 support |
| Outpatient Programs | Flexible treatment while living at home |
| Individual Therapy | One-on-one counselling sessions |
| Group Therapy | Peer support and shared recovery experiences |
| Aftercare Programs | Ongping support after formal treatment |
How Seeking Treatment Early Improves Recovery Results
If you suspect that you have signs of alcohol abuse and you seek help as quickly as possible, your chances of successfully recovering from your alcohol abuse will be greatly enhanced by taking action to prevent yourself from developing a problem with alcohol use disorder. When you start treatment for your alcohol addiction early enough before your body becomes dependent on alcohol, you are less likely to have long-term physical health issues that could cause difficulties in your overall recovery later on.
Also, seeking treatment early will assist you in developing healthier ways to cope with stress and every other aspect of your life that alcohol would eventually cause an issue for you. When you receive treatment from doctors, nurses, and counselors who are trained in treating alcohol addiction, you will be offered an alcohol abuse treatment plan designed specifically for you to treat the root of your alcohol addiction, not just the symptoms.
Creating a Sustainable Life After Completing Alcohol Treatment
Recovery is a lifelong process, and it requires you to be committed to making changes in your life, receiving support from others, including family and friends, learning how to lead a healthier lifestyle, and following a successful recovery plan. Successful recovery plans frequently include aftercare treatment services, individual and group counseling, peer support groups, relapse prevention programs, increased physical activity, eating healthy foods, and stress management techniques.
If you have developed and maintained strong relationships with family members, friends, and the recovery community, these individuals will help you stay on track when you are experiencing difficulties in your own life. Personal development and using what you learn in your treatment will help you to create a rewarding, alcohol-free lifestyle while greatly reducing the likelihood of relapse.
Conclusion
When someone realizes that they have any of the signs and they take action to seek professional assistance, they are setting themselves up to have the best chance for long-term recovery, overall improvement in health, and the ability to reconnect with key relationships in their lives.
For those looking for a compassionate, evidence-based approach to alcohol abuse treatment, Pine Meadows Recovery provides comprehensive, programmatic solutions to all stages of recovery. The staff of this alcohol abuse treatment center is highly skilled and dedicated to delivering an individualized treatment experience, so individuals can be free from alcohol use and move towards a healthier future.
Contact Details
Name – Pine Meadows Recovery
Contact No. – (262) 360-6326
Email ID – info@pinemeadowsrecovery.com
Address – 4633 Washington Rd. Kenosha, WI 53144
References
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Medline Plus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
FAQs
How can I determine whether my drinking is a serious issue?
If you are experiencing difficulties in your everyday life as a result of your drinking, and it is negatively impacting your health, work, relationships, or responsibilities, these can be signs that you need to seek assistance for Alcohol Use Disorder.
Can I quit drinking without professional assistance?
For those who can limit their quantity of alcohol consumed independent from one another, they may be able to stop drinking independently. Unless you have been drinking for a significant period of time or have developed withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, you may find that you would benefit from receiving assistance through a medically supervised alcohol detoxification process.
What is the definition of an alcohol detox?
Detox is the process of completely removing alcohol from your physical body using a medically monitored process to provide support and medication to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
What is the average duration of an alcohol treatment program?
The length of an alcohol abuse treatment program is different for everyone and is dependent on the individual’s needs. Programs typically last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, followed by ongoing aftercare.
Is alcohol addiction treated as a disease?
Yes. Alcohol Use Disorder is classified as a medical illness that alters how the brain functions and how people behave.
Can treatment help keep me from relapsing?
Yes. Evidence-based treatment provides you with coping skills and strategies for managing triggers and preventing relapse to support long-term recovery.
Can I receive treatment for co-occurring mental illness during my treatment for alcohol use disorder?
Yes. Many alcohol treatment programs provide dual diagnosis treatment for individuals with co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma, who may be addicted to alcohol.
When should I seek help for my alcohol use disorder?
You should seek help as soon as you start experiencing negative effects of using alcohol on your physical health or mental health, your relationships, your career, your finances, or your emotional well-being.