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Every day, 261 Americans die from alcohol.
While drinking is often thought of as a festive and social activity, it can have serious consequences when done in excess.
But it can be hard to know where to draw the line between innocent fun and a legitimate alcohol dependence or addiction. However, knowing the signs of alcohol abuse can make it much easier to get the help you need to stay healthy and safe.
Alcohol Abuse Signs
Alcohol abuse doesn’t always look the same for everyone. Some are able to remain “high functioning” despite regularly abusing alcohol. For others, alcohol abuse takes over their entire life.
Look for these key signs that your drinking is becoming dangerous.
Drinking More Than You Planned To
Those who struggle with alcohol abuse have a hard time controlling their drinking. That means, if you planned to have only a couple drinks, you may find it hard to avoid the temptation of drinking double or triple that instead.
Another sign of alcohol abuse is trying to stop or decrease drinking frequency, yet failing to do so. For example, you might plan to only drink once a week, but in actuality you drink nearly every day.
Trouble Functioning Without Alcohol
Alcohol dependence occurs when there’s a constant need to drink. Then, regular activities feel tortuous without a drink.
And you may even choose to drink when it’s extremely dangerous to do so, such as when driving or swimming.
Suffering at Home, Work, or School Due to Drinking
Drinking itself can cause a variety of health and cognitive problems.
But you may also find that your drinking habits cause issues in other areas of your life, such as with a spouse or at work. If you’re regularly getting into trouble and betraying people you care about in favor of drinking, you likely have an alcohol abuse problem.
Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol can become addictive to the body, just like many other drugs and harmful substances. You’ll know your body has become addicted when you experience withdrawal symptoms if you try to abstain from drinking.
These symptoms can include shakiness, irritability, headache, appetite or digestive changes, and anxiety.
How to Get Help
If you have these signs of alcohol abuse, it’s important to get help as soon as possible.
Talking to a doctor or therapist can be a good first step to overcome alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse rehab can also be a solution for those who have already developed a dependence or addiction to alcohol. Rehab centers such as Hope Rising Recovery offer alcohol detox, mental health services, and long-term rehabilitation to help you live a fuller life, without needing a drink.
Know the Signs of Alcohol Abuse
Drinking is a common pastime for many, but it’s also a relatively common cause of death for those who struggle with alcohol abuse.
Keep these signs of alcohol abuse in mind, and if you think that you may struggle with alcoholism, seek help at a trustworthy rehab facility.
Stay on top of your health, both inside and out, with our other health awareness articles!
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