Alcohol abuse significantly impairs an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. While alcohol is a legal drug consumed by millions of people, there’s no denying that alcohol is an addictive substance that can be abused. Nearly 15 million people ages 12 and older struggle with an alcohol abuse disorder. And yet, a small percentage of people each year receive professional treatment to safely and effectively overcome their addiction. In this article, you’ll learn more about the common signs of alcohol abuse and how to help someone if you suspect they have a drinking problem.
At Sequoia Recovery Centers, we offer medically supervised detoxification to help addicts break free from drug and alcohol addiction in a safe environment. Recovering addicts receive constant care and support to overcome withdrawal symptoms safely and effectively. Although withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to overcome on your own, having constant care and support from our compassionate team will help you effectively overcome your addiction and start down your long-term life of sobriety.
Struggling with addiction? Contact us today to learn how you can break free of addiction for good.
How Does Alcohol Affect the Body?
Millions of people across the United States consume alcohol. However, while alcohol is a legal drug, there’s no denying the addictive nature of alcohol. Once alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed quickly by the body and interferes with the brain and its processes.
Soon after consuming alcohol, the brain experiences a spike in dopamine, which is a feel-good, pleasurable chemical in the brain. Your body naturally releases its own amount of dopamine; however, by constantly consuming an external substance, like alcohol, to feel a desired pleasurable effect, your body eventually becomes dependent on the substance to feel this desired effect.
As individuals overconsume alcohol, they’ll transition from this excited and euphoric state to more of a state of confusion and potentially even physical and mental impairment depending on the amount of alcohol consumed. Extreme overconsumption of alcohol can even result in individuals blacking out or may even result in alcohol poisoning and, in some cases, death.
While all individuals who drink alcohol won’t develop an addiction, individuals who frequently abuse alcohol often may develop a dependency. This is because frequent alcohol abuse will result in the body producing less natural dopamine, and thus will expect external substances, like alcohol consumption, to satisfy their body’s craving.
What Are the Signs of Alcohol Abuse?
If you suspect a friend or family member is struggling with alcohol abuse, there are several common alcohol abuse signs and symptoms.
Common physical, mental, and behavioral signs of alcohol abuse include:
- Poor coordination
- Slurred speech
- Impaired thinking
- Spending less time with family, friends, and work and more time drinking
- Being secretive about their alcohol abuse
- Engaging in riskier behavior
- Being in denial about their alcohol abuse problem
- Wanting to quit abusing alcohol, but not being able to quit.
It can be difficult to watch your friend or family member fall victim to the hands of addiction. However, if your loved one is showing any of the above signs of alcohol abuse and you suspect they may be struggling with addiction, help is available. Addiction treatment centers offer a range of treatment programs from detoxification programs to outpatient care options and more so you can effectively overcome your addiction.
How to Help Someone With a Drinking Problem
Alcohol is an addictive substance that, if abused, can result in serious physical, mental, and social consequences in a person’s life. However, if someone you know is showing some of these common alcohol abuse signs and you suspect they may have a drinking problem, various addiction treatment centers can help. Professional addiction treatment centers offer a range of services to help addicts struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.
If you suspect someone you know is struggling with a drinking problem, consider having an open discussion with the individual about the different alcohol abuse signs and symptoms you’ve observed. Then, talk with them about how seeking professional addiction treatment can be a great step for them to safely and effectively overcome their addiction.
Sequoia Recovery Centers is committed to helping clients safely and effectively overcome their withdrawal symptoms. Although detoxing can involve uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, some of which may be life-threatening, the detoxification process is the first necessary step in any addict’s recovery journey. Our compassionate staff offers constant support and care to help you safely detox, so you are one step closer to overcoming your addiction and maintaining long-term sobriety. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you on your road to recovery.
