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Over 14 million adults suffer from alcohol abuse disorder in the United States. But, less than 8% of those adults have seemed treatment for their alcoholism in the past year.
It’s obvious that alcohol abuse disorder if a common struggle, but why is seeking treatment so uncommon? The main reason is that most alcoholics are in denial about their addiction. They attempt to justify their drinking and don’t recognize the signs of addiction.
So the first step toward recovery is identifying and accepting your addiction. Keep reading to discover the most obvious signs you have a drinking problem.
Always Making Excuses to Drink More
How do you know if you have a drinking problem? Think about the times when you choose to drink. Did you make an excuse for yourself to justify your drinking?
This is a common method for alcoholics. They bargain with themselves, so even if you set a two-drink limit for the evening, they find a reason to justify upping the limit to four drinks. Excuses could range from “I deserve this” to “It’s a celebration.”
While one excuse to drink every six months isn’t anything to worry about, watch out for repetition and patterns.
Blacking Out Frequently
A big problem with alcohol in excess quantities is the blackout effect.
When someone blacks out from drinking, it results in memory loss and impaired judgment. You’ll wake up the next morning not remember what happened the night before, forgetting any bad decisions you made. This makes it easier to drink in excess again because you don’t remember the poor choices that resulted from your last binge.
If you drinking socially and have control of your actions, you should never blackout. If a blackout does occur, make sure that you ask others what happened so that you can attempt to fix any bad decisions you made while under the influence.
Ignoring Responsibilities, Relationships
When your drinking starts to get in the way of your life, it’s time to admit you have a problem.
Many times, a drinking problem will keep people away from their daily responsibilities, such as work or chores around the house. If you find yourself skipping work or chores to drink instead, you don’t have your priorities straight.
The same goes for ignoring positive relationships in your life. If your loved ones care about you, they may have started to comment on your drinking or encourage you to stop. This leads many alcoholics to cut ties to the people who mean the most to them.
Instead of avoiding the ones you love because you’re ashamed of your addiction, be honest with them. Sit down and tell them, “I think I have a drinking problem.” If they truly care for you, they’ll appreciate your honesty and help you seek treatment.
Prioritizing Alcohol Financially
Are you still wondering how do you know if you have an alcohol problem? Take a look at your bank account. While alcohol is affordable is you drink occasionally, it can financially ruin you if you have a drinking problem.
Do you have a hard time paying your bills each month? Are you cutting back your budget to buy alcohol, such as skipping lunch to afford another trip to the liquor store? Do you wake up after a night out drinking wondering where all your money went?
If any of these scenarios sound familiar, it’s time to seek help. Many times, when addiction leads to financial trouble, people become desperate. This can lead to borrowing money from loved ones or even stealing to feed your addiction.
You’re Facing Criminal Charges
There are many criminal charges that can stem from an alcohol abuse problem.
The most common are operating while intoxicated or driving under the influence charges. These mean that you made the poor decision to drive after drinking, endangering yourself and others. Drinking can also lead to you making poor decisions, resulting in a variety of charges from domestic battery to disorderly conduct or even theft.
While criminal charges are a horrible thing and the crimes often put people in danger, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Commonly, if you admit to the judge that you’re an alcoholic, they’ll recommend a treatment program, like Soul Surgery Rehab Center, instead of jail time. Based on their experience, they know that if you continue with your addiction without help, you’re more likely to end up in their courtroom again in the future.
Drinking Has Impacted Your Health
One of the most serious signs that you have a drinking problem is that it’s started to impact your health.
Drinking in excess can have serious negative effects on the body. Some of the more common side effects of alcoholism include liver damage and heart disease. Once these effects begin to set in, they’re often irreversible and can get more serious over time.
This is why it’s important to always be honest with your doctor when they ask how many alcoholic drinks you consume in the average week. They need to know if you are at risk for any serious health conditions so that they can combat them as soon as possible if necessary.
Look Out for These Signs You Have a Drinking Problem
After reading this article, you now have a better understanding of the signs you have a drinking problem.
If you have one or more of these signs present in your life, it’s time to seek help. Don’t be ashamed of your addiction, instead focus on how you can learn and grow from your recovery journey. Enroll in a rehab, change your lifestyle, and learn to enjoy a healthy and sober life.
Looking for more ways to improve your life beyond your alcohol addiction? Head to the Health and Fitness section of this site for all the best tips and tricks.
