The bitter truth here is that it’s just tough to know exactly when to get help with alcoholism.
There’s no particular number of days that you’ve drunk in a row or obligations you’ve missed that ring a bell which signals it’s time for rehab.
For many folks, it’s extremely difficult to admit they have a problem with alcohol. People, by our nature, want to be in control or at least feel like they’re in control of their lives. Stating that alcohol controls you and is what dictates the day-to-day ebb and flow of your life is a big hurdle to clear.
It requires immense vulnerability and when that time comes is unique to each individual.
Something that can get you or a loved one closer is knowing the signs of alcoholism, what to look for in order to determine that there’s a problem that needs attention.
What Are the Signs of Alcoholism?
Addiction is always accompanied by signs and symptoms, it’s just a matter of being clear-eyed about what you’re seeing. There’s generally a desire to make excuses, either for yourself or someone you care about, because, again, admitting there’s a problem is tough for just about everyone.
Understanding what alcoholism is and what it looks like makes the issue tougher to deny or gloss over.
For starters, let’s get a quick definition of alcoholism or alcohol use disorder (AUD) as it’s officially known; according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), it’s “a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational or health consequences…Considered a brain disorder, AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. Lasting changes in the brain caused by alcohol misuse perpetuate AUD and make individuals vulnerable to relapse”.
Some of the signs of it are as follows:
- Drinking more than intended or unable to limit the number of drinks
- Inability to cut back
- Spending a disproportionate amount of time drinking, getting drinks or recovering from drinking
- Intense cravings
- Not able to fulfill work, school or family obligations
- Drinking despite clear negative consequences
- Skipping activities once enjoyed because they don’t involve alcohol
- Participating in increasingly dangerous behavior like drunk driving
- Changing friend group to include more drinkers
- Having to drink larger and larger amounts due to developing a tolerance
- Experience withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
When Is It Time to Consider Alcohol Rehab in California?
As mentioned earlier, there’s unfortunately not a straightforward answer or line that you cross but to make the grey area here a little bit clearer, the long and short of it is this: when you’re no longer in control and when alcohol motivates all of your actions and decisions, considering reaching out for help is squarely in your best interest.
Considering alcohol rehab in California may be among your best options. Renowned for its natural beauty, year-round comfortable temperatures and abundance of trained addiction specialists, Southern California could be your ticket to a lifetime of sustained sobriety.
Why You Should Go to Valley Recovery Center
At Valley Recovery Center in Santa Clarita, just outside of Los Angeles, you’ll find a team of professionals – psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors – dedicated to your recovery.
In our 30-, 60- or 90-day residential treatment program, the duration depending on your specific needs, you’ll go through customized rehab that’s aligned with what works for you.
Between evidence-based therapies and alternative treatments, you’ll receive holistic care that treats both the physical and mental aspects of addiction.
It all begins with a one-on-one consultation to determine the plan that would suit you best.
To learn more about our programs, don’t hesitate to reach out today, either for yourself or a loved one.
