Alcohol addiction can be one of the easiest substance use issues to hide. Because alcohol is legal and socially accepted in most places, it’s sometimes difficult to spot the warning signs of alcohol abuse in someone you care about. But understanding these symptoms is an important step in ensuring that someone gets the help they need.
Honey Lake Clinic’s addiction treatment program in Greenville, Florida, specializes in providing alcohol abuse treatment through a Biblical worldview. In our addiction treatment program, we offer a comprehensive approach to help those in need break free of the shackles of alcohol addiction. By addressing the mind, body, and spirit, we can help people heal and regain control of their lives.
Call 888.428.0562 today if you’ve noticed the warning signs of alcohol abuse in a loved one—we can help.
How Alcohol Addiction Develops
Alcohol addiction can start out as a seemingly innocent habit and progress over time. That’s why it’s important to be on the lookout for signs of alcohol abuse, no matter how slight they may seem. Alcohol addiction doesn’t happen overnight—it begins with subtle behaviors that gradually become more frequent or pronounced.
Alcohol triggers reward pathways in your brain, which means your body begins to crave it. This can lead to an increase in alcohol consumption and the development of a physical dependence. With continued use, alcohol addiction can slowly take over someone’s life.
What Are the Warning Signs of Alcohol Addiction?
Noticeable changes occur in the body and behavior of someone suffering from alcohol addiction. Here are seven warning signs that could indicate a problem with alcohol:
- Tolerance – Do you need to drink more to experience the same feeling you had with fewer drinks before? Do you drink a lot and not feel it? You’re building tolerance. Your body needs more of the substance than before because your body is becoming accustomed to being drunk.
- Withdrawal symptoms – Do you feel anxious, shaky, or irritable when you’re not drinking? Do you ever experience headaches and feel like you need a drink? When the alcohol wears off, your body exhibits withdrawal symptoms.
- Loss of control – Do you intend to drink a certain amount only to discover you have little control over when to stop? You’re losing control. Alcohol is taking control.
- Desire to stop drinking – Do you want to stop and just can’t? This is a telltale sign of addiction.
- Time and money – Do you find yourself spending more time than ever drinking or thinking about alcohol? Are you investing more cash in it than usual?
- Neglecting commitments – Do you have difficulty keeping up with other obligations such as work, school, or even social gatherings because of your drinking habits? Alcoholism is slowly
- Neglecting other activities – Have you ignored important commitments? Have you forgotten promises, blown off work or chores? Are you letting activities that used to be important to you slip for alcohol? Alcohol is becoming a higher priority.
- Lost time, energy, and focus – Are you focusing on alcohol more and less on everything else? Are you thinking about your next drink? Loss of productivity, promptness, and perspective are all tell-tale signs.
- Negative consequences – Has your drinking interfered with your job? Is it damaging your relationships? Has it caused financial concerns? Health issues? Legal problems? Are others pointing these things out to you?
If you recognize these signs of alcohol addiction in yourself or someone you love, we can help.
Contact the Honey Lake Clinic Team to Get Started
At Honey Lake Clinic, we believe faith-based treatment, encompassing your spiritual, physical, and mental health, will provide you with the long-lasting tools and knowledge you need to break alcohol’s grip.
Recognizing you need help is a vitally important first step. Call 888.428.0562 or reach out online today to get started.
