Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
An addiction to alcohol is something that can impact a person in many different ways. Alcoholism can also manifest in many different ways. You may be surprised to learn that it’s possible for a person to fall into the trap of alcoholism early on in life. What may start off as feeling peer pressure to have a few drinks of alcohol could turn into a chronic habit as time goes on. However, it’s also possible for alcohol addiction to develop later on in life. Keep in mind that an addiction to alcohol is something that can trigger several physical and psychological symptoms. Here are some examples:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Lack of coordination
- Incohesive statements
- Blank or glassy states
- Agitation or anxiety
- Problems standing up or keeping balance
- Disorientation
Realistically the symptoms of alcoholism could go on and on as the influence of alcohol can impact every person differently. However, there is always help available when you partner with the right addiction treatment facility. One of the important decisions that you will need to make when it comes to treatment is whether you are going to work through an inpatient or outpatient program. There are several differences between these two treatment options including your physical location during the time that you’re in treatment as well as the hourly commitment that you have each week. Determining which treatment option is better for you is something that your intake team can discuss with you in more detail when you initially reach out.
Short Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse
It’s important not to overlook the short-term effects of alcohol abuse. The risk of losing your job, causing yourself serious physical or psychological harm, or impacting the relationships with your friends or loved ones is always there. However, during the time that you are in treatment, you provide yourself with the pause and the reset that you need to be able to gain back your health, your well-being, and the relationships that you once held dear.
Long Term Effects of Alcohol
The long-term effects of alcohol can be severe. It’s possible that you cause permanent damage to yourself both physically and psychologically. For example, one of the organs that can be damaged as a result of alcoholism is your liver. Although your liver has the amazing capability to heal itself, when you put too much stress and pressure on it, it will not function correctly. Liver disease is always a long-term health possibility as well as other serious health conditions to your internal organs which can ultimately lead to your death.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism
When a person is in active addiction, it may be impossible for them to truly recognize the signs and symptoms associated with alcoholism. However, it’s possible that their friends and family members may recognize these signs and help them through the process of identifying them. Some examples of signs and symptoms associated with alcoholism:
- Progressively drinking more and more
- Having cravings or urges to drink
- Having the desire to cut down on your drinking but being unable to do so
- Giving up on social or family interactions so that you can drink
- Needing to spend a tremendous amount of time recovering after a drinking binge
Although these signs of alcoholism can have a serious impact on your life, it’s important to remember that recovery is always possible when you reach out for help. One of the focuses of your time in treatment will be participating in different forms of therapy so that you can determine the root cause of your addiction. This part of your recovery journey can be painful at times simply because you truly have to address the painful events in your life that may have triggered your addiction. Forms of therapy that you can expect to experience during your time in treatment will include:
Behavioral therapy
During the time that you were in active addiction, it’s likely that you picked up on certain behavioral habits that may negatively impact the interactions that you have with other people. This type of behavior becomes learned behavior and it’s something that you have to actively work toward changing once you are no longer under the influence of alcohol. Behavioral therapy will give you the opportunity to identify and address this behavior so that you can break free of these bad habits which will help you to lead a more successful life.
Individual therapy
Although group therapy can be incredibly helpful when it comes to developing your understanding of this disease, there may be certain aspects of your life that you simply don’t feel comfortable talking about in a group-type setting. However, individual therapy provides you with the unique opportunity to tackle these issues with the peace of mind of knowing that you are speaking in a personalized setting with your treatment team. Individual therapy will also provide you with the chance to review your recovery program to ensure that you’re still on the right track overall.
Group therapy
One of the leading benefits associated with group therapy is the fact that you will have the opportunity to connect with other people that are committed to working through their own treatment program. This gives you a wonderful chance to listen to their experiences which can help you to recognize that you are not alone when it comes to how you may be feeling as you navigate through your recovery. You may come to find that the people that you meet in group therapy will become lifelong friends and they can help to serve as your system of support and vice versa as you work through the different stages of your addiction recovery.
Family therapy
If your relationships with your family have suffered as a result of your addiction, then you would undoubtedly benefit from participating in family therapy. Family therapy helps you to open the door of communication with your loved ones now that you are focusing on your sobriety. It’s possible that your family may have been hurt emotionally as a result of your addiction and actively participating in family therapy with them can help you to redevelop the relationship that you once had with them which is something that can be an incredible source of support as you begin to work through the recovery process.
How to Help an Alcoholic
An understandable question that many friends or family members tend to have revolves around the steps that they can take to help their loved one or friend that is struggling with alcohol addiction. Many people mistakenly believe that there is nothing that they can do and that it is up to the person with the addiction to see to their own issues. The reality is that there are several things that you, as a loved one, can do to show your support or to help a person that is suffering from alcoholism:
Ask questions
When your loved one decides to commit to a treatment plan through a top-rated treatment facility, one of the best things that you can do is ask questions regarding treatment. An experienced and caring treatment team will always make time to address any of your concerns which will be helpful throughout the recovery process. Remember, if your loved one cannot make the initial call into an intake team, that group of people will help you to walk you through the process of enrolling your loved one in a recovery program.
Ensure that you have your own help
It’s important to remember that you should always set yourself up with your own form of support as your loved one works their way through the recovery process. Over and above participating in family therapy, you may also want to take the opportunity to attend an Al-Anon or a Nar-Anon meeting.
Have realistic expectations
Alcoholism is a disease. As a result, it would be unrealistic to expect your loved one to be completely healed from this disease in a matter of just a few days. Instead, recovery is a process that means that it will take some time to work through the various components of the disease. It’s imperative that you have realistic expectations when it comes to how your loved one progresses through the different recovery stages of their treatment plan. Setting unrealistic expectations on your loved one can result in setbacks or even relapses.
Alcoholism Treatment at Pacific Manor
At Pacific Manor Recovery, our focus is on providing you with the best opportunity to be able to address your addiction to alcohol once and for all. We go above and beyond to provide you with the personalized care and attention that you need to ensure that you’re able to work through any of the contributing factors of your disease and go on to live a healthier and more successful life. From inpatient treatment to outpatient programs as well as a multitude of therapy options, you can take comfort in the fact that our recovery team will be there with you and for you every step of the way. Please call us today at (888) 300-4370 for more information.
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