The signs can be subtle at first if you’re struggling with alcohol abuse. It may start as a casual drink here and there to unwind after work or a couple of drinks on the weekend to socialize with friends.
However, if alcohol abuse continues unchecked, it can seriously affect your professional life, personal relationships, and overall mental health. Wracking up frequent hangovers, blacking out frequently, or having trouble going to work because of your drinking are all telltale signs that you need to go to alcohol addiction treatment.
While some people may be hesitant to reach out for help and think they can handle their problem alone, the sooner you get help for alcohol addiction, the better your chances of beating it are.
Here are some warning signs that indicate you need to seek professional alcohol addiction treatment:
You Constantly Drink More Than You Intended To
Alcohol is a depressant that slows down your central nervous system. This can make you tired and drowsy and even cause you to fall asleep at inopportune times. This can create a situation where you may drink more than you had intended to because you’ve slowed down your body’s ability to tell you that you’ve had enough.
It’s essential to keep track of how much you’re drinking to ensure you’re not drinking more than you intended to. If you notice that you’re consistently drinking more than you intend to, that’s a sign that you must go to alcohol addiction treatment.
You’re Having Trouble Meeting Your Work Obligations Because of Your Drinking
One of the first signs you need to go to alcohol addiction treatment is if your drinking is getting in the way of your work obligations.
If you’re a regular drinker and it’s not impacting your ability to work, that’s fine. However, if you’re regularly drinking to the point of being intoxicated (or blacking out) or increasingly relying on alcohol to get through the day, those are all signs that you need help.
Additionally, if you’re worried that your drinking is negatively impacting your work performance, don’t hesitate to seek help. Employers typically frown upon employees who drink to excess during work hours which can even lead to disciplinary action or termination, depending on your employer’s policies.
You Keep Trying to Quit but Always End up Relapsing
It’s natural to want to quit on your own, especially if you’re concerned about the damaging effects your drinking is causing on your life, health, and relationships with your family, friends, and colleagues.
If you’re serious about quitting and getting the help you need, you can stop drinking on your own. However, if you keep trying to quit and always end up relapsing, that’s a sign that you need to go to alcohol addiction treatment.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, taking them seriously is essential. The sooner you get help for alcohol addiction, the better your chances of beating it are. Fortunately, there are various types of alcohol addiction treatment available. From in-patient to outpatient treatment, there’s a program for every kind of drinker.
