Am I an Alcoholic?
“Am I an alcoholic?” It seems like a simple question. It doesn’t have an easy answer, though. For men and women struggling with addiction, recognizing that there is a problem is a complex process with numerous steps. Before you can explore this question, you have to understand what alcohol use disorder is and how it impacts people differently. Alina Lodge offers the insights you need.
If you suspect that you or someone close to you has developed an alcohol use disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out to an alcohol rehab center. Reach out to Alina Lodge using our confidential online form today to call our intake team at 833.685.1700.
How to Know – Am I an Alcoholic Who Needs Help?
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, tens of millions of people over the age of 18 in the U.S. have alcohol use disorder.<sup>1</sup> Despite the way that it is sometimes portrayed in the mainstream media, alcohol use disorder or alcoholism is a life-threatening condition that is not often easy to overcome using just willpower. It can cause damage to your physical body, including your heart, liver, and brain. It also creates an intense addiction that impacts your relationships, ability to work, and self-esteem.
Don’t fall for common misconceptions. Drinking alcohol daily — having a glass of wine every day after work or stopping with friends for a drink — can be a recipe for alcoholism, especially for individuals who are predisposed to the condition. Drinking infrequently but in larger quantities — say, binge drinking on the weekends — isn’t safe either. You can develop alcoholism from either of these, as well as from a range of other factors.
In this sense, the first step to answering the question, “Am I an alcoholic?” is simply understanding what does and does not constitute normal recreational use of alcohol, and recognizing when that level of consumption has crossed into dangerous territory.
What Defines an Alcoholic?
As you have begun to ask questions like, “Am I an alcoholic?” or “Isn’t alcohol safe to use?” it is often because you know that what’s happening to you isn’t safe. Alcoholism occurs when a person develops both an addiction and dependence. Addiction occurs when you recognize the negative outcomes that come from using the substance, but you continue to use it anyway. Dependence takes things further. A person who is dependent on alcohol craves it and needs to continuously increase the amount consumed to achieve the desired result.
So, are you an alcoholic? If so, it’s time to do something about it. That’s where the addiction specialists at Alina Lodge can help you.
Do You Need Help with an Alcohol Use Disorder?
Our team provides a wide range of treatment options to help you. For many of our students, our alcohol detox program is the first step. You may then enter into long-term treatment to start working on healing your body and mind. We offer a range of tools to help you right now, including online meetings and treatment, as well as nutrition and recovery support.
Our comprehensive solutions and therapies include:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Trauma support
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Exercise treatment programs
- Family services
No matter where you are right now and what you are dealing with, Alina Lodge can help. Ask yourself one more time: “Am I an alcoholic who is ready to change?” When you are ready, our team will work closely with you to provide you with the support you need to finally break the addiction and to gain control.
Don’t Wait to Get Help from Alina Lodge
Every day you struggle with the question, “Am I an alcoholic?” the longer you put off the treatment that can save your life. The team at Alina Lodge is here to help you find address your substance use issues and put you on the path to recovery. Learn more about how you can break free from alcohol and drug use and become the person you want to be. Our team can help you when you call 833.685.1700.
FOOTNOTES
1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Alcohol Facts and Statistics
