Alcohol Abuse Counseling
Definition of Alcohol Abuse
When a person's use of alcohol interferes with his or her physical, social, or economic functioning. Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. It includes four symptoms:
- Craving--A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
- Impaired control--The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion.
- Physical dependence--Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
- Tolerance--The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.
Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease with symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious job or health problems. Like many other diseases, it has a generally predictable course, has recognized symptoms, and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors that are being increasingly well defined.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
- Loss of time from school or work due to drinking.
- Depression or unhappiness due to drinking.
- Drinking in order to cope with personal problems.
- Drinking to overcome shyness.
- Loss of interest in family and friends.
- Loss of interest in activities which were once of interest.
- Difficulty sleeping due to drinking.
- Poor judgment.
- Drinking outside of a social setting.
- Showing up intoxicated in inappropriate settings.
- Drinking to build self-confidence.
- Mood fluctuations.
- Developing health problems due to drinking.
- Experiencing memory blackouts during or after drinking.
- Usually drinking to the point of intoxication.
- Feeling guilty about drinking.
- Not fulfilling promises or obligations because of drinking.
Alcoholism treatment is effective in many cases. Studies show that a minority of alcoholics remain sober 1 year after treatment, while others have periods of sobriety alternating with relapses. Still others are unable to stop drinking for any length of time. Treatment outcomes for alcoholism compare favorably with outcomes for many other chronic medical conditions. The longer one abstains from alcohol, the more likely one is to remain sober.
It is important to remember that many people relapse once or several times before achieving long-term sobriety. Relapses are common and do not mean that a person has failed or cannot eventually recover from alcoholism. If a relapse occurs, it is important to try to stop drinking again and to get whatever help is needed to abstain from alcohol. Ongoing support from family members and others can be important in recovery.
Commitment to the process of healing from alcohol addiction is required. Without commitment results may be temporary and a relapse into the life of obsession with alcohol is very likely. Your commitment to the process of healing from alcohol addiction will be rewarded by the continually lessening urge to drink. It will become easier and easier to find other ways to deal with the stresses of life.
Recovery requires the addict to get into a regular pattern of tough recovery work. The addict is fighting to change many, many years of conditioning. Recovery will not occur overnight or even over a couple of weeks. Alcohol addiction recovery is a marathon, not a sprint! Get ready to work!
If you are wanting help with alcohol addiction, our counseling center provides individual, group, couples, and family counseling. We also provide counseling and group support for the wife or partner of the addict.
There are two ways to setup an appointment with one of our counselors:
1) Fill out the Contact Form and a counselor will call you with 24-hours; 2) Call our offices at 303-933-5800.