Alcohol addiction is becoming more common amongst Americans. According to a study done in 2022, 2.2 million adults aged 18 and older reported having some form of alcohol addiction and received treatment in the last year. Binge drinking and alcohol abuse is normalized in American culture, especially amongst younger adults. Some signs of alcohol addiction may not be obvious signs of a problem, but at their core they are.
Destigmatized Signs of Alcohol Addiction
As our society becomes more and more open to binge drinking and party culture, signs of alcohol addiction become easier to ignore and brush to the side. Common signs of alcohol addiction that have been destigmatized include:
- Drinking and not having the ability to stop
- Often becoming sick during or after drinking
- Making unsafe choices when drinking – like driving a car
- Risking legal or financial trouble when drinking
These signs of alcohol addiction may seem like “rights of passage” for young adults or rare indulgences for others, but they are signs of having a problem with alcohol consumption.
Additional Signs of Alcohol Addiction
There are several less obvious signs of alcohol addiction. These signs usually come in conjunction with some of the destigmatized signs above, and when several are present it indicates signs of addiction. These signs include but are not limited to:
- Attempting to cease drinking and being unable to
- Not being to participate in activities without alcohol
- Drinking interfering with work or family life
- Needing to drinks larger quantities to get desired effects
Less obvious signs may be easy for people struggling with alcohol addiction to hide from loved ones. Oftentimes, they resort to isolation and excuses to hide their dependence on alcohol.
Treatment for Alcohol Addiction
Getting treatment for alcohol addiction is intimidating, but necessary for recovery. The first step in treatment is detox, which should be done in a medically supervised setting with experience in alcohol detox. During the detox process, doctors will prescribe medications that will make the patient feel more comfortable. Alcohol detox should not be attempted on one’s own or at home, there can be deadly consequences if done incorrectly.
Once medical detox is completed, those recovering from alcohol addiction will move to a residential treatment program that focuses on treating the substance use disorder that has manifested as alcohol abuse. This treatment will include individual and group therapy, relapse prevention strategies, sober activities like art, music, and physical activity, and more. The medical team working with the client will routinely assess progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
After residential treatment has been completed, the client will move to either intensive outpatient treatment or a partial hospitalization program. These programs are designed to provide treatment while allowing the client to live at home or in their own accommodations. During these programs the treatment team will work to build upon the coping and relapse prevention skills developed during detox and residential treatment.
Practice Patience in Recovery
Recovery is a multi-phase process and everyone’s journey looks different. It’s important to remain patient and trust the process. If you or someone you know is showing signs of alcohol addiction, connect with the team at Solution Based Treatment. We offer comprehensive addiction treatment that manages care from admissions, to detox, residential treatment, outpatient support, and beyond into sobriety.
About Solution Based Treatment
Solution Based Treatment is a national leader in detox and rehab programs. We offer inpatient medical detox, substance rehab, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, faith-based recovery, and sober living options. We maintain a 2:1 client to staff ratio to offer the best support possible to our patients within upscale living environments. At Solution Based Treatment, we support better living for brighter futures, all starting with our detox and rehab services. For more information visit our website at solutionbasedtreatment.com or give us a call at (833) 999-1941.