Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions. In 2019, an estimated 14.5 million American adults had a diagnosable alcohol use disorder. This is because alcoholism is legal and readily available.
There are many people that drink recreationally and may not realize an addiction has formed. If this is the case, they may not get the help they need, and their substance abuse disorder can spiral out of control.
This article will answer the question, “how do I know if I am an alcoholic,” so you can determine if you need to reach out for immediate help.
What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is defined as an addiction to alcohol. People that are alcoholics will require a drink to function normally. They will feel an urge to drink throughout the day, and they will be unable to control their cravings. While they may be able to hide their alcoholism short-term, it will get to the point where it spirals out of control.
How Do I Know If I Am an Alcoholic?
If you drink excessively, you may notice that you are beginning to develop a tolerance towards alcohol. You will need to drink more to get the same effects.
After a while, you may start experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Your body will get so used to having the alcohol in its system it will be unable to function normally without it. Common signs of alcohol withdrawal are shaking, agitation, insomnia, disorientation, headache, and nausea.
The only way to rid yourself of these symptoms short term is to drink more alcohol. This will get you headed in a vicious cycle.
Other signs of alcoholism include:
- Slurred speech
- Blackouts
- Forgetfulness
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Lack of self-care
- Dishonest behavior
- Dangerous behavior
- Troubled relationships
- Mood swings
- Financial issues
- Legal issues
Is There an Alcoholism Test?
If you are wondering, am I an alcoholic, you may want to take an alcoholism test.
There is no alcoholism test that can be done in a lab. However, if you visit a doctor, you can have blood work done to determine how alcohol is affecting your health. The testing can show how drinking affects your liver, blood pressure, and heart health.
You can also take a non-physical test that assesses your behavior to determine whether you are an alcoholic. This will include questions on how often you drink and how drinking is affecting your mental health, productivity, and relationships with others.
What Causes Alcoholism?
There are many factors that may cause alcoholism, including the following:
Genetics: There is evidence that people with a close relative addicted to alcohol will be more likely to become addicted themselves. It is unclear how genetics play a part.
Environment: People that deal with a stressful environment or have been exposed to trauma and abuse are more likely to become alcoholics.
Mental Illness: Many people dealing with mental illness are reluctant to get help. They may be afraid of what people think of them if they come forward about their disorder or may not think their issues are that bad. Instead of reaching out, they self-medicate with alcohol. Although the alcohol may reduce symptoms short term, it will ultimately take them on a downward spiral, making matters worse.
How to Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment?
There are many alcohol addiction treatment centers out there, and you will find them by doing a bit of internet research. But it’s essential to find one that’s right for you. The facility must provide the treatment you require, a comfortable atmosphere, a caring staff, high success rates, and more.
You can spend hours trying to find the perfect clinic, or you can save time by contacting My Recovery Source first.
My Recovery Source offers free referral services for rehab clinics. We will get you the help you need regardless of your location and personal and financial situation. We will see to it that you get the customized care you require. Alcoholism dramatically reduces the quality of life. If you are dealing with dependency issues, don’t hesitate to contact My Recovery Source. We will get you on the road to achieving your recovery goals.
