How to Tell if You Have a Drinking Problem: A Guide to Self-Assessment

It can be difficult to tell if you have a problem with alcohol when you are in the midst of it. If you are surrounded by alcohol and people who drink in your day-to-day life, it may be even harder to admit you are struggling. Alcohol consumption has been normalized in our current culture. It can be difficult to realize you have a problem when those around you drink. Understanding the signs of alcoholism and problematic alcohol usage will give you the ability to get help before things get too bad. When you know the signs of having an issue with alcohol, you can get ahead of the problem. 

West Coast Recovery Centers offers treatment for people who think that they may have a drinking problem. Alcoholism treatment may include various types of therapy, group work, and medication management. These things will help you manage your mental and physical health. Once your health is under control, you can get to a place where you can stop drinking. Understanding that you have a problem is the first step in gaining back control over your drinking. 

When you can manage your drinking or stay sober, your overall health will be better. Understanding what to watch out for and the signs of a drinking problem will give you the ability to maintain control.

The Normalization of Alcohol

It is difficult to live a life focused on sobriety when the culture or community you find yourself in engages in drinking. The current culture, including social media, movies, television, and even advertising, focuses a large amount on the normalization of alcohol in day-to-day contexts. While alcohol is a neutral substance, it is important to note that drinking can get out of control easily. Alcohol is available nearly everywhere, which can make it hard to regulate your drinking. This can also make it hard to notice that you have a problem. Not everyone who drinks alcohol will develop a problem. It is possible that the normalization of the constant presence of alcohol can make it difficult to manage your drinking. 

If everyone around you drinks, then you may not find an issue with your own drinking. Admitting you are struggling with drinking can be especially difficult if people around you seem to drink without issue. It is important to note that even though some people may seem like they are managing their alcohol use, they may be struggling behind closed doors. The best way to manage your drinking is to complete self-assessments and be honest with yourself. 

Observing your drinking patterns will help you understand if your alcohol usage is becoming problematic. If you are unable to control your drinking, you may struggle with alcoholism.

Are You an Alcoholic?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD), or alcoholism, affects nearly 18 million Americans. Drinking becomes a disorder when you are unable to manage your drinking on your own. If you turn to drink to cope with your struggles and are unable to manage them in other ways, you may have a drinking problem. Drinking to manage your feelings or struggles will cause you to gain a dependence on it. If you are unable to calm down without the help of alcohol, you may already experience a physical or psychological dependency. Moreover, this dependency can be difficult to break without the assistance of a treatment program or provider. 

Here are a few questions to ask yourself about your alcohol use:

• Have you ever drank more or for longer than you intended?
• Have you ever stop drinking or cut back, but were unable?
• Have you ever wanted a drink so much you couldn't think of anything else?
• Have you continued to drink even if it was causing problems with family, school, or work?
• Have you drank more drinks than usual to achieve a desired effect?
• Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (shakiness, nausea, sweating, struggling to sleep, feeling unhappy), when the effects of alcohol wore off?

If you answered yes to many of these questions, it may be time to seek treatment for a drinking problem. While each person may have a different alcohol tolerance, alcohol usage can cause many difficulties in your life. The long-term effects of alcohol can cause intense physical and mental repercussions.

Getting Treatment for a Drinking Problem

Finding treatment for a drinking problem can be overwhelming, but important. If your drinking is causing issues in your life, your relationships, or your work, it can be time to get treatment. West Coast Recovery Centers provides treatment for alcohol use issues. This treatment gives you the ability to get your health under control. The first step of treatment will depend on how much help you need to stop drinking. If your drinking problem is severe, you can receive help coming off of alcohol safely. Long-term usage of alcohol may cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms will require the assistance of a medical provider to help you come off the substance.

The next steps of treatment include seeking therapy and group work. These treatments can help to understand the root cause of your struggles with alcohol. They can also give you the skills that you need to get sober. Treatment can help you find healthier ways to manage stress in your life. If someone is unable to control their drinking on their own, treatment can give you the ability to manage it on your own.

If you surround yourself with people who normalize drinking, it can be difficult to find support to stop. Sometimes people who struggle with drinking may feel ashamed that they can not manage their drinking on their own. Evaluating your drinking will give you the ability to understand if you should seek treatment. Self-assessment can be a valuable tool, especially when you don't have support from those around you. Treatment can give you the skills that you need to get and stay sober and maintain control over your drinking. If you are interested in learning more about the different treatment options available for drinking problems, we can help. Call West Coast Recovery Centers today at (760) 492-6509.