Alcohol Abuse – Where To Get Help
Do you ever worry about not having enough alcohol for the weekend? Have you ever hide alcohol so no one knows how much you drank? Did you ever have to switch from one kind of alcoholic drink to another because one made you sick? Have you ever tried to get “extra drinks” at a social event? If you answered yes to any of the aforementioned questions, then you’re guilty of alcohol abuse that’s taking over your life! If you have a hard time quitting when you’ve pledged to, if someone has had to talk to you about your drinking or drunken shenanigans, if you suffer memory lapses from drinking, or if you feel guilty and out of control, then you should seek help with recovery from alcoholism.
Can problem drinkers simply cut down on alcohol consumption to combat their abuse of alcohol? The answer to this popular question all depends upon the individual. For the most successful recovery from alcoholism, abstinence is really the only cure. On the other hand, people who have experienced alcohol related problems, but aren’t actually alcohol dependent, may be able to cut back on their own. Before hitting “rock bottom,” it’s recommended that the drinkers stop covering up their alcohol consumption, read information on alcoholism to assess the situation and avoid situations where alcohol will be involved.
In some instances of alcohol abuse, it is found that the individual has what is called “an addictive personality.” While it is not widely accepted that alcohol abuse is inherited or unpreventable, putting the condition into the “addictive personality” paradigm is a helpful way for a person to accept his or her status and work toward understanding and dealing with it. Some people are just naturally impulsive, value nonconformity, feel socially alienated and feel a heightened level of stress in everyday life. Lack of self esteem, a rough childhood, depression or anxieties are also assumed characteristics of the “addict” personality type. Often these people have a proclivity toward excessive drug and alcohol use, sex, gambling and smoking.
Perhaps the person with a propensity to engage in alcohol abuse suffered cycles of excess and deprivation as a child, or perhaps trauma and overall unhappiness is causing some people to self-medicate with alcoholic drink. If they’re naturally reckless, impulsive, rebellious, authoritarian or alienated, then perhaps it’s deeply embedded in one’s personality type. Scientists have many theories about what specifically causes one to abuse alcohol. The best treatments are patient-chosen and range from AA meetings, long term alcohol clinics, alcohol drugs, psychotherapy and abstinence.
For help and more information about alcoholism and how to stop drinking, visit Alcoholics Anonymous.
By Healthy Relationships Editor
