In order to determine what type of addiction treatment and recovery program one should enter when they are having problems with their drinking it is important to know what the difference is between alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction or dependency. The terms are oftentimes interchanged even when they shouldn’t be because there are a few significant differences between them.
Alcohol abuse has been defined as the harmful consumption of alcohol. Alcohol abusers are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV as individuals who continue to drink despite the adverse affects it has on their health as well as any recurring financial, legal, and social problems that may arise. The terminology “harmful use” is applied to indicate mental and physical health damage that results from alcoholism.
Individuals who are addicted to or dependent upon alcohol exhibit all of the signs that the person who abuses alcohol does which is not uncommon as most substance abuse can oftentimes lead to addiction or dependency. However, when addiction or dependency is present, the following is exhibited:
- behavior that is indicative of needing more alcohol such as only attending events where alcohol will be present
- drinking in order to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms such as for curing a hangover or stopping the shakes
- drinking of only one brand or type of alcohol
- starting to drink again even if you have abstained for a long period of time
- tolerance build-up and needing increasingly larger quantities of alcohol to achieve the desired effect of it
- withdrawal signs or symptoms
The person who is diagnosed as an abuser may be helped by education and an intervention or without having to enter an addiction treatment and recovery facility. The person who is diagnosed with an addiction to or dependency on alcohol typically require the professional help of an addiction rehab program in order to overcome their problems.
Recognizing the warning signs of alcohol abuse and addiction
In order to determine whether or not you or a loved one has an alcohol abuse problem or addiction to alcohol, you need to be aware of the different warning signs of both conditions. The warning signs of alcohol abuse include:
- being unable to remember what happened when you drank or blacking out
- driving a vehicle when you are intoxicated
- even though you have developed health problems such as kidney problems or liver disease, you continue to drink
- family members and friends annoy you because they are concerned about your drinking
- having problems at school or work because of your drinking such as excess absenteeism and tardiness
- you get hurt when you are drinking or you hurt others
- your drinking is leading to legal problems
The following are the more common warning signs of alcohol addiction or dependency:
- even though you are damaging your health and harming your relationships, you continue drinking
- when you stop drinking, you suffer with withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, being sick to your stomach, shaking, and sweating
- you are spending more and more time drinking and recovering
- you have stopped participating in your favorite activities just so you can drink
- you need to increase the amount you are drinking in order to experience the same effect
- your drinking is uncontrollable and you are unable to stop
There are other signs to look for when alcohol addiction and dependency are more severe. These include:
- attempt to hide your drinking or making excuses for it by purchasing your alcohol at different stores
- drinking alone, being drunk over long periods or time, or drinking early in the day
- feelings of guilt and shame after you have been drinking
- switching what you drink (e.g. from beer to wine) because you think you can drink longer without getting drunk
- you begin experiencing numerous physical signs of addiction or dependency such as redness of the cheeks and nose, a sore or upset stomach (gastritis), and weight loss
- you worry about whether or not you will have enough alcohol in the house for the next day or the weekend
If any of the above applies to you or a loved one, you may be in need of professional help for your drinking problems and should discuss this with an addiction treatment and recovery specialist. If this is the case, you will have to decide what type of program to enter.
The benefits of a residential, in-patient addiction rehab program
There are three primary advantages to entering an in-patient addiction treatment and recovery center including:
24/7/365 medical care, monitoring, and supervision – individuals who have a severe addiction to or dependency on alcohol need around-the-clock care, especially when they are undergoing detox and withdrawal. The medical care, monitoring, and supervising that you receive in an in-patient facility is done in order to keep you as comfortable as possible
Building positive relationships and strong bonds – you have the opportunity to develop long-term relationships and strong bonds with your peers and the staff members of the facility. This could prove to be beneficial in the future.
Removal from a potentially harmful environment – by entering an in-patient facility, you are being removed from the potentially harmful environment that you live in. At the facility, you are not interrupted by all the pressures and stress of everyday living and are not exposed to the people and places that trigger your addictive behavior. Instead, you are able to focus totally on your recovery.
We are here to help you
The Delray Recovery Center can provide you with a customizable addiction treatment and recovery program that will address your clinical and personal needs. If you or a loved one is suffering with alcohol abuse, addiction, or dependency issues you should contact one of our addiction specialists and learn about our Strength to Change program. For more information on how this program can help you, call us today at the toll-free phone number listed above.
