SoberBlog

How can you tell whether you may have a drinking problem? Answering the following four questions can help you find out:

Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?

Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?

Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning (as an “eye opener”) to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

One "yes" answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. If you answered “yes” to more than one question, it is highly likely that a problem exists. In either case, it is important that you see your doctor or other health care provider right away to discuss your answers to these questions. He or she can help you determine whether you have a drinking problem and, if so, recommend the best course of action.

Even if you answered "no" to all of the above questions, if you encounter drinking-related problems with your job, relationships, health, or the law, you should seek professional help. The effects of alcohol abuse can be extremely serious—even fatal—both to you and to others.

"What IS Alcoholism?"

And Do I Have It?

Alcoholism is also known as 'alcohol dependence,' and is a disease that includes four symptoms:

Craving: A strong need, desire or compulsion to drink.

Loss of control: The inability to limit your drinking on any given day.

Physical dependence:Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.

Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to 'get high.'

People who are not alcoholic sometimes do not understand why an alcoholic doesn't just use willpower to stop drinking. But alcoholism has little to do with willpower. Alcoholics are in the grip of powerful cravings and have an incereedibly strong need for alcohol that overrides the ability to stop drinking.

Many people are able to recover from alcoholism without help, but many aren't. Those who fit into the category of "alcoholic" generally need some assistance. An with treatment and support, many individuals are able to stop drinking and start rebuilding their lives.

While some people wonder why some individuals can use alcohol without problems but others cannot, often it is simply genetics. Scientists have found that having an alcoholic family member makes it more likely that if you choose to drink you too may develop alcoholism. Genes, however, are not the whole story. In fact, scientists now believe that certain factors in your environment influence whether a person with a genetic risk for alcoholism ever develops the disease. Your risk for developing alcoholism can increase based on your environment, including where and how you live; your family, friends, and culture; peer pressure; and even how easy it is to get alcohol.

If you have more questions than answers, here's a great starting point:
The Forums @ SoberRecovery.com.

If you, a friend or family member need help now, start with the Samhsa DataBase , The Treatment Directory , or The Suboxone Directory for Opiate Detox.

Sometimes it just takes one last weekend...

Burning Tree Ranch
Treating Alcohol and Drug Dependence. An Alcohol and Drug Rehab specializing in chronic relapsing clients. For adult men and women with relapse difficulties. Nationwide from Texas.



Camp Recovery Center
The Camp Recovery Center provides substance abuse treatment and rehab to adults and adolescents who suffer from alcohol addiction and drug abuse. San Jose, California.



Choices Recovery Center
Professional, Caring, Comfortable Detox Arrangements, Easy Access. Treating individuals from across the United States for Drug, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Rehabilitation. Florida.