What is Problem Drinking?
Sometimes it’s difficult to know when you have crossed the line from moderate or social alcohol use to problem drinking. If your drinking is causing difficulties in any area of your life, especially in work or relationships, it’s possible you may have a problem with drinking. Recognition and acceptance of the issue as a problem is the first step to overcoming it. Below we will explore some of the characteristics of problem drinking and alcoholism. We also suggest some possible solutions as well.
The underlying causes of alcoholism are not yet readily identifiable. It’s thought by many that there exists a genetic component. It does not appear that there is an “alcoholic gene”, like there may be for certain traits or other diseases. Although there are genetic risk factors for alcoholism that can be identified. Rather than being able to pinpoint one specific cause, it appears that alcoholism and alcohol abuse are due to many interrelated factors. These include genetics, but also environmental factors, like your childhood upbringing, your social environment currently and as a teenager, and your state of physical and emotional health. It appears that certain racial groups, particularly Native Americans and Native Alaskans, are more at risk than others of developing alcoholism.
Evidence also suggests that those who have a family history of alcoholism or who associate closely with heavy drinkers are more likely to develop drinking problems. In addition, those who suffer from a mental health problem such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder are also especially at risk, because alcohol may be used as self-prescribed medication. You will find many different definitions or opinions on what constitutes problem drinking. For instance, taking a certain number of drinks in a particular time period, drinking regularly on weekdays, and so forth. These answers can vary considerably from person to person. The real issue is the effect alcohol has on your life.
How Do I Know If I Have A Problem with Alcohol?
So how do you know if you have a problem with alcohol? For most people drinking never becomes a problem and never causes problems in any area of their life. If your drinking is causing problems in any area of your life, you may have a drinking problem. Whether you are alcoholic or not is then something that you should investigate. The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence website contains lots of useful information about alcoholism and addiction. It also includes an alcohol abuse self test that may help you answer the question “Am I an Alcoholic?” There you will find a series of questions that may help you to determine if you have a drinking problem. Be honest with your answers – remember, you’re not fooling anyone but yourself.
Certainly, anyone who thinks they have a problem with alcohol should look into Alcoholics Anonymous, the program for recovery from alcoholism that has helped millions of people to lead normal lives in the community. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women and was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio. The stated “primary purpose” of AA is to help alcoholics “stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety”. The 12 Steps of AA are the basis of this program. They are the basis of the many other 12 Step Programs – which utilize the 12 steps of AA and the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous in modified form – as well.
AA also has a test that may help you to determine if you have a problem with drinking, which consists of Twelve Questions Only You Can Answer. Again, be honest with your answers, because the first step to solving any problem is to recognize that the problem exists. Only then can you apply a solution to the problem.
How Can I Get Help If I Have A Problem with Alcohol?
Most people can not stop the progression of alcoholism on their own. It’s a good idea to seek help or advice, like from our well-respected Southern California alcohol rehab at Oceanfront Recovery. Not everyone who asks for help needs to go into some type of residential treatment program or detox. Although this is sometimes necessary. Other options exist such as an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Here, the client attends clinical sessions for a certain period of the day. They may still reside at their home, or sometimes at a sober living facility. But alcohol is a physically additive substance, and detox from alcohol can be a painful and even life-threatening process.
You should call for help if you have any questions. Perhaps the most difficult thing in sobriety is just getting some physical sobriety in the first place. In fact this is one of the primary reasons it is so hard for many people to get sober. Our alcohol detox program can help, and make the process of detox and establishment of recovery from alcohol a safe and comfortable experience.
Contact Oceanfront Recovery
The passionate and caring staff at Oceanfront Recovery are available to answer your questions about recovery from alcoholism today. The good news is that help is only a phone call away. Please contact us at Oceanfront Recovery, located in Laguna Beach, for advice and begin your journey of recovery today. Orange County in Southern California, and the Laguna Beach area in particular, have a strong recovery community which make the often difficult process of recovery from alcohol abuse that much easier.
The Oceanfront Recovery Alcohol Treatment Program uses a variety of therapeutic methods in a highly contemporary approach to alcohol rehab. Oceanfront Recovery is passionate about making sure that a variety of effective resources and treatment methodologies are available for our valued clients. Please contact one of our professional and compassionate team at 877.279.1777 today to discuss treatment options for you or your loved one. Remember that today can be a new beginning if you think you have a problem with alcohol.
