Social engagements today often involve alcohol. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as many of us enjoy the occasional adult beverage. But sometimes alcohol use grows into a problem. The stresses of life become too enormous and, sometimes we feel we have nowhere else to turn. At that point, you might be wondering, “am I an alcoholic?” But you may also wonder, “Is there an alcohol rehab center near me?”
You are brave to ask that question, and it’s often the first step toward getting help. Let’s try to understand more about alcoholism and how to seek treatment.
What is Alcoholism?
You can’t take a blood test to find an answer to the question, “am I an alcoholic?” Making that determination depends on what the use of alcohol does to your ability to live a normal life.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems.” You might also hear the term “alcohol use disorder,” of which alcoholism is just one form, the Mayo Clinic says.
Making a clear-eyed assessment of your habits isn’t easy. Some of the clues, according to HelpGuide, non-profit mental health, and wellness website, may include:
- Feeling a sense of shame about your drinking
- Lying about or hiding your drinking
- Feeling the need to drink to feel calm
- “Blacking out,” while drinking.
- Overconsumption
Admission into a drug rehab center in San Antonio, TX provides dual diagnosis drug addiction treatment for the physical symptoms of drug addiction, as well as the underlying co-occurring mental health disorders that contribute to your drug addiction.
Upon your admission into a drug rehab center, the addiction treatment staff will conduct a mental health assessment to compile a personalized drug addiction treatment plan based on the unique co-occurring mental health disorders contributing to your drug addiction.
Am I An Alcoholic?
The question “am I an alcoholic” is a tricky one. It is difficult when you are struggling to see yourself objectively. Alcohol also messes with our perceptions, and we don’t want to feel we are letting people down.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a peer-driven group designed to support people who want to stop drinking. AA has compiled a list of 12 questions to help you decide if it’s time to get help. The questions include:
- Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but failed?
- Do you wish people would stop nagging you about your drinking?
- Have you ever switched types of drinks to keep from getting drunk?
- Have you consumed a drink first thing in the morning during the past year?
- Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
View the full set of questions here. Alcoholics Anonymous says that if you answer “yes” to four or more questions, it’s time to consider getting help.
Is Alcoholism Treatable?
Problem drinking represents one of the nation’s toughest public health challenges. According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 17 million adults have been diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder.
Addressing problems with alcohol can take on many different forms and may require assistance from primary care and well as psychiatric professionals. If you answer yes to the question, “am I an alcoholic,” you may benefit from mental health counseling aimed at changing behavior. Recent years have also seen the development of medication therapy, according to the NIH.
Getting Help Today
Overcoming an addiction to alcohol takes work. Fully accredited outpatient addiction treatment programs and substance abuse treatment programs can help. These facilities provide trauma-informed care, evidence-based addiction treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and other programs.
If you’re asking yourself, am I an alcoholic, reach out to a rehab center today for a confidential evaluation. You are not alone.
