Alcohol is widely used across the country. Unfortunately, millions of those alcohol consumers end up with serious drinking problems. If you’re affected by such problems, it’s time to consider an alcohol addiction treatment program. But how can you tell if you need alcohol addiction treatment? Many signs or symptoms can indicate that you are a likely candidate.
At Memphis Recovery Centers, we offer a comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment program. This program provides customized help that addresses the needs of your unique situation. With our help, you can recover from even long-term or severe problems and return to a sober lifestyle. Reach out to learn more by calling our addiction specialists at 901-272-7751 or completing our online form.
Signs of Alcohol Addiction
Doctors and addiction specialists look for some of the most common potential symptoms or signs of alcohol addiction. These signs include:
- Needing to drink increasing amounts of alcohol to feel its effects
- Losing the ability to control the frequency or overall level of your drinking
- Trying multiple times to quit drinking without reaching this goal
- Using drinking as a substitute for other activities you once enjoyed
- Keeping up a level of drinking that you know hurts your health
- Developing strong cravings for alcohol when you’re not drinking
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the alcohol wears off
- Creating a daily routine with drinking-related activities at its center
Also, keep in mind that you may experience one or more of these problems simultaneously.
Signs of Serious, Non-Addicted Alcohol Abuse
It’s crucial to know that addiction does not exist in isolation from other alcohol problems. Instead, it forms part of a larger illness called alcohol use disorder or AUD. The other main aspect of AUD is serious, non-addicted alcohol abuse.
Potential signs of this condition include:
- Drinking in a way that damages relationships with loved ones
- Having a pattern of high-risk behaviors (e.g., driving) while under the influence
- Failing to meet responsibilities as a consequence of your drinking
Many people affected by these symptoms also have symptoms of alcoholism. The reverse is also true. These facts explain why the AUD definition includes both conditions.
Do You Have AUD?
How can you tell if you have alcohol use disorder? To know for sure, you must seek out an official diagnosis. The minimum threshold for AUD is having two symptoms during any year-long time period. These symptoms may point to alcohol addiction. The symptoms may also point to non-addicted alcohol abuse. In addition, you may have symptoms from each condition at the same time. From the standpoint of an AUD diagnosis, it doesn’t matter. This means that you may need substance abuse treatment even if you are not addicted.
The seriousness of your AUD can vary. People mildly affected by the disorder have two or three symptoms. The range for a diagnosis of moderate AUD is four or five symptoms. People with a severe form of the illness experience more than five symptoms within a year.
Learn More About Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Memphis Recovery Centers
If you think that you need alcohol addiction treatment, talk to your doctor or addiction specialist. These experts know how to identify all symptoms of AUD. They can also direct you toward appropriate options for treatment.
To learn more about treatment for alcohol problems, talk to the experts at Memphis Recovery Centers. We’ll provide you with the information you need to understand your options.
Memphis Recovery Centers is also your source for effective substance abuse treatment. No matter how your alcohol use has affected you, we offer treatment options to fit your circumstances. That’s true even if you’ve struggled for years with severe alcohol problems. Contact us today by calling 901-272-7751 or reach out through our convenient online form. Our team is dedicated to affordable treatment that helps you achieve and maintain alcohol abstinence.