How Do I Know If I Am Addicted To Alcohol

When Do I Stop Drinking

Alcoholic or not, if alcohol is causing problems in your life, then you need to stop before the disease gathers momentum and creates lasting, permanent damage to yourself and those around you.

If you are abusing alcohol, you still have the option to cut back your drinking to the responsible amount. However, if you are unsuccessful, you most likely are an alcoholic and need to stop drinking.

You dont have to be an alcoholic to quit drinking. All thats required to quit drinking in most cases is intelligence. If youre intelligent enough to recognize that alcohol is interfering with your life, then certainly because you are intelligent, you can initiate an intelligent effort to remove alcohol from your life. Gene Duffy

Since withdrawal from alcohol can be dangerous, you have to be very careful when quitting. Supervised detox is the safest, most comfortable way to stop drinking.

Alcohol Dependence And Withdrawal

Common signs of alcohol addiction, the physical and psychological effects and where to go for help.

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For some people alcohol can be part of many occasions but like many drugs its addictive, both physically and psychologically.

The NHS estimates that around 9% of men in the UK and 3% of UK women show signs of alcohol dependence1. This means that drinking alcohol becomes an important, or sometimes the most important, factor in their life and they feel theyre unable to function without it.

Your Internet Use Is Affecting Your Work And Home Life

Nothing matters but your porn addiction. This means time with your family, friends or work just doesnt matter as much as you need to watch porn. You may be watching pornography at work or skipping work altogether to stay at home and watch pornography. You may be skipping out on family gatherings to instead stay home alone to be on the internet.

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What Are The Top 10 Signs Of Porn Addiction

Whether or not behavioral addictions, such as porn addiction, are actual addictions is highly debated in the psychiatric and treatment communities. While some of these addictions, like gambling addiction, are much more accepted than others, like sex addiction, there is still a great deal of controversy from medical professionals on where addictions end and compulsions begin. Regardless, there are people suffering. So, whether it is an addiction or compulsion, people should still need help. One of the most reported addictions is porn addiction. That is, people who feel a compulsion to watch porn and cannot stop. Like any addiction, though, there are signs that someone may be having a problem. If you are wondering whether excessive pornography use has reached an addiction level, it is important to watch out for the top 10 signs of porn addiction.

What Is An Alcohol Self Assessment Test How It Can Help You

An assessment test is a simple battery of questions about alcoholism that will help you determine if you have a drinking problem, or worse. These tests can be found on a number of websites as well as in many healthcare facilities. Often, they are comprised of simple yes/no items and you can complete the whole thing in a few minutes. Though they are not to be mistaken for a full diagnosis of any mental health disorder, if your responses indicate a drinking problem, then you should probably consider investigating the matter further. Taking an assessment is often the first step on the road to recovery.

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What Is Alcoholism And Alcohol Use Disorder

Chances are, youve heard the terms alcoholism and alcohol use disorder used interchangeably. Actually, though, these terms refer to two different conditions that are related to the consumption of alcohol.

Alcoholism describes an individual who is severely dependent on alcohol to the extent that it causes them significant physical or mental health problems. However, this term is not a recognized diagnostic entity. Instead, the term alcohol dependence and alcohol use disorder are used by medical professionals.

Alcohol use disorder, on the other hand, is a diagnosis that is listed in the DSM-V. 3 The severity of an individuals alcohol use disorder is classified into three different categories: mild, moderate, and severe.

The matter in which the DSM-V diagnosis people who have this disorder is with a list of 11 symptoms. How many of these symptoms an individual has experienced in the last 12 months will indicate whether or not they are suffering from alcohol use disorder and how severe this disorder is.

Other Signs Of Addiction

There are a number of other signs that could point to addiction in an individual, and because you are dating them, it is likely that you are privy to certain information others may not see. This can help you determine whether or not the individual is truly in trouble and what you can do.

Other signs your significant other is addicted to drugs, alcohol, or certain behaviors include:

• A living space littered with empty liquor bottles or drug paraphernalia like:

o Bongs

• Paraphernalia or substances hidden all over their living space
• Serious or minor health problems with seemingly no explanation as to what caused them
• The refusal to see a physician in the event of these issues
• A kind and positive personality one day that turns to a moody and distant disposition the next
• Consistent financial problems, even when they have a good income
• Constantly engaging in certain behaviors, whether it is sex, shopping, dangerous acts, or other actions, that cause problems in the individuals life
• The constant inability to perform sexually as the result of their drug or alcohol use

When these signs begin to add up, they create the portrait of an addict, which can be difficult to admit after you have begun dating someone you truly like. But addiction is a serious problem, and it is important to understand how you can protect yourself from ending up in a codependent relationship or from worse issues occurring in your life with an addicted individual.

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Whats The Difference Between The Audit And The Mast Tests

When problem drinkers or drug users begin to have questions about their use and whether or not they have a problem, it’s easy to find a self-assessment test online or from an addiction counselor. It’s also possible to use the tests to evaluate the observed behavior of a family member or other loved one. There are two primary tests, the AUDIT and MAST tests.

The AUDIT test is a 10-item questionnaire that takes mere minutes to complete. For mental health practitioners who feel that 10 questions take too long or have a patient who may not be willing to answer all the questions, there is a three-item version. However, most people can use the AUDIT to evaluate themselves or a loved one. Though the test is brief, it has a terrific rate of success both when self-administered and when used by a third party to answer questions about the addict or alcoholic.

The MAST tool is likewise effective. The primary difference between the MAST and AUDIT test is the length. MAST is a 25-item evaluation that can be cumbersome for first responders in a hospital or family members in a home setting. It’s also less useful when used by a family member or loved one close to the problem drinker and user. Nevertheless, if a family member who finds that their loved one scores significantly high on the test, they can safely assume that more investigation is warranted.

Questions To Ask Yourself

Here are some questions that people who work in the field of alcohol addiction often ask:

• Do you drink because you have problems or to relax?
• Do you prefer to drink alone, rather than with other people?
• Is your work or education suffering as a result of your drinking?
• Have you ever tried to stop drinking, or to drink less, and found that you cant?
• Do you drink in the morning, before school or work?
• Do you ever have loss of memory due to your drinking?
• Do you lie about how much or how often you drink?
• Do other people comment on your drinking and think its a problem?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, its important that you talk to someone about your drinking. Facing up to the fact that you might have a problem takes courage. Deciding to get some help is a really brave move, but it can be one of the best things youll ever do.

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How To Treat An Addiction To Pornography When Youre Ready To Recover

If you believe you are suffering from porn addiction, rehabilitation is essential to gaining back control and living a healthy sexual life. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often used to break the cycle of porn addiction. CBT focuses on minimizing dysfunctional thought patterns and actions. This is an effective therapeutic approach for those with mood disorders such as depression. The goal is to take self-defeating thoughts and transform them into positive messages. It also tries to find more positive and effective stress coping skills than substance abuse. CBT is often a short-term therapy that addresses immediate problems and includes abstinence from porn use. The resources to get you back to yourself exist. Now is the time to ask for help.

If you love someone you believe may be suffering from a porn or sex addiction, intervention services are available.

Find New Meaning In Life

While getting sober is an important first step, it is only the beginning of your recovery from alcohol addiction or heavy drinking. Rehab or professional treatment can get you started on the road to recovery, but to stay alcohol-free for the long term, youll need to build a new, meaningful life where drinking no longer has a place.

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Tips For Finding The Best Addiction Treatment

Theres no magic bullet or single treatment that works for everyone. Everyones needs are different, so its important that you find a program that feels right to you. Any alcohol addiction treatment program should be customized to your unique problems and situation.

Treatment doesnt have to be limited to doctors and psychologists. Many clergy members, social workers, and counselors also offer addiction treatment services.

Treatment should address more than just your alcohol abuse. Addiction affects your whole life, including your relationships, career, health, and psychological well-being. Treatment success depends on examining the way alcohol abuse has impacted you and developing a new way of living.

Commitment and follow-through are key. Recovering from alcohol addiction or heavy drinking is not a quick and easy process. In general, the longer and more intense the alcohol use, the longer and more intense the treatment youll need. But regardless of the treatment programs length in weeks or months, long-term follow-up care is crucial to your recovery.

Evaluating The Costs And Benefits Of Drinking

Make a table like the one below, weighing the costs and benefits of drinking to the costs and benefits of quitting.

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The Dangers Of Alcohol Abuse

Many people dont recognize alcoholism symptoms because they are so prevalent in society. Whether its having one too many drinks at happy hour after work one night or developing a pattern of frequent binge drinking, the effects of alcohol abuse can be seen across the country in many forms. Long-term abuse of alcohol takes a serious toll on the brain and body, as every organ is affected by it. Certain organs, such as the liver and the brain, are affected more than others.

Although many people drink to feel buzzed, the ramifications of alcohol abuse can persist long past the initial period of intoxication. Short-term side effects of alcohol abuse can include:

• Trouble breathing

The Next Big Step Getting Help

Once you have done your best to establish a support system of family or friends, you need to begin the journey of detox. You need to find a recovery center that will help you in a method that fits you the best. At JourneyPure At The River, in beautiful Murfreesboro, TN, we have an experienced and compassionate team to help you detox. We use an enhanced version of the Medical Model of Treatment and experiential therapy for treatment for our clients.

We recognize there could also be an underlying medical, social or emotional reason for addiction. This knowledge allows us to treat your addiction in a personalized and advanced manner for the greatest possibility of success. JourneyPure At The River does not believe in a cookie-cutter method of treatment. We believe in you. We truly care about you and want you to feel loved and supported. We are familiar with the challenges you face, and we want to see you succeed with methods that make sense for you.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Alcoholism How To Know If Someone Has A Problem With Drinking

Nzinga Harrison

Throughout history, alcohol has played a significant role in different cultures around the world. Alcohol is used by people as a way to relax, bond, celebrate, and socialize. In the United States, its common for adults to have a drink with friends on the weekends, at weddings and parties, or as a way to unwind from work.

Alcohols effects vary from person to person and depend on a variety of factors, such as:

• Number of alcoholic drinks consumed

• How often alcohol is consumed

• The general state of health

• Family history

Signs Of Prescription Drug Abuse

There are three main categories of prescription medications: depressants, stimulants, and painrelievers. As the Mayo Clinic discusses, the signs of abuse of prescription drugs vary depending on the specific medication or drug category. While the general signs of addiction described above provide some guidance, the following is a breakdown by drug category of signs of prescription drug abuse.

Depressants have some characteristic physical side effects. As benzodiazepines are included in this category and have been discussed above, some physical signs of depressant drug use include poor judgment, unsteady walking, and rapid involuntary eye movements.

Prescription stimulants include amphetamines and methylphenidate and are the most commonly abused drugs in this category. In addition to the behavioral and psychological signs of addiction described above, physical signs of prescription stimulant abuse include:

• Insomnia

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What Is Fmla Coverage

Family and Medical Leave is a law that provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. FMLA has been designed to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities by allowing them to take reasonable unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons.

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2012, an estimated 7.2 percent of American adults aged 18 and older, approximately 17 million people, had a diagnosable alcohol use disorder. Men have alcohol use disorder almost twice as often as women of the estimated 17 million affected adults, 11.2 million were men and 5.7 million were women. Adolescents are not immune. In 2012, an estimated 855,000 young people between 12-17 years of age had this disorder.

No two individuals who experience alcohol abuse are the same however, DSM-5 provides clinicians with a set of 11 factors that can guide them in the diagnosis of an alcohol use disorder and its severity grade. In short, if a person has experienced at least two of the 11 factors in the past year then the person is considered to have an alcohol use disorder. The existence of two or three symptoms equals a diagnosis of mild alcohol use disorder, while four to five symptoms is considered moderate, and six or more is considered severe.

Ready to get help? Take a short quiz of DSM-5 criteria to assess the severity of your alcohol use.

To provide insight into the alcohol use diagnostics process, consider the following sample of four possible symptoms:

Individuals with an alcohol use disorder will likely experience the symptoms of physical dependence as well as psychological effects.

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Symptoms Of Alcoholism & Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcoholism is the physical or mental dependence on alcohol. If you find yourself regularly thinking about your next drink, or if youve tried to cut back on drinking and never quite succeeded, you may have an alcohol addiction.

Alcoholism begins with dependence. Alcohol is a drug, and as you drink more, the body adjusts to its effects and learns to compensate. Eventually, as dependence develops, stopping alcohol can lead to withdrawal symptoms.

• Common Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal:
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Nightmares
• Not thinking clearly

It may take a few hours or days for these symptoms to show, and they may get worse in the days following.

In some cases, the individual may experience delirium tremens the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal. This can cause agitation, fever, hallucinations, confusion and seizures. For this reason, people who drink heavily and are looking to end their addiction should seek medical assistance.

Am I Addicted To Weed

Weed addiction is a lot more common than most people think. If youre concerned about the amount of marijuana you or a loved one is currently smoking, and think theres a chance there might be an addiction problem, it may be time to answer some tough questions.

The best way to tackle a problem is head-on, and being honest with yourself about your addiction. So if youre asking yourself am I addicted to weed, then you have arrived at the right website to help you answer that.

Somewhere around 5 to 10 per cent of people who smoke marijuana at some point in their lives will eventually become addicted. This is a dependency that can gradually creep up over time, and before you know it, youre always thinking about your next smoke, or where to buy more weed.

With that in mind, weve put together a simple test you can take to determine if you have a weed addiction that must be addressed.

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