4 Signs You Need Alcoholism Treatment

Living with untreated alcoholism puts you at increased risk of serious consequences for your health, safety, and relationships. Recognizing the signs you need rehab and getting alcoholism treatment as early as possible could be a life-saving decision.

There are many criteria you have to meet to be diagnosed with alcoholism. We will focus on four of the signs you need rehab that may be easy to recognize. If you think you may need treatment, don’t wait another day to ask for help. Find an alcohol recovery center near you today.

1. You Have Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol works as a depressant in the body. When a person drinks heavily for a prolonged period, their body adjusts to the presence of alcohol. When they stop, they may experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Shakiness
• Agitation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Elevated heart rate
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

Some people can have dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including seizures. If someone experiences withdrawal symptoms when they stop or reduce their alcohol intake, it is a sign they might need alcoholism treatment.

2. You Engage in Risky Behavior While Drinking

Alcohol intake impairs a person’s judgment. In some cases, people engage in behaviors while drinking that they would avoid if they were sober. They may engage in risky sexual behavior, drive under the influence, or participate in illegal activities. The consequences of these behaviors can be very serious–even life-threatening. They may face legal, social, or financial trouble that follows them for years. Or, worse, they may cause harm to themselves or others. If someone does risky things while drinking, it is a clear sign they need alcoholism treatment.

3. You Can’t Keep Up With Your Responsibilities

Alcoholism interferes with a person’s ability to focus on life outside of their drinking. Over time, people may regularly be too intoxicated or hungover to take care of their responsibilities at work, school, or at home. They may not be able to keep up with daily tasks like shopping and preparing meals. They may neglect their hygiene. Repeated absences or trouble meeting the demands of their job may lead to being fired. These things can also lead to relationship problems. If a person is suddenly having trouble keeping up with their responsibilities due to their drinking, they may need alcoholism treatment.

4. Losing Interest in Other Things

Like other kinds of addiction, alcoholism keeps people from engaging fully in their life. In time, they lose focus on the friends, work, hobbies, and relationships that used to be important. Their time, energy, and resources are used on getting alcohol, drinking, and recovering from drinking.

If a person suddenly starts to isolate or withdraw from the people and activities they once loved, it could be a sign they need to go to alcohol rehab.

Other Signs You May Need Alcohol Rehab

In addition to these four signs a person may need alcoholism treatment, there are other symptoms of alcoholism to watch out for. These symptoms include:

• Needing to drink more to get the same effect–this is called tolerance
• Experiencing cravings for alcohol
• Having to drink to avoid withdrawal symptoms–people may drink in the morning to avoid hangovers
• Continuing to drink even though they face serious consequences for their health, work, and relationships
• Wanting to stop drinking but not being able to

Alcoholism is defined as a loss of control over your drinking. In many cases, people with alcoholism need professional treatment to overcome their addiction and learn how to choose a healthy, sober lifestyle. If you recognize any of these symptoms of alcoholism, they may be signs you need rehab.

What Happens in Alcoholism Treatment?

People receive an individualized treatment plan that gives them the care and support that meets their unique needs. Generally, alcoholism treatment happens in stages.

First, people go through a medically supervised detox program. During detox, people are monitored and treated for their withdrawal symptoms to keep them safe and comfortable.

After detox, people attend a treatment program. Treatment is offered in many settings and levels of care. People may attend outpatient programs, inpatient or residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), or partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). During treatment, people participate in a combination of evidence-based and holistic treatments, including:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Medication management
• Mental health treatment
• Education
• Holistic therapies–art, yoga, music, nutrition counseling, acupuncture, outdoor recreation, and other healing therapies

After completing their treatment program, people must develop an aftercare plan to help them stay engaged in recovery for life. This may include continuing therapy or joining a support or alumni group. Addiction is never cured. Instead, people must choose to stay active in their recovery to stay committed to sobriety for life.

Find an Alcoholism Treatment Center Near You

At Recovery Centers, we believe anyone can recover from alcoholism if they get the treatment and support they need.

Our specialists will verify your insurance, determine your treatment needs, and connect you to the right professionals and programs. Our goal is to make the process of starting treatment easy for you so you can focus on what matters the most: your recovery.

If you or someone you love may need to find a rehab center near you, reach out to the caring professionals at Recovery Centers today.