Alcohol is one of the most common addictive substances in the United States. Due to its legality and social acceptance, many people don’t recognize its dangers. However, if you are someone who consumes alcohol regularly and struggles to live without it, then you might have a problem. It’s time to ask yourself, “am I becoming an alcoholic?”
Am I Becoming an Alcoholic?
If you struggle with alcohol addiction, it can be difficult to recognize the signs right away. This is especially true if you frequently spend time with people who also engage in excessive alcohol consumption. However, some people are capable of consuming large amounts of alcohol occasionally without it developing into an addiction.
This difference is due to a range of factors. Family history, genetics, lifestyle, and mental health conditions can all contribute to an addiction. Many of these factors are out of your control, so you may not even realize you’re at risk. When you ask yourself, “am I becoming an alcoholic,” it’s important to look at these other facts, as well.
Signs of Alcoholism
Am I becoming an alcoholic? The signs of alcoholism are actually more straightforward than most people know. If you demonstrated three or more of these symptoms within the last year, then you may have an alcohol use disorder:
- Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Drinking more than you intended to
- Wanting to stop drinking, but being unable to
- Spending a lot of time drinking to the point of getting sick
- Wanting to drink more than anything else
- Noticing that drinking interferes with your work, school, or other responsibilities
- Drinking even though it damages your relationship with loved ones
- Giving up favorite activities or hobbies in favor of drinking
- Acting recklessly while drinking (unsafe sex, driving, etc.)
- Drinking even if it makes you feel anxious or depressed
- Developing a tolerance and needing to drink more to get the desired effect
Four or more of these signs indicates a moderate to severe alcohol use problem. If these apply to you, then it’s time to seek help from an alcohol addiction treatment facility immediately.
Finding Treatment at Crestview Recovery Center
Asking “am I becoming an alcoholic?” is the first step in getting treatment. By recognizing your problem, you can begin taking steps to find an addiction treatment facility that’s ready to help you. Crestview Recovery Center in Portland, OR can help you overcome your alcohol addiction and return to a happy, healthy life.
At Crestview Recovery, we offer comprehensive addiction treatment programs and addiction therapy services to help you begin your recovery journey. If you’re ready to get started with an alcohol addiction rehab facility, then call us today at 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
