Early Signs of Alcohol Dependence
There are many alcohol dependence signs that you can look out for in yourself and your loved ones who may have issues with drinking. Alcohol and nicotine, which are often used together, commonly cause physical dependence. This means that when you stop using one or the other, or both, you will most likely experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal side effects are more severe the longer you use a substance, especially alcohol. Alcohol takes a long time to develop a dependence or to become addicted which leads to stopping altogether being a tough process, too.
That is why it is imperative to listen to your body when it comes to what you may consider drinking at a social level, but what really should be defined as alcohol abuse. If you or one of your loved ones is concerned about drinking alcohol and whether you are becoming dependent, give us a call today. At Muse Treatment, we have a wide variety of treatment options to help almost anyone who is struggling with the alcoholism of any kind.
Alcohol use disorders can affect people from any walk of life. There are a few reasons this is true about all substances, but even more so when it comes to alcohol. First, consuming alcohol is widely accepted across the country and in most nations worldwide. Even a small town in the United States can have dozens of bars, restaurants, liquor stores, or other establishments that sell alcohol in one form or another. Second, even though roughly six percent of adults in the U.S. have an alcohol use disorder, the vast majority are people who have no issues drinking socially without a negative impact on their life, or do not drink at all. In other words, people drink all the time, which is no big deal, leading to alcoholism having a sort of camouflage hiding it from easily being detected.
People turn to alcohol as a relief for several reasons. Problems at work, school, or home can easily make someone think having a few drinks will take their troubles away, even if they fully realize it is a short-term solution. This can turn into more frequent drinking, which can turn into heavy drinking or binge drinking, which can turn into alcohol dependence, and finally into alcohol addiction. If you think you or someone you are close to has begun this cycle, here are some early signs of alcohol dependence to look out for:
- Drinking Excessive Amounts of Alcohol
- Loss of Control While Drinking
- Persistent Alcohol Use Despite Awareness of Issues
- Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms (when drinking is reduced or stopped)
- Increased Alcohol Tolerance
How Alcohol Dependence Develops
People begin using drugs or alcohol for a variety of reasons. Some individuals are more susceptible to developing dependence or an alcohol addiction based on genetics. Regardless of those factors, here are some of the circumstances that can lead to developing an alcohol dependence:
- Family history of addiction. Alcohol and drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition
- Mental health disorder
- Peer pressure
- Lack of family involvement
- Early use, drinking in high school or even earlier, for example
Dependence vs. Addiction
There is a difference between alcohol dependence and alcohol addiction. However, they often go hand in hand. Alcohol dependence is defined as the physical need for the substance due to consistent use over time. Alcohol addiction is the inability to stop drinking, usually due to alcohol dependence.
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Alcohol Treatment in Los Angeles at Muse
Treatment for alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, and alcohol addiction are all available at Muse Treatment Center. Our alcohol rehab programs have been to be effective in the fight against addiction and they can help you as well. Our custom-tailored programs ensure each patient is treated based on their needs. Please call us at (800) 426-1818 today to learn more about how we can help you.
