Am I An Alcoholic?

Despite being legal, freely available and socially acceptable, alcohol is a highly addictive substance that tears lives and families apart. According to Alcohol Change UK, there are an estimated 602,391 dependent drinkers in England alone, only 18% of whom are receiving treatment. Additionally, alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among 15-49-year-olds in the UK, and the fifth biggest risk factor across all ages.

If you are concerned about your drinking or are thinking about giving up alcohol but don’t know how to take the next step, contact us for free and confidential advice.

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What Is an Alcoholic?

The common view of an alcoholic is someone who is drunk all the time and who probably leads a chaotic lifestyle. This is the reality for some people but not for everybody. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines alcohol abuse disorder as “a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences”.

Essentially, an alcoholic is someone who is unable to stop drinking even though it is having a negative impact on their life. This can cover a lot of different people and circumstances, including the so-called ‘functioning alcoholic’ – a person who might seem to be doing well but still struggles with frequent or heavy drinking. This person might hold down a job, be successful and outwardly be in control of their alcohol consumption, but in reality, the alcohol is controlling them. If you are worried about your drinking, contact us to find out if alcohol detox and rehab could be your way forward.

What Causes Alcoholism?

Alcohol is an addictive substance, meaning that prolonged use can lead to physical and psychological dependency. You can build up a tolerance, meaning you need to drink more and more for the same effect, and if you don’t drink you may suffer alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Addiction is a very complex condition though, and there are many factors at play, including genetic and environmental ones. We are still learning about alcohol dependency and addiction but we do know that anyone who drinks can be at risk.

What Is the Difference Between Casual Drinking and Alcohol Abuse?

You may be thinking that your drinking is not a problem and thinking ‘how much alcohol can I responsibly consume’? The safer drinking advice from the Chief Medical Officer for both men and women is that you should not regularly drink more than 14 units per week. It is also recommended that consuming alcohol is spread through the week, as binge drinking can sharply increase your risk of harm. Alcohol abuse, also known as alcohol misuse, is any form of drinking that is harmful and this includes when you binge drink or routinely drink heavily.

The Impact of Alcoholism

Alcoholics Anonymous and other support groups and programmes use a type of mutual group therapy in which recovering addicts will share their stories. Everyone’s journey is different but there are often common elements and it usually revolves around the alcohol having control rather than the other way round.

Alcohol misuse can have a serious impact on both your mental health and physical health. It is associated with many other illnesses and health problems and the risks only become higher the longer you leave it untreated. Alcoholism can lead to physical dependency that means you can face severe withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens (the ‘DTs’), making it even harder to quit. Your behaviour when drinking can also lead to an increased risk of accident, violence, criminal activity and other harmful behaviours.

Treatment for Alcoholism

While alcohol addiction can be very difficult to face alone, it can be treated successfully like most other illnesses. Alcohol detox can help you to get sober, flushing the toxins out of your system, while our therapies will help you to explore and deal with the root causes behind your problem drinking. The support doesn’t end the moment the program does and a comprehensive aftercare program can help you to avoid relapse and make a lasting long-term recovery.

How Cassiobury Court Can Help You

If you want to deal with a substance abuse issue such as alcohol addiction, a holistic rehabilitation programme at Cassiobury Court could provide your best chance of turning your life around. Attending a programme of treatment in a calm and tranquil environment staffed by experts in addiction recovery gives you the chance to really focus on your recovery, away from the triggers and temptations associated with your usual drinking. Start the admissions process rolling and it might be one of the best things you ever do.