Spotting the Symptoms of Alcoholism

Alcoholism puts a person's health, safety, and life in danger. When a person has an addiction, family members may resort to sending their loved one to alcohol rehab. Family members must separate a loved one's alcoholism from the specific circumstances surrounding the person's drinking problem before taking action.

Spotting the Symptoms of Alcoholism

The first step in sending a loved one to alcohol rehab is to determine whether the individual has an alcohol problem, which requires a serious evaluation of all factors surrounding the suspected addiction.

As stated by Mayo Clinic, here are the symptoms of alcoholism:

• Your family member is unable to limit the amount of alcohol he or she drinks
• Your loved one wants to cut down on how much he or she drinks, but has been unsuccessful in his/her attempts to do so.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness, nausea, insomnia, or hallucinations when deprived of alcohol
• Consistent cravings for alcohol
• Alcohol causes disruptions in home, work, and other contexts 
• Apathy or reduced interest in social life, hobbies, and work
• Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe or it’s dangerous like while driving or swimming
• Developing a tolerance for alcohol so he or she needs more of it to feel its effects.

When dependent upon alcohol, the symptoms of alcoholism can become apparent over time. These symptoms can be mistaken for other health problems, but if red flags are present and a need for help is acknowledged, then the first step should be to seek professional guidance for their loved one suffering from alcohol addiction.

By seeking out a rehab center that specializes in helping people overcome this type of addiction, the challenges involved in getting an alcoholic into treatment are significantly reduced.

If your loved one needs help in quitting, alcohol detox is the safest and most effective way to get on with an addiction-free life. The tools, coping strategies, and support available through a medically supervised program can set your loved one on a healthy path to an alcohol-free existence, along with the positive thinking necessary to avoid relapse.

Sending a family member to alcohol rehab is not an easy task. It might appear to be expensive and a waste of time, but this is not the case because it only gives your loved one another chance at life.

However, understand that alcoholism is not going to go away on its own. You need to take action before it gets worse. If you don’t take action, you’ll continue to struggle with the difficulties of living with a family member who has a drinking problem. 

If you or someone you know needs help with addiction treatment contact NorthStar today. Call (888) 577-0550 for a free consultation.