What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a disorder that a person develops that they become physically dependent on alcohol. According to many drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers in Kansas City, many people who are dependent on alcohol will spend their days planning around when they’ll have their next drink. Often, they don’t realize how much or when they drink. This could be a coworker who comes into work smelling of alcohol and is already heavily under the influence. It could also be someone who consumes large amounts of alcohol every night but also gets up and goes to work each morning with no physical indicators that they had been drinking.
It can be hard to identify when to reach out for alcohol addiction help in Kansas City because it is often a steady decline. People often make excuses such as “well, he goes to work every day, so it must be okay,” or “she only drinks a few nights a week, so she’s probably fine.” In these cases, it can be hard to know when to reach out and get help. Alcohol crosses the line to dependency when it takes the place of other activities the person once enjoyed and becomes the focus. Such as a woman that once went out with her friends regularly, but now chooses to stay home and drink alone.
At Gold Bridge Treatment Center, a premier alcohol rehab facility in Kansas City, we have a list of symptoms to look for to help you decide if you or a loved one has alcoholism and needs alcohol addiction help in Kansas City. Some common symptoms include:
- Consumed with thoughts of when they can get another drink
- Drinking consistently more to feel the same effect
- Not being able to cut themselves off after a few drinks
- Choosing to drink alone or hiding alcohol in the house to consume privately
- Blacking out or having trouble remembering blocks of time while drinking
- Mood disturbances and/or angry outbursts when the topic of alcohol and addiction is brought up
- Irritability when they don’t have access to alcohol
- Sweating, nausea, anxiety, and shaking when alcohol isn’t available
Now that we know some of the common signs, what types of people are at greater risk for developing alcoholism? There are some factors that determine a higher risk, and they include:
- Family history of addiction
- Depression
- Stress and stressful life circumstances
- Anxiety and Social Anxiety
- The age of onset. The younger your first drink, the more likely alcoholism will develop.
- Low self-worth
Alcoholism is a serious disease that destroys individual lives, relationships, and a person’s health. Choosing sobriety is a huge step towards a significant life change, but oftentimes you will need alcohol addiction help in Kansas City so that you can detox, learn new coping skills, work through trauma, and provide a safety net of support to help you after you leave a drug and alcohol inpatient treatment center in Kansas City.
At Gold Bridge Treatment Center, we know that it is a huge step when you decide to reach out for help. We offer experienced care and a unique path to sobriety, not a one-size-fits-all. Addiction is complex and we offer a wide range of treatments for an individualized approach is key to a sustainable recovery.
For drug or alcohol treatment in Kansas City, give us a call at (913) 837-4653 or visit our website to fill out a contact form or find out more about our facility. We look forward to partnering with you to put you on your unique path to sobriety.