Heavy drinkers end up in a situation where their body becomes dependent on having a steady supply of alcohol. It adjusts to the constant blood alcohol content and puts you through miserable withdrawal symptoms if you end up not drinking enough. Once you reach the point of alcohol dependence, you’ll need the right alcohol addiction treatment plan to help you recover safely without going through severe detox symptoms.
How to Tell if You Have Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol dependence may happen over months or years of consistent, heavy drinking. What starts out as a bad habit can quickly become an addictive behavior that threatens your life and overall health. One of the most telling signs of alcoholism is that you don’t feel like you can function without having drinks in your system. Nothing becomes more important than drinking.
Everything that you do will revolve around whether you have access to alcohol and drinking during inappropriate times or at inappropriate locations may occur. For example, you may order multiple beers during a work lunch, or mix alcohol into your morning coffee.
You actively avoid social situations that lack booze and may shift your friend circle to one that goes to a lot of bars and other places that serve alcohol. During these activities, your drinking quantity and the strength of the alcohol may greatly exceed that of your friends.
Another sign of alcohol dependence is a growing tolerance for alcohol. What starts out as a single beer grows until you’re putting back a six-pack every night or moving to a bottle of stronger spirits. It takes more and more alcohol to satisfy the cravings that you’re feeling.
If you can’t get a drink, you may find yourself shaking or breaking out in a sweat. These are withdrawal symptoms, and they can quickly escalate into more serious issues.
What Should You Do About Alcohol Dependence
Some people may panic when they find out they’re dependent on alcohol and quit cold turkey. Unfortunately, with the way alcohol impacts your body, taking this route could lead to serious medical complications. Medically assisted detox is a common part of treatment plans for alcohol dependence due to the seriousness of the withdrawal symptoms. A partial hospitalization program (PHP) also provides medical monitoring and treatment to stop the symptoms from becoming life-threatening.
Types of Treatment Options for Alcohol Use Disorder
Outpatient treatment programs come in many forms and allow you to balance all of your responsibilities with your recovery process. While you don’t live on-site, you do visit the treatment program frequently to get the necessary care.
If you need more structure, the intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides you with more in-depth addiction treatment programs and opportunities. In any addiction treatment program, addiction therapy services are available to address underlying reasons for drinking.
You may also consider a transition program that typically takes place after you’ve gone through alcohol detox, the beginning of a treatment program, to sober living housing. This type of extended care moves you to a different live-in location where you can learn how to get back to living normally while recovering. It’s a stepping stone that can be remarkably helpful during your journey.
Treatment at Midwest Recovery Center
The signs of alcohol dependence may start out as little red flags here or there, but it doesn’t take long before they’re a flashing neon light. Handling this addiction takes careful care and management.
Midwest Recovery Center provides compassionate, expert care for those struggling with alcohol use disorder symptoms. From alcohol rehab to aftercare, we guide and support individuals through every stage. Get the support you need to move away from alcohol by contacting Midwest Recovery Center today at 833.627.0039.
