Understanding if Someone Needs Alcohol Rehab
Across the country and around the world, men and women of all ages and socio-economic groups are struggling with an addiction to alcohol. Yet alcohol addiction remains one of the greatest killers of the modern era, with millions of people dying each year as a result of complications from problem drinking.
Knowing if someone needs the life-saving treatment offered by alcohol rehab means knowing what alcohol addiction is all about. The clinical definition of alcohol addiction revolves around the recurring use of alcohol despite the negative problems it is causing. Among these problems are:
- Tolerance. Over time, it takes more and more alcohol in order for the individual to become inebriated.
- Relationship problems. Individuals who drink to excess are likely to have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and may get into fights or other disagreements with parents, spouses or siblings.
- Change in behavior. Individuals with an addiction to alcohol may change dramatically as their problem becomes more severe. This can lead once fun, gregarious individuals to become sullen, depressed or mean-spirited.
- Drinking at non-socially acceptable times. Alcoholics may begin drinking as soon as they wake up in the morning, or drink on the job or while attending school. They may also continue drinking when out with friends, even as their peers have stopped for the evening.
- Legal or criminal problems. When a person is addicted to alcohol, their sense of personal responsibility may suffer as a result. That means they may have run-ins with the law, fall into debt, lose their job, get sued, etc.
- Health-related issues. Heavy drinking can take a physical toll on the individual, with hangovers, blackouts, bruises, injuries and other problems all occurring as a result. In addition, alcohol consumption may cause long-term damage to the heart or liver.
Addiction treatment professionals will want to see one or more of these behaviors exhibited for at least six months or longer before classifying the individual as an alcoholic. Once that diagnosis has been made, however, it is important that the individual enters an alcohol rehabilitation program immediately.
Alcohol Addiction and Withdrawal
Another key sign that an individual has an alcohol addiction is whether or not they exhibit any withdrawal symptoms when they are not drinking. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur in between drinking episodes, as the individual craves more of the alcohol.
Some of the most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Moodiness and mood swings
- Nervousness or restlessness
- Alcohol cravings
The duration of these withdrawal symptoms vary, but most alcoholics do not take the time to find out, as they will drink more in order to get them to stop. During alcohol detox however, they tend to last anywhere between several days and two weeks as the individual engages in an extended period of sobriety for the first time since the problem drinking began.
Alcohol Addiction Statistics in the United States
To gauge the depth and nature of the alcohol addiction problem in the United States, consider the following information:
- Over 14 million Americans currently meet the medical criteria for alcohol addiction (only a small fraction of these individuals will seek help for the condition).
- Among current alcoholics, over 50% report a family member who also suffers from a drinking problem
- Alcohol is the leading cause of emergency room visits among adults in the United States.
Michael's House a residential rehab facility that understands the special needs of those who suffer from alcohol addiction. The caring staff at Michael's House can help enhance the mind, body and spirit of the individual on the road to recovery. Contact Michael's House today at for more information.
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