Alcohol addiction
Alcohol addiction is characterised by excessive alcohol consumption, frequent or chronic intoxication, and an overwhelming desire to drink more alcohol despite finding it difficult to control your intake or modify your drinking patterns. Other common terms for it are “alcoholism” and “alcohol dependence.”
Alcoholism is more complicated than you may imagine. It’s not necessary to drink excessively all the time to develop an addiction; the level of dependence varies. You might have a steady job or not, and you might be 15 or 65. You may drink alone or in large groups, and it’s possible that alcoholism runs in your family.
You may binge drink or consider yourself a heavy drinker, both are distinct forms of alcohol abuse. Binge drinking and heavy drinking are both serious problems, and they can lead to significant physical and psychological harm.
Nevertheless, it is abundantly evident how important the side effects of alcoholism are. Alcoholism increases your risk of heart disease, cancer, liver damage, and other crippling illnesses. Additionally, it might strain your finances, career, and relationships.
Behaviours of alcohol addiction
Alcohol addiction is a serious and debilitating condition that affects the individual, their family, and society. It is a progressive disorder that affects the brain, leading to changes in behaviour that can be extremely damaging and even life-threatening.
The typical behaviours associated with alcohol addiction include:
Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time
Binge drinking
Alcoholics often become obsessed with alcohol
Spending an excessive amount of time and money on obtaining it
Hiding their drinking by lying about where they have been or what they have been doing
Drinking in secret
Making poor decisions whilst under the influence of alcohol, such as driving while intoxicated
Acting irrational or saying hurtful things to others, and having no recollection of these events the day after
Finding excuses to drink
Emotional, physical or verbal abuse
Neglecting own personal hygiene
Neglecting responsibilities, not going to work or looking after your family
These behaviours can have a severe impact on an individual’s life. Alcohol addiction can interfere with work and school, leading to poor performance or even job loss. It can also lead to financial difficulties, as the individual may be spending an excessive amount of money on alcohol. It can also lead to physical health problems such as liver damage, high blood pressure, and even heart failure. In addition, alcohol addiction can also lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Treating alcohol addiction
Alcohol addiction is a serious problem that affects millions of people. It can have a devastating effect on individuals, their families, and on society as a whole. Fortunately, there are many treatment options at Steps Together available to help individuals overcome their alcohol addiction and achieve lasting sobriety.
Steps Together’s comprehensive residential treatment program is designed to address all aspects of alcohol addiction. The program includes individual clinical detox care, 1-1 counselling, group therapy, holistic workshops, physical wellbeing classes and 12-step meetings (Please check with each facility). In addition, the program also provides medical, psychological, and nutritional support to help individuals achieve and maintain abstinence from alcohol.
Our program is designed to help individuals who are experiencing difficulty with alcohol addiction understand the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of their addiction. In individual counselling sessions, clients are able to explore their thoughts and feelings about their addiction and develop strategies to cope with their cravings and other symptoms of their addiction. Group therapy sessions provide an opportunity for clients to connect with other individuals who are also struggling with alcohol addiction and to share their experiences and support one another.
Steps Together’s treatment program provides comprehensive, individualised treatment that is tailored to the specific needs of each client. Our program is designed to help individuals understand their addiction and develop the skills and tools they need to stay sober.
With the support of the Steps Together, individuals can achieve and maintain sobriety and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Seeking professional help for alcohol addiction
Steps Together are aware of how difficult it can be to overcome an alcohol addiction. Furthermore, we are aware that it is possible and worthwhile every second. Though it may sound cliché, admitting you have a problem is the first step you should be proud to take. Making the decision to change for the better is half the fight.
Seeking professional help is an important step in overcoming alcohol addiction. A doctor or therapist can provide guidance and support during the recovery process. Additionally, there are several treatment options available at Steps Together, such as our inpatient residential programmes and outpatient non-residential programmes.
Common causes of alcohol addiction
Alcohol addiction is a serious and debilitating condition that affects the individual, their family, and society. It is a progressive disorder that affects the brain, leading to changes in behaviour that can be extremely damaging and even life-threatening.
The typical behaviours associated with alcohol addiction include:
Genetics, people with a family history of alcoholism are more likely to develop an addiction themselves
People who have experienced traumatic events, such as physical or sexual abuse, may be more likely to turn to alcohol to cope with their emotions
People who suffer from depression, anxiety, ADHD or other mental health disorders may use alcohol to self-medicate
Low self-esteem
Living in an environment where family commonly use alcohol
Peer pressure
Real stories from our previous clients
“I can’t imagine to this day what it was like for my parents, a mix of relief that I had finally agreed and disbelief that this is what it had come to.”
Ben, sober since January 2019
