Am I an alcoholic? Being an alcoholic does not necessarily mean that you are drinking all day, every day. Alcoholism is a progressive disease, the negative effects of drinking alcohol becoming increasingly severe over time. Problematic drinking leads to abuse of alcohol and eventually becomes a dependency; alcoholism is a chronic illness that eventually leads to an early death.
While there are many measures available, the most straight forward measure of someone being dependent on alcohol is if you have experienced or exhibited any 3 out of the following*:
- A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the substance
- Difficulties in controlling substance use
- A physical withdrawal state
- Evidence of tolerance
- Progressive neglect of social activities
- Continued substance use in the face of overtly harmful consequences
As this is a progressive illness, naturally the earlier you engage in treating it the lower the intensity of the treatment.
Help, support, treatment and recovery are available from a wide range of sources from brief advice and information to counselling and if necessary detoxification and rehabilitation.
Pierpoint can provide home detox and counselling as well as a full range of inpatient detoxification and residential rehabilitation programs. If you are looking for help for someone else and they don’t accept that they have a problem our family intervention team can help.
Contact us – Am I an alcoholic?
Just because you are reading this page does still not mean you are an alcoholic. Some people can drink heavily and not be an alcoholic. Others really struggle with cravings etc. It is down to the individual. Other people maybe alcoholics, but that does not mean the want give up, or even have too. It is their choice. Call us today to find out more, or chat to one of our missions team on our live web chat. Call Tel: 07811 606 606 (24 hours)