We’ve all heard the old saying that a shaky hand indicates an addict in need of a drink. But, did you know that it’s actually true? In fact, alcohol shakes or tremors might be one of the most obvious signs that you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction.
Are you wondering what the other signs of alcohol addiction are? Or, are you hoping to learn about the best alcohol treatment centers in San Diego?
If so, you’re in the right place.
Keep reading to learn what to look for if you suspect an addiction to alcohol. We’ll also tip you off to a top San Diego alcohol rehabilitation center so that you can find help fast!
Alcohol Addiction Is a Disease
Sometimes referred to as alcohol use disorder, alcohol addiction is a pattern of behavior that involves a preoccupation with alcohol, trouble controlling consumption, and sustained use regardless of the consequences.
As the disease progresses, users have to drink more and more to get the same effect. They may also experience withdrawal symptoms when they decrease or stop drinking.
So, how do you know if someone has a drinking problem?
Some of the warning signs of alcohol addiction include drinking that puts a user’s health or safety at risk, binge drinking, and problems functioning in daily life.
Signs of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol use disorder can be diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe. So, not all of these symptoms will apply to any one person. If you suspect someone is struggling, look for these telltale signs of alcohol addiction:
- Inability to cut down or quit drinking
- Reducing social and family activities to use alcohol
- Continuing to drink despite problems at home, school, or work, or negative health impacts
- Strong uncontrollable urges to drink
- Increased tolerance to alcohol
- Withdrawal symptoms like nausea, sweating, tremors, trouble sleeping, and disordered mood
- Blackouts and memory loss due to binge drinking
- Suffering from regular hangovers and regularly feeling sick from overindulging in alcohol
In addition to these signs of alcohol addiction, you should also be on the lookout for behavioral symptoms. These include personality changes, secret drinking, needing to drink before social activities, and drinking alone. In some cases, users will also begin to neglect their responsibilities, lose important relationships, and experience alcohol-related arrests.
Prolonged alcohol abuse can have a wide variety of short and long-term effects. It has been linked to heart and liver disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and even cancer. Other consequences include alcohol poisoning and partaking in unsafe behavior like unprotected sex and drunk driving.
If you or someone you care about are displaying the early signs of alcohol addiction, now is the time to get help. Alcohol therapy can help patients detox and regain control over their lives.
Is It Really Addiction?
Denial is common among patients struggling with addiction. Users might not recognize how much they are drinking or how many of the problems in their life are associated with alcohol abuse.
It’s important to use friends, family, and co-workers as a resource when trying to determine whether or not someone is truly addicted to alcohol. They’ll likely be able to identify habits and behavior associated with drinking if there’s something serious going on.
Even if an alcohol user denies being addicted, there are a few red flags that absolutely cannot be ignored. These include repeated sessions of binge drinking, as well as unsafe and illegal activities.
Binge drinking is defined as an alcohol use session in which a male consumes five or more drinks within two hours. The number is reduced to four for females.
One drink is defined as:
- 12 ounces of beer (about 5% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of wine (about 12% alcohol)
- 8 to 9 ounces of malt liquor (about 7% alcohol)
- 1.5 ounces of liquor or distilled spirits (about 40% alcohol)
It’s also important to identify the cycle of alcohol intoxication and withdrawal that most addicts face. During the intoxication, you’ll notice typical drunk behavior like slurred speech, poor coordination, and inappropriate behavior.
Once the intoxication phase ends, sweats, tremors, sleeplessness, and other strong symptoms take over. For those living with severe alcohol dependence, these symptoms are often severe enough to impair the ability to function at work and in social situations.
Choosing Between Alcohol Treatment Centers in San Diego
It’s true that these alcohol addiction signs are an indication of trouble. But, there’s plenty of hope right here in San Diego!
That said, you’ll want to shop carefully before selecting a rehabilitation center. Look for facilities that offer both inpatient and outpatient care, as well as support after patients graduate.
You should also consider factors like the facility’s size and creature comforts, including dining and activities. Some rehab centers also offer resources and support for family and friends while their loved one is battling addiction.
Apex Recovery is a top-tier California rehab center offering treatment for alcohol use disorder and other addictions. We also provide treatment for a wide variety of mental health struggles that often come along with substance abuse.
Each patient’s journey begins with a medically supervised detox period, followed by an individual treatment plan designed to help users break free from the cycle of addiction.
San Diego Alcohol Rehabilitation
Did these signs of alcohol addiction sound familiar? If so, you aren’t alone. Whether you visited this page today because you are struggling with alcohol addiction, or trying to find help for a loved one, we can help.
Apex Recovery Rehab is one of the very best alcohol treatment centers in San Diego, with a variety of treatment programs to suit every patient perfectly. Contact us or call 1-877-798-3545 any time, day or night. Our staff is standing by to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Don’t wait another day to get your life back! Enroll in a San Diego alcohol rehabilitation program how.