There is a thin line between drinking too much for fun and full-blown alcoholism. The signs pointing to addiction and alcoholism are not all encompassing, but have unique identifiers that may help you realize drinking is an issue.

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Alcoholism and substance abuse have many contributing factors that indicate it is a mental and physical disease. These factors include genetics, familial history, social environment and emotional/mental health. For example, people who have a family history of alcoholism or heavy drinking are more likely to develop issues with substance abuse. Also, people who suffer from mental health problems such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder are also at risk because of the potential for self-medication.

Below are risk signs that you may have a problem with addiction and alcoholism. If you identify with these thoughts and feelings, now is the time to act.

  • Once you start drinking, you cannot stop or limit the amount of alcohol you drink
  • Feel triggered to drink with strong urges to drink
  • Develop a high tolerance for alcohol – it takes more and more alcohol to feel drunk
  • You prefer to drink alone because you want to hide your drinking
  • Feel sick, sweaty, anxious and nauseous when you cannot drink
  • Not remembering hours, days and commitments because of what is termed a “black out”. *Blacking out is not normal.
  • Trying to control drinking by not drinking certain dates and times, and annoyed when people or commitments get in between you and your drinking
  • Become agitated when drinking time nears, you find sometimes you must drink in the morning or during the day to cope with the urges
  • You keep alcohol in strange places around the house, in the car or at work
  • Your relationships with family and friends are suffering and you are feeling increasingly alone and isolated
  • You lose interest in activities you once enjoyed and only focus on drinking

If you are interested in seeking help with your alcohol problem, we invite you to join us on the journey to recovery. Our team is here to help you to get started.