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My friends say I drink too much
If your friends are telling you that drinking is an issue, then chances are you need to listen. Most times though, drinkers gravitate to drinkers as there is comfort in like-minded behavior. If you are withdrawing from family and friends because of your drinking, have a problem with limiting alcohol consumption, have personal concerns regarding your drinking, frequent mood swings, or memory loss and blackouts you seriously need to Stop Drinking Alcohol.
The four stages of alcoholism for the high functioning alcoholic tells you what you already know….quit drinking.
Am I drinking too much?
We often rely on our own self-assessment, and being in denial can impede our own honesty in assessing how much alcohol we consume. Look at the empty bottles from the night before, and if you are drinking alone then it is difficult to convince yourself you only had a “couple”.
Physical symptoms include anxiety or jumpiness, sweating, shaking, nausea, irritability, fatigue, and loss of appetite. But continued use despite consequences at work, within your relationships and mental health provides the real answer. When its time to Stop Drinking Alcohol you will need help to understand why you drink and how to quit.
How to stop drinking?
When individuals become addicted to alcohol, finding the right treatment program to help them overcome addiction can be overwhelming. So, how do you know which one is right for you? This will depend on the type of drinker you are and your current health. You need to be aware of the dangers of alcohol withdrawal and realise quitting alcohol can involve risks if not handled correctly. Heavy drinkers especially should consult their doctor and be managed in their detox treatments. Residential treatment programs are statistically your best option to Stop Drinking Alcohol. The facilities are intimate, with limited availability, making this a program for those who are serious about getting help for long-term sobriety.
Alcohol
Alcohol is very much a part of Australian culture. Most Australians drink and with the availability of alcohol, the acceptance of alcohol and the price point of alcohol in Australia, no-one blinks an eye at anyone with a glass of beer or wine or any other alcoholic beverage in their hand.
Covid 19 has witnessed alcohol sales increase. Stress seems to increase how much alcohol we consume.
Signs that Alcohol Treatment is Necessary:
An individual addicted to alcohol, when confronted, will oftentimes deny that a problem exists. Alcoholism can be difficult for family and friends to “identify” in their loved one as there are many levels of alcohol abuse, some less obvious than others. There are, however, some common behaviors and signs that indicate an individual may have a problem with alcohol that needs to be addressed. Indicators include:
Early Signs of Alcohol Abuse:
- Blackouts/Memory Loss
- Unexplained Falls/Bruises and Cuts from Falling
- Depression, Anxiety, Irritability, Mood Swings
- Tardy or Missing Work, School, or other Important Events
- Loss of Employment
- Broken Relationships, Separation, or Divorce
- Financial Struggles
- Strange, Intoxicated Behavior
- Weight Loss
- Car Accidents/DUI
Unfortunately, many alcoholics aren’t diagnosed by their doctors as they will not answer questions honestly about their usage and deny having a problem.
If you or a loved one is struggling with the early symptoms of alcohol abuse (mentioned above), it’s time to seek professional help. If alcohol abuse is prolonged, it can result in serious social and medical issues.
Is alcohol a drug?
By definition, a drug is a substance which when taken changes our mood, the way we think, and the way we act.
Alcohol can be addictive and can be toxic.
How does alcohol effect your body?
Alcohol effects our central nervous system, it first slows down and then with enough alcohol will completely shutdown. The Ethanol in alcohol brings on a condition which sometimes mirror that of the drugs used in anaesthetics.
Ethanol is the active ingredient which is found in beer, wine and spirits. Do not be misguided in believing because alcohol is legal in Australia that it doesn’t impact seriously on the you, your family and the community.
The effects of the occasional beer or glass of wine with the fellas or the girls is far different from someone who consumes Alcohol regularly and to excess.
The impact of Alcohol
Isn’t it great when you wake up feeling like the world is at your feet? Your mind is clear, you feel positive and ready to take on the world. This is how it should be for all of us. However, in the real world of today the pressures mount and self medicating with alcohol to relieve the stress and to begin to feel relaxed is often our way out.
Alcohol is accessible and it does effect our nervous system, so after a couple of glasses of wine, beer or other spirit, cocktail or mixed drink we unwind and start to see the world through “rose coloured glasses”.
In the background though things are happening and the alcohol in our system begins to gnaw at our organs.
Cirrhosis of the liver
Kidney & Heart disease
Neuropathy
Pancreatitis
Cancer
Immune system dysfunction
Stroke
Brain damage
Osteoporosis
Gastrointestinal issues and inflammation
The onset of early dementia
AND THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE LONG TERM EFFECTS
Does alcohol kill?
The consumption of alcohol gives us “dutch courage” – a sense of confidence and strength; a false sense of heroism.
Remember it effects our nervous system and our ability to react and effectively judge things.
What happens when we Drink and Drive?
- wow I am driving my “bat mobile” watch me take this corner
- yes I can do anything – watch me overtake this truck, yes there’s enough time to get past
Seriously – we cannot truly gauge things because:-
- co-ordination and concentration is impaired
- we are slower to react and sometimes don’t recognise the need to react (did I just hit something?)
- our vision can be impaired and blurred
- alcohol often brings on fatigue (asleep at the wheel of the vehicle).
Excessive drinking may also mean that you still have alcohol in your system the next day.
Treatment for the Abuse of Alcohol
Those who feel either they or a member of their family or close friends needs assistance should confide in their GP. The treatment of addiction is a complicated issue.
The underlying issues may not be obvious to “outsiders” or even to the person effected, but with counselling, support and will-power it is possible for you to stop drinking and stop drinking permanently.
Private Rehab for addiction
Private rehab is believed the desired treatment option for those looking to give up alcohol. The public system is often underfunded and over-stressed resulting in long waiting periods for clients.
The issue of paying for private rehab is an added obstacle, as rehab in the private sector is not free.
Releasing money from superannuation to pay for treatment is allowed under a scheme known as “Compassionate Release of Super”.
The early release of super program for the release of superannuation under compassionate grounds is available in certain circumstances. For more information on applying to this program www.releasemysuper.com.au is a company based in Melbourne that specialises in the release of funds from your super to meet the criteria laid down by legislation. This company has excellent support available to clients.