Do you always wonder – am I an alcoholic? If you suspect you have a drinking problem, then the chances are that you’re right. But you’re not alone in this struggle. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 14 million people in the world suffer from alcoholism. This illness costs the US billions every year in the form of lost workplace productivity, crime-related costs, and health care costs. Alcoholism also kills more than 88,000 people every year in the US. For those suffering from alcohol addiction, admission into an alcohol detox treatment center in Murray, UT is the first step towards lasting alcohol addiction recovery.
Am I an Alcoholic? Symptoms of Alcoholism
It’s vital to learn about the symptoms of alcoholism so that you can seek treatment before the situation spirals out of control. There are several symptoms to look out for, such as:
- Spending plenty of time buying alcohol, drinking it, and recovering from ‘hangovers’
- The inability to reduce alcohol consumption despite the desire to do so
- Continuing to drink alcohol despite social and interpersonal problems arising from alcoholism
- Consuming alcohol in dangerous situations like when you’re operating machinery, or driving a vehicle
- Drinking more alcohol than your original intended amount
- A tolerance to the alcohol, i.e., having to take more drinks to reach the desired ‘high’
- Alcohol cravings or withdrawal symptoms when you stay for an extended period without drinking
Why You Should Quit Alcohol
While it’s challenging, recovering from alcoholism is possible. Not only will you regain control of your life, but you’ll also save more money every year and stop wondering – am I an alcoholic?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people in the US spend more than $249 billion to buy alcohol every year. This breaks out to approximately $807 a year per person. However, binge drinkers are likely to spend more as they consume more drinks than the average drinker.
An online tool like the alcohol spending calculator is vital in calculating exactly how much you’ll save when you quit. For example, if you take five drinks every day and the cost of one bottle is $8, then you’ll save about $14,600 per year. Furthermore, drinking and driving a vehicle attracts a DUI fine that can amount to thousands of dollars.
Get Treatment for Alcoholism
A residential addiction treatment center in Murray, UT provides comprehensive dual diagnosis addiction treatment that treats the underlying mental health disorders that contribute to your drug addiction, in addition to the symptoms of your drug addiction. Upon your admission into an alcohol residential treatment center, the addiction treatment staff will conduct a mental health assessment to create a personalized alcohol addiction treatment plan that works best for you. Substance abuse treatment programs and addiction therapy services utilized in alcohol addiction treatment include:
Overcome Alcohol Addiction
Now you know that it’s vital to seek alcohol residential treatment if you continually ask yourself: am I an alcoholic? Contact a mental health professional once you’re ready to start the journey to recovery. Don’t let alcoholism control your life. Recovery is achievable.