There are several types of alcoholics, but the devastating effects of alcoholism on family, society, and nation are similar. If alcohol is ruining your life to the point that you can’t maintain relationships and a job, then there is no need to ask – am I an alcoholic? Although it takes time to reach full-blown alcoholism, you should be able to catch the symptoms of alcoholism early. Alcohol residential treatment is most effective when it starts soon.
Types of Alcoholics
Yong adults in the US comprise 31% of the alcoholics nationwide. This group drinks less often than older adults, but when they do, they are more likely to binge. Surprisingly, they’re influenced by their peers to drink, and they usually come from families without alcohol abuse disorders.
The high-functioning alcoholic, on the other hand, is perhaps the one most likely to be in denial about alcoholism. This is because they’re often successful in many areas of life, which includes having a loving family and a stable job. Studies reveal that 62% of alcoholics in this group typically work full time; about 26% of them possess a college degree or higher certification. This group comprises about 20% of US alcoholics.
Another type of alcoholics is the intermediate familial group. More than half of this group often experience clinical depression and come from families with multigenerational alcoholism. Mental health treatment is often helpful when dealing with addiction, help is available, like these Florida mental health treatment programs. This group ranges from 30 to 50 years old.
Am I an Alcoholic? Warning Signs of Alcoholism
Long-term alcohol abuse leads to psychological and physical health problems. The alcohol’s toxicity affects the normal functioning of your body. Alcohol causes numerous adverse effects on the body, consequently leading to brain damage.
Visible physical signs of alcoholism indicate a deteriorating condition. There are several serious symptoms, such as:
- Heart disease, stroke, or heart attack
- Digestive conditions or issues, including some types of cancers
- Liver damage (cirrhosis or scarring) and failure
- Memory loss or cognitive issues
- Mood disorders or depression
- Worsening anxiety
People with a history of alcohol abuse try to find an excuse when they identify these symptoms. Others ignore the connection.
Get Help for Alcoholism
When you discover that you’re no longer a casual drinker, but start to ask yourself, am I an alcoholic, the revelation might be shocking. If you feel hesitant to face the problem head-on, remember that you’re giving away your humanity and freedom to alcohol. Everyone deserves a happy, fulfilling life, so don’t be afraid to seek help for your illness.
There are many high-quality rehab centers ready to walk the journey of recovery with you. The best facilities offer a variety of therapies in their TX residential addiction treatment programs, such as:
- Florida cognitive behavioral therapy program
- Florida dialectical behavior therapy program
- Florida family therapy program
- Florida individual therapy program
Don’t be afraid or ashamed to admit that you have a problem and are willing to seek treatment from a Florida detox center. The effects of alcoholism are reversible, so there is hope for everyone, regardless of how long you’ve been abusing alcohol.
Don’t feel like it’s the end of the world when experiencing negative thoughts such as am I an alcoholic? Recovery is possible if you take the first step, finding Houston substance abuse treatment programs that work for you. The mental health professionals will help you the rest of the way.