Alcohol dependency covers alcoholism, alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, problem drinking and binge drinking. Whatever name we prefer to call it isn’t the important thing. Recognising and responding to it is.
Because alcohol is legal in Australia and so firmly entrenched in our culture, many people whose drinking is getting out of hand have a hard time admitting they have a problem.
For some of us, drinking will complicate our lives. It will evolve from being a purely social or relaxing activity into something that unbalances our lives, eroding our confidence, ambition and self-respect. Left untreated, an alcohol dependency can cost us our jobs, our family and friends, and ultimately our health.
Some signs of alcohol dependency or abuse
When you’re not drinking, how many of these symptoms do you experience?
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Tremors
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Headaches
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Nausea
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Insomnia
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Anxiety at facing a social situation without a drink
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Arguments with family members about drinking
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Daily life is unmanageable
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Difficulty in managing feelings
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Inability to control your behaviour
>> Try our self assessment for problematic drinking
In the same way that the problem of alcohol dependency is often not recognised, the effort it takes to stop drinking and recover from this addiction is often trivialised.
Some people believe alcoholics lack will power and only need to stop drinking for a few weeks in order to sober up. The truth is, alcoholism is an illness. But there is hope. Like so many illnesses, it can be successfully treated and managed.
Overcoming Alcohol Dependence
Admitting to yourself, let alone to others, that you may be abusing alcohol can be hard. It takes courage. But it is the necessary first step in the journey to recovery or sobriety.
The next step happens when you talk about your drinking problem to another person. Seeking professional help and treatment is the best chance you have for breaking your ties to alcohol.
It’s easy to take that step with South Pacific Private. You can talk one-on-one with us over the phone, or at an obligation free, no cost assessment appointment, to get a better idea of how treatment at South Pacific Private can help. Enquiries about our treatment options from concerned families and friends are welcome.
Feel free to contact us at a time that suits you.
We can be reached by confidential email or by calling 1800 063 332.
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