The first step toward recovering from a serious drinking problem is to admit there is a problem. It can be hard to determine whether a drinker is truly abusing alcohol, though, since many members of today’s society do consume alcohol in comparatively healthy ways. Those who aren’t sure whether their drinking has crossed the line into a true substance abuse disorder can read on to find out about a few signs that it’s time to start looking into Alcohol Treatment Programs in Tacoma WA.
Loss of Control Over Drinking
The U.S. Surgeon General suggests that men should drink no more than four alcoholic beverages in one sitting, and women should drink no more than three. While there are those that argue those numbers are too high, no doctor would say it is healthy to have more than three to four drinks in one night. Many drinkers start out trying to have a beer or two and wind up consuming significantly more or even staying up all night drinking. These behaviors are often indications of an alcohol abuse problem.
Legal Issues As a Result of Drinking
Anyone who has already run into trouble with the law as a result of his or her drinking, whether they were arrested for drunk driving or merely cited for disorderly conduct, should seek help. Some defendants facing charges for drunk driving and other serious alcohol-related offenses are required by the courts to attend Alcohol Treatment Programs in Tacoma WA. Even those that aren’t required to attend should seriously consider it, though, since the chances are their problems with the law are not going to resolve themselves until the defendants get their drinking under control.
Health Repercussions
It should be obvious that anyone who has developed a physical dependency on alcohol should seek professional help before trying to quit, as alcohol withdrawals can be dangerous and even fatal. However, withdrawals aren’t the only type of health problems associated with alcohol abuse. Those who have injured themselves while drunk or have damaged their livers or other internal organs through overuse should also seek help before they wind up causing themselves even more severe health damage.