The difference between someone who drinks for fun and an alcoholic might seem significant, but it is not a lot in reality. An adverse event or an added responsibility that is too much to handle can quickly push a person over the edge and into the mire of addiction. Unfortunately, the person undergoing this change and falling into the addiction trap might not even realize it before it’s too late. The signs of addiction can manifest themselves in different forms, but without the proper knowledge, it can be hard to identify them. Therefore, many people aren’t able to spot the key behaviours and symptoms of alcohol addiction and never really contemplate rehabilitation.
Why Has Rehabilitation Become More Important Than Ever?
For many, the need for addiction help is a sign of weakness and is not required. But it is essential to drop this line of thinking and seek help at the right time to avoid a dark fate in life.
In 2021, 9,641 deaths (14.8 per 100,000 people) were registered in the UK due to alcohol-related causes. It is the highest number recorded to date, 7.4% more than in 2020. Given the rapid rise in alcohol consumption and its deadly effects, it has become all the more important to spot signs of addiction and seek rehabilitation whenever necessary.
Signs of Addiction that Point to a Need for Rehabilitation
As discussed before, the signs of addiction are hard to spot because the person displaying addictive behaviour does not want to acknowledge their weakness. Furthermore, even if someone points to their addiction, an addict will have different counterarguments to undermine their claim. So, it is vital to understand all the major signs of addiction to spot addiction and identify the need for rehabilitation with greater certainty. Below are some of the clearest signs of addiction that everyone should know about:
- Deterioration of mental and physical health: Alcohol addiction can cause severe damage to mental and physical health over the long term. However, the bad effects of alcohol can be experienced even earlier. For example, you might have a bad stomach way too often. Or, you are always nauseous and forgetful. If you spot these signs frequently, then rehabilitation is very much needed.
- A lack of control over drinking: An addict is unable to control their drinking, no matter how hard they try. The desire to drink is too overpowering for an addict, and hence, they drink at their whims and fancies. Moreover, the amount of alcohol consumed is also significantly higher than what is prescribed by doctors. So, if you experience a loss of control or see a loved one drinking more than what is acceptable, it is a clear sign of addiction.
- Choosing isolation over social engagements: When the alcohol starts taking control, it keeps you engaged in heavy drinking. Therefore, an addict stops engaging socially and cuts off from loved ones. Isolation becomes the sole aim of the addict, which further fuels the desire to drink.
- Worsening relationships: An addict is always looking for isolation and avoiding family and friends; their relationships bear the brunt of their drinking. Husbands start to avoid wives and vice versa. Parental connection with children is also affected, and the little ones are scarred psychologically due to their parent’s bad behaviour.
- Poor performance at work: Someone who has a personal business or works a day job isn’t able to perform well under the influence. Their performance drops gradually, and they cannot learn new things, which is required to prosper in a job. Degraded performance at work without any obvious reason can be a sign of alcohol playing spoilsport in your professional life.
- Frequent reckless behaviour: Due to alcohol addiction, a person is likely to exhibit frequent reckless behaviour. This happens because alcohol makes a person uninhibited. With no care for respect and no fear of danger, an alcohol addict is likely to behave recklessly.
Conclusion
Every person who drinks alcohol has different expectations. While some drink to chill out and enjoy themselves with friends, others drink to calm their senses after a difficult day at work. But when the urge for alcohol becomes way too strong, it starts impacting your life and shows up as different signs and symptoms. If you experience the signs and symptoms as mentioned above or see the same in a loved one, you should guide them in the right direction towards rehabilitation. For UK residents, a rehabilitation clinic in the UK is their best bet to get the treatment that they deserve to get rid of alcohol addiction and get back on track in their lives.
