friends holding hands when beginning alcohol addiction treatment in Spokane WAMany people are able to consume alcohol regularly with few ill effects, and in our culture, alcohol use can seem very normal. However, “normal” drinking can become “abnormal” drinking when it begins to affect your life in a negative way or create problematic consequences, like absences from work because you are hungover, legal problems from driving under the influence, or missed family functions. When this happens, alcohol addiction treatment in Spokane, WA, is a must for recovery.

Some people experience physical alcohol dependence, and have withdrawal symptoms when they try to decrease the amount that they drink. Binge drinking is another form of problematic alcohol use, and it involves consuming large amounts of alcohol (four drinks at a time for a woman, or five drinks at a time for a man). If you are a binge drinker, you may not necessarily have a physical dependence on alcohol, but your drinking patterns can still interfere with your life, relationships, and normal activities.

Both binge drinking and alcohol dependency create health problems and deserve serious attention. You may need a range of addiction treatment programs to recover from either one.

Signs of Alcohol Dependency or Addiction

Ask yourself the following questions as you think about your alcohol use.

  • Do you need alcohol to relax or to feel good?
  • Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?
  • Have you ever blacked out when drinking?
  • Do you spend a significant portion of your time drinking or recovering from drinking?
  • Have you missed an important event related to work, school, or family responsibilities because of your drinking?
  • Are you engaging in risky behaviors related to alcohol (such as driving while drunk, or engaging in risky sexual behavior)?
  • Have family or friends questioned or criticized your drinking?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is an indication that your drinking is starting to interfere with your freedom to make healthy life choices. Alcohol addiction treatment is necessary to help you get back on the right path and end your abuse of alcohol.

Health Effects of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol causes almost immediate physical effects when used that include a decrease in anxiety, an increase in mood, and impaired judgment, coordination, or reflexes. Alcohol use also causes damaging effects over the long term, such as:

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • Cirrhosis and fibrosis of the liver
  • Mouth, throat, liver, and breast cancer
  • For young people: impaired heart and nervous system development, impaired brain and emotional development
  • For pregnant people: consuming alcohol while pregnant causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)

Withdrawal Symptoms from Alcohol

Alcohol causes physical symptoms during withdrawal, especially if you have been drinking heavily or using alcohol for a long time. Symptoms can include:

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Shakiness
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Nausea
  • Sweating

There are prescription drugs that help address the physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal when you stop using it regularly. If you have questions about whether this might be an appropriate part of your treatment, please ask us.

Seeking Alcohol Addiction Treatment

If alcohol use is causing problems in your life, Spokane Falls Recovery Center offers tools you can use to create healthy changes in your life. Honestly acknowledging that you have a problem takes courage, and we applaud your effort. We believe that if you put effort into treatment, your life will change for the better. Learn more about what you can expect in treatment. Whether you have sought treatment for alcohol before, or if this is your first time, Spokane Falls Recovery Center can be a place where the pieces come together for you and your recovery. We treat everyone here with compassion and with the faith that they can find change and healing. We believe that, for everyone, sobriety is possible, and recovery is life-changing. Contact Spokane Falls Recovery at 844.962.2775 today to begin alcohol addiction treatment.