If you’re wondering, “Am I an alcoholic?” It’s likely that drinking has negatively affected your life in some way. You’re not alone. Alcohol abuse and addiction are some of the most common issues impacting millions of Americans. Issues with alcohol stem from a wide range of factors and can be difficult to pinpoint unless actively seeking recovery. The good news: drinking problems are treatable.

At AspenRidge Recovery Centers, we help people who are wondering, “Am I an alcoholic?” get their lives back on track. We work with you to create a new, sober lifestyle by giving you the tools and techniques you need to cope with the stresses of everyday life healthily. Read on to learn more about how to decide whether your drinking necessitates help from a qualified addiction treatment center in Colorado.

Alcohol Use Factors

According to Healthline, there are numerous reasons a person may develop a draw to alcohol. Not only is alcohol surrounding our everyday lives, from tv shows to billboard advertising, but it’s also ubiquitous. It can be difficult to understand when drinking for entertainment turns negative and it begins to impact not just health concerns, but relationships and job prospects. 

There are different factors that can lead a person to seek alcohol as a routine choice and, eventually, as a detrimental habit. With time, habitual use can actually lead to alcohol dependence. 

Experts have noted that certain factors can determine frequency and quantities of alcohol use with a higher potential for addiction:

• Young adults experiencing peer pressure
• Having low self-esteem
• Experiencing higher levels of stress
• Living in a family or culture where alcohol use is common
• Having a close relative with alcohol use disorder (AUD)
• Experiencing trauma

Sometimes it can be hard to draw the line between safe alcohol use and the misuse of alcohol. The Mayo Clinic suggests that you may misuse alcohol if you answer “yes” to some of the following questions:

• Do you need to drink more in order to feel the effects of alcohol?
• Do you feel guilty about drinking?
• Do you become irritable or violent when you’re drinking? 
• Do you have problems at school or work because of drinking? 
• Do you think it might be better if you cut back on your drinking? 

There are comprehensive tests you can take through The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, AlcoholScreening.org, and AspenRidge Assessment here. 

Knowing when alcohol becomes a problem is an important first step in seeking help for alcohol use disorder. 

Dangers of Alcohol Use

Every person reacts differently to different substances. Because alcohol is so well-known in everyday society, it’s often considered less harmful due to its widely held acceptance. However, alcohol is one of the most deadly diseases, taking the lives of many each year due to accidental death or overdose. Additionally, many others are battling extensive long-term health risks as the result of alcohol use including:

• High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems
• Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum
• Weakening immune system
• Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance
• Mental health problems including depression and anxiety
• Social problems including family problems, job-related problems, and unemployment
• Alcohol use disorder, or alcohol dependence

Individuals can reduce the risk of these health impacts by limiting drinks consumed and how frequently they consume them. 

AM I AN ALCOHOLIC?

If you’re wondering if you’re addicted to alcohol, it can be hard to know when it’s time to get some help. If you’re noticing any of the following warnings signs, your drinking has spiraled out of control:

• Blackouts, including episodes where you only forget segments of the time during which you were under the influence
• Financial struggles due to purchases of alcohol and purchases made while drinking
• Poor performance at school or work
• A change in friends due to spending more time around people who share similar habits

If any of the above apply to you, it’s time to ask for help. Recovery is possible, and there’s no need to do it alone.

ASKING FOR HELP

You may feel like asking for help is a sign of weakness, but nothing could be further from the truth. When you ask for help with you’re drinking, you’re showing a sign of strength and care for both your life and the lives of those close to you. It takes courage, bravery, and strength to ask for help. When you contact our Colorado alcohol addiction treatment center, we’ll be happy to answer all of your questions about what treatment will entail. Recovery is possible, and you need to take the first step of reaching out to admit that things have gotten out of control.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING ALCOHOL ADDICTION TREATMENT

When you enter treatment, it can be scary if you’re unsure of what to expect. At AspenRidge Recovery Centers, we’ll walk you through every step of the treatment process so that you’re never taken by surprise. When you begin treatment, you’ll meet with your counselor to go over your history of drinking or drug use. You’ll also talk about the unique life factors that have led to addiction. Your counselor will talk with you about the types of treatment that make the most sense for your needs.

Many of our patients find that they thrive when using several modalities of treatment, including:

• Trauma therapy program
• Addiction therapy program
• Neurofeedback therapy program
• Life skills training program

As you progress through treatment, you’ll check in with your counselor regularly to ensure that you’re continuing to make progress toward sobriety. We’ll be there with you every step of the way through your treatment plan. You’ll never have to go through the road to recovery alone.

CALL ASPENRIDGE RECOVERY CENTERS

If you’ve decided that the answer to, “Am I an alcoholic?” is yes, it’s time to contact AspenRidge Recovery Centers for help. You don’t have to do this alone. We believe in your ability to get well, no matter how far gone you may be. We’ll help you change your life, one step at a time. Call us at (719) 259-1107 to talk with a caring member of our admissions staff who will give you more information on how our programs may be able to help you. Recovery is possible, and we’re here to help.