Alcoholism is a progressive and fatal disease. Without help, we are unlikely to ever overcome drinking. We may be unsure if our drinking had progressed to the point of alcoholism, or we may deny there is a problem even if the consequences of our drinking are apparent. It may be a hard truth to face, but admitting that we are powerless over alcohol and that our lives are no longer manageable is the first step toward recovering from the disease. If we can look at our drinking objectively, there are many signs and symptoms we can look for to conclude whether or not we are suffering from alcoholism. Alcoholism occurs when we lose the power of choice in regards to our drinking. We continue to drink in spite of the consequences we are facing. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence presents a set of symptoms associated with Alcohol Use Disorder: “temporary blackouts or memory loss; recurrent arguments or fights with family members or friends as well as irritability, depression, or mood swings; continuing use of alcohol to relax, to cheer up, to sleep, to deal with problems, or to feel ‘normal;’ headache, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, or other unpleasant symptoms when one stops drinking; flushed skin and broken capillaries on the face; a husky voice; trembling hands; bloody or black/tarry stools or vomiting blood; chronic diarrhea; and/or drinking alone, in the mornings, or in secret.” The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous furthers the description of an individual suffering from alcoholism by examining the person’s loss of power over alcohol and how it affects others. The Big Book explains, “If a person has cancer all are sorry for him and no one is angry or hurt. But not so with the alcoholic illness, for with it there goes annihilation of all the thing worthwhile in life. It engulfs all whose lives touch the sufferer’s. It brings misunderstanding, fierce resentment, financial insecurity, disgusted friends and employers, warped lives of blameless children, sad wives and parents—anyone can increase the list.” Our alcoholism invariably progresses to a point where we are harming ourselves and those around us. If we feel that we are unable to control our drinking, we have a responsibility to ourselves and our loved ones to seek recovery. The only way to mend ourselves and our relationships is through sobriety.
Your story can be one of hope, faith, and courage in sobriety. Your life doesn’t have to be controlled by addiction or alcoholism—you can make the decision to seek help today and begin building a brighter future. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment center in beautiful Laguna Beach, is staffed with knowledgeable and compassionate professionals who understand the disease of addiction and alcoholism, and are dedicated to providing you all the tools necessary to achieve and maintain sobriety. For more information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
