About 208 million people around the world suffer from alcohol use disorder. In fact, alcohol dependence is the most prevalent of substance use disorders. Despite how many people struggle with alcohol use, many never seek the treatment they need.
Not sure if you need to visit an alcohol detox facility? Here are 15 signs you need to find a Florida alcohol detox center right away. Learning to recognize these signs could save your life.
Otherwise, your alcohol use could go a little too far. You could get sick, end up in the ER, or get in an accident. Your alcohol dependence might hurt others, too.
Don’t let it come to that. Instead, read on to learn when you need to visit an alcohol detox center today.
1. Drinking Alone
Many people only drink in social settings, as a way to relax and unwind among friends and family members. At some point, however, you might find you’re no longer a recreational user. Alcohol use might become a regular part of your routine instead.
If you find yourself coming home to pour a drink every night, question why that is.
You might start draining bottles at home alone or spend most evenings at a bar. Perhaps you cancel plans to spend time with friends, too. Maybe you even begin starting the day with a drink (even if it’s “just” a small one).
Over time, your alcohol use could start to build up. You might drink every day when your friends only imbibe on the weekends.
If alcohol use has become part of your routine, it’s likely you need to consider an alcohol detox.
2. Withdrawal Symptoms
If you stop drinking, you might begin experiencing the emotional and physical symptoms of withdrawal. Everyone’s experience with withdrawal is a little different. How long you’ve been drinking and how much you’ve had are factors to consider.
Some potential symptoms can include:
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Trembling
- Cramping
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Anxiety
Don’t try to detox alone. In some cases, detoxing can become life-threatening.
If you’ve experienced symptoms of withdrawal, it’s time to visit an alcohol detox facility. They’ll help you detox in a safe environment. You can remain under a medical professional’s supervision throughout the process.
They could help minimize the symptoms you experience. If there’s a problem, you’ll have peace of mind knowing a doctor is close by, too.
3. Drinking for Mental Health Conditions
The pandemic caused a lot of fear and anxiety. It impacted patients with mental health disorders like anxiety or depression, too. About 25.9 million alcohol drinkers admitted to drinking a little or much more than they did before the pandemic began.
Meanwhile, youths (ages 12 to 17) said the pandemic negatively affected their mental health. About 4.9% of adults had serious thoughts of suicide.
Only 4.2 million adolescents received mental health services in the past year. About 41.4 million adults received inpatient or outpatient mental health services. They also took prescription medication for a mental health issue in the past year.
Some people try to drink to soothe their mental health symptoms.
If you have a mental health condition and drink to ease your symptoms, it’s a sign of a larger problem. Consider contacting a Florida alcohol detox center right away.
Drinking will only dull the symptoms temporarily. These chemicals could come back and have the opposite effect after long-term use.
In fact, drinking might make depression or other mental health conditions worse. Your anti-depressants are less likely to work if you’re a heavy drinker, too.
Instead, visit an alcohol detox center that focuses on dual diagnosis. They can help you seek treatment for both conditions concurrently. You can seek the help you need without making either problem worse.
4. Lying About Drinking
You might start to realize your alcohol consumption is beyond what your friends would consider normal. You might decide to lie about drinking if they ask about it as a result.
If you were comfortable with your own behavior, you wouldn’t lie about it.
If you’ve started lying about your alcohol use, consider visiting an alcohol detox center. You can seek help before your addiction gets worse.
5. Attending Events to Drink
About 85.6% of adults said they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime. About 69.5% report drinking in the past year. Meanwhile, 25.8% reported binge drinking in the past month.
People who drink twice the gender-specific binge drinking thresholds are 70 times more likely to visit an emergency department. Those who drink three times the threshold are 93 times more likely to visit the emergency room.
Unfortunately, only 7.2% of people over the age of 12 receive treatment for alcohol use disorder.
Have you started to choose which social events to attend based on which ones serve alcohol? You might start spending time with friends only to drink, too. Alcoholism could start taking up more of your time and attention.
If you only attend social events to drink, you might want to consider an alcohol detox. It’s likely you’ve become fixated on drinking.
You’ll need to drink more to continue experiencing the effects of alcohol use, which could have disastrous consequences.
6. Hiding Evidence of Drinking
In addition to lying, you might start hiding how much you drink, too.
For example, you could hide bottles in different places throughout your home. You might have bottles stashed in your car or at work.
If you’ve started hiding evidence of your drinking, visit a Florida alcohol detox center for help.
7. Others Tell You to Get Help
Your friends and family are likely to notice you have a substance abuse problem before you do. If they’ve voiced their concerns, listen. They’re only trying to help.
Otherwise, you might risk pushing family members or friends away.
An employer might approach you, too. They might notice problems with your job performance or attendance.
If someone suggests you get help, listen. Lean on them for support.
8. You’re Blacking Out
Prolonged, heavy drinking could cause you to blackout. Your memory might feel foggy, too. If you’ve started forgetting hours or even days, consider detoxing.
Visiting an alcohol detox center can ensure you get help before you hurt yourself or someone else.
9. Risky Behavior
You might start taking risks more often while you’re under the influence. In fact, you could get involved in something illegal.
For example, you might think it’s safe to drink and drive. You could become more aggressive or violent. If you’ve started taking more risks lately, visit a Florida alcohol detox facility.
Get the help you need before there’s an accident.
10. Doctors Urge You to Seek Treatment
Alcohol use can have a negative effect on your physical well-being. It could increase your risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Anemia
- Cancer
- Gout
- Seizures
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Dementia
If your doctor is concerned about your physical health, listen. Otherwise, drinking could lead to alcoholic neuropathy. Your risk of contracting infections will increase, too.
11. You’re Facing a DUI
Remember, drinking might make you feel more inclined to take risks. You could get arrested for drunk driving. If you’re facing a DUI or serious charges, it’s time to seek help.
In addition to a fine or jail time, a DUI could impact your future. You might struggle to find work.
Before that can happen, visit an alcohol detox facility for help.
12. An Intervention
If your friends and family are concerned, they might organize an intervention. They want you to recognize the impact your drinking is having on those around you. Listen.
An intervention is a chance for you to realize the effect your drinking is having on your life. If your family performed an intervention, it’s likely time to seek help.
13. You’re Struggling to Stop on Your Own
You could struggle to stop drinking on your own, even in the face of consequences down the road. If you’re struggling to stop, visit a Florida alcohol detox center.
You don’t have to do this alone! Instead, you can gain access to the help and resources you need to maintain long-term sobriety.
14. Neglecting Work or School
Work or school might hit the backburner if all you can think about is drinking. Remember, drinking could impact your future. You might get kicked out of school or fired from your job.
Don’t let drinking control your life. Instead, seek help. Visiting an alcohol detox facility and completing treatment will allow you to take back control.
15. Deteriorating Health or Injuries
Pay attention to how your body reacts to your prolonged drinking. For example, short-term effects can include:
- Head pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Trouble focusing
- Loss of coordination
- Mood swings
- Lowered inhibitions
- Loss of consciousness
If these symptoms sound familiar, seek help. Otherwise, your symptoms will get worse.
For example, you might notice changes in appetite and weight. You could experience problems with your memory. Anxiety, insomnia, and changes in sexual function are common, too.
Get Help: 15 Signs to Visit a Florida Alcohol Detox Center ASAP
Don’t let drinking control your life or alter your future. Instead, keep an eye out for these signs you need to visit a Florida alcohol detox facility. If these issues sound familiar, it’s time to seek help.
Beginning a detox and rehabilitation program will help you take back control.
Ready to commit to your recovery? We’re here to help.
Contact us today to speak with an addiction specialist.
