The Stages of Alcohol Addiction and How to Know When You Need Treatment

Alcohol use disorder is a particularly sneaky addiction, often going unaddressed for years due to social acceptance and slow development. It impacts relationships, work, school, and your health, sometimes causing severe health issues. Knowing when to seek treatment will help you avoid the worst consequences of alcohol addiction in Laguna Hills, CA. Read on to learn everything you need to know about alcohol use disorder.

What Are the Stages of Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol use disorder doesn’t happen overnight. At first, it may be indistinguishable from the healthy rates of alcohol consumption of those around you. This makes alcohol abuse difficult to detect early. It’s not until it becomes a vicious cycle of dependence that patients realize they need drug addiction treatment to get free of their need.

Special Occasions

Most people start drinking alcohol in the same circumstances: a night out with friends, a college party, a celebration, or a wedding. These special occasions are usually marked by alcohol consumption, whether wine, beer, or champagne, which won’t set off any red flags.

Emotional Regulation

Alcohol consumption becomes unhealthy when you depend on it for emotional regulation, to make yourself feel “normal,” or to calm anxiety and depression. Stress triggers and trauma fuel consumption, which becomes more frequent as tolerance builds, leading to alcohol addiction.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Once physical dependence sets in, any attempt to stop will cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, which prevent many patients from resisting alcohol consumption. It becomes a daily habit, often causing rifts in relationships and consequences at work or school.

What Are the Signs of Alcohol Addiction?

Since alcohol consumption is socially accepted, it’s tough to know when it’s becoming a problem. However, there are many signs to look out for, which make it clear that alcohol addiction treatment is needed. First, if you feel shame about your drinking or hide it from loved ones, this indicates an awareness of the problem, which you may not want to admit.

Alcohol abuse leads to many external consequences, like isolation from loved ones or damage to close relationships, as alcohol often causes mood swings and outbursts. Consider how your work or school performance may differ since increasing consumption, as alcohol use disorder often causes patients to fall behind on their responsibilities.

Internal symptoms include worsening anxiety or feeling shaky in the mornings, as well as chronic health issues. The sooner you join an addiction treatment program, the less likely you are to develop long-lasting symptoms and potentially fatal health conditions, underscoring the importance of alcohol abuse treatment in Laguna Hills, CA.

What Is the First Step Toward Recovery?

It’s a cliche, but it’s true. The first step to recovery is the most difficult — admitting you have a problem and deciding to seek help. This requires confronting the reality of your situation, accepting you need help, and taking responsibility for your actions. You may feel discomfort or anxiety in taking this step, but this is a normal reaction. On the other side of this brief challenge is a world of comfort and a chemical-free lifestyle.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use disorder, consider reaching out to Twin Town Treatment Centers. We provide a safe space where patients confront the roots of their alcohol addiction. Licensed professionals help patients develop behavioral changes for a sober lifestyle. Call Twin Town Treatment Centers today at 866-594-8844 or contact us online to schedule an appointment in Laguna Hills, CA.