Understanding Alcohol Dependence In Adults: 10 Things You Should Know
No one should have to endure the challenges of alcohol dependency. If you find yourself battling this issue, bear in mind that the impact extends beyond just you. Your family also experiences the consequences of this struggle.
This guide will go over ten things that you need to know and understand about alcohol dependence. If you need help, know that you are not alone. For more information, find out what Epiphany Wellness can do for you.
Let’s take a look now at the following ten things you’ll need to know about alcohol dependence. This way, you can spot the issue and take care of it now. Let’s get started.
Alcohol dependency can lead to lifelong issues
Alcohol dependency is something that can lead to issues that can last a lifetime. This can include various health issues such as heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. Alcohol can even suppress your immune system to the point where it may be easier for you to get sick.
The sooner you quit now, the better your chances of these potential effects are greater. And it starts by getting the help you need to beat your alcohol dependency.
Someone who is alcohol dependent can’t get through the day without it
If you or someone you know is alcohol dependent, you operate on the mindset that a day without alcohol is a bad day. That’s not the case. And it should never be like that.
If you believe that you can’t get through the day without a drink or more, then it’s a problem that can exacerbate at any given time.
You’re always impared most of the time
If you are dependent on alcohol, the chances of you being impaired most of the time are greater. You may have trouble walking. You may also have issues with speech and thinking as well.
Another thing that may also be impared is your ability to operate a motor vehicle, machinery, or anything else that may be dangerous to use if under the influence.
You begin to blow off any responsibilities
If you are dependent on alcohol, there’s a good chance that you may not do anything for the rest of the day. This includes your usual responsibilities. It can be things to do around the house or even picking up the kids from school.
This can be a real issue when incidents of this increase. It’s important that you get rid of alcohol from your life and take responsibility for your actions. The sooner you get help, the better.
Your relationships will suffer with alcohol dependence
When dealing with alcohol dependence, your relationships with friends and family will take a downward turn. You may get in regular conflicts with them. That’s because your mood swings may be due to the fact that you are impaired from alcohol.
When impaired, you may act differently from what you normally do. Plus, you may not even be aware of what you’re doing or how you’re acting as a result.
It can lead to damage you an unborn child
If you are dealing with alcohol dependency while pregnant, your child will be at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. When the child is born, they will experience a multitude of symptoms. These include but are not limited to low body weight, attention difficulties, memory issues, speech delays, and other developmental issues.
These issues will also carry on throughout their early childhood. It can also affect their academic performance throughout their schooling. This is one more piece of evidence why the issue with alcohol dependency doesn’t affect only you.
It can affect members of your family even if they haven’t been born yet.
It can affect your professional life as well
Alcohol dependence can also be a burden on your professional life. You may show up to work under the influence of alcohol. You could be at work and taking in a few sips of it (albeit in secret) throughout the day.
As a result, your work performance may suffer. Your relationships with your co-workers will be anything but professional. And you might deal with several infractions such as showing up to work late (or no show).
Alcohol dependence and the workplace is no good combination. And it can lead to your termination at some point. From there, it can only lead to an issue that no one should ever want to deal with.
It can lead to financial troubles
Alcohol dependency can lead to financial troubles. One, you’ll be spending most of your money on alcohol. And two, if you are fired from your job due to alcohol dependency, you’ll have a hard time making ends meet.
You won’t be able to make the regular payments for your rent or mortgage, your vehicle, or any other essentials. Eventually, you may start to lose them. And it can turn a bad situation into a worse one.
The last thing you want to do is allow yourself to make life any worse. If this is something that you don’t want to face, get the help you need as soon as possible. You’ll look back and be thankful that you made the right decision when the opportunity was there.
Alcohol dependency can lead to death
Alcohol dependency can get to a point where you are building levels of tolerance. It can push you to drink more and more. You may ingest enough alcohol to where it will cause alcohol poisoning.
If alcohol poisoning cannot kill you, alcohol-related conditions such as cirrhosis will.
Alcohol dependency can be taken care of
Just because you’re dependent on alcohol, doesn’t mean you are for life. It’s up to you to make that choice. With that in mind, it may be a good time to consider getting the help you need.
Your family will thank you. Your future self will thank you. There is no better choice than to give up alcohol right now.
Know that you are not alone. The process may be tough. But you can beat it and live a life with alcohol disappearing in the rear view mirror.
