Luxury Alcohol Rehab
What are the Symptoms of an Alcohol Use Disorder?
Did you know that every year nearly 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes, making it the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States? At Moffitt Wellness Retreat, a luxury alcohol rehab facility, we know that even small changes can make a big difference in reducing your chances of having alcohol-related problems.
“Alcohol use disorder” or AUD is a medical term given to problem drinking that becomes severe and according to statistics by the NIH approximately 7.2 percent or 17 million adults in America ages 18 and older had an AUD in 2012. In fact, in 2013, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 10,076 deaths (30.8 percent of overall driving fatalities).
According to SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than half of all adults drink alcohol, with 6.6% meeting the criteria for an alcohol use disorder. Therefore, at our luxury alcohol rehab center we believe it is essential that you know what the symptoms are for alcohol use disorder.
To assess whether you or a loved one may have had an AUD use the following set of suggested questions from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to help you identify the reality of your use. As you go through each question, read it carefully with the intent to understand your connection to alcohol and the influence it has on your life. It helps to know the signs so you can make a change early.
In the past year, have you… (Simple Yes or No Answers)
- Had times when you ended up drinking more or longer than you intended?
- More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking or tried to, but couldn't?
- More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt, such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex)?
- Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?
- Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?
- Spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over other aftereffects?
- Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
- Found that drinking, or being sick from drinking, often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?
- Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink?
- More than once gotten arrested, been held at a police station, or had other legal problems because of your drinking?
- Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, or a seizure? Or sensed things that were not there?
*Please count your number of “yes” responses and identify what you have said “yes” to. If you have said “yes” to any of the questions, you may need to re-evaluate your drinking and the impact it may be having on your life and the loved ones within it.
Tips to try and change alcohol drinking habits
As mentioned above, at Moffitt Wellness Retreat, our luxury alcohol rehab facility, we believe that small changes can make a big difference in reducing your chances of having alcohol-related problems providing you realize that it may take a few trials and errors before you find the approach that works best for you. As Keri Russell once said “Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.” Please know though, if you haven't made progress in cutting down after 2 to 3 months, consider quitting drinking altogether and/or seek professional help. Do not hesitate to reach out to us at Moffitt Wellness Retreat for advice - 1.713.907.5632
Here are some strategies suggested by Rethinkingdrinking, Select perhaps two or three and put them to the test in the next month. Keeping a journal of your selection and the results you experience will help you to track your progress. Also, be sure to add your own unique strategy if you have one that inspires you.
Keep track. Keep track of how much you drink. Find a way that works for you: Make check marks on a kitchen calendar, or enter notes in a mobile phone notepad or personal digital assistant. Making a note of each drink before you drink it may also help you to slow down when needed.
Count and measure. Know the standard drink sizes so you can count your drinks accurately. Measure drinks at home, and be sure to pay attention to drinks away from home, since they can be hard to keep track in a more social situation. A tip with wine is that you can ask the host or server not to “top off” a partially filled glass.
Set goals. Decide how many days a week you want to drink and how many drinks you'll have on those days. It's a good idea to have some days when you don't drink. People who always stay within the low-risk limits when they drink have the lowest rates of alcohol-related problems.
Pace and space. When you do drink, pace yourself. Sip slowly. Have no more than one standard drink with alcohol per hour. Have "drink spacers" where you make every other drink a non-alcoholic one, such as water, soda, or juice.
Include food. Don't drink on an empty stomach. Eat some food so the alcohol will be absorbed into your system more slowly.
Find alternatives. If drinking has occupied a lot of your time, then fill free time by developing new:
- Healthy activities
- Hobbies
- Relationships
- Or renew the ones you've missed.
If you have counted on alcohol to be more comfortable in social situations, manage moods, or cope with problems, then seek other healthy ways to deal with those areas of your life. For example, take up a yoga class, try nutritional changes, find a physical fitness coach, or visit a psychologist.
Avoid "triggers." What triggers your urge to drink? If certain people or places make you drink even when you don't want to, try to avoid them. If certain activities, times of day, or feelings trigger the urge, plan something else to do instead of drinking. If drinking at home is a problem, keep little or no alcohol there.
Plan to handle urges. When you cannot avoid a trigger and an urge hits, consider these options:
- Remind yourself of your reasons for changing (it can help to carry them in writing or store them in an electronic message you can access easily).
- Talk things through with someone you trust.
- Get involved with a healthy, distracting activity, such as physical exercise or a hobby that doesn't involve drinking.
- Instead of fighting the feeling, accept it and ride it out without giving in, knowing that it will soon pass.
- Know your "no." You're likely to be offered a drink at times when you don't want one. Have a polite, convincing "no, thanks" ready. The faster you can say no to these offers, the less likely you are to give in. If you hesitate, it allows you time to think of excuses to go along.
Last Word of Advice
Drinking too much – on a single occasion or over time – can take a serious toll on your health. Alcohol does not only interfere with the brain’s communication pathways, it also can change your mood and behavior, making it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. It is also well documented that drinking too much can weaken your immune system, making your body a much easier target for diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.
If you and your loved one are searching for freedom from alcohol addiction or simply need guidance in discovering the benefits and importance of healthy living, now is the time to start your path towards healing at Moffitt Wellness Retreat.
Call us now for a complimentary and confidential consultation to begin your wellness journey today!