Am I An Alcoholic?

If the question, “Am I an alcoholic” has crossed your mind at least once, then you must think that you may need help with your alcohol abuse. It may be helpful to know that there are a number of online websites that offer self assessments to help you. The websites require you to consider your alcohol consumption and can give you a general idea of whether or not there is cause for concern.

Take a Self Assessment

One of the most common stumbling blocks, which prevent many people from getting the help that they need, is denial. Seeking assistance for chronic and excessive alcohol abuse is a step that many find difficult to take. According to Alcoholics Anonymous, there are two points that they make: if you cannot quit your alcohol abuse even if you want to; and if you cannot control how much you consume in one instance, then you are probably an alcoholic.

Other questions that most self assessments ask are:

• Does drinking make you feel shame or guilty?
• Do you have alcohol cravings?
• Are you at risk of losing your home, family or job because of your drinking?
• Does drinking change your personality?
• Do you miss work because of drinking?
• Does drinking affect your home life?
• Have you lost your ambition or goals because of drinking?
• Do you have family members that have drinking problems?

If you can answer yes to any or all of those questions, according to the self scoring assessments and A.A., you are probably an alcoholic.

Getting Help: Detox and Rehab

If at this point you have determined that you have alcohol abuse, you will need to find out if you need detox. Detoxification will purge the chemical toxins in your system that has accumulated as a result of your alcohol abuse. The method of detox that you use will determine how significantly you experience the withdrawal symptoms which may include:

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Insomnia
• Anxiety and irritability
• Depression and fatigue
• DTs.

Once you have completed detox, it may be necessary for you to enter a program to help you continue your life without alcohol abuse. 12 step programs are the most common type of after detox rehab program, but there are other rehab treatment programs as well.

Alternative Treatments

Holistic alcohol rehab treatment programs offer yoga, vitamin and meditation therapies and acupuncture to help put the mind, body and soul at ease and to help the body heal. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches self assessment and self change techniques that helps individuals to reevaluate their choices and decisions and to make productive choices and to develop positive habits and behaviors for a life that is alcohol free.