Signs of Alcohol Dependence and Treatment Options in Keller, Texas

Many adults have had a drink at some point in their lives. Some have their first drink before they are legally permitted to. Often, in social settings, like a party or football game, drinks are on par for the course. For some, a party isn’t a party unless there’s alcohol involved. One question to ask is whether that’s a problem, and if it amounts to alcohol dependence.

Alcohol dependence, which is also referred to as alcohol use disorder, is a chronic disorder in which a person compulsively consumes alcohol. The individual craves alcohol and has little to no control over their drinking. They may continue to drink even when they know or are experiencing serious negative results.

When a person is dependent on alcohol, they may feel as though they cannot function or survive without it. For them, consuming alcohol takes on a large and controlling role in their life. It becomes an important, if not the most important aspect of their life. That means that drinking alcohol gains priority in their lives over other activities. It may even take priority over things like their health, work, or family.

According to the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a person can be diagnosed with alcohol dependence when they display at least two of the following symptoms within 12 months:

• Craving or having a strong desire to drink beverages containing alcohol.
• Consuming alcohol in increasingly larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.
• Using alcohol in ways that fail to fulfill major responsibilities at work or in the home.
• Continuing to use alcohol despite the problems it creates in your life.
• Having the desire to cut down or control alcohol use, with some unsuccessful attempts to do just that.
• Spending considerable amounts of time and effort to procure, consume, or recover from the consumption of alcohol.
• Giving up or overlooking important things due to alcohol use.
• Developing a tolerance for alcohol and therefore feeling like you need more of it to achieve the same desired effect.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut down or stop drinking.
• Finding yourself avoiding situations where alcohol is present.

Alcohol dependence can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number and intensity of the symptoms experienced.

The Effects of Alcohol Dependence

According to the American Medical Association, the recommendation for men is a two-drink daily limit. What constitutes heavy drinking for men is five or more drinks in one day or fifteen or more drinks in a week. For women, the limit is one drink a day, and heavy drinking is having four or more drinks a day, or eight drinks per week.

A person may be at greater risk of alcohol dependence on account of their family history, experiences of stress and trauma, or whether their social environment promotes irresponsible drinking, to name a few factors. There can be some significant consequences to alcohol dependence.

Consuming too much alcohol can result in cognitive impairment, which can in turn result in a greater risk of accidents, perpetrating violence, or being injured. Alcohol consumption puts strain on your body, leading to health problems like heart disease and liver disease. Other possible effects include mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Alcohol dependence affects your ability to function in social and other settings. It often happens that it results in strain in your relationships. It can also impact your employment situation and prospects. If you fail to fulfill your obligations at work or elsewhere, that can result in financial difficulties. Alcohol dependence can thus negatively affect every area of your life, causing strife and sorrow (Proverbs 23:29-35, NIV).

Getting Help: Finding Alcohol Dependence Treatment in Keller, Texas

Alcohol dependence doesn’t have to be a permanent feature in your life. However you or your loved one became dependent on alcohol, there are effective treatment options available in Keller, Texas to help overcome it and find wholeness. Recovering from alcohol dependence in Keller requires making lifestyle changes that incorporate stress management and healthy habits like eating well and exercising.

Other aspects of recovering from alcohol dependence involve seeking support through therapy and effective relapse prevention strategies. There may be a need for supervised medical detoxification and rehabilitation to help you on the way. Medications such as naltrexone and acamprosate can help promote abstinence and reduce heavy drinking and cravings for alcohol.

Through therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Keller, Texas and likeminded support groups, you can tackle aspects of alcohol dependence such as unhelpful and unhealthy patterns of thinking and behavior. Family therapy in Keller may also be helpful for family members to become an effective part of the treatment plan, and also to heal brokenness in the family unit due to alcohol dependence.

If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol dependence in Keller, Texas, it’s time to seek professional help. Call our office today at Keller Christian Counseling in Texas and we will make an appointment for you with one of the many skilled therapists in Keller. Begin your healing journey today.