Do I need treatment for alcohol abuse? This is a common question that many people ask themselves if they feel that they are either drinking too much on a regular basis or when they do drink, they do not moderate the amount. It is not unusual to feel that the current circumstances dictate the need to relax and that the best method you have found is to have a few drinks. Unfortunately, this often turns into a regular event that evolves into a necessity. Efforts to stop or cut down on the amount of alcohol consumption frequently fail even though the desire to stop is there. At this point, the person often begins to worry that stopping may be too difficult or that the time may not be right. Consequently, they begin to justify their drinking even though they know inside that their drinking is not normal.
Ask yourself the following questions. Have you:
- Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you needed?
- More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking/drugging, or tried to, but couldn’t?
- Spent a lot of time drinking or using drugs? Or being sick or getting over other after-effects?
- Wanted to drink or used drugs so badly you couldn’t think of anything else?
- Found that drinking/drugging, or being sick from drinking/drugging, often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Or caused job troubles? Or school Problems?
- Continued to drink/do drugs even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
- Give up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you or that gave you pleasure, in order to drink or use drugs.
- More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking/drugging that increased your chances of getting hurt such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in dangerous areas, or having unsafe sex?
- Continued to drink/drugs even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to other health problems? Or continue to use it after having had a memory blackout?
- Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number of drinks/drugs had much less effect than before?
- Found that when the effects of alcohol/drugs were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, or a seizure? Or have you sensed things that were not there?
- If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have entered the arena of alcohol abuse. If you answered yes to a lot of these questions, then you have probably entered into addiction.
- Most people who struggle with addiction follow a similar pattern. First, they try to quit on their own. Then they try to drink/drug less each day but find it difficult to do. Then they vacillate between trying to quit and trying to control the amount that they drink. Eventually, most people discover that they need help to get control over their drinking. When this occurs, a great place to start is often with an Intensive Outpatient Program for alcohol/drug dependence. These groups allow the individual to maintain their familiar routine while at the same time receiving help for their addiction. New Dimensions offers Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs for adolescents and adults in Houston, Katy, and The Woodlands. We also now offer online Intensive Outpatient Programs that are available to anyone within the state of Texas.
New Dimensions Can Help!
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above symptoms or problems, New Dimensions can help. Our team of experienced therapists and psychiatrists can help you overcome these challenges and help you develop the skills you need to thrive. To schedule a complementary assessment or to find out more about our programs, contact us at 1-800-685-9796.
Our affiliate, MHThrive, provides Individual Therapy, Couples and Marriage Counseling, and Family Therapy at our locations in Katy, The Woodlands, and the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas. We also provide telehealth therapy for anyone who resides within the State of Texas. To schedule an appointment with one of the MHThrive therapists, contact us at 713-477-0333 or visit www.mhthrive.com to learn more.