Alcohol Addictions
Many fine people of all ages have become addicted or dependent on alcohol or some other chemical, prescribed or not. The focus of this chapter is on alcohol but the self-destructiveness and damage to oneself and one’s lifestyle are similar. Alcohol dependency is indicated when people develop a tolerance to alcohol and experience withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol tolerance is defined as requiring more and more of the chemical in order to obtain the desired high or “buzz”. Alcohol withdrawal is defined as feeling hung over or ill when not taking the drug of choice for 4 to 12 hours.
This chapter gives some real life vignettes of some the different types of people who develop drinking problems illustrating different drinking patterns that spell alcohol dependency. It defines alcoholism and gives some quizzes that allow self-assessment, such as: How can you tell if you have a drinking problem? and Who should not drink? This chapter also explains low risk drinking guidelines and what to do if you think that you may have a drinking problem.
Alcohol Addictions
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Alcohol Addiction Help Ottawa
It is important to be a wise consumer in seeking a counselor if you decide that you want to be seen for individual help. Not all physicians, psychologists or social workers have addictions training. Not all addictions counselors have prior credentials in nursing, psychology, or medicine that provide a sound basis for recognizing the range of problems that people bring to their counseling sessions.
About 34% of people with addictions problems also have other, diagnosable, problems, such as depression, anxiety, or phobias that require treatment. Such people are often referred to as “dual diagnosis” or “concurrent disorder” clients, because they need help with both the addiction and the other mental health problem. Check the credentials and experience of the counselors you see. Ask questions about their accountability and who governs their work if they should make a mistake with you. Through your life experience, you have a great deal of first hand expertise about addictions. If the counselor’s beliefs or approach to helping you rings false, find another counselor. A good way to find a counselor who will be useful to you is to ask someone whose sobriety you respect, if they know someone.
You can also find a counselor by calling the state/provincial associations for the profession you would like to see or by talking with your family physician to get a referral. Some people work for companies that have an Employee Assistance Program and can see a counselor for assessment and referral. The EAP counselor has a wide knowledge of community resources and of other professionals who are knowledgeable in addictions and can provide the longer term follow-up so necessary to prevent relapse.
There is more than one right way to get sober. Recovery from addiction is a process not an end point. Keep trying, get help and good luck!
Read more about the author of this chapter, Dr. Iris Jackson.