When do you know if you or a loved one need help for alcohol use disorder? It’s all about recognizing the common signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction and knowing when to seek professional help or intervention. SBIRT is an online, free resource that can help you determine if alcohol use disorder is present. This is a quick assessment that guides you to treatment centers nearby your exact location if it seems that AUD (alcohol use disorder) may be an issue. What we do goes far beyond simply suggesting local alcohol use disorder treatment clinics near you, we’re also here to shed some light on what to look for and provide valuable insight that may help you or the one you love recover from alcohol abuse.
Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
How do you recognize a problem with alcohol? While every situation is unique, there are some tried and true signs that alcohol has become a significant problem for your or a loved one. Acknowledging there is a problem is the first step to getting the help you need and SBIRT is here to support you along the journey. We’ve listed some important signs that you or someone you love are suffering from alcohol use disorder.
- Loss of Control & Increasing Tolerance for Alcohol
Once you’ve started drinking, if you find it difficult to stop or have trouble limiting your alcohol intake, this may be a sign of a deeper issue with alcohol. This is especially true if you’ve set a number of drinks you may have and you consistently exceed this number or lose track of how many beverages you’ve consumed. If you have noticed that you need to drink more and more in order to feel good, tipsy, or drunk, then your tolerance has increased, which can be a sign of a bigger problem with alcohol.
- Risky & Impulsive Behavior
You may find yourself engaging in risky behavior that is not normal for you. This could include drunk driving, compulsive sexual behavior, or excessive spending. Feeling uninhibited while under the influence can lead you into dangerous situations that indicate a larger problem with alcohol consumption.
- Interference with Daily Activities & Disruption in Personal Relationships
If you notice that drinking becomes more important than your usual daily activities and you tend to avoid responsibilities to drink, this is a sign that you may need to seek professional help for alcoholism. In such cases, you may feel the negative impacts of shirking family, work, and relationship obligations but you may choose to drink despite these building issues. You may lose family and friends who feel you are unreliable and unsafe to be around. It could also occur that you lose interest in activities you once enjoyed.
- Physical Health Issues
You will likely experience physical problems if you drink excessively. Liver trouble, migraines, hangovers, insomnia, digestive issues, and more can arise from alcohol use disorder, leading to a reduced quality of life and the risk of more serious health complications.
- Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have been drinking to excess, then you will likely feel the effects of withdrawal when you’re not drinking, such as sweating, shaking, nausea, and anxiety. This is a clear sign that you need professional help for alcohol use disorder.
Why Take the Free Online SBIRT Assessment?
SBIRT works on your behalf, identifying if the person taking the assessment has a problem with alcohol and determining the best type of treatment for the specific situation. If treatment is called for, local AUD treatment centers are provided so that you or your loved one can receive the necessary support. SBIRT helps with early detection, provides personalized results, and an anonymous, easy way to seek treatment for alcohol use disorder. It takes strength and insight to seek help for alcoholism and we are here to ensure you or your loved one never have to do so alone. Click now to take the quick, free online assessment for alcohol use disorder and move a step closer to the support you deserve.