Alcoholic beverages have existed for thousands of years and are made and consumed in nations around the globe. Most people can enjoy occasional alcoholic beverages, but some become alcoholics who need help to overcome their addiction. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol-related liver disease accounts for a third of all liver transplants in the United States. Here are five signs of alcohol addiction that are strong indicators that an individual might need the help of a qualified alcohol treatment center.

1. Unable to Limit the Number of Drinks

There is social drinking that might involve one or two drinks while socializing, then there’s problem drinking that makes it impossible to limit the number of drinks no matter what the situation might be. If you cannot have just one or two drinks, then you might benefit from the help provided by an alcohol treatment center.

2. Skip Social Functions to Continue Drinking

A very strong sign of alcoholism is when someone skips social functions or other events in order to drink alcohol. The events might be important ones, like a child’s high school graduation or maybe a family reunion. If spending time in a bar or drinking alone at home is more important, alcoholism is the likely reason why.

3. Life Revolves Around Alcohol

Some people spend virtually their entire days and nights drinking or recovering from the effects of alcohol consumption. If you wake up hungover and feeling ill, you might spend more time in bed recovering from your condition. Eventually, you might get out of bed to go get some more alcohol, and then start drinking again. The more the pursuit of alcohol and recovering from its effects dominates your existence, the more you should consider obtaining help from an alcohol treatment center.

4. Not Meeting Your Obligations

Virtually all adults have obligations that they must meet. Those obligations include work, family, and maintaining a household. When drinking alcohol interferes with the fulfillment of those obligations, alcoholism is a virtual certainty.

5. Drinking When It Compromises Safety

All adults must consume alcohol in a safe and responsible manner. If you are drinking while driving, hiking with the kids, or maybe while out boating with the kids, you are engaging in unsafe behavior. Knowing that you are drinking during times when it could compromise your safety as well as the safety of others around you is a strong indicator of alcoholism.

You can call or submit an online form to learn more about the dangers of excessive drinking and how our alcohol treatment center could help.