Alcoholism

A need to drink
Needing an increasing amount of alcohol to get the same effect (tolerance)
Drinking alone or drinking in secret
“Blacking out” – not remembering things you did when you were drinking
Losing interest in old hobbies and interests
Feeling guilty about drinking
Getting angry when others comment on your drinking habits
Drinking as soon as you wake up
Having 5 or more drinks per day (for a man) or 4 or more drinks per day (for a woman)

Drinking over time on a regular basis
Age – the earlier you start drinking, the more likely you are to develop alcoholism
Men are more likely to be alcoholics than women
Family history of alcoholism
Mental health problems – depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc

Detoxification – sometimes done with the assistance of other medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms
Creating a treatment plan – setting goals and changing current behaviors
Counseling – either individually or with family support, improving your psychological health can prevent a relapse
Residential rehabilitation – for help with the most serious alcohol problems
Self-help groups: Alcoholics Anonymous takes you through a 12-step guide to staying sober