My Friend Drinks Too Much, What Should I Do?

My Friend Drinks Too Much, What Should I Do?

Does “just one drink” always turn into a night of endless drinks for your buddy?

Does every event or get together you go to end up with them in a sloppy mess? Or maybe they don’t go out at all and are drinking by themselves constantly?

Whatever the circumstances might be, if you ever had the thought, “my friend drinks too” and if you’re here reading this, it’s not a great sign. Now, this article isn’t meant to diagnose alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder but the fact is, if you’re worried, you likely have a reason to be.

It’s a noble thing and a sign of a great friend to be concerned so kudos to you already for going the extra mile for your friend.

Alcohol use disorder affects about 15 million people in the United States and only about 8% receive treatment according to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Therefore, your concern could very well save your friend’s life.

What Are the Warning Signs That My Friend Drinks Too Much?

From a medical perspective, a person needs to meet particular criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to be properly diagnosed as having alcohol use disorder. It’s a pretty lengthy list of questions but they’re all very straightforward.

Note, you shouldn’t, under really any circumstance, just start interrogating a friend that you suspect drinks too much. That type of accusatory approach will bring nothing but defensiveness and resentment. Moreover, it’ll serve to create a rift and distrust between you and your friend.

Rather, you should be on the lookout for warning signs and these pull from/relate to the aforementioned DSM-5 manual:

  • They spend an inordinate amount of drinking and recovering from drinking (aka hangovers)
  • Inability to cut back, even when they try to
  • Falling behind and failing to keep up with responsibilities at home, school or at the office
  • Strained or lost friendships because of drinking
  • Continually increased tolerance and needing more and more to reach the same level of drunkenness
  • Drinking until blacking out unintentionally
  • Foregoing and just plain giving up on activities they used to enjoy because of alcohol
  • Financial and legal issues related to drinking
  • Unable to relax, feel like “themselves” or generally confident without drinks

It’s a pretty long list and to be honest, a lot of their behavior will start to become more and more noticeable the longer their affair with alcohol continues. It’s a snowball effect in a sense.

How Do I Get My Friend Help?

The warning signs are piling up and the question becomes what to do if your friend is becoming an alcoholic.

As noted earlier, don’t go straight in confrontationally, that’s bound to have negative results. There are vital things you can do though to lead them towards help and the first thing on the list is learning about addiction yourself. You’ve already started that by reading this and understanding the signs of alcohol abuse.

The next thing is to learn about the various treatment options available depending on the scope of the problem.

At a certain point though you will have to have that conversation and the preparation you do is key. Talk to a rehab facility, know what detox and recovery entail in advance. In as delicate a way as possible you want to explain your worries and that it’s affecting not only the relationships they have with you and others but that it’s holding them back. See if there’s anything you can do to help.

Reach Out to Lake Arrowhead Recovery Network Today

At Lake Arrowhead Recovery Network, we’ve seen it all before and have helped countless souls get on the path to recovery. If you’re not sure what to do next, please, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and just ask. That’s what we’re here for.

Beer Addiction

beer addiction

Beer Addiction: Yes, It’s Real

There are several pernicious myths out there about drinking that work to prevent people from getting the help they need with alcoholism. Though many have been revealed to be thoroughly untrue and largely discredited, one of the biggies that remain is you can’t get addicted to beer. Alternately put as just drinking beer can’t make you an alcoholic.

Not true.

Beer addiction is real and alcoholism can be feed by beer alone.

These are simple yet profound truths that need to be repeated often so people feel start to feel more comfortable talking about their problems with controlling their beer consumption.

It’s already tough enough to struggle with alcoholism, it’s even worse if you feel isolated to the point that you don’t seek assistance or treatment because your addiction isn’t perceived as “real” by friends and family.

Beer Addiction and Alcoholism

The type of alcohol you consume isn’t what defines alcoholism. It bears repeating: the type of alcohol you consume is not what defines alcoholism.

As Mayo Clinic notes, “alcohol use disorder (which includes a level that’s sometimes called alcoholism) is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect, or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.”

Nothing in that definition, or any definition you’ll find, makes an exception for beer.

Nonetheless, beer remains the most popular alcoholic beverage on the planet, being one of the oldest drinks that people created. It’s no wonder its consumption is therefore normalized in the extreme.

Beer addiction presents itself as other any other form of addiction would, and the Mayo Clinic sums that up nicely. Recognizing these symptoms of alcoholism as a larger problem that needs attention is often a problem because of the degree to which society looks at beer as innocuous and innocent.

When we strip it down to brass tacks the same ethyl alcohol (ethanol), the agent which causes intoxication and that’s created during fermentation, is found in all alcoholic beverages, from beer to wine to spirits. Just in different concentrations. So, if our bodies are all simply reacting to same ethyl alcohol then of course beer can, and does, lead to addiction and alcoholism. Same as it could for wine or hard liquors.

It’s the amount of alcohol, not the type that matters.

Can You Be an Alcoholic Drinking Beer?

“It’s just one beer” or “I don’t even drink every day!” or “I can cut back whenever I want”. The excuses we tell ourselves about beer are the same that other addicts tell themselves and the outside world about their own addiction issues.

It’s all denialism.

Drinking too much beer can absolutely lead to being an alcoholic. It’s a cascading effect as drinking beer feeds the cravings and leads to the inability to stop that define alcoholism.

Heavy drinking, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is 15 drinks or more per week for men and 8 for women. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism adds that heavy alcohol use is considered 4 or more drinks on any day for men and 3 for women.

Prolonged beer-drinking above those levels can easily have you slip into the world of addiction as your body grows accustomed to that level of alcohol in the system and begins to crave more. 

Get Help with Alcohol

Alcoholism, and particularly beer addiction, is not something you need to tackle and overcome on your own. You don’t have to feel uncomfortable or alone in this, reach out to us at Lake Arrowhead Recovery Network and let’s talk about the effect’s beer has had on your life. Our advisors can connect you with a treatment program that fits your needs.

What is Alcohol Detox?

alcohol detox

Alcohol detoxification (or “detox”) is a safe and clinically-managed method of treatment used to help heavy drinkers and alcoholics safely stop drinking. It is achieved by slowly weaning the individual off alcohol or, more commonly, with the assistance of prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines.

If you or someone you know is engaged in regular heavy drinking or has recently tried to quit drinking alcohol and suffered symptoms of withdraw, medical detox and rehab or rehabilitation can be a necessary and life-saving resource. This is true even for individuals who have not been diagnosed or do not otherwise identify as alcoholic or drug addict.

 

What Is Physical Dependence on Alcohol?

Alcohol dependence is increasingly common and is one of the most often diagnosed psychiatric conditions in the world. When someone is engaged in repeated, heavy drinking or suffers  from alcoholism, their brain chemistry can become changed. Common evidence of this change in brain chemistry is an increased “tolerance”  to alcohol, i.e. the individual can drink a higher quantity of alcohol before appearing drunk or blacking out. 

Eventually, the brain develops a physical dependence on alcohol in order to keep its chemical functions balanced and active. Then, when the individual abruptly stops consuming alcohol, withdrawal symptoms occur. These symptoms are often unpleasant and dangerous, and they can be deadly.

Chemical dependence is also possible in cases of drug addiction. Depending on the substances involved, quitting may require detox and/or drug rehab in these cases as well.

 

Withdrawal: The Dangers of Quitting Drinking on Your Own

If you are physically dependent on alcohol, quitting on your own is dangerous and potentially deadly. Symptoms due to alcohol withdrawal syndrome include:

  • Sweating
  • Anxiety
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia and fatigue
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Shakiness or “delirium tremens”
  • Death

Studies indicate that quitting is fatal for as many as 5% of alcohol-dependent drinkers who try to stop drinking without the help of detox or rehab. Death is most commonly the result of severe shakiness or seizures, otherwise known as “delirium tremens.” Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, including delirium tremens, may begin anywhere from 6 to 24 hours after alcohol consumption has been abruptly stopped. 

 

Help is Available

If you believe you may be physically dependent on alcohol or have experienced withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, it is important that you seek medical help as soon as possible. The same is true  if you believe you may suffer from drug addiction and are physically dependent on other drugs. Contact us to discuss your options for stopping alcohol or drug use without the risks of withdrawal, including detox, hospitalization, and enrollment in a rehab/rehabilitation program.

Staying Sober Is Hard, Find Your Sober Motivation

Addiction has changed you, but recovery will change you. Find out who you truly are. You are capable of reaching your full potential in recovery. Recovery is a lifelong process and living a sober life is the ultimate commitment. There is more to recovery than simply being abstinent from drugs. You must have the resources, tools, support, coping skills, professional treatment, and the proper mindset. After all, initially getting sober is the easy part, staying sober is hard. Much harder than you may think. The most important factor in achieving complete sobriety is the motivation behind it all. Why do you want to be sober? The answer might seem obvious but, you really need to want it. Every part of your being has to be committed to changing your lifestyle. You need to have the motivation to get sober and to stay sober. If someone is to ask what motivated you to make this change, what would you say? Do you know what your answer would be? What is your sober motivation?

Find Your Sober Motivation

What is sober motivation? Motivation is the driving force that turns your thoughts into action. Think about what inspires you to live a sober life. What factors in your life have driven you to make this decision?

Think about that moment of clarity when you know that you are ready to stop using. Now is the time for you to make the change from addiction to recovery. Whether your life is just beginning to fall apart or you have hit rock bottom, it has become clear that you are now ready.

You have made the official decision to say goodbye to the drugs, to your addiction, and you want help. No more chaos, no more pain, and no more unhappiness. Furthermore, you want to live a sober lifestyle, to be clean and to start over. You are now ready to start fresh in a new life of sobriety.

But why? What is the motivation behind this life altering decision?

Sobriety is Selfish

While in treatment, you will hear time and time again that you have to want it. You have to get clean because you want to. You can not get clean for somebody else. Do it because you want it. Let me tell you, staying sober is hard for anyone and if you are not all in, then it’s not going to work. Plain and simple. Every part of you has to want it and be ready and willing to change – mentally, spiritually, and physically.

Although, you are not your motivation. Your motivation for wanting to get sober and stay sober can come from a number of things. You need something that motivates you to change your entire life. After all, being a recovering addict instead of in active addiction is a complete lifestyle change.

Sobriety is selfish in the sense that it’s all about you, but the motivation behind wanting to be in sobriety doesn’t have to be all about you. There are many different circumstances that motivate people to begin their recovery journey. One of those reasons may also be your sober motivation.

Motivating Factors To be Sober

Marriage

It is no secret that addiction can put a strain on your marriage. Trust is broken, infidelity may have taken place, lies, heartache, and so on. Addiction can affect a person’s marriage greatly. If addiction is the underlying problem in your marriage. Try getting clean instead of getting a divorce. It very well could be the solution to your marital strife.

Children

Not only can your addiction put a strain on your marriage but, it can hurt your children as well. Depending on your child’s age, the potential harm a child faces can traumatize a child for life. If old enough, they could become addicts themselves. In many cases, addict parents even lose custody of their children, sometimes permanently.

Work/Career

Addiction greatly affects your behavior and appearance in the workplace. It could jeopardize your job or chances for an amazing career. Once addiction deepens, many addicts can not even hold a steady job. If you are lucky enough to still be employed, try to fix the situation while it is still possible.

Legal

Unfortunately, legal issues go hand in hand with drug addiction. Addicts will commit crimes to get money for the drugs that they need. Addicts may face probation, parole, house arrest, loss of license, and even prison time. Legal issues can follow you and affect other areas of your life as well.

Health

Clearly, addiction affects your health, so needing to improve your health could easily be your motivation for getting clean. Drinking alcohol or using any illegal drugs not only diminishes your well being, but can cause you to contract diseases and destroy your body’s ability to properly function.

Better Life

All of these reasons are motivation to living a better life, but maybe the thought of a better life is the original motivation for your sobriety. While it may seem selfish to some, it’s a fabulous and justified reason. Being in recovery can and will improve every aspect of your life.

The number of reasons that motivate one to be in active recovery instead of active addiction are endless. Your motivation can be one reason or all of these reasons combined. Overall, every inspirational factor leads to the ultimate motivation. The yearning to live a more desirable and fulfilling life.

Staying Sober is Hard, Especially in the Beginning

You take on sobriety with a driving force, an unstoppable willpower, and personal incentive. While the very beginning of your sobriety, detox, and treatment will seem difficult, you must remember that the fight of your life has just begun. Your sobriety is a never ending battle.

Staying sober is hard, very hard. Especially, during the first year. There are millions of obstacles and issues that you must face.

  • Wreckage of The Past :Your problems won’t simply disappear, you must face them accordingly.

  • Sober Lifestyle : Creating a new life. A life without the use of drugs, you need coping skills and structured support. Your dreams are now achievable in recovery. Although, to accomplish your goals, you must become productive in life and in sobriety. It requires hard work and dedication.

  • People, Places, and Things : Changing people, places, and things are crucial to your recovery. If you do the same things with the same people, in the same places. What did you change? Nothing. You can’t do the same thing and expect different results.

  • Self Discovery : Addiction has changed you for the worse, but recovery will change you for the better. Finally, you can work on finding out who you truly are. You are capable of reaching your full potential as an amazing person in recovery.

It is true, staying sober is hard. Yet, the longer you stay clean and work on your recovery. Then, the more benefits you will reap. With each step and each day, your life will improve and your motivation to stay clean will grow stronger and stronger.

Eventually, sobriety will come naturally. Fighting for your recovery with strength and courage will come from deep within you. You will not think that staying sober is hard anymore. You will be living a sober lifestyle. Living as a productive individual who is inspired, empowered, and motivated in your recovery. Even though you may think that staying sober is hard, remember, you are worth it.

We want to know what motivates you. Why did you choose recovery?. What is your sober motivation?