Individual Therapy

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is any pattern of drinking in an individual which may be harmful to their health.
Alcohol AbuseAlcohol Abuse

What is Alcohol Abuse?

Alcohol abuse is any pattern of drinking in an individual which may be harmful to their health. While moderate amounts of alcohol consumption (defined as two drinks per day for men, and one drink per day for women) are common and may even confer slight health benefits, alcohol abuse occurs when a person consumes excessive amounts of alcohol regularly or over a short period of time. Alcohol abuse often persists despite social, professional, and legal consequences that may occur due to a person's drinking.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse

  • Drinking more than you planned to, or being unable to stop once you start
  • Continued drinking despite personal, professional, financial, or legal problems
  • Not being able to cut back despite wanting to
  • Turning to alcohol to cope with stressful events
  • Regularly drinking to the point of blacking out
  • Making impulsive or dangerous decisions, such as drinking and driving
  • Having to drink more alcohol than you used to in order to achieve the same effect

Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Long-term alcohol abuse can cause severe withdrawal symptoms when consumption is reduced or stopped. As a sedative-hypnotic drug, alcohol has a "rebound" effect, making individuals feel anxious or jittery. In severe cases, withdrawal can lead to dangerous symptoms like heart arrhythmias or seizures, which may be fatal. Symptoms often begin within 48 hours of the last drink, lasting up to a week, and include rapid heartbeat, confusion, anxiety, seizures, shaking, hallucinations, nausea, and insomnia.

Getting Help for Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol is one of the most abused substances, impacting not just the drinker but those around them. Despite its prevalence, stigma often prevents people, including "high-functioning" alcoholics, from seeking help. But recovery is possible. Alcohol abuse is highly treatable with the right support, like therapy and sometimes medication, to uncover the reasons behind drinking. At Overcomers Counseling, we’re here to help you take back control. Let’s leave alcohol in the past—your recovery starts here.

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