Alcohol Addiction
Introduction
The inability to cope with hurt may be leading you or a loved one to drink and escape from a reality that seems impossible to bear at times. Alcohol may feel like it is taking you away from physical and emotional pain when in reality you are simply hiding from something much deeper than relief. If you're unsure as to whether or not you even have an alcohol addiction, there are ways to recognize this behavior and take control.
Alcohol addiction is usually the result of various factors and genetics. The activity can be the product of how you were raised. It could be a way for you to escape traumatic memories that continue to affect your ability to feel whole again. Scientifically, there are some who are more prone to addiction because of genetics and culture. Family history may have something to do with the condition and for those who deal with panic, anxiety, depression and mood swings this is a common form of relief. If you are coming to the realization that you may have an alcohol problem affecting your health and the happiness of others, there is a way for you to defeat the reliance. With a support group and guidance you can get through this trial period and find the strength needed in order to grow mentally and emotionally.
How Alcohol Addiction Can Harm Us
An addiction to alcohol allows you to escape from a truth that usually needs fixing. It pushes you to neglect responsibilities at home and at work. When you drink socially it can lead to physical danger such as driving under the influence or the use of alcohol while also on prescription medications. Deep down you may know that you're avoiding some issues with others in relationships and the reason for this may go much deeper than alcohol addiction. It's likely you have a hard time trusting other people and they've caused you some emotional distress. The repeated use of alcohol in situations like this will repress your feelings and relationships until the other person feels helpless and unvalued.
Do you find yourself wanting to leave high pressure situations to start drinking? This might be a way for you to de-stress and the majority of people will use drinking as a self soothing activity. Grabbing a bottle every time you're dealing with high emotions or fighting with a spouse is your way to calm down. Doing this repeatedly causes pain to increase which makes it harder to remain sober during difficult times.
How Alcohol Addiction Affects Other Relationships
Alcohol addiction affects the people around you to an extent you may be unaware of. Whether it's a relationship with your spouse, child or parents there is a lot of hurt going on. Not only is there confusion on the behalf of the other person but concern. While they may want to know what your reason is behind the need to deal with pain they may also be unable to approach you because of your response toward them. If people are trying to help you cut down on drinking for your own health and you deny that it's affecting your ability to cope and deal with life, they may either separate themselves from the relationship completely or disconnect intimately. Alcohol addiction is an impulse and a lack of control. If it is happening in one partner within the relationship then the other is likely to feel alone and helpless. They may no longer feel as if they can meet you halfway within the relationship which causes depression and confusion. The good news is that people overcome this addiction every single day because they learn how to find strength deep within themselves. They learn that they are in control of how they feel and in turn begin to take control of their lives.
How Therapy Can Help
The fantastic thing about counseling and support groups for alcohol addiction is that it is proven effective. People are treated for this addiction every single day and have overcome the pain and struggle associated with being sober. Twelve step programs and individual therapy are both equally effective in getting someone through this period of time. During this recovery relapses and severe emotions will occur and by accepting that this is a part of the program you'll understand that it actually means you are making progress. You'll have a support group to rely on throughout the entire recovery period. If you feel alone in stepping away from reliance, it could be due to the fact that you are not approaching efforts outside of your own. Attempting to deal with this on your own doesn't ensure that you'll recover fully. By learning about the cycles and emotions associated with the addiction you'll realize that there's a lot more you're dealing with. Releasing anger, grudges, distrust, frustration and pain is the only way that you can learn how to deal with reality. Once you beat this addiction you'll understand that what you needed was clarity and you can find this by releasing the confusion that's been built up inside of you for far too long.
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