How to Know When Alcohol Is an Addiction

Because drinking alcohol is an activity largely accepted by society, it can be hard to see the warning signs of alcohol addiction in yourself and those you love.

At Revolution Psychiatric and Addiction Treatment, addiction expert Richard E. Repass, MD, knows how difficult it can be to overcome an addiction to alcohol on your own. He offers medication-assisted treatment plans that help you bypass the severe withdrawal symptoms quitting alcohol can cause, so you can achieve long-term recovery. 

We also provide general psychiatry services to provide ongoing support for your long-term recovery from alcohol addiction.

Recognizing an addiction to alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can cause noticeable symptoms, like loss of balance and slurred speech. You may also be more likely to engage in reckless behaviors, such as driving under the influence.

But many people with an alcohol addiction become good at hiding their symptoms and stay in denial about their excessive alcohol use.

Warning signs of a possible alcohol addiction typically include patterns of behaviors like:

• Inability to stop drinking
• Drinking alone
• Hiding alcohol in your home or car
• Irritability and mood swings when not drinking
• Experiencing memory loss or blackouts

Many people with an alcohol addiction will also continue drinking, even if their actions are having a negative effect on their relationships, health, or career.

Physical signs of alcohol addiction

If you’re drinking too much alcohol and are trying to quit on your own, you may experience physical symptoms. For some, these symptoms are so intense, it’s easier to keep drinking than deal with the withdrawal effects.

Alcohol withdrawal can cause:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Shaking
• Sweating

Some people with severe addiction also experience hallucinations and convulsions.

When you or someone you love is struggling with the physical effects of alcohol withdrawal or if your reckless behaviors are a threat to yourself or others, you can find help at Revolution Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment.

The alcohol detox process

Detoxing alcohol from your body is the first step to recovery. To help you through the detox process without severe withdrawal symptoms, Dr. Repass can customize a medication-assisted treatment plan using medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

We also offer a NAD detox plan to help you overcome an addiction to alcohol. NAD is a substance already found in your body that supports cellular communication, DNA repair, and the production of energy. 

When you drink excessively, your body’s natural NAD levels decline and put you at risk for fatigue, memory issues, and other problems that lower your quality of life.

Intravenous infusions of a specialized BR+NAD™ formula improve the function of your nervous system and help stabilize your mood.

The infusions can also significantly reduce your cravings for alcohol, so you can stay engaged in psychotherapy and other therapeutic strategies to overcome alcohol addiction for good.

If you’re ready to stop drinking but are worried about painful withdrawal symptoms, schedule an alcohol addiction consultation at Revolution Psychiatric and Addiction Treatment by calling our office in Mercer Island, Washington, today.