Today, just about everyone knows that alcohol is addictive. However, alcohol is a legal substance. Many people don’t realize how quickly alcohol addiction can take over their lives and leave a trail of damage in its wake. There’s a thin line between drinking heavily every once in awhile and a dangerous path that leads to alcoholism.
How Casual Drinking Leads to Alcohol Addiction
There are many myths surrounding alcoholism. For example, many people think that they can’t become alcoholics if they exclusively drink beer. Others think an occasional glass of wine won’t lead to addiction. It’s important to understand that hard liquor isn’t the only substance that can lead to alcoholism.
Beer seems safe when you compare it to other types of alcohol. Beer is a social drink, one people often consume during sports events and while listening to live music. This makes it seem harmless under the shadow of hard liquor.
It’s true that beer has low alcohol content when you compare it to other types of alcoholic beverages. Its alcohol by volume (ABV) is two to twelve percent for most brands. The vast majority of beer labels only have four to six percent alcohol. But beer still can lead to alcohol addiction, especially when someone is drinking for a longer duration. Other problematic behaviors that can lead to beer addiction include drinking as a social crutch and to avoid boredom, regardless of time of day or present company.
Wine alcoholism can be confusing. On one hand, health-oriented articles call wine “good for you.” On the other hand, the substance can dangerously lead to alcoholism. The key to wine, like any alcohol, is drinking in moderation.
The alcohol in one average glass of wine equals a full pint of beer. Like beer, people often drink wine in social settings. Doing so, however, can lead to alcohol addiction. This is especially true if you drink to calm your nerves or boost your mood. Additionally, If you find yourself drinking excessively while alone it may also be time to seek help.
“Hard Alcohol” Liquor Addiction
Hard alcohol, known as liquor, includes vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, and tequila. When you compare liquor to beer and wine, liquor is the most potent form of alcohol. Most people mix liquor with soda, water, or juice. By doing so, they don’t realize how much they’re drinking per serving unless they’re taking “shots.” Drinking liquor early in the day, at the end of each day, or in large volumes several times per week increases the likelihood of alcoholism.
How Binge Drinking Leads to Alcohol Addiction
Binge drinking is a common activity in certain social groups. College students, sports fans, nightclub goers and others may drink five or more alcoholic drinks within a short period of time. This is considered binge drinking. Unfortunately, drinking in excess like this can lead to alcoholism, or worse, death. Although people drink this way to feel like they’re having more fun, binge drinking is actually alcohol abuse in one of its most dangerous forms.
Help for Addiction to Alcohol or Drugs
No matter your age, lifestyle or community, you can develop an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Your life may spin out of control while you struggle with the damaging impacts of substance abuse. If you look around yourself now, you may see this damage for what it really is: alcohol or drug addiction.
Damage caused by alcohol or drug addiction includes:
- Poor health
- Bodily injury
- Damaged relationships
- Work problems
- Money problems
If you see these problems in your life and know alcohol or drugs are the sources, you may need rehabilitative treatment. With the help of a quality rehab facility offering dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders, you have the power to put your life back together.
Call 1st Step Behavioral Health in Pompano Beach, Florida at 866-319-6123. At 1st Step, you can put addiction behind you by working hard to better yourself today.