Drinking is an accepted social norm but not to the extent of blacking out or getting out of control. When you experience these, it is about time you start thinking about quitting drinking. Alcohol addiction is one of the most pressing and complicated problems in Canada and an increasing number of Canadians are still struggling with it. Alcohol abuse and dependence is not just an issue about physiological health because it basically affects every aspect of your life. Alcoholics also suffer from mental and emotional problems and once the problem takes a toll on you, it will eventually affect those who are around you.

Related article: Top Reasons to Stop Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Quitting Drinking Starts with Knowing your Enemy

The unfortunate thing is that some people are not even aware that their drinking is already a serious problem until it’s too late. Awareness and education are important tools that could make a world of difference in combating the destructive impact of alcoholism. You cannot start quitting drinking when you are not even aware of what you are trying to stop.

The Serious Threat is Real

Based on the statistical data from the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, approximately 3.2% of the entire Canadian population is grappling with a drinking problem. The figure from a 2012 survey is a whopping 886,000 people from the age of 15. Alcohol use disorder is the medical term used to refer to severe drinking problem which is also known as alcoholism.

A person cannot know or will not be categorized as an alcoholic if a professional did not properly conduct a diagnosis. Psychiatrists and psychologists diagnose a person for alcohol use disorder using the DSM or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual or Mental Disorders. Once you are an alcohol-dependent, you will definitely need professional help to achieve your goal of quitting drinking.

What does an alcoholic look like?

Binge drinking ruins a person’s health and life in general, usually a cause of financial strain. Alcohol dependence also makes you emotional distressed and pushes away important people in your life. Some of the most common symptoms of a person suffering from alcohol abuse disorder include:

• You often plan of quitting drinking but just can’t
• You over-consume more than you need or wanted and you are aware of it
• You acquire and drink alcohol by leaps and bounds
• You have constant cravings for wine, beer, and other types of alcohol
• You have developed a tolerance to alcohol and without it, you often feel sick or drunk
• Your drinking is having a negative impact on your social and personal life
• Your drinking is affecting your school or work
• You cannot stop drinking even though you know that you already have a drinking problem

Quitting drinking is oftentimes not a one-person job because it would definitely take a village to support one’s recovery from alcohol use disorder. Alcohol addicts have a lot of treatment and recovery options to turn to. The Canadian government is taking on initiatives to finally put an end to this addiction problem that has impacted both young and old. Call Inspire Change Addiction Rehab in Vancouver for addiction treatment programs.