When someone we love is in trouble, we worry. But when it comes to alcohol use, sometimes it’s difficult to know if there’s a problem. The media normalizes alcohol use, including abuse, by showing positive, happy images of drinking and even using drunkenness as a subject for comedy. We can easily be lulled into thinking that alcohol is harmless. But it’s not. It is an addictive substance that is abused by millions of Americans each year. The prevalence of alcohol addiction treatment center programs throughout the United States shows a problem. Alcohol addiction is on the rise. Does your spouse have an alcohol use disorder?
There are numerous warning signs that may raise red flags when you think about your spouse’s alcohol use. If you want to learn more without delay, reach out to us at TruHealing Centers. We have staff on hand to answer your questions and discuss options for your spouse, including enrolling them in our alcohol addiction treatment center program.
3 Signs a Spouse Needs Alcohol Addiction Treatment
1. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
What is considered excessive drinking? For most people, one to two drinks a day is considered moderate or “social” drinking—though much depends on body weight, and women typically have a lower benchmark than men. Five or more drinks a day constitute binge drinking, though many alcoholics consume far more than five. As tolerance to alcohol’s effects builds, more is needed to feel the needed “buzz.” If you notice your spouse has increased consumption over time, that is a warning sign. Another worrisome sign is if your spouse is sneaking empty bottles out of the house or hiding them to dispose of later. If you come across evidence that drinking has increased combined with secrecy—your spouse is likely dealing with a substance use disorder.
2. Loss of Control While Under the Influence
If your spouse claims to be cutting back, announces a hiatus on drinking, or promises to have “only one” but can never adhere to these best-laid plans, he or she probably is not in control of the situation. In addition, if your spouse repeatedly becomes belligerent, morose and weepy, or inappropriately manic or exhibitionistic when drinking—in other words, loses control of normal demeanor and does things they’d consider unthinkable or embarrassing when sober—that loss of control is cause for concern. Your spouse is not in control of their behavior and actions.
3. Signs of Withdrawal When Not Drinking
The third serious warning sign that your spouse needs rehab treatment is withdrawal. When heavy drinkers no longer have access to alcohol or stop drinking suddenly, either by choice or circumstance, symptoms of withdrawal quickly emerge. These include nausea, sweating, racing heart, headache, shakes, agitation, brain fog, anxiety, and extreme irritability. Over time, these symptoms can increase to a dangerous level, including convulsions, blackouts, and fever. (These are serious and require immediate medical intervention.)
Treatment and Therapy Options at Amatus Recovery Center
The dangers of untreated alcohol use disorder cannot be minimized. Long-term effects on physical health, such as liver and heart disease, are serious. Collateral damage to relationships, careers, finances and more is often difficult to repair.
A reputable, evidence-based alcohol addiction treatment program offers the safest way to begin recovery and offers the best long-term outcomes. In addiction treatment, your spouse will receive medically supervised detox, eliminating the physical dependence on alcohol by purging all remnants of it from the system. After that, the treatment center staff will help your spouse segue into a treatment program that will involve multiple therapeutic modalities.
At any one of the TruHealing Centers, evidence-based care might include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Individual therapy
Find the Quality Addiction Treatment Your Spouse Needs
Do you have lingering questions about your spouse’s alcohol use? Do you want to learn about options? Reach out to us today. Our compassionate, experienced staff is on hand to help. Call [Direct] or fill out our easy online form. Help is here.
