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4 Signs that Intervention is Necessary

4 Signs that Intervention is Necessary

We all know about alcohol and how a bit of overindulgence can affect us. Usually through a sore head for half a day and a phone call to work saying we’re suffering from a case of man flu. But the long-term effects of drinking can have massive implications on our health. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reported in a 2015 survey that 84.6% of people aged above 18 years old have engaged in drinking alcohol in their lifetime. Despite many of the positive effects of the odd drink, chronic use that leads to addiction can hugely affect not just our lives but those of friends and family around us.

Early detection of addiction and proper intervention is vital for any successful rehabilitation. Here are some of the signs that will lead you to establish if an intervention might be necessary.

1) A manifestation of alcohol-related health problems

88,000 deaths are attributed to alcohol abuse in the United States alone. Alcohol itself can impair CNS functions and cause death. More common is the mortality due to alcohol-related ailments. The liver is the most affected organ besides the cardiovascular system. Liver cirrhosis and hepatic cancers are significant red flag signs that one should receive an intervention and stop drinking too much. A prompt response will probably modify the prognosis of the disease and lengthen life. Frequent laboratory tests can be useful in early diagnosis of alcohol-health related problems.

2) Compulsive heavy drinking

Drinking every morning or before engaging in activities shows dependence on the substance. Once tolerance develops, you start drinking too much because the initial levels are no longer adequate. Such persons often experience depression when deprived of alcohol. They often go to extreme lengths just to have a taste of alcohol, and they lack control over when to stop drinking. If you identify these issues, it’s likely there’s an outlying problem, and the sooner you initiate an intervention, the better. Compulsive alcohol abuse comes with the risk of overdose as well as engaging in criminal activity to satisfy the habit.

3) Noticeable changes in behavior, emotions and social cycle

Alcohol abuse can result in the inability to control your feelings, and one may experience mood shifts, memory loss and behavioral changes. Gross misconducts and withdrawal from social interactions are seen when one starts engaging in too much drinking. Drinking too much alcohol in most cases makes people irresponsible, and less able to take care of their personal needs. When an alcoholic starts going too far with their behaviour, you should never hesitate to seek for intervention because the situation will only worsen with time. A change in social relationships and mixing with new unseemly groups is also indicative of the urgent need to act.

4) Irresponsibility leading to conflicts

Your drinking should not disturb the peace of those surrounding you. Drinking too much alcohol makes people lose control. Often, alcoholics will abscond family responsibilities and squander all their money on drink. Sometimes excessive drinking, leads to abusive behaviour and fighting. Other alcoholics may engage in drink-driving, endangering the lives of others. When you note such in an associate, it is important that you intervene to salvage the situation before things get to the point where they endanger others and themselves.

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