At what point are you considered to be an alcoholic or addict?
18 Answers
Last Updated: 10/13/2020 at 12:09am
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Polly Letsch, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
I provide non-judgmental, person-centered, objective therapeutic treatment for individuals of all ages to improve social, emotional, mental and other areas of functioning.
Top Rated Answers
When you use your drug of choice to run or hide from reality. When it helps to avoid problems and numbs emotional pain. When you start making excuses to use, hide your use and rationalizing your use of these substances and then get angry when someone confronts you about it.
i think the point where you become or consider yourself an addict is when your addiction manifests itself into a lifestyle, and you become heavily reliant and dependent on substances in your day to day life, and when you recognise that you have a problem and aren't content or happy with the amount you consume.
Anonymous
May 28th, 2015 10:56am
If you binge drink or have other problems with alcohol, you may have many of the signs and symptoms- Be unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
Feel a strong need or compulsion to drink
Develop tolerance to alcohol so that you need more to feel its effects
Drink alone or hide your drinking
Experience physical withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — when you don't drink
Not remember conversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as a "black out"
Make a ritual of having drinks at certain times and become annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned
Be irritable when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available
Keep alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in your car
Gulp drinks, order doubles or become drunk intentionally to feel good, or drink to feel "normal"
Have legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances due to drinking
Lose interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring you pleasure
Addiction is considered an issue when it interferes with your daily normal life the point where you cannot function without the substance or when the substance stops you from doing things you normally would: school, work, family functions, etc.
You are considered an alcoholic or an addict when you can't control yourself and alcohol tempts you more. In the initial days you'll be able to control yourself or refrain yourself from drinking, but as it becomes regular, you'll see that it's becoming difficult for you to stay away from alcohol. The moment you lose your own self control is the day you become an alcoholic. And also when you feel your day isn't over or you need alcohol to come to terms with life is the moment when you'll understand where alcohol stands. The day you start prioritising alcohol over people is the day you'll be called addict.
Anonymous
June 29th, 2020 11:16am
I guess you realize that you're an addict ,when you cant live without it, when its the first thing you think of in the morning, when you start cancelling plan because of it, when you deny that you even have an issue with it. Addiction is a state of mind that stops us from achieving our goal and destroys our relationships. it cause you to lie and or manipulate your loved ones just to obtain it. Too much of anything takes a toll on your life. You don't only lie to your family but even to yourself, i will stop tomorrow, the last time.,But the reality is that tomorrow never comes.The day you find yourself making excuses because of a substance or an object ,you know you're an addict. The only way from there is to get help.
Addiction self-assessment questions:
- If I tried to stop could I?
- Has my use hurt my social relationships?
- Am I usually focused on the next time I won't be sober?
- Does being sober feel like a chore?
- Has my use changed my exercise or eating habits?
- Has my use caused a decline in how much I do things I like?
- Do I feel that I used to enjoy lots of things but now I don't?
The more you answer yes to these, the more you should consider talking to a professional about your concerns.
When you can no longer control alcohol....it controls you. I know first hand.
When you cannot function without the substance and use it more often throughout the day everyday. Ex: Smoking a half or whole pack of cigarettes in a day would be considered addicted.
I've had a friend who considered himself an alcoholic/addict. I believe the point you are considered one is a few things. One is it's the point where these issues start affecting your ability to function in life. Another is it's when you can't stop. If you do, there will be this itching feeling/craving making you want more
When it takes over your life.
Anonymous
July 22nd, 2016 5:03am
When you can face the hard reality.
Anonymous
June 6th, 2017 12:26am
When you can't stop, or when you can't stop thinking about it, you plan your schedule around it, maybe. You might think you have the capability of forcing yourself to stop, but you keep on doing it because you like it so much. That's part of an addiction.
Anonymous
June 13th, 2017 2:31am
Once a substance interferes with or takes over the course of your life, it moves from a habit to an addiction.
Anonymous
January 4th, 2016 5:56am
You are an addict once the choices you make to use have negative consequences but you decide you will do it anyway.
When you use drugs or alcohol to escape pain and you think about doing it all the time and you feel angry and upset if you can't get it.
Anonymous
September 24th, 2019 4:44pm
I think you're an addict the moment you feel like you cannot get by without the drugs or alcohol, or when the drugs or alcohol seem like a friend who is there for you when no one else is. That's dangerous territory. It takes you from being in control to being controlled. The mind is a tricky thing, and it might convince you that you are better, smarter, and wiser when you're using, when, in reality, you're being enslaved. If you feel like your life doesn't feel good without drugs or alcohol, get help as soon as possible and save yourself!
When you are relying on these substances just to get through a normal day, or when you begin hiding your usage.
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