| Most of us like to drink and have a good time. 'Partying' | | | | years. Studies have shown that the younger someone |
| is just a harmless recreational use of drinking. But, | | | | gets into drugs and drinking, the more likely they are to |
| when is it too much? How can you tell if you are | | | | become addicted. This is why it's dangerous. |
| addicted? And when should you consider alcohol | | | | Here are a few things that indicate an addiction or |
| addiction treatment? | | | | problem with drinking: |
| First, what does it mean to be addicted to something? | | | | -You try to hide it, and deny to everyone that you |
| This means that we crave it all the time. Strangely | | | | might have a drinking problem. |
| enough, the addicted person often does not recognize | | | | -You feel guilty about how much you drink, and you |
| it. Yet, they can not go without. Dependence on drugs | | | | make schemes to moderate it, but you just can't |
| and booze is a big problem in the United States. It | | | | follow through. |
| affects nearly everyone. And, dependence destroys | | | | -Friends and relatives are concerned with your drinking, |
| lives. It often works subtly, so the afflicted person | | | | and it irritates you whenever anyone says anything. |
| thinks the problem is with everyone else. Dependence | | | | -You drink in the morning to relieve the hangover from |
| doesn't just destroy the addicted person's life, but the | | | | last night ('hair of the dog') |
| lives of those who love him and must deal with the | | | | Often people who have a problem with one drug can |
| problems, too. It is everyone's problem. | | | | easily develop a problem with another. This is |
| Dependence is different from abuse. It is possible for | | | | something you have to watch your whole life. If you |
| someone to abuse drugs without becoming addicted, | | | | become addicted to drink, you can easily become |
| but most often the two go hand in hand. When things | | | | addicted to something else. It has been found that |
| get out of hand, it is time to get treated. | | | | many people who become drug addicts start with |
| Throughout our teenage years, we are bombarded | | | | legal drugs, like prescription drugs or inhalants. |
| with images in popular culture of drugs. Partying is | | | | Dependence is a sneaky thing, and it usually comes |
| seen as a normal course in a person's life. Indeed, | | | | from socially-accepted drug behavior first. This is how |
| most of us have some pretty wild times when we are | | | | a guy who likes to party with his friends may end up |
| young. We also see images of the darker side of drug | | | | an alcoholic a couple of years down the road. |
| abuse. There is never a shortage of 'Behind the Music' | | | | It is difficult to quit drinking. It may take more control |
| stories of celebrities who have gone over the edge | | | | than you can muster, and this is why we seek help |
| and never come back. The collective shame we feel | | | | from outside. If you have the support of your friends |
| when we see a public figure destroy themselves that | | | | and loved ones, you can start to recover, but you |
| works as a deterrent. But, even the dark side of this | | | | have to want to do it. There is nothing wrong with |
| story has a certain glamour and romance to it. | | | | seeking professional help. Many people overcome their |
| When we are young, we start habits that can continue | | | | problems through rehab. It helps to have a clutch to |
| for a lifetime. It is not unusual for young people to | | | | hang onto. For those who have severe drinking |
| experiment with drugs and party. But, for every group | | | | problems, it may actually be unhealthy to quit cold |
| who come out unscathed, there are always casualties | | | | turkey. This is why being treated by trained |
| who develop destructive lifetime habits in their younger | | | | professionals may be the best way. |