There are millions of people who consume alcohol every single day. The question is what’s the difference between social drinking vs social alcoholism? Is there such a thing as social alcoholism? The answer to that question is no. Can a social drinker become an alcoholic? Yes, someone can start out as a social drinker and develop alcoholism.
If you know you need help to stop drinking and you’re debating social drinking vs social alcoholism, our ARIA FL team is here to assist people in this process. We have addiction recovery programs that help people to overcome alcohol abuse of any type.
Defining Social Drinking vs Social Alcoholism
The social alcoholic definition is when someone who once was a social drinker develops alcoholism. Those who are abusing alcohol don’t usually realize they are developing beyond social drinking vs social alcoholism. So, when looking at the definition of social drinking, it is important to think about alcohol as a drug, similar to meth. Once someone starts drinking, just as when someone starts using meth, it can be difficult to quit. The body gets used to the substance and learns to function with it. This is why so many people experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking and get into recovery treatment. Crossing the line between social drinking vs social alcoholism is where treatment becomes the best option.
Denying Social Drinking vs Social Alcoholism
Have you ever confronted someone about social drinking vs social alcoholism? Maybe, someone has asked you about how much you drink? Did you or this person become defensive and say that you don’t have a problem with alcohol abuse. The truth is that most alcoholics will deny they have a problem. They either don’t see it because of their body’s ability to keep functioning while under the influence or they just don’t want to admit it to others.
There are some signs of being in denial about social drinking vs social alcoholism that you can look for in yourself or others who are in your life.
Have you done any of these things before? If so, our team wants you to know you aren’t alone. There are many alcoholics who respond in this manner. However, you can still take back control of your life by reaching out for help today. Even if you have denied social drinking vs social alcoholism or said you were just social drinking in the past, you can make the decision to turn things around and get the treatment you need now.
Effects of Alcohol
In addition to learning about social drinking vs social alcoholism and what may be heard of as being a social alcoholic, it would be a good idea to discuss the effects of alcohol, as well. Some of the effects of alcohol that everyone should know about include:
- Less tension
- Reduced inhibitions
- Ease in social situations
- More socially active than normal
- Isolation
- Depression
- Impaired memory
- Poor judgment and coordination
- Psychological and physical addiction
- Nervous system damage
- Organ damage (liver and heart)
- Birth defects
- Putting themselves and others at risk
When someone consumes alcohol, they often develop an addiction. The problem is that alcohol is a harmful and addicting substance. It changes the way a person’s brain works. Unfortunately, sometimes the effects of alcohol aren’t reversible. However, the sooner someone stops drinking alcohol, the better chance there will be of handling and possibly even getting rid of these effects.
Drinking Safely
Is there such a thing as drinking safely? While not healthy, there are ways to drink safely. The tips that are noted below can give you a good idea on what you can do to stay safe if you or someone you know are planning on drinking alcohol. It is always best to have a plan ahead of time, too. This leaves less of a chance for impulsivity or driving while under the influence of alcohol.
There are some signs of being in denial about alcoholism that you can look for in yourself or others who are in your life.
Are You a Problem Drinker?
Now, what about problem drinking? There are people who don’t have an addiction yet, but they are a problem drinker. Basically, this means that they are on the way to developing an addiction, if they don’t already have one. You can stop yourself from continuing to drink in this stage, you might not need as intense treatments. However, it would still be helpful to go into a detox and outpatient treatment program, at the very least.
Some of the signs that you or someone you know is a problem drinker include:
- Drinking until you get drunk
- Often drinking without control of how much you are consuming
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol
- Going to school or work while drunk
- Drinking while at school or on the job
- Consuming alcohol while taking care of your kids or other family members
- Getting into legal trouble due to alcohol consumption
- Having issues in relationships, at school, or at work due to alcohol consumption
- Drinking to reduce sadness, depression, or anxiety
- Gulping or chugging alcohol
- Missing meals so the alcohol can affect you quicker or more easily
- Frequently drinking 2 or more drinks at once
- Drinking harder liquor
- Trying to hide your drinking
- Lying about how much you drank
- Needing more alcohol to get the effects you used to
- Feeling upset when you can’t drink
- Skipping family events so you can go out to drink with friends
Do you relate to any of these signs of problem drinking? Remember, not everyone who is a problem drinker has an alcohol addiction. However, everyone who has an addiction is a problem drinker. Either way, it is best to stop drinking before things get any worse. Here at ARIA FL, we have many treatment programs that can get you the help and support you need.
What to Do Now
You have read a bit about social drinking and social alcoholism. We have learned that alcoholism is a disease and it isn’t just hanging out with your friends having a beer or two. We’ve also learned about problem drinking and the signs that someone needs help to quit drinking. If you can relate to these things, there are some steps you may want to take to stop drinking and overcome the alcohol use or addiction.
Some of the steps that you may want to take include:
- Learn more about alcoholism as a disease
- Find out about the treatment options for alcoholism
- Learn about willpower, coping skills, and recovery methods
- See that most people need help to quit drinking
- Encourage your loved one or friend to get help if they need to quit drinking (possibly even by holding an intervention)
- Respect the other person’s choice to stop drinking and support them in their recovery
- Get support for your recovery if you are going to quit drinking
Do you need help to stop drinking? If so, don’t hesitate to let our team know today. We are here to help anyone who would like to overcome their addiction to or use of alcohol. It isn’t always easy. However, with the help and support of professionals like those here at our team, you can get past this stage in your life and create a healthier lifestyle.
Treatment Options for Alcohol Addiction
If you are ready to overcome your alcohol use or addiction, there are treatment options available. Reading and learning about these treatments can help you to prepare for the next stage of recovery. You may have already admitted you needed help, but now you will be going into a recovery program either through outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization or inpatient treatment. Some treatments you may receive include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Fitness therapy
- Art therapy
- Nature therapy
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Other holistic treatments
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Detox services
- Aftercare planning with relapse prevention help
The treatments that each person receives and the number of sessions they need will be individualized. This means that we look at each case on its own. The reason for this is that our team knows that addiction and alcoholism don’t affect everyone the same. We know that your experiences with addiction are unique to your life. For all these reasons, we want to make sure you are getting individualized, specialized treatment and care in your recovery. From the initial assessment through the treatment program, we can adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
Get Into an Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program Today
Don’t know what to do from here? Don’t worry. Here at ARIA FL, our addiction recovery team can help you to get into an alcohol addiction treatment program today. Contact us to start this step in your recovery.