Do I have a problem with alcohol?

#alcoholism #AA #Jung

The American Medical Association recommends that women for their health not drink more than one drink per day and men not more than two drinks per day. More than 10% of the US population has an alcohol dependency problem by definition which is what we would generally call alcoholism in every day language. Moreover, over 40% of the US population has a problem with alcohol which makes this an issue for over half the population. So, how do you know if you have a problem with alcohol? Do you need increased amounts of alcohol to get the same effect? Does the same amount not produce the same effect? Do you drink more than you planned to? Did you blackout or become ill? Have you gotten a DUI? Perhaps some of these are true but you wonder how do I cut back or stop? The first step is to realize that you have a problem. Once you do that, half of the work is done! Then you should probably talk to a professional addiction specialist who can assess what level of care you may need. For mild to moderate cases, a self-help group type program can be helpful like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), LifeRing, or Smart Recovery. Many of these programs are online or in-person with members who share the desire to stop drinking. Some people may need detox to safely come off of the alcohol and avoid a seizure. Then there is inpatient rehab where people stay for a period of months to get sober. Just know that you are not alone and help is available.