When is Alcohol Detox or Rehab Necessary?

People who suffer from alcoholism come from all walks of life; plumbers, businessmen, musicians, doctors, or engineers. However, they all have one thing in common: a dependence on alcohol to go through their day-to-day lives.

Signs that someone may be dependent on alcohol may vary from person to person. Some people have a mild dependence, when they may drink everyday, but a small amount, usually with food. Others cannot function without drinking. Whatever the level, the most common sign of alcoholism is the inability to experience certain activities without alcohol, such as relaxing with friends or attending a party.

Psychological Signs That Detox May Be Necessary

Intervention in the form of detox or rehab usually comes to play when the person's alcohol use begins to impact the very structure of their lives, usually causing havoc in their family, work, and social lives. If you are wondering if you may be at this point, here are some signs to look out for within yourself:

• You're concerned about your drinking habits in the first place. If you begin to ask yourself questions about your alcohol consumption, you might have a problem. Perhaps you've tried to quit, and for some reason the habit starts again. Either way, this is a sign that soemthing needs to change.
• Other people are concerned about your drinking habits. This is usually a tell-tale sign that something is wrong. Your friends and family care for you, and if they see you going down a wrong path, they are warning you out of love.
• You've starting to slip on responsibilities. We're all late here and there. But when you don't show up to a meeting because you are intoxicated, alcohol detox is highly recommended.
• You hurt people and/or yourself. Having one or two drinks usually doesn't cause people to spiral out of control. However, if you find that you don't know your limit, or that you lose control of yourself and hurt someone you love (or anyone for that matter), it's a sign that you may need to stop and seek treatment.
• You begin to isolate yourself. Another sign that you may require treatment is if drinking alone sounds like a better plan than spending time with people. Repeated isolation is usually a bad habit, and when mixed with drug or alcohol consumption, it can be fatal.