If you need a few drinks to get you through the day, or if you have difficulty relaxing without alcohol or other substances, you may have developed a dependency. If you are drinking or using substances every day, in order to function better, you may have an addiction.
There are effective therapy solutions for alcohol and substance addiction. If you are struggling, or if you think you may have a problem but are not sure, it is important to seek help.
Dependence and addiction can sneak up on you
Addiction can happen slowly. You may wake up in the morning feeling frustrated and stressed with your job. It may help you get through the day to have a drink or two. When you get into a habit of using alcohol and other substances, tolerance can build up slowly over time. Over time people with addiction to alcohol or other drugs build up a tolerance, meaning they need larger amounts to feel the effects.
You may have been drinking most of your adult life and have suffered little negative effects. However, a habit of harmless social drinking can evolve into drinking every day. If you’ve developed a daily habit of having a few drinks to relax, take the edge off, or get into a better mood, you may have developed a problem.
Self-medication as a strategy for functioning
Many people use alcohol or substances to self-medicate symptoms associated with another disorder such as stress, anxiety, depression, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Using alcohol or substances to self-medicate for anxiety and mood disorders is common. This is dangerous, as overtime using substances to control symptoms can lead to addiction.
If you have been using alcohol to improve your mood and reduce anxiety, or if you’ve been using other substances to help you focus as a result of ADHD symptoms, it’s time to take control and find healthier, more effective ways to reduce and control symptoms.
Signs you may be dependent on alcohol include:
- Experiencing a decreased ability to limit the amount of alcohol you drink in an evening
- Needing to have a drink to relax
- Experiencing blackouts when intoxicated
- Feeling an urge to drink even when nothing special is going on or you are alone
- You’ve started hiding your drinking from others
- You’ve begun storing alcohol in different places
- You need more alcohol to feel the same effects as you used to
- After avoiding alcohol for a while, you begin to feel bad physically, such as feeling nauseous, sweating, or shaky
- You would like to cut down on your drinking, but are not sure you can
Individualized addiction therapy in New York City
Penny Justus is licensed in CASAC and certified in addiction therapy with years of experience providing support to individuals with dual diagnosis in the residential treatment. She is experienced in working with high-functioning individuals who are motivated to reduce or abstain from substance use.
Reach out today to learn more about how she can help you. Call or fill out the contact form and click send. Penny Justus also provides therapy online.