How to Prioritize Self-Care

How to Prioritize Self-Care

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The key to staying sober for the long term is learning to take care of your mental health. A large part of accomplishing that goal is to prioritize self-care daily. The ability to take care of your physical and mental health needs goes a long way in keeping you vibrant, sharp, and ready to face the challenges of daily life positively. While finding ways to prioritize yourself seems self-explanatory, it is easy to lose sight of proper self-care in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day living.

This article will discuss what self-care is, the importance of self-care prioritization, and how you can prioritize your self-care regimen to live a healthy and happy life. Call The Last House toll-free today if you are newly sober and looking for extra support and confidence. Our sober living network features evidence-based sober living programs, state-of-the-art amenities, and clinical support that will take your sobriety to the next level. Call us today to learn more about our sober living programs.

What is Self-Care?

During your stay in drug treatment, you may have heard the term self-care. You may be familiar with the concept in a broad sense, but you may need help to define self-care. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), self-care is taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. Prioritizing self-care promotes overall good health, helps minimize the risk of disease, and helps you healthily deal with stress. There is no universal self-care regimen that everyone follows. Instead, self-care comprises many different activities you can utilize to suit your specific needs.

How to Prioritize Self-Care

Self-care prioritization can be difficult, and finding ways to prioritize yourself and your needs can feel overwhelming and even confusing. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to make self-care at the top of your to-do list. You have learned these tips while in treatment, but refreshing yourself on these effective principles is always good. These principles are as follows:

Have Dedicated “Me Time” Every Day—set aside 15-20 minutes every day for you and your needs. Go to a quiet space, turn off your phone and tablet, and tune in to yourself. You can go for a walk in the park, journal, or practice mindful breathing techniques.

Be Kind to Yourself—When things don’t go as planned, it is easy to beat yourself up and be your worst critic. Remind yourself that you are doing the very best you can and run the race at your own pace. You will have good days and bad days, so take things in stride to the best of your ability.

Eat Right—It is important to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Plan your meals and choose foods that will nourish and sustain you.

 Get Restful Sleep—when you get a good night’s sleep. Your mind and body can reset itself and be recharged and ready to go for the next day. You should get at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.

Cut Down on Social Media—You are well aware that social media is everywhere. While it isn’t bad to be on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, you shouldn’t jump down the proverbial rabbit hole. Set limits on how long you are on social media each day and have times when you unplug from social media altogether.

Treat Yourself—Every once in a while, it is good to treat yourself to something nice. Schedule a spa day, go on a day trip, take yourself out for a great meal, or book a great vacation to a destination you’ve always wanted to visit.

Find What Makes You Happy—it is easy to chase after and obtain material possessions, but do they make you happy? Take time to discover what makes you happy and go after those things.

Take Your Recovery to the Next Level With Help From the Last House

Being newly sober comes with new challenges. Learning how to navigate daily life while prioritizing your sobriety can feel daunting. Sober living programs such as the one found at The Last House will provide you with the additional tools, support, and confidence you need to strengthen your sobriety. Our sober living programs are evidence-based, extensively tested, and paired with clinical support to help you stay on the path to recovery. Take the next step in your recovery and call The Last House today. 

How to Create a Safe and Supportive Environment in Recovery

How to Create a Safe and Supportive Environment in Recovery

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If you are newly sober, it feels like you are stepping into a new, brave world. While you are excited to begin this new chapter in your life, temptations and triggers seem to lurk around every corner. As someone new in recovery, you need to have things in place that minimize the risk of relapse while helping you feel comfortable and helping grow your recovery. Perhaps the most important thing you can do to achieve those goals is to create a safe and supportive environment in recovery.

If you have just started your recovery journey, this article will highlight what you need to do to create a safe and supportive environment in recovery. If you are looking to bolster your confidence and coping skills in a safe environment, call The Last House. Our sober living programs feature exciting group activities, clinical support, and close family involvement. Call The Last House today to learn more about our dynamic sober living programs.

Tips to Create a Safe and Supportive Environment In Recovery

Having a recovery environment that is safe and supportive fosters healing and growth. Also, having a safe and supportive environment in recovery nurtures your emotional and psychological needs. The following tips will help you create a space where you can grow confident in building your recovery life:

Nurture Your Emotional Well-Being

A safe and supportive environment starts with creating a space where you can nurture your emotional well-being. This environment needs to be a judgment-free space where you feel comfortable discussing your vulnerabilities, feelings, struggles, and achievements. People within this environment should not only praise your achievements, but they should also be allowed to hold you accountable if you fall short in working your program of recovery.

Physical Safety

Another critical aspect of creating a safe and supportive environment in recovery is having a strong sense of physical safety. This includes setting clear boundaries so you know what to expect of yourself and what you expect others to respect about you. You must also have structure in your environment, which includes regular cleaning, eliminating triggers that can lead to relapse, and creating a space where you can find new and healthier hobbies and habits to develop.

Encourage Healthy Habits

Speaking of healthy habits, having an environment that emphasizes building a stable and balanced daily routine will help you regain a sense of stability and control. Establishing a consistent daily schedule helps reinforce positive habits and reduces the risk of relapse. Additionally, a well-rounded routine addressing physical, emotional, and mental health needs creates a solid foundation for you to grow in your recovery.

Building a Support Network

While you put in the hard work needed to overcome addiction and find recovery, having a support network helps strengthen your recovery and keeps you motivated to stay on track. Your support network can include recovering peers, family, friends, therapists, addiction professionals, and others who are fully supportive of your decision to stay clean and sober. As already stated, your support network should celebrate your successes while holding you accountable when you aren’t fully working on your program of recovery.

Practice Proper Self-Care

Practicing self-care not only helps you stay healthy but also promotes your overall well-being. Self-care activities can include:

  • Journaling
  • Practicing mindful meditation techniques
  • Finding or rediscovering hobbies
  • Simply taking time out of every day to unplug and reflect

Proper self-care builds strong self-worth and resilience, and you can focus on your progress and not try to become a perfect person.

The Last House Sober Living Programs Provide the Foundation for Lasting Recovery

Sober living programs provide a safe and supportive environment for you to build your newfound recovery. The Last House is a sober living network located in the heart of West Los Angeles, CA. We provide dynamic sober living programs that not only help you flourish in sobriety but it will also help you flourish in life. We offer evidence-based programs and clinical support that will help solidify the life and coping skills needed to stay on the path to recovery. We also provide a myriad of fun activities that allow us to have fun and become social with others.

Call The Last House today and find purpose in your recovery journey. 

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Are Men More Prone to Addiction?

by with No Comment addiction

Addiction spares no one.

No matter your age, race, socioeconomic background, sexual preference, or community standing, addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer of lives. Substance abuse impacts the user’s life and their family. While people from all walks of life can become addicted to drugs and alcohol, some segments of the population may be more vulnerable to developing a substance abuse issue. One of these vulnerable populations is men.

This article will better answer the question men are more prone to addiction. This article will also outline the role of gender in addiction and the underlying reasons why men, in general, are more prone to substance abuse. If you are a man who is fighting a losing battle with drug and alcohol addiction, The Last House can help you! Our Southern California sober living housing network features a dynamic hybrid of evidence-based sober living programs and clinical support, which will help you rise above addiction once and for all.

The Last House is a structured sober living home for men in Los Angeles. Call The Last House today and break free from addiction for good.

The Role of Gender in the Development of Addiction

In a discussion of male addiction, it is important to understand what role gender plays in the development of addiction as a whole. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience outlines how men and women become addicted to substances:

  • In general, men use substances to feel like they belong to a group. Additionally, men are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors and are more gradual in their escalation of substance abuse.
  • In general, women use substances to experience their pleasurable effects and are more likely to self-medicate. The escalation towards addiction is quicker, and women take higher doses of substances.
  • While gender is a factor in the development of substance abuse, it is not the major overriding factor. Addiction is a complex condition, and many factors lead people to abuse substances. The most common of these factors include family history and genetics, the environment, and the presence of mental illness.

Are Men More Prone to Addiction?

As already discussed, myriad factors make men more prone to addiction. However, there are risk factors unique to men that make them more vulnerable to developing a substance abuse issue. These factors are the following:

Tolerant Attitudes

For many men, the use of drugs and alcohol is seen as a “rite of passage” into manhood. While this viewpoint seems far-fetched, it can account for a more tolerant view of men who drink and use drugs.

” Toxic Masculinity”

In the past few years, the term toxic masculinity has crept into the American vocabulary. The concept of toxic masculinity can be defined as the narrow viewpoint of manhood in and of itself. This mindset shows that “manly” traits such as status, aggression, and sex are desirable, while being vulnerable and open to show feelings is seen as weak. To “keep up appearances,” men may use substances as a way to show toughness and strength.

Weaker Social Ties to Others

Compared to women, men are more solitary and have friendships based on shared interests and not on opening up and based on sharing feelings. Because men find it more difficult to share their thoughts and feelings, they may turn to substances as a coping mechanism.

Reluctant to Ask For Help

Compared to women, men are more reluctant to seek help if they are struggling with addiction. Men tend to take on problems themselves and try to solve issues on their own In general, men will only seek professional help when a crisis pushes them toward treatment.

Are You Struggling With Drug Addiction And Need Help?

Drug addiction can make you feel hopeless and causes heartbreak for those you love. While you may feel there is no hope for you to get better, The Last House can help you get your life back. The Last House is Southern California’s premier sober living housing network. Our sober living houses are state-of-the-art and provide all clients with the programs and support they need to get and stay sober. Take back control of your health and life and call The Last House toll-free today.

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What Are the Signs of Addiction in Men?

by with No Comment addiction

Addiction is a progressive and debilitating condition that affects all people from all walks of life. No one is immune to the ravages of substance abuse. It destroys the life of the user, and it creates chaos for the user’s family, friends, and community at large. While addiction is seen as an equal opportunity destroyer of lives, men can be more vulnerable to substance abuse. To get the help and support they need, it is critical to understand the signs of addiction in men as soon as possible.

In this article, you will learn the addiction signs in men and male addiction rates. Additionally, you will learn where you can find help for yourself or a loved one if you are fighting a losing battle with substance abuse. If you need an evidence-based sober living program designed for the specific needs of men, call The Last House toll-free today. Our programs and services provide you with the support you need to break free from addiction for good.

What Are Male Addiction Rates?

When discussing the signs of addiction in men, you need to understand the width and breadth of substance abuse in males. In general, men are more likely than women to use substances. It is estimated that 11.5% of boys and men over 12 have a substance use disorder and that men account for two-thirds of all opioid deaths in the United States. Additionally, men are more likely than women to engage in binge drinking behavior with an estimated 9 million men having an alcohol use disorder. It is also important to note that men engage in substance use to feel they belong to a group, and men will engage more in risk-taking behaviors when compared to women.

What Are the Signs of Addiction in Men?

When looking at the signs of addiction in men, it is important to note some symptoms are specific to men. For example, men engage in substance use to prove their masculinity and their toughness so they can handle drugs and alcohol. In many ways, substance use is seen as a rite of passage into manhood. Because of the genetic and physical makeup of men, they can handle larger quantities of substances and may not show explicit signs of abuse.

The physical signs of addiction in men include an increased tolerance of substances over time as well as drastic changes in appearance. Men also will experience sudden appetite changes and will display signs of withdrawal if they curb their use or stop using altogether. Psychologically, addiction signs in men include engaging in risky behaviors, having no ability to stop using substances, and continuing to use substances despite the negative effects on their health and relationships.

Socially, male addiction signs include increased isolation from family and friends, a loss of interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed, financial difficulties, and increased legal issues. When any combination of signs is present, it becomes a top priority to seek professional help.

Finding Men’s Recovery Programs

When men struggle with substance abuse, there are many treatment options on the table. While many drug treatment programs are evidence-based and proven effective, a men’s rehab program may provide the right treatment services and programs to help them get and stay sober. Men-only programs are structured so clients can feel safe conveying their emotions and feelings. Clients in men’s rehabs feel more comfortable being around peers of the same sex. Clients find comfort in being surrounded by men who experience similar things. Men’s rehabs also focus on the issues that pertain to them, including anger issues, understanding and controlling anxiety and fear, control issues, and sexual and family dynamics.

Are You In Need of A Men’s Sober Living Program? Call The Last House Today

If you are experiencing addiction issues, a men’s sober living program can provide the support and motivation you need to change your life. The Last House provides structured sober living in Los Angeles that provides a solid foundation for you to build lasting recovery. Our structured sober living programs incorporate evidence-based approaches and clinical and family support to give you the confidence you need to stay on the path of recovery. Make today the day you break free from addiction; call The Last House right now.

signs of a functioning alcoholic

What Are the Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic?

by with No Comment addiction

When you think about what an alcoholic is, you more than likely paint a harsh picture. In your mind, an alcoholic’s life is falling apart, and they may be living on the margins of society. While there are people who fit that profile, there are people who struggle with alcohol abuse yet can live a normal life and can perform their work, school, and family duties with seemingly no issues. People that fall into this category are known as functioning alcoholics.

This article will further explore the high-functioning alcoholic and the signs of a functioning alcoholic. Do you feel that you are sliding further down the slippery slope of alcohol abuse? If the answer is yes, the Last House can help you. Our network of evidence-based sober living homes provides the clinical and peer support you need to stop drinking once and for all. Call us today to learn more about our Los Angeles sober living program.

What is a Functioning Alcoholic?

Also commonly known as high-functioning alcoholics, a functioning alcoholic can maintain a “normal life” by continuing to perform and succeed at their job and home. For the most part, the functioning alcoholic can maintain close family relationships and friendships. Additionally, the functioning alcoholic has avoided legal consequences. When compared to the classic definition of the alcoholic, the highly functioning alcoholic may not experience blackouts, display personality changes, or experience wide emotional swings.

What Are the Signs of a Functioning Alcoholic?

If you have read previous blogs, you know that the signs of addiction can be difficult to detect. Many addicts can hide their substance use from loved ones and can deflect concern from loved ones when questioned about their abuse of substances. With a highly functioning alcoholic, spotting trouble is even more difficult. Since a functioning alcoholic can perform at work and home and not get into trouble, it is seen they can “handle their cups”.

As we know, addiction is a slippery slope. While a functioning alcoholic can “keep it together”, it may only take an event or series of events to send them down the proverbial rabbit hole and into a full-blown addiction. Also, the amount of alcohol they consume can cause significant health issues down the road. The following are common functional alcoholic symptoms:

Can’t Have “Just One Drink”

One of the most common signs of a functioning alcoholic is they can’t have “just one drink”. Despite what they may say, they are unable to limit their alcohol intake. They may finish a drink at one bar and head to another, or they may finish other people’s drinks.

They Drink Rather Than Eat

Functioning alcoholics may replace a meal with a few drinks. While they may eat something during a meal, it may be just enough to have a “base” for the alcohol they will consume.

Having “The Hair of the Dog”

Other telltale signs of a functioning alcoholic are having a drink or two in the morning to take the sting out of a hangover. If someone needs to have a drink in the morning or at unusual times, this may be a sign of a functioning alcoholic.

Engaging in Risky Behavior

Alcohol is often called “liquid courage”, and people who consume alcohol may be prone to acting out and engaging in high-risk behavior. People who are normally quiet and mild-mannered may start engaging in drunk driving and having unprotected sex.

Unable to Curb Drinking

Functioning alcoholics may be able to go about their daily activities while drinking heavily, but they are unable to curb their intake or quit altogether. They may say they can stop whenever they want, but they are unable to follow through.

Need Help With Your Drinking? Call The Last House Today

Do you find yourself drinking more and more? Are you feeling that you are slipping away from loved ones? Do you fear that you are losing your battle against alcohol? Today is the day that you find the help you need. The Last House is Southern California’s premier sober living network. Our sober living homes feature experienced staff as well as top-notch clinical and peer support. Our sober living programs are personalized to meet your specific needs, and we will give you the tools to bring forth the transformation you desire.

Call the Last House toll-free today and begin that change.

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Success Story: Dalton

by with No Comment Success Stories

My name is Dalton and I’m an alcoholic and a drug addict.

I’m not sure if I was born like this or if I somehow crossed a line, but what happened was that alcohol and drugs took over my life. It progressed quickly. When repercussions of my drinking and drug use would set in, I would invariably find myself in a program and with all the best intentions, promising myself and others that I was done. The ‘done’ part never seemed to be happen. Well I can still have a drink, it’s the drugs that are the problem.

Over and over, I repeated this pattern in different ways, with different chemicals, different circumstances, and in different cities. It was never easy to stop drinking and using, but it was significantly more challenging to stay stopped. Eventually, reality hit me as I reached yet another bottom. For the first time, I had some clarity.

During the course of my inpatient treatment, it was strongly suggested that I find a structured sober living. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I was willing enough to do what was suggested to me. When faced with the gravity of my situation and the reality that I would likely end up back to what I always do, drinking and using drugs until I reach an even lower low, I was willing to give anything a shot.

Willing: that’s how I walked through the doors of The Last House and how I started my journey of recovery. My experience in The Last House was profound. I was certain it was the intensive outpatient therapy I attended that would be the catalyst for change, but in retrospect it was the The Last House. It was a community that supported me, challenged me, and most importantly guided me into the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, where I found a solution to my alcoholism and drug addiction.

However, that solution requires work and I don’t believe I would have been able to maintain the concerted effort needed for it. Willingness for me tends toward the ephemeral; it’s here and then it’s gone. Had it not been for The Last House providing the community, structure, and time for me to nurture that willingness, and holding me accountable to the work required for the 12-step program of recovery, I would not have the life I do today.

My sobriety date is July 17th, 2013, and I am 31 years old. I graduated from The Last House in August of 2014 at the age of 22. I live in Paris, France. I have a career path, a wife, and two degrees now. I have healthy relationships with my family and friends. I have stability, freedom, peace, and my life looks vastly different than it used to—inside and out.

I was promised a life beyond my wildest dreams. As Disney and fanciful as it sounded at the time, it turned out to be true, only in a different way. Life isn’t going to be perfect and material successes aren’t guaranteed, but what I have is a life that I didn’t know was possible. The idea of spending even one day free from that aching feeling to alter my state of consciousness with alcohol or drugs seemed impossible — that was beyond my wildest dreams. It’s not always easy and life gets vastly more complicated. I am not perfect, not even close; however, I have tools, people, and a program of recovery to help me walk through whatever comes my way.

If you’re just coming to The Last House, I hope you make the best of it. I hope you get to see things from a different perspective and I hope you get to meet people that challenge you. No mater what, I hope you find the freedom that you deserve, and I hope that you get to help others find it too.

Dalton F.

April 20th 2023

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Success Story: Aaron O

by with No Comment Success Stories
When I entered the Last House, I was a very lost angry and selfish person. Everything was my way and everything was everyone else’s fault. I was not a good person to be around and my defects were at an all time high. It wasn’t until I started going through the house and actually learning to open up to the people around me, which in itself took much time and effort, but when I gave that effort I started to notice changes. I was so angry all the time! The house gave me a place to work on all of the anger and depression in a safe environment. I had many trust issues and the house taught me to learn to trust people again and realize that there were people that cared about me. Today because of the house I can say that my patience is at an all-time high my relationships are better than they have ever been and I am actually happy with my life all around. I wake up with a positive outlook every day and the house taught me how to overcome every day life’s problems. I am so fortunate to have learned all of the wonderful things I have learned, and to have the experience I have had going through the house. I am seriously blessed and thankful for all the people at Last House.
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Success Story: Keegan K

by with No Comment Success Stories
Entering the last house, I was consumed with ego, jealousy and resentment. These defects of character caused me to be extremely uncomfortable in a sober state, but my mind continued to play games with me, telling me that drugs and alcohol were not an escape but a way for me to have fun. I saw nothing but differences in those around me, my roommates and members of AA. My anger and resentment pushed me to isolate from others, silently judge, then blow up on those around me, in an effort to control my situation and remain in power, through my time with the Last House and through the steps of AA, I no longer feel a deep misunderstanding with the world. My resentment towards others doesn’t fuel my anger and ego, but instead is questioned, and I am able to examine my part on almost everything I do or experience day today. I know full heartedly I am an alcoholic and without God, AA and a group of supportive men in my life I will be miserable, which will lead me to relapse. My honesty and integrity was put on front stage at the Last House. I have been able to see how living to the principles of compassion, integrity and selflessness, not only create more meaningful and deeper relationships with others, but also with my self. I have faith in spirituality in my life, which allows me to not feel that I am going against the grain, but with the correct path I was always supposed to be. I have begun to have a full change in perspective.
What Are the Types of Support Groups For Families of Addicts?

What Are the Types of Support Groups For Families of Addicts?

by with No Comment addiction

It is often said that addiction is a family disease. While the focus of drug treatment is to help and heal the addict, the family must also be part of the recovery process. Each family member has a role in the development of a loved one’s addiction. For the addict to have a supportive environment, the families of addicts must come together and learn how to grow and heal from the ravages of substance abuse.

Support groups for families of addicts provide the tools and support needed for families to understand their role in a loved one’s addiction. This article will explain the role of drug addiction support groups of families in an addict’s recovery. If your loved one is losing their battle with addiction, call the Last House toll-free right now. Our sober living programs are specifically created to help addicts and the families of addicts move past addiction and grow stronger.

Call us today to learn more about our Los Angeles sober living program.

What Are Addiction Support Groups for Families?

In simple terms, support groups for families of addicts allow people with similar experiences with addiction to share their stories in a safe and non-judgmental environment. These groups focus on supporting families of addicts and encouraging them to be active in their loved one’s recovery. Additionally, families of addicts support groups to provide resources that help families find the help they need to heal the entire family unit. Recovery support groups for families are an essential part of an overall recovery plan during and after formal treatment has ended and as the newly recovering addicts return home and resume their normal daily activities.

What Are the Types of Support Groups for Families of Addicts?

When a family struggles with a loved one’s substance abuse, they often feel alone. Fortunately, there are many family support groups available that can provide the encouragement and support they need. Some examples of family support groups are the following:

Alanon and Alateen

Alanon is a worldwide fellowship that provides a recovery program for families and friends of people addicted to alcohol. Alanon encourages families to provide support for someone with an alcohol addiction. If the person addicted is a teenager, families of addicts can turn to Alateen.

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones is a Christian-based support group that provides hope through education and support to the parents of addicted loved ones. These meetings are open to all people, regardless of faith or background.

Families Anonymous

Formed in 1971, Families Anonymous is a 12-step group for family members of loved ones addicted to drugs, alcohol, or related behavioral health conditions. Like other family self-help support groups, Families Anonymous encourages attendees to share their experiences and struggles of a family member’s addiction in a safe and supportive environment.

GRASP

GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing) is a support group for families and others who have lost loved ones due to substance abuse. GRASP was created to offer understanding, compassion, and support for those who have lost someone they love through addiction and overdose.

The Benefits of Support Groups for Families of Addicts

The benefits of family addiction support groups are numerous. As already discussed, these groups bring together families who share similar situations. In these groups, people can work through the stress and guilt associated with a loved one’s addiction together. These groups also teach families how to set healthy boundaries and eliminate the enabling behavior that allows addicts to continue using without consequences. Thirdly, family support groups help members let go of anger and resentment. Most importantly, drug addiction support groups for families give family members education and knowledge about addiction itself and how it impacts the user and those they love.

Does Your Family Need Help and Support for an Addicted Loved One?

Having a family member struggle with addiction creates heartbreak and hopelessness. While you may feel your loved one may never get the help, the help they need is just a phone call away. The Last House is Los Angeles County’s premier sober living program for men. We understand that family support is crucial to a loved one’s long-term recovery. Our sober living facilities feature family support meetings in addition to clinical and peer support. These programs and services give clients the tools they need to overcome addiction for good.

The Last House is Southern California’s premier sober living network. Our sober living homes feature experienced staff as well as top-notch clinical and peer support. Our sober living programs are personalized to meet your specific needs, and we will give you the tools to bring forth the transformation you desire.

Call the Last House toll-free today and begin that change.

How Do I Know If I Am an Alcoholic?

How Do I Know If I Am an Alcoholic?

by with No Comment addiction

Are you questioning your drinking habits? Do you enjoy drinking alcohol, but sense that you may be enjoying it a little too much? Alcoholism is a progressive and devastating disease that destroys the lives of users that the ones they love. Alcohol addiction is gradual in its development, and it is often difficult to sense when something isn’t right. You may be at that crossroads, and you may be asking the question of how do I know if I am an alcoholic?

If you are asking yourself that hard question, this article will give you the information you need to find definitive answers. You will learn more about the signs of alcohol abuse as well as the long-term effects of alcohol abuse. Importantly, you will learn where you can find help. If the constant question of am I an alcoholic is an everyday occurrence, call the Last House today. We provide sober living and clinical support to help you find lasting recovery.

 

What Are the Signs of Alcohol Abuse?

Alcohol abuse can range from mild, moderate, to severe based on the signs that you experience. The common signs of alcohol abuse include the following:

  • Being unable to cut back or quit drinking despite wanting to
  • Feeling ashamed by the amount of alcohol you consume
  • Spending significant time drinking, thinking about drinking, or recovering from drinking
  • Feeling urges to drink alcohol regularly
  • Continuing to drunk even when it prevents you from fulfilling obligations at work, school, or home
  • Continuing to drink even though it damages relationships
  • Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies to use alcohol
  • Developing a tolerance to alcohol, so you have to drink more to achieve the same effects

 

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Use?

If you abuse alcohol for long periods, you will experience a variety of damaging effects on your health. Long-term alcohol use interferes with the communication pathways in the brain, and you will experience problems with cognition and motor movement. Long-term drinking can also damage the heart and increase the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and heart arrhythmias. You can also increase your risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver and alcoholic hepatitis.

Disturbingly, chronic alcohol misuse increases the risk of developing certain forms of cancer including the following:

  • Head and neck cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Colorectal cancer

 

How Do I Know If I Am an Alcoholic?

So comes the million dollar question:

How do I know if I am an alcoholic?

To truthfully answer that question, you must stop and take an honest look at your drinking. The following are telltale signs that you are engaging in problem drinking:

  • Constant cravings for alcohol
  • Drinking in isolation
  • Losing interest in activities you once loved
  • Irritability and mood swings
  • Withdrawal
  • Prioritizing drinking over your other responsibilities
  • Drinking first thing in the morning
  • Intense and persistent feelings of guilt
  • Feeling unable to control how much alcohol you drink or to stop drinking
  • Continuing to drink despite family, financial, and health problems

You can also take an alcohol test to determine if you are an alcoholic. Tests such as the CAGE Substance Abuse Screening Tool and the AUDIT Test are helpful in enabling you see the bigger picture. If you determine that you are an alcoholic, you must seek professional help. The rehab program you choose must have evidence-based programs such as detox, therapy, life, and coping skills training, 12-step group support, and aftercare options, among others. Experienced treatment staff must be able to customize a program that meets your specific needs.

 

The Last House: Sober Living That Makes a Difference

Are you struggling with alcohol abuse but are unable to commit to an inpatient program? Are you new in recovery and need extra support as you transition back into your daily life? As one of Southern California’s premier sober living networks, The Last House provides men from all walks of life with evidence-based sober living and clinical support programs that transform your life. The tools and support from staff and peers at The Last House will give you a solid foundation to build lasting recovery.

Are you ready to live your best life? Call The Last House today.