Alcohol is an embedded part of American culture. Many everyday cultural events include alcohol—a wedding reception, a regular guys’ or girls’ night out, a standing after-work happy hour, or a Super Bowl party. Drinking socially is an accepted and expected part of life for many Americans, but it is not without risk. For many people, occasional social drinking can become habitual regular drinking, which can then lead to alcohol abuse, such as binge drinking. Drinking habits can be affected not only by the people around you but also by your environment and even your mood; if life is challenging and stressful, alcohol and other substances can quickly become coping mechanisms. Knowing how to prevent alcohol abuse can keep you or a loved one from needing professional alcohol addiction treatment.
Having a positive support system is essential to preventing alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, it can feel like these support systems aren’t enough to cope with the ups and downs of everyday life, leading people to try new, less healthy methods for dealing with stress. In many cases, alcohol and substance abuse become the default method.
Santé Center for Healing offers comprehensive residential and outpatient treatment programs for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to alcohol or other substances, call 866.238.3154 today. We can help.
What Is Alcohol Abuse?
Alcohol abuse can take many forms and is greatly influenced by many physical, psychological, and environmental factors. Such factors include height, gender, weight, metabolism, consumption rate, frequency of consumption, and a person’s social relationship to alcohol.
The risk of developing an alcohol or substance use disorder exists in everyone. Whether concerns surrounding alcohol abuse pertain to the self, a loved one, or a close friend, it is always important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse, some of which include:
- Inability to control the quantity of consumption
- Inability to control the frequency of consumption
- Experiencing an intense craving for alcohol
- Gradual decline in one’s ability to meet social, family, and work-related obligations
- Developing a tolerance to alcohol
- Unsuccessful attempts at limiting one’s alcohol consumption
- Frequently experiencing consequences from drinking
- Continuing to drink excessively despite frequently experiencing consequences from drinking
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
Although alcohol abuse can look different depending on who it affects, experiencing or witnessing these symptoms is a good indicator that something isn’t right. That is why it is of the utmost importance to know how to identify these symptoms early on and to practice alcohol abuse prevention to avoid future consequences from alcohol abuse.
How to Prevent Alcohol Abuse
There are many ways that a person can reduce their risk of developing an alcohol abuse disorder. The most important thing is to be mindful of how much and how often one drinks. The medical industry has a few alcohol abuse prevention standards that can be used as helpful guides.
Generally, it is recommended that men limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks a day for a total of 14 in a week, and for women, it is one per day and 7 per week. Another tip for limiting alcohol consumption is to set aside designated days of the week when one does not drink. Other tips include:
- Counting drinks — it is imperative for everyone to count their drinks when consuming alcohol, regardless of addiction-related concerns, to avoid alcohol poisoning.
- Drink slowly — an individual’s drinking pace is often determined by a social situation or how much someone’s friends drink. Drinking slowly can help reduce the overall number of drinks consumed in an evening and lower the risk of developing a tolerance to alcohol.
- Order non-alcoholic beverages — having a non-alcoholic drink in between alcoholic beverages is a great way to space out one’s drinking. Pacing can help limit the consumption rate and keep the body hydrated, reducing the risk of hangovers.
- Eat before drinking — drinking on an empty stomach puts an incredible strain on the body as it lacks the fuel to digest and metabolize it properly.
- Practice saying no — even for non-alcoholics, it can be challenging to say no to a drink, especially when influenced by peer pressure and friends. However, saying no becomes easier over time and can significantly limit the number of drinks consumed by the end of the day.
By following recommended health guidelines and using tips and strategies to stay conscious of your drinking habits, you can learn how to prevent alcohol abuse and ensure that your social habit does not become an addiction.
Substance Abuse Treatment at Santé Center for Healing
Santé Center for Healing has over twenty-five years of experience in treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Our treatment programs include the following:
- Detox
- Residential treatment
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Transitional living
- Men’s rehab
- Women’s rehab
- Relapse prevention
- Alumni support
- Dual diagnosis
- Trauma treatment
Additionally, our experienced addiction treatment specialists use evidence-based therapies and holistic approaches to create customized treatment plans that address individual needs and recovery goals. These include:
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Experiential therapy
We understand the complexities of alcohol and substance use disorder and have the experienced, compassionate treatment to help you break the cycle of addiction.
Contact Santé Center for Healing Today
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, do not wait to seek professional treatment. Santé Center for Healing can help you prevent alcohol abuse and receive treatment for alcohol use disorder. Contact us online or call 866.238.3154 to speak to our admissions team today.
