Tag Archive for: addiction

5 Signs of Alcohol Addiction

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What Does Alcohol Addiction Look Like?

Does someone you know appear to have a problem with alcohol? Are you wondering if you are addicted to alcohol? Alcohol addiction has many signs and symptoms, some may be stronger than others and some may depend on the severity of the addiction. Whether it is your loved one, yourself or someone you know, there are some universal signs of alcohol abuse that will help you make a determination. These signs will help you to know when you or a loved one needs help. 5 Signs of Alcohol Addiction

If you know you need help, or your loved one is ready to seek recovery, the time is now. Our addiction specialists at Fresh Start of California in Orange County can help you or your loved one through the detox and rehabilitation process. 

We are available 24/7 to take your call. Call Fresh Start of California now. 

5 Signs of Alcohol Addiction or Abuse

It is never too early to pay attention to the signs of alcohol abuse. Alcohol addiction can spiral out of control and seeing the warning signs just may save your loved one’s life. Although alcohol abuse may not yet reach the point of addiction or dependency, it is still important to watch for the signs and to get treatment when possible. One factor that determines the difference between abuse and addiction is the person’s ability to control when, where and how much he or she drinks. In addition, addiction is the point at which the body is physically dependent upon the substance to function due to prolonged exposure and bodily adaptation to the substance in the system. 

What are the 5 signs of alcohol addiction?

  1. Experiencing legal problems due to drinking such as disorderly conduct, driving under the influence (DUI), drunk in public or other legal problems associated with alcohol use.
  2. Drinking despite its danger to life such as drinking and driving, drinking while taking medication, drinking despite doctor’s orders or drinking and operating heavy machinery. 
  3. Drinking despite its damages on your relationships with family, your marriage, your friendships, and your business relationships. 
  4. Drinking tolerance, meaning drinking more than most other people without feeling the effects of the alcohol, and drinking more than previously needed to feel the same effects. 
  5. Feelings of withdrawal associated with lack of alcohol in the system such as shakes, vomiting, insomnia, irritability, depression, anger, sweating or loss of appetite. 

When You Need Help, We Are Here.

If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone else, it is time to get help. There is no better time than right now to reach out and save your life or the life of a loved one. Fresh Start of California in Orange County has the facility, medical and psychological professionals and support that can guide a person through recovery and into a new life. We are here to help you or your loved one with the alcohol detox process and through rehabilitation. Addiction does not have to be the end. 

If you see behavior that indicates addiction, don’t wait until it is too late. Call the team at Fresh Start of California today. 

6 Steps to Help Someone with an Addiction

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Friend Being Supportive with Friend Suffering from Addiction

Watching a loved one suffer from a drug or alcohol addiction can be one of the most painful and emotionally taxing experiences. If you are in this predicament, you may be wondering what steps you can take to help. Our Orange County detox and residential treatment team at Fresh Start of California is here to help you understand the process so you can begin helping your spouse, friend, or family member.

Step 1: Educate Yourself

It can be easy to become frustrated with your loved one. In fact, you might find yourself grappling with thoughts like, “They should just stop doing it,” or “They are so selfish,” but the fact is, addiction leaves the addict helpless. Addiction is a disease, and unless it is properly handled and treated, the addict may be unable to achieve sobriety.

For this reason, the first step should be to educate yourself on addiction and the addict’s disease process. You may even consider learning about the way addiction can affect friends and family. Although the process may still be difficult for you and other friends and family members, educating yourself may allow you to feel normal as you move through the emotional process.

Step 2: Get the Support You Need

As you move through the process of helping your loved one get the help they need, it is crucial you have a supportive group that understands the hardships you have and will endure. For this reason, you may want to consider joining one of the following groups:

Step 3: Establish Trust with Your Loved One

This can be the most difficult step, especially if your loved one has already betrayed your trust through the use of drugs or alcohol. However, it is critical you establish a level of trust with your addicted loved one if you want them to consider getting help. Build trust with your spouse, friend, or family member who may be struggling with addiction by keeping the following in mind:

  • Do not criticize, lecture, or nag them
  • Do not yell at them
  • Do not name-call
  • Do not engage in ill behavior yourself

While building trust with your loved one, it is also important to do the following:

  • Hold them accountable to expectations
  • Offer direction to treatment when needed or when they are ready
  • Remain patient with them and with yourself

Step 4: Do Not Enable Your Loved One

Trust is not established by enabling your loved one to exhibit bad behavior. Often, an addict will need to experience the consequences of their addiction before reaching out for help. In many cases, family and friends support the person’s addiction without noticing. For this reason, it is critical you remain aware of your own actions and be sure to consider the following:

  • Refrain from financially supporting your loved one and his or her addiction
  • Do not provide financial assistance to pay for his or her attorney fees and court fines
  • Do not pay his or her rent

While all the actions listed above may appear harsh, not following the advice can prolong your loved one’s disease. Remember, an addict cannot achieve sobriety until he or she is ready to receive help or treatment.

Step 5: Communicate with Your Loved One

While you may feel like pushing your loved one to change, remember that they will only move towards treatment options when they make the decision for themselves. It is, however, important to note that they may be more open to change if you communicate honestly and in a way that does not sound pushy or threatening. Be sure to:

  • Share your feelings
  • Explain what you would like to happen
  • Explain what the process of their addiction has been like from your perspective

Step 6: Be Encouraging Throughout the Treatment Process

When your loved one is ready, he or she may ask you to contact a rehab, detox treatment facility, or residential treatment facility. When that time comes, be sure to be open to their desires in regards to the type of program they would like to enter, the location for their treatment, and any other requests they may have. Be sure to speak with multiple treatment centers before deciding on a facility. You want to be sure that the facility’s goals and treatment options are customized for your friend or family member’s addiction.  It is crucial to find a treatment center that does not have a cookie-cutter approach for every client.

Need More Help? Call Our Orange County Rehab and Detox Today

If your spouse, friend, or loved one is struggling with addiction and you would like to speak about treatment options, call our Orange County addiction treatment center right away. Backed by a compassionate medically trained treatment team, Fresh Start of California will answer all your questions and find a solution that best fits your needs. We understand the process is difficult, and we want to be there for you.

Call Fresh Start of California at 714-558-2600 for immediate help. Our detox treatment center in Orange County, California accepts client from all over the US. Get the Fresh Start you need today!