Causes of Alcohol Addiction
With an addiction to any substance, there are many behavioral signs that warn of abuse. Ignoring these signs can lead to a dependence which can eventually lead to addiction for any Portland resident. These preliminary signs may include the following:
- Diminished productivity at work or school, or absenteeism, due to hangovers
- Drinking and driving
- Temporary memory loss after you drink or even experiencing black outs
- Acting out in a violent manner
- Friends and family members comment about the amount or frequency of your drinking
- Diminished immune system
- You have little control over how much you drink and attempts at trying to stop drinking have failed
- You require more alcohol to get the buzz you used to get with fewer drinks
- If you stop drinking, you feel sick to your stomach, sweat, shake, and experience anxiety (these are typical withdrawal symptoms)
- Your free time is no longer spent doing activities you used to enjoy, but is spent drinking
- You start drinking earlier in the day and are more receptive to drinking alone
- You focus on getting alcohol, ensuring you have enough at all times, and you attempt to hide the earnestness with which you pay attention to alcohol
Portland Residents May Drink to Manage Stress
When people feel stress, they have a desire to change that feeling. The tense shoulders, the pit in the stomach, and the anxious thoughts are making a person uncomfortable. In an effort to relieve these symptoms, some Portland residents drink alcohol. While the alcohol may relieve stress, the problem is that alcohol does not help people understand why they are stressed. So, while the symptoms may be temporarily managed, the underlying issue is still there and can appear again. This puts many Portland alcoholics into a cycle of feeling stress, managing the symptoms with alcohol, and ignoring the underlying issues.
Accessibility of Alcohol for Portland Residents
One of the biggest factors that contribute to alcohol abuse is how available it is. Local convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores are open long hours in Portland. Restaurants, social clubs, bars, and music venues all offer alcohol even to the point where they offer drink specials for the evening.
Alcohol Addiction Help for Portland Residents
You don’t have to make one of the most important decisions of your life alone. We can help Portland residents explore the options for treating alcoholism, so please call our toll-free helpline today. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about addiction treatment services. We are here to help.
