Alcohol Addiction

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Alcohol addiction
- Like drug dependence, alcohol addiction is widespread due to its easy accessibility and social acceptance. Alcoholism is a chronic disease that progressively worsens. If compulsive and uncontrolled alcohol consumption, binge drinking, blackouts and reckless behaviour under the influence dominate your life, you are an alcoholic. Have you have missed work or school because you’re drunk or hungover? If so, you are not alone. We know that it feels overwhelming but there is a way to break the cycle of dependence.
What is alcohol addiction?
- Alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, is defined as the obsessive and unmanageable use of alcohol, regardless of its negative impact on a drinker’s health, profession and relationships. Individuals suffering from alcohol addiction will frequently drink to excess, leaving their bodies dependent on the substance and their lives in pieces.
  
  Alcoholics will experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal that include: headaches, high blood pressure, difficulty sleeping and trouble focusing. Often, alcoholics continue their addiction in order maintain a state of a false normality, avoid the effects of withdrawal, or escape from pain in their lives.
Am I an alcoholic?
- An inability to control your drinking is the red flag that signals you have an alcohol problem. But this manifests in different ways for different people. Some alcohol abusers “binge drink,” going on a bender for a few days at a time. When they sober up they are usually very remorseful and can stay sober for a period of time until their next binge. Some blackout and other dependents called “daily drunks,” drink to excess every single day. However in the case of everyone with an alcohol addiction problem, once they start to drink they lose all control. Alcoholism is also strongly genetically influenced and you may have family members who also have a drinking problem. If your compulsion to drink becomes so powerful that reputation, personal care, family, relationships and career are sacrificed and at risk, you are an alcoholic. If you continue to drink despite serious health, family or legal problems we urge you to get the help you need to get sober for good.
Effects of alcohol addiction
- Alcohol addiction can cause individuals to drink to the point of experiencing complete memory loss of hours or days (called blackouts) and can increase the likelihood of high-risk behaviors like drinking and driving. Long-term alcohol addiction can destroy emotions, relationships and lives.
  
  Alcohol abuse is considered the second-leading cause of dementia, connected with 10 percent of diagnosed cases. Extreme alcohol use can cause harm to brain functioning, that if not treated, can be permanent. A variety of mental health problems can also be caused by long-term alcohol use. Most individuals addicted to alcohol suffer from increased anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, alcohol-induced psychosis, panic disorders and other symptoms.
Side-effects of alcoholism
- Recognised by the World Health Organisation and many medical aids as a chronic progressive disease, alcohol addiction is not simply a lack of self-control. It is chronic in that there is no cure (there is effective treatment) and progressive in that it continually worsens. Its side-effects are far reaching, destroying relationships and severely compromising your health (both mental and physical). As the loss of control becomes more frequent, the alcoholic’s behaviour becomes more destructive. Left untreated it can destroy the lives of your loved ones and even result in death.

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Stories of Recovery

The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
Oliver VG
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On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
Johan B
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I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
Carla S
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"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Angelique J
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