29 Apr Alcohol Addiction and Intervention in Vancouver
Alcohol is responsible for more deaths and domestic violence than drugs, and yet it is widely ignored as a problem substance.
An estimated four percent of the population over the age of 15 is dependent on alcohol in Canada, and young adults between the ages of 20 and 24 are the largest percentage of alcoholics. Over 7 million Canadians binge drink and over two million are considered heavy drinkers.
Alcohol is so integrated into our social lives as a part of celebrations and reward that it is easy to miss the signs of alcohol abuse and addiction.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, weddings, graduations, all of our important occasions are accompanied by alcohol, and this makes it more difficult for addicts to accept and overcome their problem.
Alcohol addiction is easily overlooked in a family member, and often, it is not recognized until the alcoholic shows signs of violence, loss of income, or habitual day drinking.
Early warning signs that alcohol use may be a problem include:
- Experiencing temporary blackouts or short-term memory loss when drinking
- Drinking to get drunk for fun or escape
- Feeling irritable and experiencing extreme mood swings
- Drinking to relax or deal with stress
- Choosing drinking over other responsibilities and obligations
- Preferring to spend time with people who drink
- Drinking alone or in secrecy
- Feeling hungover even when not drinking
In addition to the health problems associated with alcohol, heavy drinkers are six times more likely to suffer from depression and commit suicide.
Vancouver addiction services are available for alcoholics, and it is never too soon to seek help, or to advise a loved one that their alcohol consumption is becoming a problem.
When seeking intervention services, there are many organizations that can help an alcoholic kick their dependency and stay on the road to recovery.
Services may include:
- Vancouver Residential Long-Term
- Vancouver Detox Centers
- Vancouver Residential Short-Term
- Individual Counseling in Vancouver
- Group Counseling in Vancouver
- Vancouver Substance Abuse Treatment
It is extremely painful to watch a relative or loved one self-destruct with a drug or alcohol problem. It can create depression and a sense of hopelessness, but don’t give up. Even when the person who needs help will not admit they have a problem, contacting an interventionist can help.
A professional interventionist can evaluate the severity of the addiction and conduct the intervention in a manner that will help the addict accept treatment. A professional interventionist knows how to maintain a discussion where the addict feels safe, not judged or attacked. They will take the stress and anxiety of planning an intervention out of your hands to ensure the best possible outcome.
And the most important point to remember is that, just as you would accept the help of a doctor for medical assistance, an interventionist has been trained with the skills to help you through this difficult period.
At Andy Bhatti Interventions, we can help your loved one on the first step to recovery, and we can help you find the treatment center and support groups you need to help get your loved one’s life back on track.
Call us for more information today.