There comes a time when alcohol becomes an enemy. When that happens, it would be prudent for you to enroll in a recovery center. Be sure to pick out a facility that offers sober living houses in Tucson or any area a bit far from your home, so you can focus better on recovery. Alcoholism recovery, after all, is a long-term battle. But at what point should you stop drinking? When should you say “enough!”?
1. When you can’t start your day without alcohol
If you find yourself experiencing alcohol shakes in the morning, and you can’t get any work done until you drink to steady yourself, you may be in serious trouble. When your body begins to experience tremors because you haven’t drunk in a few hours, it signifies you are undergoing alcohol withdrawal. That is, in itself, a sign you’ve been abusing alcohol for too long, and your body has gotten too dependent on it.
So, if you are in this position that you have to start each day with alcohol, don’t be afraid to seek help. Recovery centers will help manage your alcohol withdrawal symptoms professionally.
2. You have no recollection of what happened after you got drunk
An alcohol-related blackout is an amnesia caused usually by excessive consumption of alcohol. It is usually caused by binge drinking. This kind of amnesia is dangerous because you might continue engaging in physical activities, but you would not remember what you did afterward.
If you had at least one incidence when you got drunk but had memory gaps, take that as a sign. It may mean you have a problem with alcohol that you need to deal with the help of a professional.
3. You have decided it’s time to have a baby
Men who take alcohol can experience low sperm count, poor sperm quality, low testosterone levels, and shrinking testes. In some cases, alcoholism can also cause erectile dysfunction. For women, alcoholism can disrupt the menstrual cycle and negatively impact fertility. None of these things is conducive to getting a baby. So, if you are trying to get pregnant, put a halt to your drinking activities and get back to a healthy lifestyle.
4. You find out you are pregnant
The moment you find out you are pregnant, you need to stop drinking. Alcohol can cause numerous pregnancy-related complications such as miscarriage, pre-term labor, stillbirths, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. All these pregnancy-related complications can harm you or your baby, physically or mentally. It’s best to adopt a healthier lifestyle once you found out your pregnant.
When you reach that point that you’ve become dependent on alcohol, it may be difficult to stop drinking, but recognizing you need help is a good step. You’re not alone in this journey. Recovery centers and other treatment facilities are there to lend you a hand. In these facilities, you will learn to deal with your alcohol abuse better and even learn coping mechanisms that will help you stay sober in the real world for a long time.