Alcohol consumption is a common activity among adults around the world. A survey of 139.8 million people aged 12 and older found that 51% had drunk alcohol within the last month (The Recovery Village, 2022). With such high consumption rates and often not enough education on the possible risks and harms associated with it, some individuals may develop an addiction.
Those struggling with alcohol issues may not realize it and may believe that their situation doesn’t directly fit with a traditional idea of alcoholism (Addiction & Mental Health, 2022). These issues may look different for each individual, and after you complete Addictions Counsellor Training with Rhodes Wellness College, you’ll be able to better understand how to identify them. Continue reading to discover some of the warning signs and common behaviours associated with alcohol problems.
Understanding Alcoholism with Addictions Counsellor Training
An important fact to remember after addictions counsellor training is that alcohol problems vary among individuals (Addiction & Mental Health, 2022). There isn’t just one type of person that may develop a dependency on alcohol, rather, anyone may be at risk for developing an alcohol problem (Addiction & Mental Health, 2022). A variety of factors are thought to influence an individual’s risk for addiction (Harrison, 2020). Additionally, the effects of alcohol on individuals are unique, depending on variables such as the number of drinks consumed, family history, age, frequency of consumption, overall health, and more (Harrison, 2020). As an addictions counsellor, you’ll want to collect enough information from your clients to uncover a more complete idea of their lives to consider whether or not they may be struggling with an alcohol problem.
Addictions counsellor training points out that any individual could be at risk of alcohol issues.
Common Behavioural Signs of Alcohol Addiction
During your career after addictions counselling training in Vancouver, you should be familiar with the common signs of alcohol issues. According to the DSM-V, there are 11 common behavioural signs of addiction (The Recovery Village, 2020). These range from developing a tolerance to alcohol to continuing to use alcohol even when aware of the negative effects on daily life to trying to stop drinking unsuccessfully (The Recovery Village, 2020). Your role as an addictions counsellor will prove to be valuable as you help clients identify their issues and come to terms with what is needed to overcome them. Your training with Rhodes Wellness College will provide you with the tools to help those facing addiction break free from their alcohol use to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Some clients may show common behavioural signs of addiction from alcohol consumption.
Short and Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse
It can be helpful to know about the short and long-term effects of alcohol use as an addictions counsellor so that you may best advise clients with their specific needs. Depending on what stage they are in of their alcohol problem, they may be experiencing different effects of their alcohol consumption (The Recovery Village, 2020). Excessive use of alcohol in the short term can cause headaches, chills, aches, nausea, decreased reaction time, memory impairment, and more (The Recovery Village, 2020). As an addictions counsellor, you may be able to spot the early signs of alcohol issues if your client reports these symptoms often. As far as the long-term effects of excessive alcohol use, various cancers are common, as well as cardiovascular disease, liver disease, a weakened immune system, and damage to the brain (The Recovery Village, 2020). Deepening your understanding of who addiction affects, as well as the signs and symptoms, will help you best support, educate, and encourage your clients to beat their addictions.
Interested in earning your Addiction Counsellor Diploma?
Contact Rhodes Wellness College for more information!
Works Cited
Addiction & Mental Health, Alberta Health Services. (2022). How to tell if there is an alcohol issue. Addiction: Helping Others. Retrieved on November 4, 2022 from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Alberta/Pages/How-to-tell-if-someone-you-care-about-has-a-drinking-problem.aspx
Harrison, N. (2020). Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism – How to Know if Someone Has a Problem with Drinking. Help My Loved One. Retrieved on November 4, 2022 from https://www.eleanorhealth.com/blog/signs-and-symptoms-of-alcoholism-how-to-know-if-someone-has-a-problem-with-drinking
The Recovery Village. (2020). How to Tell If Someone is an Alcoholic. Alcohol Addiction & Abuse. Retrieved on November 4, 2022 from https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/side-effects/determine-suffer-alcoholism/
