Alcoholism. It’s been the cause of many problems throughout history. It’s caused the deaths of unsuspecting drivers. It has caused separation between spouses. Alcohol use has created friction between parents and children. It has caused people to lose their jobs and their homes. And it has left people in a place of loneliness. Sadly, far too many people know the pain of dealing with an alcohol addiction. Too many individuals have been overcome by an alcohol problem. And too many families have been impacted by a loved one’s bondage to addiction. Needless to say, alcohol use problems have caused many broken hearts. But, even though the families of addicted individuals have certainly suffered, many people forget that the individuals themselves also suffer. Alcohol abuse affects people in many different areas of life. It can affect people financially and physically. But, it also impacts them emotionally.

How Does Alcoholism Happen?

Most people who have found themselves in a state of alcohol addiction will tell you that they never meant for it to go that far. And it’s certainly true. People who abuse drugs or alcohol rarely mean to end up in that position. But, through coexisting problems or issues like trauma or mental illness, one thing leads to another. And, after all is said and done, people find themselves bound by addiction. Unfortunately, many people are under the impression that addiction only happens when there are illegal drugs involved. They think that a person can’t become addicted to things like prescription medications or alcohol. After all, those substances are legal and can be used by those who are of age, right? Although that’s true, it’s important to remember that those substances are still highly addictive. And, to some people, dependence and abuse are hard to fight and resist.

As a person begins to drink more frequently, he or she may become dependent on alcohol. Often, abuse happens after a person begins to depend on the drug. Many people end up using alcohol as a way to escape from the pain of other issues, like stress, anxiety, trauma, or depression. Others may depend on alcohol as a way to feel more comfortable in a social setting. Some individuals drink in order to sleep at night while others feel the need to have alcohol first thing in the morning.

In any case, as an individual becomes more and more dependent on this substance, he or she may begin to abuse and misuse it. People who are abusing alcohol often struggle to stop refrain from drinking, even when conditions are dangerous. For example, they may drink while taking medications that shouldn’t be paired with alcohol. Or, they may drink before or while driving.

How Does Alcohol Use Affect Your Emotions?

We mentioned that alcohol use can impact people financially. Using money to purchase alcohol can cause a financial strain. And, again, some people become so consumed by the alcohol addiction that they lose their jobs. But how does alcohol use affect people emotionally? Here are some of the ways in which this happens:

• Alcohol use can lead to depression.
• It often causes feelings of hostility, rage, or anger.
• It can make people feel isolated from family and friends.
• Many people develop low self-esteem because of alcohol use.
• Some people may experience guilt and shame because of alcoholism.

These and so much more can be caused by alcohol use problems. But, if you’re dealing with an alcohol addiction, you don’t have to suffer anymore. You can find peace and freedom with our help here at Wellness Retreat Recovery Center. We know that it’s hard to fight addiction alone. So we work to make sure that you don’t have to do that. Please contact us to learn how we can help you.