Signs You Are A Weekend Alcoholic
There are numerous tell-tale traits that describe a weekend alcoholic. Taking notice of these obvious indicators and acting upon them can save you or a loved one’s life. Ignoring the red flags of a weekend alcoholic, however, is often the beginning of a downward spiral of deeper alcohol addiction. This downward spiral eventually strips you of your health, friends, family, and even your job. Take heed of the following signs of a weekend alcoholic to take control of your addiction and your life today.
What Is A Weekend Alcoholic?
A common misconception about weekend drinking is that weekend drinking does not make you an alcoholic. The fact is alcoholism is not measured by frequency but by the excessive rate by which it is consumed. Therefore, weekend alcoholics are every bit as much alcoholics as daily drinkers based on how much they consume. Therefore, it is no less dangerous, and in many cases can even be more dangerous to be an excessive weekend drinker.
What Are the Symptoms Of Weekend Alcoholism?
Symptoms of a weekend alcoholic manifest themselves in many ways, some more obvious than others. You’ll find that most of these symptoms correlate with typical traits of traditional alcoholics. Identifying these symptoms is the first step in coming to terms with the true nature of your addiction. Most importantly, pinpointing your personal symptoms allow medical experts to formulate the most effective rehab programs. All of these factors considered, here are the most common symptoms of weekend alcoholism.
Mid-Week Withdrawal Symptoms
Weekend Alcoholics will typically experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms at some point during the week until they drink again. These symptoms manifest themselves in the form of headaches, tremors, increased irritability, and elevated anxiety levels.
Telling Yourself And Others You Can Stop Anytime
People who struggle with alcohol often deceive themselves and others with the false belief they can stop anytime. It’s not necessarily a lie as many people with an addiction firmly believe they can stop anytime.
This is merely an impulsive coping mechanism that keeps the struggler from having to face the true nature of their addiction. It’s also the most dangerous form of denial that can keep you from seeking the help you need.
Inability To Limit Intake
The first mark of alcohol addiction is the inability to limit yourself. People who struggle with alcohol addiction have little or no control over how much they consume in one sitting. Weekend alcoholism is no different other than the fact that this lack of self-control is exercised at the end of the week. This commonly results in persistent blackouts or excessive intoxication that can even have fatal consequences.
Dishonesty Regarding Intake Or Extent Of Use
Lying about the extent of your alcohol use or denying it altogether is a tell-tale sign that you have an alcohol addiction. That’s because people struggling with alcohol often feel the need to hide their problems from friends and family to avoid scrutiny. This is a sure sign that your alcoholism has reached a point that requires professional help. Thankfully, our caring physicians are eagerly standing by to give you the treatment you need and deserve.
Sudden Personality Shifts
Sudden or drastic shifts in mood or personality while under the influence are evidentiary indicators of an alcoholic. These drastic mood swings often cause those around you to become uncomfortable or even scared to be around you. If you experience uncontrollable mood swings that make you difficult to be around, seek medical assistance today.
Distorted Priorities
If you struggle with alcohol addiction, all of your plans will begin to revolve around your drinking habit. For a weekend alcoholic, this means prioritizing your weekend drinking sessions over more important work or family events or obligations. As a result, most of your thoughts and desires throughout the week will center around your weekend drinking plans. In turn, important priorities will take a back seat to your alcohol struggles, causing relationships and work performance to suffer.
Persistent Blackouts
Frequent blackout due to overconsumption is an unmistakable indicator of alcohol addiction. This goes beyond As alluded to earlier, it’s not how often you drink, but how much you drink that determines alcoholic status. If you experience persistent blackouts as a result of over-drinking, it’s important you get the help you need before it’s too late.
Financial Depletion
A drinking habit usually takes up the majority of your financial expenses. Consequently, if your finances are strapped after your weekend drinking sessions, it may be time to seek professional help. These financial strains can impact every aspect of your life and drive you deeper into alcoholism.
First City Recovery understands these alcohol-induced financial constraints can make paying for rehab a struggle. That’s why we work with individual insurance plans in an effort to help alleviate a portion of those financial strains. We put forth the extra effort because nothing is more important than getting the care you need.
How To Manage Alcohol Consumption
There are several ways to keep yourself accountable in managing your alcohol intake. Most of these methods, if not all, require the proper professional assistance and cleansing to maintain a life of sobriety. Regardless of the degree of your struggle, below are the most efficient methods to manage your alcohol intake.
Seek Medical Assistance
The most obvious, yet most efficient way to cut your alcohol intake is to get professional help for your battle with alcohol. There is nothing more difficult than attempting to resolve your alcohol intake alone. That’s why physicians are there to help you through the difficult process of coming to terms with and resolving your alcohol struggles. Our compassionate team of doctors is eager to make all of your sobriety goals an easier reality.
Have An Accountability Partner
The most vital asset you can have for alcohol intake management is a responsible and dependable accountability partner. This can be a friend, family member, mentor, or personal physician who understands you most. This person should be someone who has your best interests at heart and has stronger control of their alcoholic tendencies.
Get A Weekend Hobby Or Activity That Doesn’t Include Alcohol
Perhaps the most effective way of combating weekend alcoholism is replacing that activity with a more enjoyable and productive hobby. If you don’t know which hobby to take up, a dedicated therapist can help you search for a productive hobby you’ll enjoy.
Pick Up A Weekend Shift or Job
Sometimes the best way to minimize or eliminate alcohol intake is to simply keep busy at work. You may find it’s a lot easier to avoid alcohol when your mind is preoccupied with more productive tasks. The combination of more work, more money, and less alcohol in your life may be all the motivation you need to remain sober.
What Are The Dangers of Weekend Alcoholism?
Perhaps the most dangerous alcoholic is a weekend drinker. This is due to increased environmental and social factors that contribute to greater physical and mental health risks. Cutting back or expunging alcohol from your life will immediately minimize or eliminate all of the following dangers.
Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning, commonly known as an alcohol overdose, is a serious condition caused by excessive drinking. Alcohol poisoning occurs when your blood alcohol content becomes dangerously high. This causes your body to be so dehydrated it can starve the brain of the necessary oxygen levels it needs to function normally. These dehydrative effects can cause permanent brain damage, respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, and even death. It’s not too late to prevent this serious event from having a permanent effect on your life.
Suffering Family Relationships
Alcoholism in any form, especially on the weekends, poses a danger of alienating your family in the process. This can disrupt family functions and events that usually take place at the end of the week. This is because weekend alcoholics often prioritize their weekend drinking habits at the expense of their family bonds. Don’t let the strains of alcohol dependency get in the way of those who love you most. First City Recovery can help you mend those bonds that alcohol may have broken.
Serious Long-Term Health Consequences
Alcohol takes a heavy toll on your vital organs and functions each time you overindulge, leading to serious long-term consequences. These health defects range from heart problems to permanent liver damage, and other irreversible health problems. But it doesn’t stop there.
Studies show that excess alcohol abuse is equally damaging to mental health over time. This includes, but is not limited to causing depression, anger problems, or worsening pre-existing mental conditions. Delaying treatment only increases these risks. Act now to prevent further damage to your mental and physical health.
First City Recovery Can Help You Help Yourself
First City Recovery understands that any degree of alcohol dependency can make cutting back seem impossible, especially when attempting it alone. Everybody needs a helping hand during life’s difficult times. Let our sympathetic team of caring physicians be that helping hand toward a happier life free of alcohol. We pride ourselves on being that much-needed anchor in a time of need. Let First City Recovery show you that you don’t need alcohol to enjoy life.
MD, Psychiatrist
Dr. Vahid Osman, MD is a psychiatry specialist in Indianapolis, IN.
Dr. Osman completed a residency at Austin State Hospital. He has over 32 years of experience in Psychiatry & Behavioral Health. He is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
