Risky Drinking
Alcohol is the most-abused substance, and it affects millions of lives daily. Many people who abuse alcohol don’t know that they do. When they address their problems, alcohol is usually not blamed. But it is one of the most common causes of problems that affect family, work and health.
One of the first ways to assess your drinking habits is to take the following test of how much you drink weekly. A common measure of problem-drinking is more than 7 drinks for women and 14 for men. (The amount is smaller for senior citizens.)
Another assessment is the amount of risk you take with alcohol. Using alcohol is inappropriate when:
- Working with machinery.
- Around children.
- Pregnant.
- Having medical problems.
While many claim that alcohol is not addictive, it is hard to argue that it is not habit-forming for many. If you often use alcohol to reduce anxiety, or use it as a sleeping aid, you may have a bad habit — and you may find it hard to break.
For somebody on the outside looking in, it is easy to tell if alcohol is causing problems. Accidents, breakdown of relationships and job loss make the problem obvious to family and friends. But if you are the one having the problem, it may not be clear. So ask yourself a few questions if you suspect drinking has become a problem for you:
- Can you stop once you start drinking?
- Have you tried stopping for a week but could last only a few days?
- Do you feel guilty after drinking?
- Do you fail in your responsibilities at work or at home because of your drinking?
- Do you find that others are making comments about your drinking?
- Does criticism of your drinking annoy you?
- Do you drink in the morning to get yourself going after drinking heavily the night before?
- Do you forget what happens when you drink?
When alcohol plays an important part of everyday decisions, it usually means a problem is present. For instance, have you ever worried whether you had enough alcohol to last the weekend? Or have you ever hidden alcohol from others so you will have more? When your life revolves around alcohol, alcohol tends to take over your life.
What Causes Alcoholism?
The causes of alcoholism are not fully understood, but more researchers are discovering that heredity and genetics are prime factors. If you have a family history of alcohol abuse, you may be more vulnerable to having problems. Sometimes abuse occurs due to personal strife, whereas bad alcohol habits result in a greater problem. In either case, treatment can be reached.
HELPFUL VIDEOS*
Your Body on Booze
Seeking Support
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
*These videos and links will give you access to information not produced by Methodist Healthcare.
Treatment
The first step in treatment for alcohol abuse seems simple, but it is actually the hardest: Admit that you have a problem with alcohol.
Once you have made that step, you can begin the process of quitting. Quitting is a commitment. Some can do it on their own, but for most who suffer from alcoholism, group support is the best answer.
Contact Alcoholics Anonymous, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, or the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment; call for information about local treatment programs and to speak to someone about your alcohol problem. They will give you the tools and support you need to quit. Ask your family and friends for support too.
Other Organizations:
Adult Children of Alcoholics
adultchildren.org/
Al-Anon / Alateen
al-anon.alateen.org/
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
madd.org/
National Association for Children of Alcoholics
nacoa.org/
National Institute on Drug Abuse
nida.nih.gov/nidahome.html
The Partnership™ at DrugFree.org
drugfree.org/
Smart Recovery®
smartrecovery.org/
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
sadd.org/
Substance Abuse and Dependency Treatment Facilities
Memphis Metropolitan Area
For Adults
Advanced Horizons LLC
901.624.3581
6685 Quince Rd. Ste. 124
Memphis, TN 38119
Alcoholics Anonymous
Memphis Area Intergroup Association
901.726.6750
1835 Union Ave. Suite 302
Memphis, TN 38104
memphis-aa.org
Cocaine Anonymous
Tennessee Area
901.725.5010
1036 Firestone #205
Memphis, TN 38107
tennca.com
Delta Medical Center
901.369.8100
3000 Getwell Rd.
Memphis, TN 38118
deltamedcenter.com
Grace House of Memphis – Residential, Women Only
901.722.8460
329 N. Bellevue
Memphis, TN 38105
gracehousememphis.org
Harbor House Memphis – Residential, Men Only
901.743.1836
1979 East Alcy Rd.
Memphis, TN 38114
harborhousememphis.org
Innovative Counseling and Consulting, Inc.
901.276.0220
1455 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
Innovativecounselingbhs.org
Lakeside Behavioral Health System
901.377.4700
2911 Goodman Rd.
Memphis, TN 38133
lakesidebhs.com
La Paloma Outpatient Services
866.491.6548
764 Brookhaven Circle
Memphis, TN 38117
lapalomatreatment.com
La Paloma Treatment Center
877.345.1887
2009 Lamar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38114
lapalomatreatment.com
Memphis Center for Research and Addiction Treatment
901.722.9420
1270 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
Memphis Recovery Centers
901.272.7751
219 N. Montgomery St.
Memphis, TN 38104
memphisrecovery.com
Mental Health Resources
901.682.6136
1037 Cresthaven Rd.
Memphis, TN 38119
mhrmemphis.com
New Directions, Inc.
901.327.4244
642 Semmes St.
Memphis, TN 38111
Parkwood Behavioral Health System
662.895.4900
8135 Goodman Rd.
Olive Branch, MS 38654
parkwoodbhs.com
Psycamore, LLC
662.349.2818
7165 Getwell Rd. Building G
Southaven, MS 38672
psycamore.com
Raleigh Professional Associates
901.372.7878
2960 Austin Peay Hwy. Suite B
Memphis, TN 38128
Serenity Recovery Centers
901.521.1131
1094 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38105
Serenityrecovery.com
Synergy – Residential
901.332.2227
2305 Airport Interchange
Memphis, TN 38132
synergytc.org
Turning Point Recovery
662.280.5758
8829 Centre St.
Southaven, MS 38671
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
901.523.8990 ext. 5448
1030 Jefferson Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
www.memphis.va.gov
West Tennessee Area of Narcotics Anonymous®
901.276.LIVE (5483)
Memphis, TN
na-wt.org
Whitehaven Southwest Mental Health Center
901.259.1920 ext. 150
1087 Alice Ave.
Memphis, TN 38106
