Alcoholism Counseling in Bethlehem, PA—Counselors and Therapists at Thriveworks (Lehigh Valley)
After a long day at work, you stop by the bar to grab a much-needed drink with your friends. You end up having a few “much-needed” drinks and figure it’s time to call a cab when all of your friends start to head out… but instead, you camp out in front of the TV and down a few more while watching the hockey game. “It’s okay, I needed this. It’s well deserved,” you tell yourself. “No big deal.” You order another beer and turn your focus back to the TV, but your vision has started to blur. And now that you think of it, your barstool has gotten a little wobbly too… “No big deal,” this time aloud.
It’s easy to tell ourselves it’s no big deal, but is it really no big deal? When it comes to alcohol, the fine line between healthy, responsible drinking habits and unhealthy, irresponsible drinking habits is often blurred: healthy use can quickly become problematic, and responsible use can quickly turn reckless. Before you know it, you’re drinking every day. You’re showing up late to work. You’re putting your health and wellbeing at risk to gulp down another.
If this hits a little too close to home, the good news is that a counselor at Thriveworks Bethlehem can help. They can help you understand alcoholism, determine whether or not you’re struggling with alcoholism, and lay out a clear plan for moving forward. These professionals are experts in their field, and they truly care about helping you find healing. If you’re ready to make some healthy changes in your life, reach out to Thriveworks Bethlehem.
What Is Alcoholism? Am I an Alcoholic?
Alcoholism is a common term used in place of alcohol use disorder (AUD). And according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 15 million adults had AUD. This disease is characterized by a loss of control over one’s drinking habits. Additionally, those with AUD often…
- Become irritable when they aren’t drinking
- Drink alone or in secret
- Lie about their drinking habits
- Prioritize alcohol over their work responsibilities
- Attempt to cut back on alcohol but fail to do so
- Continue to drink even after suffering negative consequences
- Have to drink more and more to obtain desired effects
Alcoholism can range in severity, as some will experience a few of the above symptoms but still be able to function in their everyday, while others suffer greatly in their day to day life. Not to mention, too much alcohol can lead to serious physical effects as well, of which can include:
- Vision loss
- High blood pressure
- Liver disease
- Cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Stroke
The possibility of developing one of these diseases stresses the importance of controlling your alcohol intake and getting professional help if you need it. If you do need this professional assistance, consider working with a counselor or therapist at Thriveworks Bethlehem. They have the skills, training, and experience to help you manage your alcohol use disorder or unhealthy drinking habits.
Schedule an Appointment with a Counselor at Thriveworks Bethlehem
If you’re struggling with alcoholism, you can likely benefit from a combination of counseling and medication. At Thriveworks, we can offer you help with both of these treatments. Our providers can assess your symptoms and determine an effective plan for you.
To schedule an appointment, all you have to do is give us a call. You can reach our scheduling specialists at 484-241-2848. They’ll help you find a provider who can best help you, and they can also offer additional information related to receiving treatment at Thriveworks. We hope to hear from you soon!