Every weekday, millions of Americans drink alcohol before work or while on the job. And millions more do their jobs while coping with the effects of a hangover. While many of those affected are men, women also make up a significant percentage of affected workers. If you fall into this sizable category, you may need to seek out women’s alcohol abuse treatment. By knowing what to look for, you can seek expert help as soon as possible.
Are you or your loved one affected by alcohol use in the workplace? Turn to Women’s Recovery by calling 833.754.0554. We specialize in helping women from all walks of life regain their sobriety. That includes women who lead busy professional lives. With help from our convenient outpatient programs, you can recover from alcohol problems while still meeting your important obligations.
What Is Alcohol Abuse?
What exactly qualifies as alcohol abuse? This term can actually be used in a couple of ways. One common usage is alcohol consumption that goes beyond mild or moderate levels. Experts also refer to such a level of consumption as alcohol misuse. What constitutes this form of abuse or misuse? Under current guidelines, it applies to women who consume more than three drinks a day or seven drinks a week.
In its second common usage, alcohol abuse is a diagnosable drinking problem. It occurs when you don’t have alcoholism, but your drinking still seriously impairs your ability to function. Both alcoholism and this form of alcohol abuse are part of a single condition: alcohol use disorder, or AUD. They often occur together.
Signs of Alcohol Abuse in the Workplace: Behavioral Changes
Many of the signs of alcohol abuse in the workplace are behavior-related. Things you may notice in yourself or others include:
- Repeated use of mouthwash or breath mints
- Falling asleep at working
- Taking alcohol to work
- Disappearing for no apparent reason while at work
- Having unusual difficulty completing everyday tasks
- Avoiding coworkers or supervisors
- Recurring tensions with coworkers or supervisors
- Not meeting workplace deadlines
- Acting belligerently or aggressively toward others
- Frequently showing up late or missing days of work
Affected people may make repeated excuses for their unusual workplace behaviors.
Signs of Alcohol Abuse in the Workplace: Physical Changes
You may also notice a range of physical or appearance-related changes. Many of these changes are signs of a hangover, which may include:
- Headache
- Unusual sensitivity to light or sound
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Achy muscles
- Sweating
- Vertigo
You may also notice other things. Potential examples include bloodshot eyes, rumpled/wrinkled clothing, uncombed hair, alcohol on the breath, or bad breath.
Why Consider Women’s Alcohol Addiction Treatment?
If you’re a woman with alcohol problems, you may benefit from gender-specific treatment. Why? Women often drink for different reasons than men. As a rule, they also develop alcohol problems at a faster rate than men. In addition, women in alcohol treatment often have needs that don’t fully align with the needs of men.
By its design, a co-ed alcohol rehab must try to meet the treatment requirements of both men and women. Unfortunately, this means that women, in particular, might not receive the best possible recovery support. A woman-focused program will help you avoid this unwanted and detrimental situation.
Seek Women’s Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Women’s Recovery
At Women’s Recovery, we focus solely on the needs of women in alcohol treatment. This targeted approach helps ensure that you receive the full benefits of your recovery efforts. Need treatment that allows you to stay on the job? We offer help in the form of two different kinds of outpatient programs. For more information on those programs, fill out our online form or call us today at 833.754.0554.
