About Us

Robert Gerchalk

Robert is our health care professional reviewer of this website. He worked for many years in mental health and substance abuse facilities in Florida, as well as in home health (medical and psychiatric), and took care of people with medical and addictions problems at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University.

Think you have a drinking problem?

If you suspect you might have a drinking problem, don't wait to seek help. Call our hotline now for confidential advice, support, and the first step towards understanding your relationship with alcohol and beginning your journey to recovery.

Our Mission for Alcohol Awareness

When fighting drug and alcohol addiction, those seeking guidance often overlook support and consultations over the phone. We offer a free 24/7 Alcohol Abuse Hotline (885-955-0771) for those who have questions about alcohol addiction or want to find a local Alcoholics Anonymous group for support in person. We forward all calls to healthcare professionals specializing in alcoholism, addictions, recovery, and mental health issues.

Alcohol has a prominent presence in the United States. According to a 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 85.6% of respondents 18 years and older reported having drunk alcohol at some time in their lifetime, 69.5% reported drinking in the past year, and 54.9% reported drinking in the last month. Many Americans celebrate with alcohol consumption, whether it be a birthday, wedding, 4th of July, or a New Year’s Eve party.

Many of us drink alcohol occasionally or in social settings. We rarely get drunk and don’t consider that an alcohol addiction. However, alcohol addiction is a problem and knowing whether a person is addicted to alcohol is important. This short article will help you understand if you are a social drinker or addicted to alcohol.

Do You Drink Too Much Alcohol?

Alcohol is everywhere. We drink it at weddings, parties, and other special events. Almost all adults drink alcohol at some point in their lives. We consider it normal and part of our culture and traditions. Here’s what to pay attention to:

  • you feel like drinking alcohol frequently
  • you drink more than you want to
  • you drink for longer periods
  • you recover much slower after drinking alcohol
  • you need to drink more to feel happy
  • you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking for several days
  • your drinking causes problems at home, at school, or work
  • you get into risky situations because of alcohol – driving under the influence or unprotected sex
  • you prefer drinking whenever friends and families invite you to a party or another event
  • you continue drinking even when you realize that it causes problems for you and your family

Do any of these symptoms seem familiar? If yes, you may suffer from some type of alcohol addiction. Make sure to call the Free 24/7 Alcohol Abuse Hotline to ask questions and explain how you feel. The hotline is here to help people like you. Professionals can help you overcome alcohol addiction. You can’t determine on your own if you are addicted – reach out to professionals!

What is Alcohol Addiction?

Almost everyone drinks alcohol. Because of this, drinking alcohol is not considered a major problem per se. Drinking only becomes a problem when people drink too much, and this causes problems in their personal or professional lives. Here are the most common symptoms of alcohol addiction:

  • you can’t control your desire for alcohol
  • you are always thinking about drinking alcohol
  • you continue drinking alcohol, even though it causes problems
  • you drink more alcohol to get the same effects
  • you have withdrawal symptoms when drinking less

Most Americans drink alcohol, but only a fraction are diagnosed with alcohol use disorder. According to the NSDUH, 14 million Americans suffer from alcohol addiction. Men are more likely to be alcoholics: 8.9 million men and 5 million women are affected by alcoholism. Even though millions of people suffer from alcoholism, few get the necessary treatment and support. Just 7 to 8 percent receive adequate treatment for alcoholism.

Our Free 24/7 Alcohol Abuse Hotline is the first treatment resource for many people fighting against alcoholism. The hotline works with professional, empathetic, knowledgeable operators who are there to help and provide support. They are there for you, and you can ask them anything about your situation.

Is Your Loved One Suffering?

Support hotlines are great if you want to find support for your loved ones suffering from alcohol addiction. The Free 24/7 Alcohol Abuse Hotline is available for any family member or friend who wants to ask about the condition. Operators are there to provide support to anyone. You can find all the support you need when fighting against this debilitating medical condition. Here are some of the most important signs that your loved one is drinking too much:

  • they are always thinking about alcohol
  • they don’t care about what happens when drinking
  • they spend too much money on alcohol and always ask for more money
  • they don’t realize they are drinking too much or are in denial
  • they drink too much at parties or other events
  • they drink alone or at home
  • they experience withdrawal symptoms when not drinking

The first step in fighting alcohol addiction is to admit that there is a problem. However, it’s difficult to know if your friend or family member is really drinking too much. This becomes even
more difficult if your loved one doesn’t want help. Call our hotline to get the right answers about your loved ones. They are there to help you! The operators are trained to provide support, offer tips, and guide you when helping your friend or family member.

Our hotline will help you, but don’t substitute it for professional medical care. Call 911 in emergency situations, like alcohol overdose or seizures. Remember that the hotline can help you, but you won’t get urgent medical care in extreme situations. The operators are not licensed to diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medications.

Alcoholics Anonymous is Here to Help You!

We all know about AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), mainly from TV shows and movies. However, AA is much more than we see in movies and TV shows. AA is described as simple sessions with people sitting in a circle, debating about their addictions. Because of this simplistic portrayal, many people suffering from alcoholism avoid AA meetings and are unwilling to begin recovery.

AA is a group of people who try to stay sober and get support. Meetings are independent and held locally, at any time, day or night. AA meetings are available anywhere in the world, and some organizations provide online meetings for their participants.

There are two AA formats: closed and open. Only participants suffering from alcohol addiction can attend closed meetings. On the other hand, anyone interested in the topic can go to open meetings. Here are the differences between AA groups and AA meetings:
AA groups are ready to teach a 12-step program whenever needed, outside the standard meeting time; the AA group has an elected subgroup of members who fill certain positions;
AA meetings are simple gatherings of members who provide a support group for others; the members are not regular;

Most AA groups have a sponsor for new members. Sponsors guide you during the meetings and provide support when needed. Also, the sponsor will take you through the 12 complete steps program. The steps are inclusive and flexible, helping you get a positive experience.

SMART Recovery group is an excellent alternative to AA. This group provides a science-based, new recovery program and is open to anyone suffering from addictions. Their meetings are inclusive so that you can meet with an alcohol drinker, a gambler, a drug user, or a person suffering from an eating disorder. The same scientific principles are universal to all addictions, and all members receive excellent encouragement and support.

Where to Get Help?

While our Free 24/7 Alcohol Abuse Hotline gives first-hand support to anyone suffering from alcohol addiction, it’s up to you to seek more help. You should be responsible for your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, especially regarding alcohol addiction. Professional help is here, both for you and your loved ones! Alcohol addiction is debilitating and can lead to numerous other issues, which grow onto existing ones. It leads to immense stress and health problems. Getting help is very important!

Alcoholism is a slowly evolving medical condition that can become fatal if you don’t stop drinking. Dealing with an alcohol addiction takes time. Asking for help is the first thing you should do! Professionals are there to help and provide support; you only have to reach out and accept their help! Your life will be better, and you will be happier!

The Free 24/7 Alcohol Abuse Hotline professionals are here to answer your calls and help you. Please let us help you! Call 855-955-0771 now!