The alcoholic has difficulty in always knowing whether or not he or she is getting into a problem with their drinking, and in most cases they will deny the fact that they are having an issue with their drinking. A person who is drinking too much will seldom decide to quit if they have a problem. They think that they are better off by drinking.
The same scenario is true with drug abuse, where a person tries a drug, then wants more, and before they know it, they are addicted and in real trouble. A person who is addicted to alcohol or drugs, is usually not capable of making the decision to look for help on their own.
It is usually family or friends who will intervene for a person who is drinking too much, or who has problems with drug abuse. Even with family help, it is very difficult for a person to decide to get treatment, and then to stay with it.
A true alcohol or drug abuser will focus on their habit and little else. It becomes a fetish with them, and they will neglect family, employment, their health, any relationships that they have, and all else, just in order to pursue their addiction.
People who are that deeply addicted to alcohol or drugs will probably need to be admitted to a facility that specializes in the treatment of the affliction. It requires a length of time of several months, and then close supervision once they are released. It is a big commitment, and many revert back to their old ways, even after treatment.
Drug and Alcohol Intervention Services and Substance Abuse Treatment Options: