When we look at people with a drinking problem, the two most common examples are people who drink excessively every day and binge drinkers. While the rate at which these people consume alcohol is different, they are both classified as having an alcohol addiction. While these two types of drinkers are the most well-known, there is a third category of people that may also need help, gray area drinkers.
Getting a drinker to admit that they have a problem is a delicate situation and it takes the right knowledge and the right approach to finally get them to understand the depth of their problem and how it has impacted themselves and those around them. The first step is understanding gray area drinking, the signs of gray area drinking, and when a person has reached the point that they have an alcohol addiction and need treatment.
Southern Sky Recovery is here to help those with alcohol addictions. We are the premiere rehab center located in Bluffton, South Carolina and we offer a wide range of treatment options to match the needs of our clients, no matter how serious their addiction. You can talk with one of our experienced team members today to see if we are the right fit for you or your loved one.
What is Gray Area Drinking?
We often think that the only people who have a drinking problem are those who drink to excess. This is why those who drink in moderation have coined the term “gray area drinker”. A gray area drinker is someone who drinks every day, or often, but does not drink excessively. For this reason, they and those around them assume that they do not have a problem with alcohol consumption.
While this can sometimes be true, that is not always the case. In some cases, gray area drinkers’ behavior can vary wildly and this is part of what makes it more difficult than usual to determine if the person has a problem or if they are drinking responsibly.
The Signs Someone is a Gray Drinker and Has a Problem
One of the classic signs that a person is a gray drinker is that they drink every day. These types of drinkers like to drink in social situations but will also drink at home. This can be a couple of glasses of wine with dinner or a drink with friends. In most cases, they never exceed a small amount of alcohol in one event, but they generally find a reason to drink regularly.
For this reason, the best way to tell if someone is a gray drinker is to watch their daily behavior and see if a pattern emerges. Some gray drinkers drink when occasions arise that involve drinking and are okay to forego alcohol when not appropriate. This is true drinking in moderation. However, if the person you think may have a problem is constantly coming up with reasons or excuses to drink, even when not appropriate or necessary, this is a clear sign that they may have an issue, even if they aren’t drinking to excess.
Another sign to look out for is if the person starts to prioritize having alcohol even when not necessary. Going out of their way to acquire alcohol or to get more is a sign of alcohol addiction.
If you know someone who seems to only drink a moderate amount, but their behavior says that alcohol is becoming more important in their life than it should be, then it may be time to talk to them about getting help for their addiction. After all, the first step is admitting you have a problem. From there it is much easier to get a person into treatment at our facility here at Southern Sky Recovery.
Let Southern Sky Recovery Help With Your Alcohol Addiction Today
Getting treatment is the only safe way to overcome alcohol addiction and it is important to come to a treatment facility that knows what gray area drinking is and how to handle someone with this type of alcohol addiction.
If you’re looking for that place, then Southern Sky Recovery is the right choice for you or your loved one. We have a comprehensive detox program that works to remove the alcohol from the client’s system while keeping them safe medically during the withdrawal process.
Once detox is complete, clients are assigned a treatment program based on their profile and specific needs. We specialize in offering gender-specific rehabs for both men and women to help improve the success and accountability of clients while in treatment.
When you’re ready to overcome your addiction contact us right away.
