Most of us like to drink and have a good time. 'Partying' is just a harmless recreational use of drinking. But, when is it too much? How can you tell if you are addicted? And when should you consider alcohol addiction treatment?

First, what does it mean to be addicted to something? This means that we crave it all the time. Strangely enough, the addicted person often does not recognize it. Yet, they can not go without. Dependence on drugs and booze is a big problem in the United States. It affects nearly everyone. And, dependence destroys lives. It often works subtly, so the afflicted person thinks the problem is with everyone else. Dependence doesn't just destroy the addicted person's life, but the lives of those who love him and must deal with the problems, too. It is everyone's problem.

Dependence is different from abuse. It is possible for someone to abuse drugs without becoming addicted, but most often the two go hand in hand. When things get out of hand, it is time to get treated.

Throughout our teenage years, we are bombarded with images in popular culture of drugs. Partying is seen as a normal course in a person's life. Indeed, most of us have some pretty wild times when we are young. We also see images of the darker side of drug abuse. There is never a shortage of 'Behind the Music' stories of celebrities who have gone over the edge and never come back. The collective shame we feel when we see a public figure destroy themselves that works as a deterrent. But, even the dark side of this story has a certain glamour and romance to it.

When we are young, we start habits that can continue for a lifetime. It is not unusual for young people to experiment with drugs and party. But, for every group who come out unscathed, there are always casualties who develop destructive lifetime habits in their younger years. Studies have shown that the younger someone gets into drugs and drinking, the more likely they are to become addicted. This is why it's dangerous.

Here are a few things that indicate an addiction or problem with drinking:

-You try to hide it, and deny to everyone that you might have a drinking problem.

-You feel guilty about how much you drink, and you make schemes to moderate it, but you just can't follow through.

-Friends and relatives are concerned with your drinking, and it irritates you whenever anyone says anything.

-You drink in the morning to relieve the hangover from last night ('hair of the dog')

Often people who have a problem with one drug can easily develop a problem with another. This is something you have to watch your whole life. If you become addicted to drink, you can easily become addicted to something else. It has been found that many people who become drug addicts start with legal drugs, like prescription drugs or inhalants. Dependence is a sneaky thing, and it usually comes from socially-accepted drug behavior first. This is how a guy who likes to party with his friends may end up an alcoholic a couple of years down the road.

It is difficult to quit drinking. It may take more control than you can muster, and this is why we seek help from outside. If you have the support of your friends and loved ones, you can start to recover, but you have to want to do it. There is nothing wrong with seeking professional help. Many people overcome their problems through rehab. It helps to have a clutch to hang onto. For those who have severe drinking problems, it may actually be unhealthy to quit cold turkey. This is why being treated by trained professionals may be the best way.