• Drinking often and in large amounts.

• Changes in appearance like looking tired weight loss/gain).

• Mood swings 

• Hiding alcohol or drinking secretly.

• Legal or financial problems related to drinking.

• Frequent hangovers or showing up drunk.

• Peer Pressure Friends or social groups that encourage drinking.

• Family History Growing up around alcohol abuse or having family members with addiction.

• Stressful Relationships Problems at home, work, or school that lead to drinking to help cope

Environmental 

• Easy Access to Alcohol or Living in a place where alcohol is easily available or where drinking is common.

• Experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, like abuse or violence.

Physical 

• Mental Health Issues, Conditions like depression or anxiety can lead to self-medicating with alcohol.

• Brain Chemistry,Some people’s brains react differently to alcohol making them more easy to addiction.

• Strong cravings for alcohol.

• Feeling anxious or depressed when not drinking.

• Needing more alcohol to get the same effect.

• Feeling guilty or ashamed about drinking.

• Physical discomfort like shakiness or sweating when not drinking.

Alcohol addiction can strain relationships with friends and family lead to withdrawing from social activities and cause problems at work and others.

CMHA York Region – Addiction Services: 

Markham Stouffville Hospital – Mental Health Services: Offers counseling and treatment for addiction.

https://cmha-yr.on.ca/addiction/

The GreenStone Centre for Recovery helps people overcome alcohol addiction by offering a treatment program. They provide medical detox, therapy, and group counseling in a peaceful natural place. Their team creates personalized recovery plans for each person, focusing on longterm sobriety and there overall health.