For people who are struggling with their drinking or for those concerned about someone else’s behavior with alcohol, it is important to know how to detect the various signs of alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse can start small and grow until it becomes a major problem that affects relationships, work, and overall health and wellness.
Understanding the warning signs associated with alcoholism marks the beginning of seeking help and making positive changes. If you’ve been asking yourself questions like “Am I an alcoholic?” then this article is for you. Here are some of the common signs associated with alcoholism:
A Growing Tolerance for Alcohol
This is one of the first and most obvious signs that somebody may be abusing alcohol. This means that as time goes on an individual will have to drink more in order to get drunk or feel the same effect from alcohol consumption.
One might have only thought they were having a couple of harmless drinks but now need four or five just to feel buzzed like before. Such tolerance can easily result in excessive drinking when combined with dangerous levels of consumption, leading to an increased possibility of accidents related to drunk driving and trips and falls, among others.
An Inability to Stop or Slow Down Once Drinking Begins
This issue with alcohol often leads to episodes where the person will binge drink. Binge drinking refers to consuming large amounts of alcohol within short periods usually resulting in severe intoxication, blackouts (amnesia), impaired judgment, increased risk of accidents, or even death due to alcohol poisoning.
Withdrawal Symptoms When Not Drinking
When individuals who have become dependent on alcohol try reducing their intake abruptly, they may encounter various physical and mental effects such as sweating, anxiety, irritability, tremors, restlessness, insomnia, nausea, and others. Some cases can be more severe than others depending on the level of dependence. One of the easiest ways to answer the question “Am I an alcoholic?” is to quit drinking and see how it affects you.
Interference in Daily Life and Activities
Alcoholism also interferes with different areas of life including work, hobbies, and personal relationships. Many people neglect duties like attending family gatherings or skipping workdays after heavy drinking sessions, causing conflicts within the organizations they operate.
Additionally, an individual might find themselves quarreling more frequently with close friends because they don’t like being confronted about their habit.
Physical and Mental Health Issues
Physical and mental health problems often go hand in hand with alcoholism. Too much consumption damages liver cells leading to conditions such as cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, cardiovascular diseases, and a weakened immune system which makes one susceptible to bacterial infection, as well as several types of cancer. Furthermore, many people suffering from depression and anxiety disorders may worsen their condition further by continuing to drink heavily.
What to Do When the Answer to “Am I an Alcoholic?” Is ‘Yes’
Denial and secrecy are common behaviors of individuals affected by alcoholism. Most people tend to hide their drinking habits or try to minimize them so that they don’t look abnormal around others, making it hard for family members and friends to realize there is a problem. Breaking through this wall of denial is necessary for you or your loved one to take the first steps toward recovery.
