Signs of
Alcoholism
Generally
speaking, the signs of alcoholism are unclear to many people. It is not
unusual to have questions as to what alcohol addiction is exactly, how
is is different from alcohol abuse, and when an individual should look
for treatment due to their drinking problem. The following information
will provide you with the answer to these questions and many others you
many have.
Alcoholism, also known as
alcohol dependence is characterized by several signs:
- Cravings - A strong need, or
compulsion, to drink.
- Loss of control: The inability to
limit one's drinking on any given occasion.
- Physical dependence: Withdrawal
symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur
when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
- Tolerance: The need to drink
greater amounts of alcohol in order to "get high."
Have you ever felt you should cut down
on your drinking? Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or guilty about drinking? Do you have a drink
first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a
hangover?
If you answered yes to any of these
questions, you may have a drinking problem. In the United States, 23
million people have a substance abuse problem and more than half of all
adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking according
to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
Physical
and emotional signs of alcoholism
- Insomnia
- Accidents
- Loss of self esteem
- Anxiety
- Not taking care of yourself
- Being unusually suspicious
- Poor work performance
- Blackouts/memory loss
- Taking sick days for hangovers
- Breakdown of relationships, such
as divorce
- Trembling hands
- Depression
- Trouble having erections in men
- Driving offenses
- Easily annoyed
- Drinking alone or in secret
- Not remembering conversations or
commitments.
- Making a ritual of having drinks
before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual
is disturbed or questioned.
- Losing interest in activities and
hobbies that used to bring pleasure.
- Irritability as usual drinking
time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available.
- Keeping alcohol in unlikely places
at home, at work or in the car.
- Gulping drinks, ordering doubles,
becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel
"normal."
- Having problems with
relationships, employment or finances or legal problems.
- Ask yourself these questions to
find out if you show sings of Alcoholism
- Have you ever decided to stop
drinking for a week or so, but it only lasted a couple of days?
- Do you wish people would mind
their own business about your drinking?
- Have you ever switched from one
kind of drink to another in hope that you wouldn't get drunk?
- Have you had to have an eye-opener
upon awakening during the past year?
- Do you envy people who can drink
without getting into trouble?
- Do you need a drink to get
started, or to stop shaking?
- Have you had problems connected
with drinking during the past year?
- Has your drinking caused trouble
at home?
- Do you ever try to get "extra"
drinks at a party because you do not get enough?
- Do you tell yourself you can stop
drinking anytime you want to, but you don't stop?
- Do you have "blackouts"?
- Have you ever felt your life would
be better if you didn't drink?
