Signs of Alcoholism

It is not always easy to identify when your drinking or the drinking of someone else has crossed the line. Problematic drinking comes when you begin drinking alcohol in order to cope with emotional feelings or other problems in life. Alcoholism can be directly related to your genetics, your social environment and the way you were raised. In addition, those with mental instabilities are at greater risk as they are likely to use alcohol to self-medicate. Because drinking is so widely accepted, it may be difficult to identify when drinking crosses from socially acceptable to alcoholism or abuse. However, there are some common signs of alcoholism that can help you identify a problem.

Signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse can include

Neglected Priorities

If you often neglect priorities at work or at home as a result of your drinking, there may be a problem. Refusing to attend planned events or canceling time with your children because you’re hung-over is a warning sign that you’re taking your drinking too far.

Drinking and Driving

If you’re using alcohol in situations in which it is physically dangerous such as driving or operating machinery while intoxicated, your drinking is going too far.

Drinking to Relax

Most drinking problems start as a way to relieve stress and sooth emotional problems. If you’re reaching for a drink after every stressful work day or insist that you need a drink after an argument with your spouse or other family member, you may have a drinking problem.

Continued Drinking Despite Problems

If you decide to continue drinking even when it has caused significant problems with your relationships, you should look to limit your alcohol use and aim to make positive changes.

Legal Trouble

If your drinking is getting you in trouble with the law, it is important to make changes before these problems take over a significant part of your life.

Tolerance

If you find that it takes more alcohol to give you the same effects that it used to, this is a sign of tolerance. Your body is adjusting to high alcohol levels and it takes more alcohol to have the desired effect.

No Control

If you feel you’ve lost control of your drinking, you’ve drank more than you wanted to or drank for longer than you wanted, you may have an alcohol problem.

If you can identify with multiple signs of alcoholism, it is important to take steps to make positive changes in your life regarding alcohol. These signs of alcoholism are not a complete list and many alcoholics may experience a variety of symptoms.

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Recovery

There is a difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism and it is important to remember that all alcohol abusers do not always become alcoholics however, the occasional abuse of alcohol is a big risk factor. Alcoholism may develop suddenly in response to an unexpected life event or it may develop slowly over time. Either way, it is important to identify the signs of alcoholism and begin to take the path to recovery. Admitting there is a problem can be painful; however, it is nothing to be ashamed of, you are not alone. We can help you with the treatment of alcohol abuse, alcoholism as well as other addictions.