The Common Signs of Alcohol Abuse

Perhaps the most common sign of alcohol abuse is that one drinks every day, and never really goes without a drink of some type. Morning drinks are also a common sign of alcohol abuse and dependency. Some alcoholics can't start the day without a drink. Another sign might be that once they drink one can of beer, they find the need to finish off an entire six-pack, or one glass of wine and they drink the entire bottle.

When someone gets a DUI, or more than one, it's becoming apparent they have a drinking problem that is getting in the way of their decision making and normal functioning (cite: 1).

When someone drinks and then gets belligerent even with close friends and family, this can be a sign of a drinking problem and a sign of other internal stress-related problems for which alcohol is being used.

When someone's social events all seem to be centered around alcohol, it's a good indication they might have a drinking problem, or an alcohol dependency issue.

There is a Difference Between Abusing Alcohol and Dependency

Abusing alcohol can include teenage binge drinking, which is very hard on the body, and an activity for which they will pay dearly the next morning with a hangover. Still, if a teenager did this every 4-months let's say at a "rager party" but didn't care to drink in between, they are not dependent on alcohol or an alcoholic, but they are abusing alcohol. Of course, if this becomes a common occurrence and they start drinking daily, they are well on their way to a serious dependency problem.

Likewise, an adult who rarely drinks, but gets drunk and drives a car, or starts a fight, we'd all consider this an abuse of alcohol. However, since they don't drink often, they probably aren't alcoholics, unless they've had a problem with dependency in the past.

We often associate alcoholics with unacceptable social behavior, but in reality, you can have people who drink who exhibit unacceptable behavior who are not dependent on alcohol. Just as you can have a functioning alcoholic who never steps out of line socially, has a hangover, or becomes unruly while drinking (cite: 2).

Conclusion

Alcoholism is a disease, it's called; Alcohol Use Disorder. It's serious, it destroys your health, re-wires your brain, and eventually can ruin your life. It's serious. If you think you might have a drinking problem, look for the signs, then take action. If you try to stop, but can't, then it is time to get help.

If you know of a friend or loved one who has a serious problem with alcohol and is an alcoholic, maybe it's time to help them confront their problem and get the help they need.

1.) "Substance Abuse vs. Substance Dependence: Implications for the Management of the DUI Offender," by William L. White published in Abuse Dependency Distinction, 2007. WilliamWhitePapers (dot) com.

2.) Book: "Psychological Theories of Drinking and Alcoholism," edited by Kenneth E. Leonard, Howard T. Blane, The Guilford Press, New York, NY, 1999, 461 pages, ISBN: 1-57230-410-3.

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Signs of Alcoholism

 Given the reality and relative ubiquity of alcohol abuse in our country, it might be hard to figure out if you or someone you love deals with alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease and people who have it need to seek out treatment. If people do not actively seek to work on their alcoholism, it will end up hurting themselves and the people they love.

Below are some signs that someone you love has an alcohol problem and should probably get help. It's never too early to get someone help for an alcohol problem, but it can prove too late.

Tolerance

Increased tolerance is one of the major signs that someone has started on the road of alcoholism or is already there. A higher tolerance is the ability to drink an increased amount of alcohol without feeling the effects. As the body learns to expect the overhaul of alcohol in its system, it adjusts to minimize the damage to the body. It's a downward spiral, as an individual's tolerance will continue to rise and if he or she continues to drink then it could cause even more damage on the body.

Inability to Stop Drinking

For people with a drinking problem, one of the biggest issues is controlling usage. If you go out and drink way more than everybody else, you might have a problem. Most people can have control of their liquor, but people with an addiction problem can't. The people who can't control their drinking often are hard wired differently than others. Their ability to impulse control might be lesser than another individual.

Legal Problems

When drinking leads to an arrest, it's a definitive sign that alcohol is a problem in your life. Drunk driving isn't the only offense that can come from drinking. People can get arrested for theft, assault or other crimes as alcohol cripples judgement. Fortunately, when an arrest happens because of drinking it could be a good time to schedule an intervention before their legal problems amplify.

Withdrawal

People who have developed a physical dependence on alcohol will have withdrawal symptoms generally within five to 10 hours after their last drink. These symptoms can last for days after their last drink. Symptoms are most pronounced within 48 to 72 hours into withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, sweaty skin, nausea, vomiting and shaking. In extreme cases, an individual might experience delirium tremens, which cause intense confusion, hallucinations and seizures.

Alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous form of withdrawal. People who try to withdrawal from alcohol without doctor's help put themselves at severe risk. It is strongly advised that people with alcoholism seek out professional help in the form of a treatment center.

Though alcohol is legal, it is one of the most dangerous substances around. What determines whether someone develops an addiction is multifaceted. But, what's not debatable is that when people do, they will need professional help to overcome it.

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