Speak to an Addiction Specialist
Speak to an Addiction Specialist
Alcoholism is a serious problem that has affected millions of people in our country. Do you know what the signs of alcoholism are? It's important to understand the signs to determine if you are an alcoholic. Or, perhaps you're concerned that someone you love might be having a problem with alcohol. Either way, getting the right information is vital.
When you are an alcoholic, your entire life revolves around alcohol. There are both physical and mental signs that alcoholism may be a factor in your life.
Chances are pretty good that you've noticed many of the emotional and physical signs of alcoholism. However, you may not have known that an alcohol problem was what you were looking at.
Alcohol is a dangerous drug. It's not illegal, which is why people tend to think of it as safe. It's also widely available, which causes most individuals to underestimate how harmful it can be.
There are certain symptoms of alcoholism that you can look for in your own life. However, these signs may be hard for you to identify within yourself. It might help to get the opinion of a close friend or family member who will be honest with you.
The physical effects of alcoholism can be quite devastating. This is a drug that affects millions of people every single year. So many people don't realize how hazardous it really is, which is why they continue to drink.
Did you know that there are outward, physical signs of alcoholism? A person's face and other characteristics can often tell the truth about their relationship with this drug.
The physical appearance of an alcoholic speaks volumes. You can often tell when someone has a drinking problem simply by looking for the following:
Not all of the signs of being an alcoholic are physical in nature. Many of them are actually psychological effects. This is because this is a depressant drug. Because of this, it acts much like other depressants do.
You may be able to tell if you're an alcoholic if you notice:
Alcoholics frequently exhibit personality changes. Because of these changes, they also generally exhibit certain behaviors. The following is a list of behavior patterns that are typical for those who have serious drinking problems:
By now, you may have a pretty good idea of what alcoholism looks like. Have you noticed any of these qualities within yourself? If you have, you may have a serious drinking problem that needs to be treated professionally.
A person is an alcoholic when they place drinking in the place of most importance in their life. This person is defined as someone who suffers from the disease of alcoholism.
These individuals are obsessed with alcohol. They're not able to control how much they drink, or how often. They suffer from significant problems in their home life, personal life, and professional life.
If you can identify with any of the above, you may be an alcoholic. It's so important for you to find out for sure what your relationship with alcohol really is.
Maybe you've noticed some of the signs of alcoholism in your own life. However, you still have doubts about being an alcoholic. Taking a quiz might be a good step for you, if that's the case.
This quiz was designed for people who seriously question the role of alcohol in their lives. It will ask you a series of questions, and it's important to be honest. Once you answer all of the questions, you'll be redirected to your results.
If someone you love has a drinking problem, it's not always easy to point it out to them. In fact, you may not be aware of what to look for yourself. You need to know what the specific signs and symptoms of alcoholism are.
Does your loved one display any of the following?:
If you're like most concerned family members, you probably notice quite a few on this list. Many of these are signs of an alcoholic personality. If your loved one has only a few of these characteristics, he or she most likely has a drinking problem.
It's possible that you're not exactly an alcoholic yet, but it's only a matter of time. There are some warning signs you can look for to determine this. These include:
You may not be at the point right now where you're concerned about alcoholism. However, if you are concerned about your alcohol use at all, you could be abusing it.
Alcohol abuse always comes before the addiction. However, it's difficult to say how long you can abuse it before you become addicted to it. For some people, it may take years, and for others, it may take weeks.
If you're abusing alcohol, it's important for you to know. That way, you can take the necessary steps to stop before your abuse gets out of hand.
There are several signs of alcohol abuse you can look for in your own life. These include:
For those who abuse alcohol, they often experience physical symptoms as well. You may notice any of the following:
Heavy drinkers are often prepared with an arsenal of tricks they use to remain in denial. They don't want to admit that they have a problem. Because of this, there are different things they might say and do.
Whether someone is a high-functioning alcoholic, or their condition is obvious, most live lives of denial.
People who have recovered from alcohol addiction often wonder why life doesn't seem to improve. They may be suffering from a dry alcoholic personality. This is often referred to as dry drunk syndrome.
A dry drunk is someone who is no longer drinking, but they're still battling the problems that fueled the addiction. They may display an alcoholic personality, even years after they quit drinking. Dry drunks are often:
The good news is that the right treatment can actually help with this condition. Not everyone ends up being a dry drunk, and getting the proper help can assist in avoiding it.
People often want to know, what causes a person to become an alcoholic?. Why is it that some people can drink excessively and never have a problem, while others can't? You may be wondering about the answers to these questions yourself.
There are actually many underlying causes of alcoholism. There are:
Social causes are often at the heart of many drinking problems. Peer pressure is very real, and not just for teens. Adults can be lured into drinking because of peer pressure as well.
Also, many people live in homes or communities where drinking is common. For some, it's even encouraged. This can have a strong influence on alcoholism as well.
So many people start drinking simply because they have a mental health issue. They may find that drinking helps them feel better, even if it's only for a little while. Some examples of common mental health conditions include:
When these and other mental health conditions occur along with alcoholism, they're called co-occurring disorders. These problems must be treated at the same time as the addiction. If they are not, both conditions will only worsen in their severity.
Genetics have been shown to influence alcoholism. Genetics research has shown that the problem does run in families. Children of alcoholics are at a much higher risk of having alcohol problems themselves. However, less than half of them actually end up having drinking issues.
It's important to remember that while genes may be a factor, they're not the only factor. For most people, alcoholism is the result of continued alcohol abuse.
If you're an alcoholic, stopping on your own carries so many risks. Everyone with a serious drinking problem needs professional support. Otherwise, they're usually not able to quit. Even if they are, they may go through DTs and need immediate medical treatment.
At Northpoint Evergreen Bellevue, we know what you're going through. This is a very challenging time that you're facing. We have the tools you need to overcome alcoholism successfully. There's no need for you to attempt it on your own. The right kind of support can change everything for you.