Alcoholism Symptoms: Warning Signs of Alcoholism
Its not always easy to see when alcohol intake has crossed the line from moderate or social drinking to problem drinking. But if you consume alcohol to cope with difficulties or to avoid feeling bad, youre in potentially dangerous territory. Drinking problems can sneak up on you, so its important to be aware of the warning signs of alcohol abuse and alcoholism and take steps to cut back if you recognize them. Understanding the problem is the first step to overcoming it and either cutting back to healthy levels or quitting altogether.
Signs and symptoms of alcoholism (alcohol dependence)
Alcoholism is the most severe form of problem drinking. Alcoholism involves all the symptoms of alcohol abuse, but it also involves another element: physical dependence on alcohol. If you rely on alcohol to function or feel physically compelled to drink, youre an alcoholic.
Tolerance: The 1st major warning sign of alcoholism
Do you have to drink a lot more than you used to in order to get buzzed or to feel relaxed? Can you drink more than other people without getting drunk? These are signs of tolerance, which can be an early warning sign of alcoholism. Tolerance means that, over time, you need more and more alcohol to feel the same effects.
Withdrawal: The 2nd major warning sign
Do you need a drink to steady the shakes in the morning? Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and a huge red flag. When you drink heavily, your body gets used to the alcohol and experiences withdrawal symptoms if its taken away.
In severe cases, withdrawal from alcohol can also involve hallucinations, confusion, seizures, fever, and agitation. These symptoms can be dangerous, so talk to your doctor if you are a heavy drinker and want to quit.
Other signs and symptoms of alcoholism
Youve lost control over your drinking. You often drink more alcohol than you wanted to, for longer than you intended, or despite telling yourself you wouldnt.
You want to quit drinking, but you cant. You have a persistent desire to cut down or stop your alcohol use, but your efforts to quit have been unsuccessful.
You have given up other activities because of alcohol. Youre spending less time on activities that used to be important to you (hanging out with family and friends, going to the gym, pursuing your hobbies) because of your alcohol use.
Alcohol takes up a great deal of your energy and focus. You spend a lot of time drinking, thinking about it, or recovering from its effects. You have few if any interests or social involvements that dont revolve around drinking.
You drink even though you know its causing problems. For example, you recognize that your alcohol use is damaging your marriage, making your depression worse, or causing health problems, but you continue to drink anyway.
If youre ready to admit you have a drinking problem, youve already taken the first step. It takes tremendous strength and courage to face alcohol abuse and alcoholism head on.
Support groups for problem drinkers
Secular Organizations for Sobriety – SOS is a similar organization to AA but without the religious affiliation. (Secular Organizations for Sobriety)
Women for Sobriety – A non-profit organization dedicated to helping women overcome alcoholism and other addictions. (Women for Sobriety, Inc.)
Alcoholics Anonymous – Learn more about AA, including the 12 steps, and find a support meeting in your area. (Alcoholics Anonymous)
SMART Recovery – Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) is a program that aims to achieve abstinence from alcohol through self-empowerment and self-directed change. (SMART Recovery)
