More than 9 million men and 5 million women in the United States have a drinking problem. Shockingly, over 400,000 of these people are between the ages of 12-17.
It can be difficult to recognize the sign of alcoholism in time to provide a person with the support and care that they need.
If you are concerned that you or perhaps someone you care about is an alcoholic, please read on. In this guide, we outline five of the most common signs of alcoholism or Alcohol Usage Disorder.
1. Cravings
We can all fancy a drink from time to time. It can be perfectly normal. However, an alcoholic will experience a deep craving to drink that they can not ignore.
This desire will be overpowering and stop the person from being able to think clearly about anything else. They may experience symptoms of illness like shaky hands or intense headaches that they swear will go away if they have a drink.
2. Secret Drinking
There is nothing wrong with drinking on your own as long as you know how much you consume. An alcoholic will often be aware that how much they consume is far more than the average person and begins to drink in secret.
They may lie about when and how much they have drunk. They may attempt to conceal bottles and receipts to cover their tracks as they are ashamed of their addiction. If someone is lying and drinking in secret, this is an indicator of a problem, and they need to seek support.
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3. Unable to Stop Drinking
If you or someone you know finds it difficult to stop drinking once they start, this is a major sign that they have a drinking problem. Friends will often tempt us with ‘just one more,’ but alcoholics will go far beyond this.
Heavy drinking is when a man consumes more than three and a woman more than four drinks in one day. If someone regularly drinks more than three to four drinks a day, they need to seek guidance from a professional.
4. Increased Alcohol Tolerance
One of the major signs of alcohol addiction is drinking more and more without becoming drunk. Some may see this as a boon, but it is, in fact, just a sign that you are developing an alcohol tolerance.
Greater alcohol tolerance is a negative quality as it will encourage you to drink more to achieve the buzz you usually get from drinking. This, in turn, will lead to more organ damage and affect your overall ability to perform simple tasks.
5. Drinking Has Become Your Life
Has drinking become your life? Is it a key facet of your personality? Are you known as the person who always wants to drink? This could be one of the many signs of addiction.
Alcoholism signs are difficult to spot because they may appear like other facets of a person’s personality. They may seem happy and upbeat all the time, when in fact, they are just drunk.
If you absolutely have to drink to relax or socialize, you may need to start thinking about whether you need help with a drinking problem.
Look Out For Signs of Alcoholism
If you have ever found yourself wondering if your loved one an alcoholic, then it is time to seek help. If you have recognized any of the signs of alcoholism in yourself or another whilst reading this article, then please speak to a medical professional as soon as possible.
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