Signs of Alcoholism

Being able to detect the main signs of alcoholism is critical to its diagnosis and treatment. The families of suspected alcoholics should be aware of these signs of alcoholism because the beginning alcoholic is usually prone to denial in the early stages of the disease. Those closest to him or her are usually the first to realize that there is a problem.

Chronic drinkers will often change their drinking habits from time to time, to be able to show others that they can control their drinking and that they have a handle on it -- which is not really the case. There are other signs of alcoholism to be aware of as well. However, most abusers of alcohol do end up hitting “rock bottom” in their journey toward chronic alcoholism, and at that point will finally acknowledge the damage that the illness has done to their work, their families, their health and their relationships.

SECRET DRINKING. In an effort to deny the severity of the drinking problem to others, the alcoholic will sneak drinks when no one else is aware. They will hide bottles under the bed, in desk and dresser drawers, in the car, even in desks at their place of work.

CONCERN WITH ALCOHOL. The individual shows an inordinate amount of interest in what kind of drinks are being served at a party or function, to the exclusion of other topics of interest, like, who will be attending, what entertainment will be offered, etc.

CHUGGING THE FIRST FEW DRINKS. One of the most noticeable of all signs of alcoholism. The alcoholic is motivated to drink because of the feeling of relaxation, euphoria, loss of inhibition that accompanies drinking. So he/she will drink quickly to achieve that initial high. He/she is seeking the “buzz” from the alcohol so will rush to feel it and gulp down the first couple of drinks. This is one of the early warning signs of alcoholism.

GUILT. It may begin to dawn on the chronic drinker that there is a problem, and guilty feelings or shame may ensue. To avoid discovery the drinker will not talk about alcohol or drinking at all, even when others talk about it as a normal topic of conversation. This often leads to:

REMORSE. “Why did I get so drunk last night, how embarrassing!” The acknowledgment of a drinking binge makes the drinker feel foolish, and may even prompt another drinking binge to try and escape the guilty and remorseful feelings. It is the beginning of a vicious cycle.

PERIODS OF ABSTINENCE from drinking, just to show that “I am in control of this.” The abstinence usually lasts as long as the drinker can manage to avoid facing the problem. When he does sense the problem but is not ready to take responsibility or accountability for it, more drinking will follow.

CHANGING THE DRINKING PATTERN. This is a similar pattern to the one above, to show that the drinking can be controlled. It is manipulative behavior which may or may not be believed by others – “look, I stopped drinking beer and now I only drink whiskey,” etc. In truth, alcohol is alcohol!

ALCOHOL-CENTERED BEHAVIOR. This is similar to the CONCERN WITH ALCOHOL symptom above. The drinker starts focusing on how and where he can get a drink, and the opportunity to drink, as opposed to just socializing with family or friends.The constant focus on the opportunity to get a drink then leads to:

CHANGING FAMILY HABITS. One of the signs of alcoholism that family members notice early on. The alcoholic may become more withdrawn, not wishing to attend family functions or to socialize within the family. He may also throw himself into social events as a way to stay around alcoholic beverages. What matters here is not the specific behavior, but the change in established behavior, from being withdrawn to becoming sociable, or from being sociable to becoming withdrawn.

HOARDING LIQUOR. This is not the same as hiding liquor, because the purpose here is to just make sure that he or she never runs out of liquor. Liquor is purchased and stocked in larger amounts than before, and great care is taken that the liquor cabinet always remains full.

POOR NUTRITION. Long-term alcohol use is very damaging to the body and results in malnutrition and eventually, death. Although it does harm to the stomach, the alcohol itself is not the direct cause of malnutrition. The alcoholic becomes so focused on having alcohol that he/she neglects the diet, eats only what is easy and convenient, and dietary imbalances begin. Malnutrition itself leads to many health deficiencies and disorders, so there is a snowball effect which begins with an obsession for liquor to the exclusion of all other foods and beverages. Another vicious cycle in the making.

LOSS OF SEX DRIVE. Long-term alcohol abuse takes a toll on the body's chemistry. The devotion to liquor soon diminishes as well as other interests, like relationships, family, work, and sex, to name a few. Many people think of alcoholics as being promiscuous -- and many are, especially in the beginning. However, the promiscuity is due to the loss of inhibitions experienced when drunk. How many alcoholics have awakened in the bed of a virtual stranger and wondered how on earth they got there? Had they stayed sober they would never have had sex with that person! That is a result of the effect of alcohol on both one's self-control and one's judgment. But over time, the sex drive, and the general health, diminishes as the obsession with alcohol increases.

DRINKING EARLY IN THE DAYTIME. Most people who enjoy a social drink occasionally never have it in the morning. It is a dinner or evening indulgence. But the alcoholic wants the alcohol upon arising and will begin drinking as soon as he/she arises in the morning.

GOING ON A BINGE. Many alcoholics will start binge drinking and end up drinking for days on end, until they black out, have an accident, run out of booze, die, or get killed. The award-winning movie "The Lost Weekend," starring Ray Milland, was about the main character spending a whole weekend on a drinking binge, and its effect on his life.

INABILITY TO HOLD LIQUOR. As the chronic disease develops, the alcoholic's liver loses its ability to oxidize alcohol [See Alcoholism Side Effects : the Liver.

MENTAL IMPAIRMENT. Most prominent in the later stages of alcoholism signs symptoms, the alcoholic will begin to forget important dates, birthdays, anniversaries, details, phone numbers, etc., as a result of slow brain damage. The thinking processes become dulled.

THE DT'S. Short for "delirium tremens," symptomatic of later stages of alcoholism. Hallucinations and scary visions begin to occur to the chronic drinker and he struggles to separate these visions from reality.

HITTING ROCK BOTTOM. One of the signs of alcoholism that can be a blessing in disguise, and frequently motivates alcoholics to seek treatment. The extent and severity of the disease at some point does become apparent to the drinker, and they get a shocking glimpse of who and what they are becoming. When the person is stubborn and in denial, often interventions with family members will help to jog the drinker's thinking to see the light, and only then can real treatment and rehabilitation become possible.

FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOLISM

From SIGNS OF ALCOHOLISM to SIDE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM

From SIGNS OF ALCOHOLISM to DEFINITION OF ALCOHOLISM