Alcohol Addiction Warning Signs: What You Need to Know

The problem of alcohol addiction also known as alcoholism or alcohol use disorder is a prevalent problem that has affected millions of people globally. This is why early identification of the signs is very important to avoid severe and life-long health issues and to enhance the quality of life. This blog aims to raise awareness of the warning signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction.

What is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcoholism is a disease that affects an individual’s ability to moderate or quit the consumption of alcohol despite the negative consequences. It involves alcohol dependence where one develops tolerance and hence requires more alcohol to achieve the required effect and experiences withdrawal symptoms when stopped. Alcohol addiction is not the same as casual drinking or even excessive drinking because it significantly impairs one’s ability to function in daily life.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 3 million deaths are caused by the harmful use of alcohol every year, this accounts for 5. 3% of all deaths.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in the United States estimates that 14.5 million people aged 12 and older had alcohol use disorder in 2019

Alcohol Use vs. Alcohol Abuse vs. Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol Use: To drink moderately, taking alcohol at times to socialize, without it becoming a major issue in the person’s life.

Alcohol Abuse: Behaviors that are dangerous and include actions like drinking to the extent of getting drunk or drunk driving resulting in adverse effects in one’s personal, social, or working life.

Alcohol Addiction: A serious condition of alcoholism in which the affected person has both physical and psychological dependence on alcohol and drinks compulsively without being able to control the intake even when they are aware of the damages that it causes.

Physical Warning Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Knowing the physical signs that are associated with alcohol addiction is the easiest way of understanding that one has a problem and needs help. These signs can be usually observed in physical changes in the appearance, health, and attitude of the affected individual.

Changes in Physical Appearance:

• Weight Loss or Gain: Weight changes are common in alcoholics where they may gain or lose a lot of weight. Some may become underweight because they do not have proper nutrition while others may become overweight because of the excessive intake of calories contained in alcohol.
• Poor Hygiene: Laziness is another sign that is characterized by a lack of personal hygiene. A person may look like he or she has not taken a bath for some days now, he or she wears dirty clothes, has out-of-place hair, and has bad breath.

Health Issues:

• Frequent Hangovers: Suffering from hangovers from time to time means that one is taking a lot of alcohol. The symptoms are headache, nausea, light and noise sensitivity, and fatigue.
• Increased Tolerance: The person needs to drink more and more alcohol to get the same effects that he or she used to get from the earlier quantity of alcohol.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: If the person does not drink, they experience withdrawal symptoms which include sweating, shaking, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia. Severe cases of withdrawal can result in the occurrence of delirium tremens which is a very dangerous condition that is characterized by confusion, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure.

Behavioral Changes:

• Secretive Drinking: Self-concealing or drinking alone to avoid the opinions of other people is a certain symptom that indicates a problem.
• Drinking at Inappropriate Times: Drinking at odd times like in the morning or even in the working day shows that the person has lost control over the amount of alcohol taken.

Psychological Warning Signs

Alcohol addiction does not only affect the physical aspect of an individual but also the mental aspect. The psychological symptoms can be subtle initially but tend to worsen over time, leading to severe mental health issues.

• Mood Swings and Irritability: Alcohol affects the chemistry of the brain and this results in mood swings and an increase in irritability. There are cases where a person may get annoyed or get angry at the smallest provocation.
• Depression and Anxiety: Alcoholism can cause or worsen mental health problems including depression and anxiety. Alcohol is a depressant to the central nervous system and this compounds the situation for these conditions.
• Memory Problems and Cognitive Impairment: Alcohol impacts the cognitive abilities of the brain and this results in memory loss, blackouts, and poor focus. Abuse of the drug can lead to permanent damage to the brain with poor cognitive functions.
• Increased Risk-Taking Behavior: Alcohol is known to affect one’s judgment and hence individuals who are under its influence may find themselves involved in risky activities like driving under the influence, having unprotected sex, or making decisions that are likely to have adverse consequences.

Social and Behavioral Warning Signs

Alcohol addiction results in some evident changes in behavior and the way the affected individual relates to other people. Such changes can cause stress and impact different spheres of life.

• Neglecting Responsibilities: The affected individuals develop poor attitudes at their workplaces, academic institutions, or even at home. This can present as missing classes or work, poor performance, or not completing tasks.
• Relationship Problems: Relations with family and friends worsen as the subject’s behavior shifts to the abnormal. They might withdraw from their friends and other people to conceal their drinking.
• Financial Issues: Excessive spending on alcohol negatively affects the financial condition. People can spend their money to buy alcohol instead of basic needs such as rent or bills.
• Legal Problems: Legal problems including drug driving or disturbing the peace are evident in cases of alcohol-dependent individuals. These problems may affect one in his or her workplace and other spheres of life in the long run.

Long-Term Consequences of Ignoring the Signs

Ignoring the signs of alcohol addiction may result in severe damage to the body and mind, as well as negative impact on a person’s life.

Health Complications:

• Liver Disease: Long-term use of alcohol can lead to liver diseases including fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis which if not treated can be life-threatening.
• Cardiovascular Issues: It is also notorious for raising the chances of getting high blood pressure, heart diseases, and strokes.

Psychological Effects:

• Chronic Mental Health Issues: Long-term consumption of alcohol causes the development of severe mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
• Increased Risk of Suicide: The suicidal thoughts and behaviors are more likely to occur in individuals with alcohol dependence, particularly along with other psychiatric disorders.

Social Consequences:

• Breakdown of Relationships: It causes damage to the relationship with family, friends, and spouse which leads to isolation and loneliness.
• Employment and Legal Troubles: Alcoholism is a major problem, and it can cause one to lose their job leading to unemployment. Legal issues also lead to criminal records which greatly harms the future employment prospects of a person.

What to Do if You Recognize These Signs

If you or the people close to you have observed these signs, it is crucial to seek help. Alcoholism if identified at an early stage does not cause severe harm and enhances the quality of life.

• Approaching the Person with Concern and Compassion:

Tell the person how you feel in a non-accusatory and supportive way. Instead of using an accusing tone, try to use “I” statements like, ‘I am concerned with your drinking and how it is impacting your health’.

• Encouraging Professional Help:

It is recommended to consult a medical professional, a psychologist, or a specialist in the field of addiction treatments. Asking for help is not a weakness but rather a form of Strength.

Available Resources and Treatment Options:

• Counseling and Therapy: It may include individual or group therapy to identify the causes of alcohol dependency and to build up ways of solving the problems.
• Support Groups: Self-help groups offer group support as well as a step-by-step approach to the treatment process.
• Rehabilitation Programs: Inpatient or outpatient rehab is a full-service addiction treatment that involves medical detox, individual and group counseling, and discharge planning.

Identifying the signs of alcohol addiction is an essential process that can help to avoid serious harm to the physical and psychological health of an individual as well as his or her relationships. In this way, it is possible to help those who have a drinking problem and urge them to seek professional help, call us at (321) 415-3213. Remember, it’s never too late to make a change and start the journey toward recovery.