Identifying the Early Signs of Alcoholism

Identifying the Early Signs of Alcoholism

Alcoholism affects many people every year. Some people may be suffering from alcoholism and may not even realize it. Identifying the early signs of alcoholism can help you to recognize that there is a problem. Alcohol abuse can be a minor issue, but if you miss the warning signs the issue can grow. The best way to prevent an issue such as alcoholism is to catch these signs quickly and make a change before it gets worse. 

Some warning signs are easier to identify than others. You should know the easily identifiable signs as well as the ones that can be more difficult to come to terms with. This way you can properly determine if you require any professional help. 

What is Alcoholism?

Alcohol abuse is defined as the continuous use of alcohol despite the negative consequences it can cause the user. Those who suffer from severe alcoholism are unable to get their drinking habits under control. In some cases, they are even unable to function normally without alcohol. Oftentimes people become alcoholics without realizing it. 

Alcoholism can affect people’s daily lives in many ways. When a person becomes dependent on alcohol it can tend to take over their life. Work, school, relationships, and other important aspects of life can all become jeopardized by alcohol abuse. When alcohol comes first, the parts of life that should be the first priority start to come second. Then there are alcoholics who still rely on alcohol, but are able to function more easily in society. These are known as high functioning alcoholics. Just because alcohol isn’t affecting their daily lives as much as others does not mean that there is not a problem.

The Early Signs of Alcoholism

• Drinking alone
• Prioritizing drinking over other responsibilities
• Struggling to limit your drinking
• Longing for alcohol when not drinking
• Drinking more than others around you
• Missing school or work due to a hangover
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Increased tolerance

These are some of the early signs of alcoholism. If you have identified any of these signs in yourself or a loved one it is crucial to acknowledge them. More often than not, if ignored, these signs only become more evident and the problem may spiral out of control. 

Withdrawal

Are you experiencing shakes, sweating, or headaches not long after not drinking? These are signs of withdrawal from alcohol. Withdrawal can be described as the symptoms that occur when an individual stops drinking after a time of consistent drinking. Many times people do not realize they have a problem with alcohol until they decide to stop and begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. When a person’s body is used to the effects of alcohol and suddenly they are left without it the body has trouble functioning properly. 

Tolerance

One of the first signs of alcoholism you may notice is an increased tolerance. Have you noticed that it may take a few more drinks than usual to get a buzz? Or that you have been drinking the same amount as others but are much less intoxicated than them? If either of these is true it is a sign that your tolerance for alcohol may be increasing. An increase in alcohol tolerance means that after constant drinking it takes more alcohol to achieve the same effect of being drunk. It takes a lot of continued use of a substance to start to gain a tolerance for it and if this is the case, it may be leading to alcoholism.

Recognizing Alcoholism

The signs and symptoms listed are a few of the ways someone can personally diagnose themselves or someone else with early or mild alcoholism. Alcoholics can be good at hiding these symptoms, so trying to identify them can sometimes be more difficult. When trying to identify the warning signs of alcoholism in a friend or family member it is crucial to pay close attention. This is especially true when in a social setting together and alcohol is present. It may be a difficult conversation to have so don’t be afraid to seek help from others or those who are more qualified. 

Dangers of Alcohol Abuse

The reason it is so important to know the warning signs of alcoholism is because of the harm it can cause. According to the CDC, “Excessive alcohol use led to approximately 95,000 deaths and 2.8 million years of potential life lost each year from 2011-2015”. Death is not the only outcome of alcohol abuse, but the chances of an early death greatly increase from it. There are short-term health risks such as alcohol poisoning, violent behavior, or injuries from impaired driving. Some of the long-term health risks include a weakened immune system, loss of memory, heart disease, and many more. 

Alcohol abuse can be harmful to others as well as the user. Excessive drinking can incite violence and as a result, will negatively affect those around the user. It is common for those who abuse alcohol to end relationships with family members, partners, and close friends because of this problem. These dangers can be easily avoided by identifying the early signs of alcoholism and acknowledging that there is a problem.

Get the Required Treatment With Orlando Treatment Solutions

If you have noticed some of the early signs of alcoholism in your life, there is no better time to get help than right now. It is best to reach out before the alcohol use problem in your life worsens and intensifies. We understand that alcohol misuse can cause people to feel shame or embarrassment. Some individuals may feel guilty about their struggles. But, if you are experiencing any of these challenging emotions, please know that we are here for you. Our mission is to help you overcome alcoholism and remain free from its grasp.

At Orlando Treatment Solutions, we offer a variety of addiction treatment approaches. We provide treatment for various forms of addiction, including alcohol addiction, prescription drug abuse, heroin addiction, marijuana abuse, and more. We have a team of caring addiction treatment specialists who are ready to help at a moment’s notice.

Our alcohol addiction treatment will help an addict to achieve sobriety and head back into society addiction free. This involves a medical detoxification process in which the patient will receive the utmost care and supervision from our trained medical professionals. If you or a loved one are experiencing any early signs of alcoholism and want to get the help you deserve, contact Orlando Treatment Solutions today!

• References

  https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm