12 Warning Signs of an Alcohol Problem Explained With Pictures

Alcohol.org is a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers (AAC), a nationwide provider of addiction treatment facilities. It can be difficult to know when you or someone you care about is struggling with alcoholism. Alcohol abuse can often be hidden or disguised among drinkers who believe that because they only drink socially, their use is not problematic.

If you find yourself regularly thinking about your next drink, or if you’ve tried to cut back on drinking and never quite succeeded, you may have an alcohol addiction. This is the rarest subtype, making up only 9% of people addicted to alcohol in the United States. Most individuals in this subtype are middle-aged and started drinking early. Of the five subtypes, they rate highest for other psychiatric disorders and abuse of other substances. Roughly 80% are from families that struggle with multigenerational alcoholism. Many people who seek treatment are able to overcome the addiction.

Contact a Medical Professional

Once you’ve done that, speak to them about it when they’re sober and emphasise the fact you’ll be there to support them throughout. Other signs of alcohol use disorder are related to drinking frequency, habits, and its impact on relationships, which we’ll explore below. The most in-depth care allows you to live full time at a treatment facility.

Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. In the DSM-5, alcohol use disorder is further classified into categories of mild, moderate, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and severe. Alcoholics often have defective red blood cells that die prematurely, which can cause a lower-than-normal red blood cell
count. Gastrointestinal bleeding, a symptom some alcoholics experience, can also cause anemia, as can iron deficiency.

What should I do if I think someone is dependent on alcohol?

Seeking therapy can also keep you on track in your treatment goals and provide a supportive outlet and opportunity to learn healthy coping mechanisms that replace alcohol. Talk with a treatment provider today to find out more about the decisions you can make to better your future. If you’re ready to live a healthy, sober lifestyle, help is available.

The Department of Health and Social Care recommends pregnant women and women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol. Dependent drinking usually affects a person’s quality of life and relationships, but they may not always find it easy to see or accept this. The risk to your health is increased by drinking any amount of alcohol on a regular basis. If you accompany someone to an appointment, try to get an explanation for the person in simple language about the illness, the long-term effects and the options for recovery.

Reasons for Drinking

If left untreated, alcohol abuse can spiral out of control quickly. When alcohol abuse begins to negatively impact a person’s life and causes harm, it is diagnosed as alcohol use disorder (AUD). Recognizing the warning signs of alcohol abuse and getting proper treatment can make a significant difference in someone’s recovery process. It’s also called alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction or alcohol abuse.

These changes increase the pleasurable feelings you get when you drink alcohol. Some healthcare professionals may use an older tool to screen for alcohol use disorder called the CAGE Questionnaire. A 2019 study found that people with substance use disorder in their late adolescence years were four times more likely to develop alcohol use disorder in early adulthood. Another sign of AUD is someone drinking alcohol even though it may affect an existing health condition. To determine whether a person has AUD, healthcare professionals refer to the criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR).

Participation in support groups may help people develop strategies to deal with the urge to drink alcohol. Peer support may also help in coping with emotions that may have led to alcohol misuse. A person should speak with a healthcare professional if they are experiencing symptoms of AUD. Medical professionals can provide information about treatment, prescribe medication, and refer them to specialists.

This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems. It also includes binge drinking — a pattern of drinking where a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at least four drinks within two hours. If you can, talk honestly with the person you’re concerned about, and try to persuade them to see a doctor. It can be very difficult for people who are dependent on alcohol to admit they have a problem but being supportive, open and non-judgemental can make them feel safe.

Interfering with personal responsibilities

Even if certain chronic conditions cannot be reversed, abstinence can help to better manage them. Achieving sobriety is always a win for a person’s health and wellbeing whether treatment occurs in the early, middle, or end stage. No matter how hopeless alcohol use disorder may seem, treatment can help.