5 Common Signs of Alcoholism

What Is Alcoholism?

Alcohol is a tricky drug, alcohol abuse often goes unnoticed until the symptoms are far advanced. Misusing alcohol can lead to alcoholism, which makes knowing the early signs of alcoholism critical.  Family members, friends, and coworkers should take action if concerns arise.

Unlike heroin, cocaine, and other street drugs, alcohol remains perfectly legal and widely advertised, yet also highly likely to be abused. As a psychoactive drug, it can be perilous when used to excess. Even if the people in your life do not appear to have a drinking problem, you can never be too careful. If you see any of the warning signs of alcohol abuse, you should intervene and seek help as quickly as possible.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse

The early warning signs of alcohol abuse can often go unnoticed, especially if the person with the drinking problem continues to live a seemingly successful life. And many problem drinkers do just that, maintaining gainful employment, caring for their family members, and enjoying the respect of their friends and neighbors.

It is possible someone you know could be silently struggling with a drinking problem. And since the individuals in question often feel isolated, alone, and even ashamed, hearing from someone who cares about them may be the best way to shed light on the addiction.

If you notice any of these signs of alcoholism, it is time to formulate a plan:

1.  Using alcohol every day – Occasional drinking is normal, daily drinking remains excessive. If someone you know abuses alcohol every day, they could be on the road to alcoholism.
2. Drinking alone – Alcohol can often be used as a social lubricant, and the elimination of that social aspect is often the first warning sign of alcoholism. If your friend or family member routinely drinks by themselves, it is time to ask some serious questions.
3. Changes in mood or behavior – The effects of alcohol are felt in both body and mind, and changes in emotion and mood often overshadow the physical impact. Sudden irritability, anger, or inexplicable sadness could be signs of alcoholism.
4. Frequent accidents or unexplained damage to vehicles – Problem drinkers may think they can drive safely, but that is definitely not the case. If you see damage on the family car or your friend keeps getting into auto accidents, it is time to take action before something even more severe occurs.
5. Drunk driving arrests – If the signs of alcoholism are ignored, the results could be downright deadly. Drunk driving is perhaps the most serious sign of alcoholism, and it could have profound and tragic consequences for everyone involved. Even if you only suspect your friend or a family member has a drinking problem, you need to seek help right away.

All of these signs are troubling, and none should be ignored. Help remains available for those who struggle with alcohol addiction, but reaching for help can be challenging.

Seeking Treatment for Alcoholism

It is easy to feel isolated and alone when dealing with a drinking problem, but you need to know you are not alone. If you have recognized any of the warning signs of alcoholism listed above, you need to seek help before it is too late.

If the individual involved is someone you care about, staging an intervention may be a smart course of action. Seeing their problem drinking from the outside could be enough to convince the individual to seek the professional help they need, and if not, you can continue to explore various options on your own.

If you are the person with the drinking problem, the first step to sobriety involves recognizing you need to change your path. While this action can be frightening, merely acknowledging the alcoholism signs remains one of the most crucial steps.

Now that you have taken that step, it is time to continue on the path to sobriety. You can overcome your drinking problem and go on to a lifetime of happy sobriety, but first, you need to ask for the help you need. Contact WhiteSands Treatment to discover the latest and most effective therapies to treat alcoholism.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.