How to Tell if Alcohol Is a Problem for Me
How to tell if alcohol is a problem for me
If you are wondering if alcohol is becoming a problem for you, it probably is. But it is good that you are looking into the possibility that you may be developing a drinking problem. Let’s consider some of the symptoms of alcoholism.
Abuser vs. Alcoholic:
The only thing that differs between an alcohol abuser and a full-blown alcoholic is tolerance. If you are investing progressively more time, effort and money on drinking, or if you need more alcohol to feel its effect, then you are probably an alcoholic. Which means that you are addicted to alcohol. If you occasionally drink too much at parties and feel hung-over the next day, you would probably be classified as an alcohol abuser.
General Description:
Alcoholism is a disease, chronic, involuntary, progressive, and if it’s not treated – fatal.
Physical Description:
One of the first symptoms of alcoholism is a high level of tolerance. Because you are drinking more to get the same effect, your body undergoes a beating. Heavy drinkers are at risk for high blood pressure, ulcers, liver problems, and a host of other physical ailments because their drinking is increasing. Additionally, women process alcohol less efficiently than men do. They are even at a higher risk for alcohol-related diseases.
Emotional Description:
A person with alcohol problems experiences emotional pain because of his drinking. The more he drinks, the worse the pain becomes. Eventually he has to live with chronic emotional pain that manifests itself in mood swings and extreme depression. This emotional pain can even lead the alcoholic to the point of suicide.
Behavioral Descriptions:
The person is drinking alcohol. It is causing problems in his life – probably some that he is unaware of. And he is continuing to use alcohol in a way that causes problems, drinking more and more, making himself unhappy, experiencing hangovers, drinking at times when he shouldn’t be. There is a delusional system that prevents the alcoholic from understanding the consequences of his drinking. The people surrounding the alcoholic may think that his alcohol-related problems are patently obvious. But – to the alcoholic – they are not.
Here is a list of symptoms associated with alcoholism:
1. Withdrawal
2. Impaired control
3. Seeking lower companions
4. Drinking alone
6. Denial
7. Family problems
8. Job problems
9. Using alcohol as a social lubricant
10. Drinking has affected your reputation
11. Feelings of remorse after drinking
12. Financial problems because of drinking
13. Drinking makes you careless of your family’s wellbeing
14. Decreased ambition
15. Regularly craving a drink at a certain time of day
16. Wanting a drink the morning after you drank too much
17. Sleeping difficulties
18. Decreased efficiency
19. Drinking to escape worries
20. Loss of memory (black-outs)
Being an alcoholic is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a disease and it is treatable. The most important thing is to admit that alcohol is becoming a problem and seek treatment right away. Don’t allow alcohol to ruin your life.
Visit www.alcoholismbingedrinking.info for more information about teenage drunk driving
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