Recognizing The Signs Of Alcoholism

Alcoholism inflicts up to 17 percent of men and 8 percent of women in the general population at some time in their lives. In fact, according to the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, on average, six people die each day because of alcohol poisoning. If you or someone you love seems to be drinking in excess or too frequently, you may wonder what some signs of alcoholism are, so help is attained without delay. Read over the following signs of alcoholism and reach out to our facility if you need assistance in obtaining treatment for yourself or a loved one.

Psychological Symptoms

There are a few signs of alcohol that are considered psychological in nature. If you have urges or cravings to drink alcohol and are aware of them but still cannot cut down on how much you drink because they are so strong, alcohol dependency is likely. Those who suffer from this type of symptom often make excuses for their drinking or feel extreme guilt about the amount or frequency in which they drink. The urges sometimes become so strong, that anxiety and/or depression is felt until a drink is obtained.

Social Difficulties

Alcoholism tends to cause trouble at home, around other people, and in the workplace. A person who abuses alcohol usually finds it difficult to fulfill obligations on the job, at school, or at home. This often causes conflict with coworkers, bosses, teachers, and/or family members and friends. If you or someone you know continues to drink although it causes interpersonal difficulties, consider alcoholism as a reason for these troubles. Those who struggle with alcoholism also give up on hobbies, work activities, and social engagements due to their excessive drinking and difficulty performing while under the influence or during withdrawal. Alcoholism also causes people to drink during unsafe circumstances, like when driving a vehicle or spending time swimming.

Physical Problems

Health issues arise due to alcoholism, and they escalate over time. Someone with an alcohol addiction tends to develop a tolerance to drinks with alcohol in them. They need to drink more to feel the effect of the alcohol contained within the beverages. When drinking is ceased, withdrawal symptoms will arise. These include sweating, shaking, nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress. When these symptoms start, an alcoholic tends to turn to beverages to stop the discomfort associated with withdrawal. The cycle continues and frustration often settles in.

In later stages of severe alcoholism, the body suffers from additional health issues. Signs of alcoholism during this stage include:

Fat buildup in the liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis of the liver
Digestive problems including gastritis, ulcers, lack of absorption of vitamin B, and pancreas damage
High blood pressure, enlargement of the heart, heart failure, and stroke
Diabetic complications as alcohol consumption causes interference with glucose levels and an increase of the risk of hypoglycemia
Bone damage and/or increased risk of fractures
Sexual function troubles and/or menstruation issues
Eye Conditions including nystagmus or paralysis of eye muscles due to deficiency of thiamin in the body
Weakened immune system
Cancer risk increase
Complications of the neurological system

Help Is Available

You or a loved one does not need to continue struggling with alcohol abuse symptoms. If signs of alcoholism are causing difficulties, Red Oak Recovery^® is there to help. Some of our services include:

We offer gender-specific services at separate locations for your convenience. Stop the signs of alcoholism with compassionate care from trained professionals dedicated to helping those struggling with this addiction. Give us a call at 866.457.7590 to find out more about us and treatment options available.