Numerous individuals periodically enjoy alcoholic beverages as a means of socializing and a form of relaxation. Occasionally, however, such usage may increase to worrisome proportions. Therefore, knowing the early signs of alcohol abuse plays a crucial role in preventing the problem from burgeoning into a serious concern.
Early Signs Of Alcohol Abuse
Those possessing an alcohol use disorder might display various signs and symptoms including:
Excessive Intake
Persons developing a drinking problem often intake larger quantities of alcohol over time. They might also engage in binge drinking, which is the consumption of five or more alcoholic beverages during one sitting. Additionally, said subjects develop strong urges or cravings necessitating them to consume adult beverages with greater frequency.
Personal Neglect
As one’s alcohol dependency intensifies, their focus often turns to the acquisition of alcohol. This behavior might result in neglecting duties such as:
- Maintaining their home and property
- Professional responsibilities
- Paying bills and other financial obligations
- Familial events and obligations
Subjects stricken with alcohol use disorders may also withdraw from social gatherings or lose interest in activities that they once enjoyed.
Heightened Tolerance
As one’s alcohol addiction grows, their tolerance generally increases. This indulgence prevents them from feeling the effects most other people would. Moreover, they often must drink larger amounts to produce desirable impacts.
Ignoring Alcohol Usage-Related Problems
Increased alcohol intake can precipitate a host of personal, professional, financial, and legal problems. However, stricken subjects often ignore these issues. In some cases, these burgeoning external issues only heighten alcohol intake.
Loss Of Control
As dependency worsens, one’s ability to control their intake wanes. Oftentimes, despite the desire to stop, they cannot. Moreover, they usually imbibe to the point of severe intoxication.
Withdrawal Symptoms
The bodies of those with longstanding dependencies can no longer function without alcohol. As a result, diminished intake will result in physical and mental manifestations known as withdrawal symptoms. Specific examples include:
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Increased perspiration
- Elevated body temperature
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Shaking
- Mood swings
- Irritability
Severer dependencies might elicit more serious symptoms such as an increased pulse rate, concentration difficulties, anxiety disorders, depression, hallucinations, blackouts, and even convulsions.
Legal Issues
Alcohol loosens a user’s inhibitions, lessens their reaction time, and often leads to poor decision-making. In light of such facts, regular drinkers may engage in reckless behavior or act without thinking. Such behavior could result in criminal actions and subsequent legal problems.
Relationship Challenges
Alcohol addictions grow more difficult to conceal. Therefore, family members, friends, co-workers, and other concerned relations grow frustrated with the individual’s actions and the problems occurring as a result. This friction often leads to tension between impacted parties. Persons with alcohol use disorders stand at increased risk of family estrangement and lost friendships.
Symptoms Suggesting Possible Alcohol Abuse
Everyone is different and alcohol might impact people in unique ways. However, overindulgence often produces certain common symptoms such as:
- Blaming usage on stress or other life tensions
- Experiencing difficulty remembering times and important dates
- Declining cognitive functions like concentration
- Establishing a new social circle
- Exhibiting extreme irritability and wild mood swings
- Building a growing distance between themselves and others
Alcohol dependents often drink alone. Addiction specialists attribute this occurrence to either shame over one’s addiction or the desire to avoid public scrutiny.
Causes And Risk Factors For Alcohol Abuse
One cannot properly address an alcohol addiction until they identify the reasons the problem started. Medical professionals list several underlying factors including:
- Past or current mental, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Financial struggles
- Major injury or illness
- The loss of a loved one
- Job stress
- Unemployment
- Home life
- Negative external influence
In addition, alcohol addiction may result from an existing mental condition like anxiety or depression.
Alcohol Consumption-Limiting Methods
Once the specific contributing factors are identified and addressed, the user might curb further drinking episodes through efforts such as:
Journaling
Putting one’s feelings into writing might prove effective. Suggested topics include the reasons drinking should be avoided and a list of future goals that continued alcohol consumption might interfere with their ability to achieve.
Avoiding Alcohol
Individuals should not keep alcohol at home and avoid social occasions, people, and places where drinking frequently occurs.
Maintain An Active Schedule
Boredom is often the root of questionable behavior. Therefore, those hoping to curb their consumption must partake in productive, relaxing, and mind-stimulating activities during downtime.
Contacting Us
For additional information on this topic, please contact us at 833-820-2922. Our Columbus, Ohio-situated facility has helped numerous alcohol dependents end their addictions and become successful sober subjects.