Signs of Alcohol Addiction

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If an individual is trained and knows what to look for, there are numerous signs of alcohol addiction, both physical and psychological, that will be manifested by the alcoholic.

Keep in mind that alcohol addiction, alcohol dependency, and alcoholism are exactly the same thing. This means that the signs of alcohol addiction are the same as alcoholism signs and alcohol dependency signs.

Alcohol Addiction: Loss of Control

image: young man angry about alcohol addiction of his girlfriend Addiction means a person has no control over whether he or she uses drugs or alcohol.

A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol has grown so used to the substance that he or she simply "needs" to have the substance in order to "feel right" or to function. Addiction can be psychological, physical, or both.

It is important to note that a person's loss of control gradually gets worse as the addiction progresses. This means that in the last stage of addiction, an addicted individual has a total loss of control over his or her drug of choice.

Physical Addiction, Tolerance, and Dependence

Physical addiction takes place when a person's body actually becomes dependent on a particular substance.

image: nurse looking at substance abuse patient It also means that a person develops a tolerance to that particular substance, meaning that the user requires a larger dose than before to get the same "buzz" or "high."

When a person who is physically addicted stops using a substance such as cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol, he or she may experience withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal is defined as any psychological or physical disturbance experienced by a drug addict when deprived of the drug. Withdrawal symptoms vary from drug to drug.

The seriousness of withdrawal symptoms is highly dependant on the drug or drugs that were abused by the addict. Withdrawal symptoms for many individuals, are similar to having the flu.

Typical withdrawal symptoms include mood swings, sweating, depression, diarrhea, shaking, muscle aches, and craving for drugs or alcohol.

Signs of Alcoholism. Alcoholism signs can include an inability to remember some of the events of the previous night, when the person was drinking or perhaps feeling anxious in a social situation where there was no available alcohol. As many people are aware, a person has a drinking problem if drinking leads to any problems in his or her life.

It needs to be highlighted that alcohol withdrawal symptoms are one of the best signs of alcoholism. Why? Mainly because an individual needs to be dependent on alcohol in order for him or her to experience alcohol withdrawals.

So if you see someone going through alcohol withdrawal symptoms when he or see suddenly stops drinking, chances are very good that this person is alcohol dependent.

Important Considerations About Psychological Addiction

Psychological addiction occurs when the cravings for a drug are psychological or emotional. People who are psychologically addicted feel overcome by the desire to have a drug.

These feelings are so strong that in many instances psychologically and physically addicted individuals will do almost anything for their next "fix" including stealing, lying, and in some circumstances, killing.

Many times people abuse drugs or alcohol in order to have "fun" or to get a "buzz." Many individuals, in fact, report that having a few drinks makes them feel more comfortable in social situations. The danger, however is this. Repeated drug or alcohol abuse can result in addiction.

Those who drink excessively may begin to show early alcohol abuse signs. Unfortunately, the situation can progress to alcoholism signs and symptoms. The bottom line: if the person continues to drink in an abusive manner, he or she may later become alcohol dependent.

When an individual is addicted, he or she no longer takes drugs or alcohol to have fun or to get high. Rather, the addicted person needs the drugs or alcohol in order to function on a daily basis.

Finally, it is important to mention that frequently, the addicted individual's everyday life centers around satisfying the need for the substance on which they are hooked.

image: male teen in need of drug treatment

Psychological Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Psychological signs that you or someone you know may be addicted to alcohol include the following alcoholism signs:

use of alcohol as a way to forget problems or to "mellow out"
blaming others for one's problems
anti-social behavior
withdrawal or keeping secrets from friends and family
loss of interest in activities that used to be important
changes in friendships, such as associating only with friends who drink
a preoccupation with figuring out how to get alcohol
failed attempts to stop drinking
anger, anxiety, or depression
unexplained mood swings

Alcoholism Signs. Addiction research shows that if your friends or family members have been concerned about your drinking behavior, you may have a drinking problem that you haven't admitted or come to grips with. One of the earliest signs of alcoholism concerns blackouts, that is, being wide awake but not being able to remember things that you did and said at the time you were drinking.

Physical Signs of Alcohol Addiction

The physical signs of alcohol addiction include the following signs of alcoholism:

increased tolerance
changes in sleeping habits
abdominal pain
feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop drinking
stealing from others to finance one's addiction
vomiting
missing work
uncharacteristic problems with the law
nausea
blackouts, not remembering drinking episodes
needing to drink more alcohol to get the same "buzz"
changes in eating habits, including weight loss or gain
puffy face and red eyes
problems with schoolwork, such as absences or falling grades
driving under the influence (DUI)
numbness in the legs or arms
selling belongings to finance one's addiction
swelling of the liver

Alcohol Abuse Signs and Alcoholism Signs. 7.5% of Americans employed in full-time jobs report heavy drinking, defined as drinking five or more drinks per occasion on five or more days in the past 30 days; 6.6% of part-timers and 10.8% of unemployed workers also report heavy drinking; across all three categories, heavy drinkers are most likely to be found in the 18 to 25 year old age group.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction: Conclusion

Based on the information provided above, it can be seen that an alcoholic manifests many signs of alcohol addiction or alcoholism signs. Keep in mind, however, that not all circumstances involving "problem drinking" mean that a person is alcohol dependent.

In other words, although some alcohol abuse signs are very similar to alcoholism signs, if the person does not meet the symptoms and signs of alcoholism discussed above, he or she is more likely than not, an alcohol abuser, and not alcohol dependent.

In most, if not all circumstances, however, alcohol abuse (such as binge drinking) can develop into more serious situations such as alcohol addiction. If is therefore important for people who exhibit alcohol abuse signs to seek professional alcohol advice as soon as possible so that they can avoid the possible transition to alcoholism.

As a result, if you have friends or family members who exhibit some of the physical or psychological "signs of alcohol addiction," alcohol abuse signs, or signs of alcoholism, try to talk to them and suggest that they seek professional alcohol treatment as soon as possible.

Substance abuse research shows that the physical signs of addiction or abuse can be extremely different, depending on the drug being abused and on the individual doing the abusing. Different drugs have both short-term and long-range physical effects that can be unique to the drug being abused. Addiction and substance abuse also can place users at increased risk for a number of illnesses that are directly or indirectly related to substance abuse or to drug addiction. Indeed, these medical conditions and illnesses can be the result of various behaviors such as poor health habits and inadequate living conditions, situations that are not unfamiliar with addicts and substance abusers, or the result of the poisonous effects of the substances or drugs that are abused.

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Signs of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Signs. Do you ever wonder if a family member or one of your best friends exhibiting alcoholism signs or alcohol abuse signs? Is this person engaging in abusive or excessive drinking? Does this person have a drinking problem? If so, you are probably wondering what alcohol abuse signs you can identify. The following list represents some alcohol abuse signs that with any luck can answer some of your questions: uncharacteristic money problems, atypical relationship problems, getting arrested for one or more DUIs, poor hygiene and neglected appearance, hanging out with new "friends" who are heavy drinkers, staying out considerably later than usual, more frequent or increasing drinking behavior, and/or more absenteeism from work or school than usual.

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