A progressive disease characterized by loss of control over use, obsession with use, continued use despite adverse consequences, denial that there is a problem, and a powerful tendency to relapse
How to recognize a Drinking Problem?
Denial that an alcohol problem exists is common
Alcohol abuse can occur without physical dependence
Not everyone who drinks regularly has an alcohol problem
Alcohol abuse symptoms include:
Repeated work, school or home problems due to drinking
Risking physical safety
Recurring trouble with the law, often including drinking and driving
Continuing to drink despite alcohol-related difficulties
Drinking to calm your nerves, forget your worries, or reduce depression
Losing interest in food
Gulping your drinks down quickly
Lying about or trying to hide your drinking habits
Drinking alone more often than with friends
Hurting yourself or someone else while drinking
Being drunk more than three or four times in the past year
Feeling irritable, resentful, or unreasonable when your not drinking
Having medical, social or financial problems caused by drinking
Alcohol abuse often progresses to alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence
Symptoms of alcoholism include:
Craving- a strong need or compulsion to drink
Impaired control- the inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion
Tolerance- needing greater amounts of alcohol to feel the same effect
Physical dependence- experiencing withdrawal symptoms if alcohol is stopped, including: nausea, sweating, shaking, anxiety, increased blood pressure and seizures
Giving up activities in order to drink or recover from alcohol’s effects
Drinking that continues even when it causes or worsens health problems
Wanting to stop or reduce drinking and not being able to stop
Prevention
Early identification of problem drinking allows prevention or treatment of complications, including severe withdrawal
References
Uppers, Downers, All Arounders: Physical and Mental Effects of Psychoactive Drugs by Darryl Inaba (Author), William E. Cohen (Author)
If you or anyone you know suffers from these symptoms, please get help now by clicking on the following GET HELP NOW BUTTON.
