The fact that alcohol is socially acceptable makes it the most abused substance. Also, it is quite difficult to tell when one may have abused alcohol. When dealing with a loved one, it is a bit challenging to judge whether his or her drinking habits are within the healthy limits. Moreover, when you are objective, it becomes harder to know whether your loved one is suffering from drinking problems.
As you probably know, any person can easily fall into the addiction trap. If you believe your loved one is drinking a lot, these signs can help you determine whether it is time to seek professional treatment for him or her:
Inability to Stop Drinking
If one likes drinking before, during, and after a party or a social function, then he or she may be hiding his or her addiction. You should note that chronic drinking patterns occur as a result of a person trying to self-medicate or alter the reality to escape negative emotions or feel happy.
It is quite risky to use drinking as a way of dealing with external pressures or emotions. This is because over time one develops tolerance to alcohol and may need a lot of alcohol to get the same feeling he or she wants. When one transitions from light drinking to binge drinking, he or she moves from alcohol use to alcohol use disorder. This is a good sign of psychological or physical dependence on alcohol.
Binge or Heavy Drinking
If one tells you that he or she will have two drinks, and before you realize he or she has had over five, this is a clear sign of heavy drinking behavior. Usually, heavy drinkers do not know their limits and want to get past them. You should note that drinking problems develop over time. This is because alcohol has different effects on different persons depending on medications, eating habits, and genetics.
Experts argue that binge drinking interferes with how one remembers things by altering brain chemicals. Thus, if your loved one forgets parts of his or her drinking time, or cannot tell how he or she got home, then that is a sign of heavy drinking.
Hiding Alcohol in Odd Places
A lot of people struggling with alcohol addiction live in denial. Both alcoholics and problem drinkers usually lie about their drinking habits or even drink secretly. It may be quite challenging to spot this. However, this is a sign of a severe problem that ought to be addressed. Studies show that people suffering from the alcohol use disorder are creative in covering up their tracks. For instance, you may find that they hide alcohol behind shelves, a hole in the mattress, and even a ceiling tile.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms occur in an individual who has an alcohol use disorder and suddenly stops doing so. If one suffers withdrawal symptoms that is a sure sign of heavy drinking. Some of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, depression, mood swings, anxiety, nightmares, nausea, vomiting, shakiness, and rapid heartbeat.
Also, if a person has injuries he or she cannot remember getting can be an indication of alcohol addiction. Falls and blackouts can occur when one drinks heavily. Car accidents, gunshot wounds, burns, falls, and traumatic injuries can happen when one binge drinks.
Avoiding Responsibilities
A sure sign of a serious drinking problem is when a person starts to neglect vital things that are quite important to them because of alcohol. When one makes alcohol drinking his or her priority over life responsibilities, they are in a danger zone.
Getting Help
If your loved one exhibits the above signs, he or she is probably struggling a lot with drinking too much. You should reach to us today for further guidance and learn how to approach this issue.
Remember that the above signs are only the beginning of discovering a severe issue. It is good to have alcohol addiction experts assess the situation and determine the severity of addiction and devise the best route to recovery. Feel free to contact Rehab HC today.