Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Drinking alcohol has always been a popular social activity.  This can make it difficult to tell when someone is drinking socially and when they’re abusing alcohol, especially because excessive drinking is more widespread.  Alcohol abuse becomes a problem once the drinker begins shirking responsibilities or putting themselves in dangerous situations such as drinking and driving.  Alcohol abuse often leads to an alcohol addiction where the drinker is constantly craving more alcohol and can’t stop drinking.

Because alcohol addiction is a progressive disease that grows over time, some signs and symptoms will be evident in heavy alcohol drinkers in the early stages of an addiction.  Alcohol abusers may drink heavy amounts of alcohol frequently, to the point where they consistently black out, undergo changes in behavior or personality or become angry and violent.  Alcohol abusers are also more likely to put themselves in dangerous situations as well.  Many of these symptoms are found in alcohol addicts as well.

Once heavy drinking and alcohol abuse becomes part of a person’s daily life and inhibits their ability to function, they’re likely an alcohol addict.  This can include symptoms such as an increased tolerance for alcohol, drinking in the morning, denial of a problem, drinking alone, unexplained mood swings, hiding alcohol, and becoming irritable and showing signs of withdrawal (nausea, sweating, and shaking) when they’re not drinking.  They may also be getting into trouble at work or home because of alcohol.  At this point, the alcohol addict should seek help.  This addiction usually worsens the longer it continues.  AllTreatment offers a directory for alcohol treatment centers and more information on alcohol addiction.