What Are The Signs Of Alcoholism?

Signs of alcoholism causing concern

Many people identify the signs of alcoholism and become concerned about their drinking – or the drinking of someone in their family – and wonder if it is possible that they are or could become an alcoholic. Few people want to admit this is the case because there is a stigma attached to being an alcoholic.

Alcoholism affects people from all walks of life

Even today when we are considerably more enlightened than we were in the past, people still think of alcoholics as being people who sit on park benches swigging from a can or bottle, with their drinks in a paper bag by their side or at their feet. This is despite all evidence to the contrary – that the vast majority of alcoholics are not homeless. Indeed many are successful people from the world of entertainment, business and in positions of authority. Most drinking is done in people’s homes behind closed doors. Many function behind a drink problem for a considerable time. 

Not representative of reality

So the signs of alcoholism are NOT being homeless on a park bench. This represents only a very small proportion of the problem.

Common signs of alcoholism:

Not all of these apply to all people who become alcoholics (or alcohol dependent if you prefer that term).

-Drinking more than the recommended number of units (14 for women and men) for a sustained period. 

-Drinking every day

-Feeling a need to have a few drinks to get through something or to help you do something

-Planning events around drinking opportunities

-Drinking because you are bored / angry / or on any other emotion

-Drinking to help you sleep

-Looking forward to your first drink of the day (the first of a number) and thinking because it is not in the morning you are not alcohol dependent

-NOT drinking every day but when you do, not being able to stop and effectively having periods of ‘binge drinking’

-People who love you starting to notice your drinking and suggesting you drink too much

-Your reaction being defensive

-Your response even involving you lying about how much you have had to drink / whether you have had a drink

-Hiding your drinking in terms of you drinking when no one is looking

-Hiding evidence of your drinking – hiding bottles or cans in places where you think only you will find them. Getting rid of the empties discreetly.

-Having more than one bottle on the go at once – one going down slowly, the other(s) providing you with the amount of alcohol you really want

-Forgetting things –  (details of) conversations, events – due to these having taken place during a session of drinking (commonly known as blackout)

-Prioritising drinking over other commitments e.g. telling friends you will meet them but being late / not turning up as you stayed too long at another drinking event

-Becoming generally unreliable due to drinking or the aftermath of drinking

-Prioritising your drinking over the feelings of your family / the people you love despite them telling you they want you to cut down or stop drinking

-Becoming accident prone – falling down stairs, tripping over more than normal

Everyone is different

These are just some of the signs of alcoholism. There are more and each alcoholic is an individual with unique characteristics  – though with much in common with other alcoholics.

If you are concerned about your own drinking or that of someone you care about, call The Haynes Clinic, a private alcohol treatment centre where you can obtain free advice and a free assessment.

If you are looking for alcohol rehab, you will also be able to discuss your needs with them. Call 01462 851414.