Alcoholism Symptoms:
Spotting the Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
As with all addictions, alcoholism can have severe adverse effects on your life. The signs that come with the disorder will be outlined below.
Also known as alcoholism or disordered alcohol use, alcohol addiction presents itself differently in most people. While some symptoms will be more subtle, others will be much easier to detect, both in yourself and others. Factors such as the amount of alcohol you consume and the frequency at which you do it will play a crucial role in whether you actually become addicted.
This page will cover some of the most common signs to look out for concerning alcohol addiction. In addition, we will also include the steps you can take if you are experiencing any or all of the symptoms described.
What are the signs of an alcohol dependence?
The most common signs of alcohol dependence can be physical and behavioural.
What is an Alcoholic?
An alcoholic can be defined as a person who struggles with an alcohol abuse disorder, also known as the most severe level of disordered drinking. Although it comes with many symptoms, the most important ones include the inability to control one’s drinking habits or cease drinking completely. This disorder comes with a barrage of negative side effects, the most serious of which are health problems and issues in interpersonal and professional relationships.
Physical symptoms
- Sleep issues, including insomnia
- Lethargy
- Headaches
- Withdrawal symptoms if you try to resist the temptation
- Lack of hygiene
- Excessive sweating
In addition, alcoholism often goes hand in hand with certain mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. Anyone who tries to self-medicate with alcohol in order to treat these conditions may develop an addiction. In turn, that can make the mental health issues even worse, starting a vicious circle that is difficult to break out of.
Behavioural symptoms
Most people experience temporary behavioural changes after consuming any type of alcohol. However, these changes linger and leave much more severe consequences if a person has an alcohol use disorder, including:
- Drinking a lot when alone
- Secretive behaviour
- Ignoring responsibilities
- Loss of interest in everything that used to bring you joy
- Binge drinking
- Still drinking even though it has negative consequences on your life
- Avoiding contact with loved ones
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Recognising alcoholism
As already mentioned, symptoms of alcoholism can often be quite obvious, while, sometimes, they are almost impossible to notice. The latter is most notably the case with functioning alcoholics, who are able to operate seemingly flawlessly in their private and professional lives despite their addiction.
To pinpoint whether you or someone around you is an alcoholic, you can use a testing scale such as CAGE. Answering yes to two or more of the questions within this test can point to a severe drinking problem:
In addition to considering these symptoms, it’s a good idea to undergo screening. This will help you determine with greater certainty whether you’re, in fact, dealing with alcoholism. A popular screening method is the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which involves a set of questions designed to assess your drinking habits and your susceptibility to alcohol addiction.
- Cut – Have you ever felt the need to cut down on your drinking habits?
- Annoyed – Have you ever felt annoyed by others commenting on your drinking?
- Guilty – Have you ever experienced guilt about how much alcohol you are consuming at a given time?
- Eye-opener – Have you ever had an eye-opener (a drink used to get rid of a hangover, for example, or one needed to calm your nerves)?
On the other hand, certain medical professionals have other questionnaires and scales they use to test if someone has an addiction. For instance, The World Health Organisation (WHO) has developed the AUDIT, a test that features ten questions essential for screening harmful drinking habits.
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What to do if You’re Struggling with
the Symptoms of Alcoholism
If you or someone you love is battling with disordered drinking, you can take several steps to start the recovery process. We will list them below.
Speak to someone you trust
Admitting that you may have a problem with drinking is, perhaps, the most difficult step in the recovery process. To make it easier, you can try speaking with someone you love and trust, whether a family member, a partner, or a friend. Getting their honest opinion and having their support will be a crucial part of continuing on the road to recovery.
In case you think someone around you is struggling, the approach is reversed. First, you ought to find a delicate way to broach the subject. Doing research prior to this conversation is pivotal, as it can help you make them feel more understood and accepted. Once you have all the facts, approach them while they are sober, talk to them, and make sure they know they’ll have your support throughout the entire process.
Reach out to a support group
Data from Alcohol Change states that the UK is home to over 600,000 dependent drinkers. In addition, 57% of adults have 14 drinks within a week, with 23% drinking more than 14. As a result, there are also many support groups that bring those who struggle with alcoholism together.
If you feel that your habits are becoming a severe issue, finding and joining one such support group can be of utmost help. By talking to people with similar problems, you may find it easier to break out and start recovering.
From Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to Drinkline, numerous support lines and groups are always at your disposal when you need help. In addition, they are a good option whether the help you need is short or long-term.
Seek professional treatment
In case your drinking habits are severely impacting your life and relationships, taking the most drastic step is often the best option. Professional support will aid you in resisting your cravings and finding healthy coping mechanisms. Nowadays, the most effective addiction programmes include:
- Detox
You will receive expert medical assistance and support with managing withdrawal symptoms after cutting out alcohol. - Therapy
Through various forms of therapy, you will learn a better understanding of what is causing and triggering your addiction to alcohol; in addition, you will be equipped with strategies you can use to better cope with your condition in the future. - Residential care
Recovering away from all the stress that led to drinking in the first place can be beneficial, as well as getting treatment and help from experienced medical professionals; they will formulate a recovery plan best suited to your case, including detox, therapy, and any other necessary steps. - Aftercare
Since recovery is never truly over, having resources you can turn to after finishing treatment is pivotal for maintaining your abstinence no matter what life throws at you.
FREE Alcohol Addiction Assessment
If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol addiction, we understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free alcohol addiction assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.
Treatment for Alcohol Addiction
Thanks to our network of centres and hospitals, we can provide you with the highest-quality treatment options for alcoholism. Our experienced team of expert medical professionals, including psychiatrists, addiction therapists, and psychologists will ensure you get the best possible care.
Depending on your needs, you can opt for different addiction treatment types. We can admit you to one of our hospitals and offer exceptional inpatient care while you recover and learn to form healthier habits surrounded by our experts. Alternatively, we can treat you on a day-care or outpatient basis. In such circumstances, you could continue living your life as usual while still getting the required help.
Aside from these programmes, we also offer you a free-of-charge addiction assessment. It can aid us in determining the best course of treatment for your case.
Using the information below, you can book your free assessment today and take the deciding step toward your recovery.
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