Often those persons, who will categorize themselves as a ‘social drinker’, really do have a problem with alcohol abuse. This is the person who really does not drink daily or might not even drink large quantities at a time. This could also be a person who is able to go for days or even weeks before drinking. This is the person who does not realize that they do have any kind of alcohol abuse problems.

Abusing alcohol can happen even when you are not drinking on a regular basis. You are in danger of becoming addicted even when you are not drinking often. The warning signs for alcohol abuse are a little different when it is in a younger person than in an adult.

Symptoms of alcohol abuse are usually as follows. Problems are beginning to arise at school or at work because you have been drinking. These are things like missing appointments, getting hurt on the job or at school or not performing adequately or to your full potential.

You drive after drinking or while driving a car. You have spaces of time that you cannot remember after you have been drinking. Legal issues are becoming a problem because you have been intoxicated while driving. While drinking you hurt yourself or someone else. You have been warned about health issues that are arising like liver disease and you still continue to drink. Your family and your friends are very concerned about how your drinking is affecting you.
Other signs of problems with alcohol are when you start drinking in the morning or when you start drinking alone. The duration of time that you are drunk gets longer and longer. When you start changing what you are drinking, like instead of drinking beer you are drinking wine only because you believe it will stop you from getting drunk or it will help you to drink a smaller quantity. You are feeling guilty for what you are drinking and are making excuses for why you are drinking. When you do things to hide the fact that you are drinking like buying your alcohol at different stores you may have an alcohol abuse issue. When you are concerned that you won’t be able to have enough alcohol to drink for a weekend or even for an evening you are developing a dependence on alcohol. An upset stomach or unexplained weight loss or your nose and cheeks are unusually red indicates that you have a problem with alcohol.

Filed under: Alcoholism

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!