Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism How to Know if Someone Has a Problem with Drinking

Alcohol dependency, or alcoholism, is a slippery slope but often doesn’t occur overnight. With time, the physical signs of alcoholism become more apparent. The progressive nature of alcohol use disorder means it’s critical that problematic drinking is spotted early to prevent damage to health and wellbeing. Our liver filters out harmful substances, cleans our blood, stores energy and aids in digestion. Too much alcohol can be toxic to liver cells, causing dehydration and permanent scarring—which ultimately affects the blood flow.

Alcoholism is now classified as a disease that physically alters one’s brain. Signs of alcoholism include ongoing episodes of heavy use and an inability for individuals to control their drinking. People who have become chronic alcohol abusers may go through alcohol withdrawal syndrome if they suddenly cut back or stop drinking. This potentially-fatal condition should always be performed under the careful guidance of medical personal. Behavioral signs of alcohol addiction include developing a tolerance, failing to fulfill responsibilities and having withdrawal symptoms.

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Visit our website for more information or call us at 888-SOBER-40. The consequences begin no matter what they may say about their alcohol habits.

• Having at least two of the symptoms indicates that a person has AUD.
• Some of the signs of alcoholism are obvious, while others are subtle.
• It allows them to unwind from challenges that may arise at school, or with family and friends.
• While there’s no specific blood test that can diagnose an alcohol use disorder, certain lab results can point to chronic alcohol abuse and possible alcohol addiction.

Very high concentrations of alcohol in the blood can cause breathing problems, coma, or death. AUD refers to what is colloquially known as alcoholism, which is a term that the DSM-5 no longer uses.

Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcoholism

If you’ve had two or three of those symptoms in the past year, that’s a mild alcohol use disorder. If you’ve had six or more, that’s severe.Learn more about the physical signs of alcoholism.

If you need a formal assessment, contact our clinical team today. Because alcoholism rewires the brain and affects a person’s mood, thinking and behaviors, it’s classified as a mental illness. Thus, many of the hallmark signs of alcoholism involve changes in behavior. You will also find information on spotting the signs and symptoms of substance use and hotlines for immediate assistance.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Most individuals in this subtype are middle-aged and started drinking early. Of the five subtypes, they rate highest for other psychiatric disorders and abuse of other substances. Roughly 80% are from families that struggle with multigenerational alcoholism. Recognizing an AUD comes down to the negative effect of alcohol on the user’s life. When alcohol takes priority over close relationships, work responsibilities, or personal health, the user likely has a problem.

It’s important to understand that what might seem like a minor issue at the beginning can end up turning into something dangerous over time. The following early signs of alcoholism should not be disregarded.

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This smell can remain on their skin and breath for several hours after a binge drinking session. Often, as alcoholism progresses, hygiene begins to noticeably deteriorate. Blackouts are most common after binge drinking – quickly elevating blood alcohol contents. These problems can be exacerbated if drinking on an empty stomach. Blackouts mixed with lapses in judgement can lead to an increased risk of things like drunk driving, unprotected sex, vandalism, and more. Ablackoutis a period of time where an individual has no recollection of details of events, or entire events.