Signs Someone Is Struggling With Alcoholism
The above criteria are used to diagnosealcohol use disorder, but there are other signs someone may exhibit that areunique or specific. There may also be early warning signs. The sooner you areaware of a drinking problem in someone you care about, the easier it will befor them to get effective help.
Everyone relates to alcohol differently.Some may display early warning signs before an addiction develops, while othersmay be able to hide their symptoms until alcoholism no longer allows them to.Here are some more clues of a drinking problem in someone you care about:
Unsure Of Whether You Have An Aud Take Our Alcoholism Self
Take our free, 5-minute alcohol abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. This evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are designed to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. Please be aware that this evaluation is not a substitute for advice from a medical doctor.
Ways To Help Someone With Drug Addiction
Substance use disorders exist on a continuum, with the least severe being a substance misuse problem and the most severe most commonly known as a substance use disorder. Substance use impacts more than 23 million people in the United States directly, and if you include the indirect impact that number can skyrocket to over 60 million. What this means is that you more than likely know someone who is currently struggling with an addiction, and at some point will need help to get the medical care that they needknowing what you can do then is an important part of the process.
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Showing A High Alcohol Tolerance
A sudden change in alcohol tolerance is a revealing sign of on-going alcohol addiction or chronic alcohol abuse. The individual not only drinks more but also displays the symptoms of being inebriated long after the majority of his or her drinking companions. His or her body has gotten used to drinking alcohol in large quantities. This is an easy example of how to spot an alcoholic female that tries to hide her addiction.
Are You Alcohol Dependent
It might be surprising to hear that you dont always have to be drinking to extreme levels to become dependent on alcohol. Anyone who is drinking regularly will have a degree of alcohol dependency.
According to Dr Nick Sheron, a liver disease specialist from Southampton University, alcohol dependency operates on a spectrum. At one end of the scale you have people who are mildly dependent, he says.
“Thats people who, for example, cant conceive of a Friday night without having enough drinks to get a bit tipsy. At the other end, you have people where alcohol is more important than their jobs, their families, than pretty much anything, including being alive.”
People who drink heavily tend to keep increasing the amount they drink because they develop a tolerance to alcohol. Tolerance is a physiological response we have to any drug: the more you consume, the more you need to consume to have the same effect.
Part of this dependence is because the wiring in the brain changes with frequent consumption of alcohol. Then, as Dr Sheron says: This change makes you less able to drink in a controlled way.
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Look At Rehab Centers
Convincing a person to go into rehab is challenging. However, it would help if you did your research. Rehab centers have professional counselors who can guide you about the recovery process. They have both personal accounts and experiences that will give you an idea of what behavior to expect. So youre not only never caught off guard, but you know what withdrawals look like. Looking for rehab centers in your area also makes it easy to take the person for treatment right away. You dont want to give an addict reasons to back out. You can always Google rehab centers for addicts to get the best possible match in your area. You also want to ensure the rehab center knows how to work with patients of different ages. A recovering teenage addict has different needs than a recovering adult.
How Can A Psychologist Help
Psychologists who are trained and experienced in treating alcohol problems can be helpful in many ways. Before the drinker seeks assistance, a psychologist can guide the family or others in helping to increase the drinker’s motivation to change.
A psychologist can begin with the drinker by assessing the types and degrees of problems the drinker has experienced. The results of the assessment can offer initial guidance to the drinker about what treatment to seek and help motivate the problem drinker to get treatment. Individuals with drinking problems improve their chances of recovery by seeking help early.
Using one or more of several types of psychological therapies, psychologists can help people address psychological issues involved in their problem drinking. A number of these therapies, including cognitive-behavioral coping skills treatment and motivational enhancement therapy, were developed by psychologists. Additional therapies include 12-Step facilitation approaches that assist those with drinking problems in using self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous .
These therapies can help people boost their motivation to stop drinking, identify circumstances that trigger drinking, learn new methods to cope with high-risk drinking situations, and develop social support systems within their own communities.
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The Signs And Symptoms Of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is often seen as harmless because its legal, but just because its legal doesnt mean alcohol is safer than illicit drugs. Just like other forms of substance abuse, people can become dependent on alcohol, resulting in a dangerous and sometimes deadly addiction. Heavy alcohol use has many negative effects on a persons health, mental health, and lifestyle. In fact, people with alcohol use disorder have an average lifespan thats 24 to 28 years shorter than people without alcohol addiction.
Alcoholism can also include binge drinking, which is defined as more than five drinks for men or more than four drinks for women within a two-hour period. Binge drinking is often done at parties or while at bars. And while people who binge drink may not meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder, they can suffer the same short- and long-term consequences of alcoholics.
If you suspect a loved one is abusing alcohol, its important to look out for tell-tale signs. Some of the symptoms of alcoholism are obvious, while others are subtle. Take a look at many common ones below and consider whether any apply to your loved one. If so, it may be time to have a conversation about treatment options.
Unable To Quit Or Cut Back
People who have become addicted may experience intense cravings for alcohol. These can be very overwhelming, and cravings can arise from a response to a variety of thoughts and feelings. The cravings for alcohol are the strongest when beginning recovery. Often, people experience a tug of war between the part of their brain that wishes to quit drinking and the part that wants to still feel the pleasures of alcohol. If you find yourself unable to quit or cut back your drinking, you might be becoming addicted to alcohol.
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How Do You Know If Someone Is Addicted To Drugs Or Alcohol
May 12, 2016
I drank too much the other night, that wont happen again! I just need one more hit. Im fine! You may have often heard people you care about say these phrases and not think twice about them- until recently. Perhaps, there have been changes in their behaviour that have you concerned.
Changes in behaviour can be a sign of mental illness or addiction. Unfortunately, many people dont understand what addiction is or how it develops. Addiction is not something that happens overnight. Its not something you decide to try as you would decide to try Starbucks latest Frappuccino.
The World Health Organization states that addiction and mental illness affects approximately 10% of the population at any point in time. WHO also reveals that one in four families has at least one member currently struggling with addiction or mental illness. Addiction has no boundaries.
At Bellwood, weve seen all walks of life enter our doors and all of them share the same disease. Many of them have lost, or are on the brink of losing so much because their drinking or substance use has spiraled out of control. How do you define addiction? How do you know if someones drinking or drug abuse has become a larger problem than previously believed?
Individuals struggling with addiction may:
How Can I Help An Alcoholic Starting A Conversation
If you know how to tell if someone is an alcoholic, you canhelp them. The most important thing you can do for someone who you suspect hasan alcohol use disorder is to talk about it. It may not be easy to do, sincealcoholism often creates resistance and avoidance in a person suffering fromit. But if addictions are not directly addressed, they tend to worsen theydont get better without real, effective, professional treatment.
24 Hour Alcohol Abuse Hotline Get Help Now
There are effective ways to talk to someone about their drinking.It is essential that you start this conversation when your loved one is soberand not drinking at all. Focus on how their drinking affects you and how itmakes you feel, such as worried or scared.
Use concrete facts when you bring up thisissue. Without judgement or emotion, discuss specific behaviors and situationsthat have been problematic because of their drinking. For example, talk aboutthe times your loved one drove after drinking too much and the risks they tookin doing so.
This can be an emotional conversation,but it is important to remain calm. Avoid yelling, criticism or pleading withthem. Be rational and clear, and then offer your assistance in getting help.Provide specific options, such as going with them to the doctor or looking atrehab facilities and treatment options together.
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The Dangers Of Alcoholism
Alcohol abuse can lead to an array of issues, affecting both your personal and professional life. Prolonged drinking puts you at risk for developing serious health complications and can cause other potentially life-threatening consequences.
Denial is one of the main reasons why millions of people do not receive treatment for alcoholism. Some individuals will try to rationalize their drinking behaviors. For instance, you may blame other people or certain circumstances for your drinking. Rather than acknowledge the problems youve experienced from alcohol, you become defensive when someone mentions your excessive drinking pattern. By refusing to recognize the negative consequences of alcohol, youre preventing yourself from living a healthy, sober life.
Its time to stop making excuses for your drinking and get the help you deserve. Learn about alcoholism support options and find other resources to start on your recovery plan today.
Withdrawal: The 2nd Major Warning Sign
Do you need a drink to steady the shakes in the morning? Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and a huge red flag. When you drink heavily, your body gets used to the alcohol and experiences withdrawal symptoms if its taken away.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
In severe cases, withdrawal from alcohol can also involve hallucinations, confusion, seizures, fever, and agitation. These symptoms can be dangerous, so talk to your doctor if you are a heavy drinker and want to quit.
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Signs Of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse is defined as any use that causes negative consequences to the user. Alcoholism symptoms can encompass health effects, such as bad hangovers and alcohol-induced accidents, as well as social effects, such as doing or saying regrettable things while intoxicated. Just because someone abuses alcohol does not mean they are dependent on or addicted to alcohol, but it is generally the first step towards the development of an issue later.
Binge drinking and alcohol abuse can start in the teenage years or even earlier, though adults and the elderly may pick up the habit too.
Alcoholism often begins in a persons early 20s and is characterized by frequent heavy drinking. This behavior leads to an increased tolerance to alcohol and eventually presents social and health problems. Recognizing when someone you care about is abusing alcohol can help you determine if they need help.
Some of the signs of alcohol intoxication include:
- Slurred speech
- Glassy or blank stares
Seeking Treatment For Drug Addiction
Depending on your specific goals and needs, there are many types of treatment programs and supportive resources available for drug addiction. Treatment may include:
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Detox: Under medical supervision, your body can safely adjust to not using drugs.
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Medication-Assisted Treatment : Prescription drugs like Naltrexone and Buprenorphine can reduce cravings for drugs.
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Counseling and therapy: Individual or group therapy sessions, or a combination of both, can help you manage your emotions in a private, judgment-free environment.
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Support groups: These groups bring together individuals with drug addiction. Your fellow peers act as a support system for each other throughout recovery.
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Treatment for other medical conditions: Medical services can manage and treat any of the short- and long-term health effects associated with drug addiction.
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Treatment for mental or behavioral health needs: You can receive prescribed psychiatric medications for mental health needs, such as depression or anxiety, that occur at the same time as drug addiction.
There isnt an overnight cure for drug addiction, but with treatment, it is possible to get better over time. Treatment builds a solid foundation of physical and mental strength, as well as a system of support to rely on for help.
If you recognize these symptoms, no matter the type of drug addiction, seek help today. Contact us to learn more about starting treatment.
Eleanor Health
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How Can I Break My Addiction
If you think someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, its time to seek medical help. But first, remember that you need to treat addiction as a medical condition because thats what it is. Your loved one cannot just stop any time even if they wanted to. Thats why they need medical treatment to get the best chances of recovery.
In some cases, you may need to set up an intervention, either with your family or with the assistance of a professional who specializes in intervention. Intervention should not be confrontational. Instead, it should be done with love and support. It needs to emphasize that addictive behavior will not be tolerated or enabledthis is something that family members tend to do. Intervention should also set a clear direction that the individual must take: treatment and rehab.
The intervention process should make it clear how the individuals addiction is affecting everyone. Reassure them that you will be there to provide emotional support throughout their journey towards recovery.
Blaming them for their condition is pointless and unproductive. It will not help push them into the right direction because it wont give them any motivation to change. This is a chronic disease that changes the brain and makes it more difficult to stop. Willpower isnt enough to stop alcoholism, so always be nonjudgmental when talking to an addicted loved one.
The Dangers Of Alcohol Abuse
Many people dont recognize alcoholism symptoms because they are so prevalent in society. Whether its having one too many drinks at happy hour after work one night or developing a pattern of frequent binge drinking, the effects of alcohol abuse can be seen across the country in many forms. Long-term abuse of alcohol takes a serious toll on the brain and body, as every organ is affected by it. Certain organs, such as the liver and the brain, are affected more than others.
Although many people drink to feel buzzed, the ramifications of alcohol abuse can persist long past the initial period of intoxication. Short-term side effects of alcohol abuse can include:
- Trouble breathing
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What Are The 4 Levels Of Addiction
Recognizing the stages of alcohol addiction or alcoholism can help you weigh your options when it comes to detox and treatment. According to E. Morton Jellinek, a scientific researcher who studied alcoholism intensively, there are four stages of alcoholism: pre-alcoholic, early alcoholic, middle alcoholic, and late alcoholic. Jellineks work is a major contributor to the modern view of alcoholism as a biological condition rather than a moral failure.
The pre-alcoholic stage is described as having little evidence of problem drinking. During this stage, any sign of problem drinking can be mistaken for regular drinking behavior. People in this stage may only drink socially, but as the stage progresses they will begin to drink more to cope with stress. The pre-alcoholic stage also includes developing tolerance.
Drinking casually is not a problem, especially if you are drinking manageable amounts and only on occasion. But if you are starting to drink to make yourself feel better, to reduce anxiety, or to forget bad memories, this is when you should start to worry.
The early alcoholic stage means that the person has already experienced their first alcohol-related black out. They will experience a growing discomfort with drinking, but they will be unable to resist it. This is when people typically start hiding or lying about their drinking habits. Tolerance of alcohol continues to grow. Some even become obsessed with thoughts of alcohol.
