Identifying the Signs of Alcohol Addiction
It’s not always easy to identify the signs of alcohol addiction in a loved one. For one thing, alcohol is legal. It’s not like other drugs where the mere possession of the substance means that trouble is afoot. Almost all American adults who are not in recovery and are over the age of 21 drink. A glass of wine with dinner, a few drinks after work, a night out at the bar or a club on the weekends – even excessive drinking is considered normal.
Plus, those who are struggling with alcohol addiction are hardly volunteering that information. To the contrary, most will deny that they have a problem of any kind if asked and say that their use of alcohol is nothing to be worried about. Even excessive drinking is blown off as being due to a specific event: stress at work, a fight with a spouse, financial worries, or just trying to have a good time.
Many family members are inclined to believe their addicted loved ones. No one wants to believe that someone they care about is struggling with alcohol addiction. However, it is important for family members to be vigilant, keeping an eye out for the signs listed below and make sure to get their loved ones the help they need if alcoholism is indeed a problem:
* Tolerance. Those who are addicted to alcohol can drink far more than the average person and still show no signs of intoxication. Notice how much your loved one drinks in a sitting and gauge the point at which he or she begins to show signs of drinking. If he or she can drink an entire bottle of wine or a six-pack without exhibiting any outward signs of drunkenness – and does so often – then alcoholism may be an issue.
* An inability to go a day or more without drinking. Many who drink heavily periodically promise their family that they will stop – usually when they feel poorly due to a hangover. However, for an alcoholic, that promise rarely lasts more than a day or so. The alcoholic’s reasoning? “I did stop. Then I felt like starting again.” Or, perhaps they blame an event – even the stress of the family member’s concern – for picking up another drink.
* Hidden alcohol. Many alcoholics go to great lengths in order to hide their alcoholic behavior. They will hide bottles of liquor around the house where they believe no family members will find them – often in the car, the bathroom, or rooms where they can drink alone without being caught.
* Lying about the amount they drink. Most alcoholics will say that they only had one glass of wine, even though they refilled that glass repeatedly before it was empty. Others will have a few drinks at home before going out and then only tally the drinks they had in front of others as part of their count for the night. Still others will drink on the way home from work or in isolation then deny that they are under the influence. Lying about the amount of drinking is almost always a sign of alcoholism.
If you are concerned that you or someone you care about is living with an active alcohol addiction, contact us at Michael’s House today. We offer inpatient and outpatient programs as well as sober living for those who are prepared to get the help they need to change their lives. Call now.
