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Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcoholism Treatment, General Issues

6 Warning Signs of Alcoholism

Warning Signs of Alcoholism

 

What Are The Warning Signs Of Alcoholism To Look Out For

Many people who struggle with alcohol use really don’t think they have a problem. But most of the time, friends and loved ones around them can see the warning signs of a problem. If you feel like people get on your case about drinking or you wonder if your drinking has become problematic, you need to read this article. See if you find yourself in any of these following descriptions.

1. Drinking Excessive Amounts of Alcohol

Social or moderate drinking is defined as no more than one to two drinks per day for most people, depending on body weight and gender. Social or moderate drinking can be problematic if it causes undesirable side effects.

When people have five or more drinks in a day, it’s considered binge drinking. Many alcoholics eventually drink far more than this. It’s not uncommon for individuals with advanced alcoholism to have a dozen drinks or more each day. However, problem drinking often begins slowly and many drinkers find that they need to drink increasing amounts in order to feel the original effects of alcohol consumption.

2. Loss of Control While Drinking

At some point, many people who struggle with alcoholism make a promise to themselves or another person that they will cut back on their drinking. However, they are rarely able to keep this promise. They cannot stop drinking when they have reached a certain amount. They don’t think ahead about the consequences of drinking too much. Once they start drinking, they keep going until they are completely intoxicated.

>>> Read This Next: Why Alcohol Detox Is Important and How It Works

3. Persistent Use of Alcohol Despite Awareness of Problems

Getting a DUI or receiving divorce papers may not be enough to make an alcoholic change their life. Alcoholics are often made aware of the problems caused by their drinking. They may feel powerless to change.

Other individuals may be so caught up in their denial that they don’t understand the full impact of these consequences. Their downward spiral continues because they lose control and perspective. It may be increasingly difficult to face the problems caused by drinking, but it is possible to heal, no matter how severe the problems have been.

4. Lots of Time Spent on Alcohol-Related Activities

Alcoholics spend a great deal of time engaged in alcohol-related activities. They also may neglect nearly everything else that matters to them. Family commitments, job requirements, financial obligations, hobbies, home and property care – all of these activities go by the wayside. An alcoholic will often defend his or her actions by saying they need to unwind or that no one understands their problems.

5. Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms develop when a heavy drinker suddenly stops all alcohol use. Some physical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, sweating, headaches, and tremors. A person may also feel fatigue, symptoms of depression, difficulty concentrating, irritability, or anxiety. Anyone with severe withdrawal symptoms such as fever, blackouts, hallucinations, or convulsions should seek immediate medical help.

6. Increased Tolerance of Alcohol

After drinking excessively for some time, a person’s body develops a tolerance for alcohol. This occurs when drinkers need to consume more alcohol to feel the same effect that they once felt. Many alcoholics think they don’t have a problem because they don’t always feel drunk when drinking. They still do a lot of damage to their body despite a lack of feeling impaired or intoxicated.

When Symptoms Add Up for Alcoholism

What were your results? If you found just one bit of truth in this article, you may want to consider how drinking is affecting your life. It may be time to ask some questions about getting sober. Please call our addiction treatment professionals today. We understand your concerns and will help you find solutions that fit your lifestyle.

Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, General Issues

Long Term Health Effects of Alcoholism

The news often promotes studies that show the benefits of drinking alcohol. But when someone misuses or becomes addicted to alcohol, the list of associated health problems gets very long. These effects are different depending on a person’s gender, and is unfortunately worse for women. Because alcohol use is common and legal for adults, this is an article you just can’t miss. Before you take another drink, you need to understand whether you are putting yourself at risk.

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Gradual Organ Breakdown And Dysfunction

When a person’s body is subjected to the toxic effects from excessive alcohol, the effeciency and interconnection among the body’s organs starts to fall apart. Because the organs all depend on each other to keep the body going, big problems in one area can mean big problems for the whole system. This can eventually cause death.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Cirrhosis of the liver is scarring from excessive alcohol use This scarring is permanent and cannot be reversed. Scarring means that parts of the liver are non-funtional, causing the remaining portions of the liver to pick up the slack. As a person keeps drinking, they overwork the ever-shrinking remainders.

The liver’s job is to process and filter out toxins from the blood. If a person stops drinking, they can preserve the remaining unscarred portion of their liver. But if they continue to drink, they can eventually die from complete liver failure.

Alcohol-related hepatitis is another serious disease related to alcoholism. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver and can cause abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyeballs, and skin), and fever. Like cirrhosis, it can be fatal if a person continues to drink. If they stop drinking, the effects of hepatitis can be partially or even completely reversable.

Alcohol-Related Heart Disease

It’s now well known that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can have some heart benefits, especially if a person already has a risk for heart attack. But if you go over the modest recommended amount, the benefits quickly disappear. Excessive drinking will increase the risk for stroke, various forms of heart disease, and blood pressure problems.

Other Alcohol-Related Health Problems

Heavy drinking causes capillaries near the surface of the skin to break. This gives the face and other exposed skin a ruddy blotchy look. This damage is generally not reversable.

The extra empty calories consumed by an alcoholic can also contribute to obesity.

Obesity can cause a great deal of strain on muscles, bones, and the circulatory system. While obesity is a problem on its own, obesity can also be a leading cause of Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes can lead to loss of vision, poor circulation, organ damage, and loss of feeling in the extremities.

Brain cells are permanently damaged or killed with excessive drinking. Nerve damage can also develop over time. Bleeding ulcers and other digestive problems can emerge after years of irritation by large amounts of alcohol.

Health Risks From Excessive Drinking

So now you know a few of the worst health problems associated with alcoholism. Many of these can be fatal in one way or another. If you think you may be drinking excessively, call your doctor for help and more information.

Addiction Recovery, Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcoholism Treatment, General Issues

At-Risk Alcohol Abuse Among Older People

When you think about older people drinking alcohol, so many misconceptions and stereotypes exist. A new revealing study done by the school of medicine UCLA exposes much more about risky drinking by people 60 years old and older.[1] Many people assume that drinking at an older age isn’t that much of a problem or that not much can be done if a problem exists. But a new understanding of the risks of drinking for older people can help you or a loved one get the treatment you need.

Health Risk Factors

Elderly woman drinkingAccording to the UCLA study, older drinkers are much more likely to take a variety of medication which can increase their risk of developing complications from alcohol use. Some medicines can be dangerous when combined with alcohol, and certain health conditions can significantly worsen with heavy alcohol use, especially heart and liver conditions. Some older drinkers are at risk because they drink alone, due to the recent death of a spouse or other loved one or a divorce. Older drinkers are also at great risk for injury because of more frail bones, worsened sense of balance, or weakened muscles. The National Institute on Aging lists several risk factors for older adults who drink too much over time.[2]

Drinking too much over time or as an older adult can:

  • Lead to some kinds of cancer, liver damage, immune system disorders, and brain damage.
  • Worsen some health conditions like osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure and ulcers.
  • Make some medical problems hard for doctors to find and treat because alcohol damages causes changes in the heart and blood vessels. These changes can dull pain or other symptoms that might be warning signs of a problem.
  • Increase forgetfulness and confusion in some older people which could be mistaken for signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

Older Alcohol Abuse Statistics

The UCLA study found that alcohol issues were slightly different for different cultural, educational and age groups. Caucasians were more than twice as likely to have risky drinking then Asians. Persons age 60 to 64 were more than twice as likely to have a drinking problem as those 80 years or older. Graduating from high school seemed to decrease an older person’s chances for risky drinking by 2.5 times. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, adults who are 65 years of age or older and on no medication should have no more than three drinks on a given day or seven drinks in a week.[3]

Alcohol Rehab for the Mature Adult

Older people tend to be somewhat ignored when it comes to alcoholism. People often assume that the symptoms associated with alcoholism are just a normal part of aging. But too much alcohol in the older adult can have disastrous consequences. Dangerous medication and alcohol combinations, falls, and accelerated disease can all shorten or dramatically impair a person’s quality of life. No one wants this for their older relatives.

Realizing you or a loved one has a problem and asking for help is the first and most important step in alcohol recovery no matter a person’s age. For the older person struggling with alcoholism, family support is crucial for successful treatment.

The older alcoholic may doubt that he or she can change, especially after so many years. But with family participation and encouragement, older people with at-risk drinking can improve and even save their lives by getting the right treatment. For more information about helping an older loved one struggling with alcohol abuse, call our toll-free number now.

[1] University of California, Los Angeles. “High Rates of At-Risk Drinking Among Elderly Adults, Study Finds,” Science Daily, May 1, 2010. Accessed March 20, 2017. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100429092944.htm

[2] National Institute on Aging. “Alcohol Use in Older People,” March 2012. Accessed March 20, 2017. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/alcohol-use-older-people

[3] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Older Adults.” Accessed March 20, 2017.  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/alcohol-use-older-people