What Are the Signs of Alcoholism?

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 3 MILLION people die from alcoholism yearly.  

That’s a whopping 5.3% of all deaths every year!  

But what are the signs of alcoholism? If a friend or loved one were suffering from drinking problems, would you know how to spot it and how to help?  

If not, please keep reading; you might save a life.  

What is Alcoholism?  

Alcoholism goes by many names; some people call it alcohol abuse, while others refer to it as alcohol dependence. However, each of these names describes the same thing, an addiction to alcohol that can destroy your life.  

Alcoholism is a recognized medical condition, referred to as F10.20 in the latest edition of the ICD-10. If you or someone you know or love is afflicted with alcoholism, their entire life will be centered around alcohol.  

People with alcohol use disorder continue to drink alcohol, even if drinking can lead to negative consequences, such as losing a job or destroying relationships with their loved ones.   

Many people know that their alcohol use has negative consequences, but they often don’t feel able to stop drinking on their own.

Signs of Alcoholism   

The signs of alcoholism are based on the behavioral and physical consequences of alcohol addiction, and people with alcohol use disorder may engage in various behaviors to maintain or hide their alcohol use disorder.

You can use the following signs of a drinking problem in spotting an alcoholic. These behaviors can include: 

• Drinking alone
• Drinking more to feel the effects of alcohol because they have a high tolerance level
• When asked about their drinking habits, respondents often become violent or angry
• Not eating or eating poorly 
• Neglecting personal hygiene
• Missing work or school because of drinking   
• Being unable to control their drinking problems   
• Making excuses to drink   
• Despite legal, social, or economic problems developing, individuals continue to drink  
• Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of alcohol use can have long-term consequences 

When to Stop Drinking and Why   

The best time to stop drinking is right now. If you, a friend, or a loved one are struggling to stop, try contacting the alcohol rehab website linked here.

First, your body, especially your liver, will thank you because regular consumption of alcohol can cause the death of liver cells. In time, enough cells can die to cause permanent damage, like scars that never heal.

If you stop drinking, your liver can rapidly repair itself to some extent. Healing usually begins within a few days after you stop drinking; for more severe cases, it may take several months.  

You will also save a lot of money! If you stop drinking, you’ll soon see an unprecedented increase in savings.

You can save money by working out how much you spend on alcohol in a typical week. Then each week, put how much money you saved from not spending on alcohol into a jar or a separate account.  

Another good reason to put down the bottle is that your sex life will improve because your body will again produce the correct amount of testosterone, as it’s supposed to—the higher your testosterone levels, the higher your sex drive.

Put Down the Bottle, Pick Yourself Up   

The signs of alcoholism are sometimes easy to miss because the alcoholic denies their problem and tries to cover it up, but you know better, and sometimes you must be strong to be kind.  

Use these signs of an alcoholic to help yourself, a friend, or a loved one, and you might save a life.

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