Ten Warning Signs of Alcoholism

Ten Warning Signs of Alcoholism To Look For

There are several signs that may indicate a drinking problem. The following are signs that show up again and again in research studies and in the question-and-answer sections of organizations who aim to help people experiencing alcoholism.

Sign 1: Demographics

Research shows that:

• Men are more likely to drink than women.
• Young people are more likely than older people to drink. Typically alcoholism is more common among people aged 18-29.
• Underage drinking is more likely to lead to a drinking problem than adult drinking – i.e. someone who takes their first drink after the age of 21.

Demographics are inconclusive but if someone is a drinker and also exhibits the demographics above it can help you narrow down whether or not they have a problem. To read more about demographic signs of alcoholism visit The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and take a look at their demographic studies:

• Alcohol Abuse Increases, Dependence Declines Across Decade: Young Adult Minorities Emerge As High-Risk Subgroups
• Alcohol Alert No. 55: Alcohol and Minorities: An Update

Sign 2: Mental Disorders

Behaviors of mental instability often go hand in hand with someone who is drinking too much. Depression, anxiety, antisocial behavior and people who act too dependent on others are common noticeable traits – especially if the person was never like this before they started drinking.

Sign 3: Needing vs. Wanting To Drink

If someone needs alcohol it’s a big sign that they have a problem. Needing to drink means they drink in the morning because it relieves a hangover. It might mean they drink where they shouldn’t even though they know it’s wrong – like at work. Maybe the person simply says often, “I need a drink.”

Sign 4: Drinking Alone

This is not having a glass of wine alone after work. This means someone drinks a lot of alcohol alone. Sometimes this may mean that the person does all their drinking in private because they’re afraid that if they drink in public people will know they have a problem.

Sign 5: Daily Drinking

Most people do not drink daily. People with a drinking problem usually drink daily, if not more than once daily. If you know someone who cannot make it through a whole day without a drink it’s very likely that they are an alcoholic.

Sign 6: Violent Behavior

If someone is only violent when they drink, then they could have a drinking problem. Violence while drunk can indicate that the person’s body can’t handle the alcohol or that they are overly upset and irrational about their drinking. They may just be violent when it’s out of character for them to be so. Always take violence that comes with drinking seriously.

Sign 7: Drastic Lifestyle Changes

This is actually a whole bunch of signs but alone they may not seem like much; together they may make someone’s life look very chaotic. When someone’s life looks chaotic, then substance abuse may be the cause. Some signs include:

• Trouble at Work
• Not Caring About Appearance or Hygiene
• Money Problems
• Lying

If you notice some of the above (or any other life altering) traits that did not exist before, then alcohol may be to blame.

Sign 8:Lack of Focus

If someone has difficulties focusing, concentrating, or even being able to communicate properly because of their lack of focus (i.e. they ignore you but never did before), then that’s a warning sign of alcoholism.

Sign 9: Alcohol is Everything

Sometimes people with alcohol problems hide it by never mentioning alcohol ever. On the flip side are the people who will make alcohol the center of everything. They may talk about alcohol incessantly, bring it up when you try to make social plans, and generally become consumed with alcohol and issues surrounding alcohol.

Sign 10: Early Physical Signs

Alcoholism comes with many poor interior body health issues, but the signs you may notice include things like:

• Bad Breath or the Scent of Alcohol Always on the Person
• Frequent Headaches
• Trembling in the Morning
• A Noticeably Very Relaxed State after the Person gets their First Daily Drink

Fast Signs of Alcoholism

Sometimes you may feel frantic about your own or someone else’s drinking. In that case you need something quicker than looking for ten warning signs of alcoholism. The following questions adapted from NIAAA can tell you quickly if you or someone you love has a problem with alcohol.

1. Do you ever think you need to cut down the amount of alcohol you drink?
2. Do people criticize your drinking?
3. Do you feel guilty about how much you drink?
4. Do you drink first thing in the morning because you need to?

According to NIAAA one yes means that someone has a possible drinking problem. More than one yes is still inconclusive but highly indicates that someone does have a drinking problem. If you or someone you care about shows some of the ten warning signs of alcoholism or some of these fast signs above then it’s imperative to speak with a doctor or support group right away. You’ll need further support to determine if this is truly a drinking problem, and if it is your doctor or a support group can send you in the right direction for alcohol recovery.