Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, alcoholism and binge drinking are on the rise, especially among women.
There is good news, though. According to Alcoholic Anonymous, there are currently over 1.5 million people in treatment with AA in the United States & Canada.
But why slip into addiction when you can break the habit in good time? You need to know the signs that you’re developing a drinking problem.
Read on to learn about 5 warning signs of alcoholism.
1. Neglect of Responsibilities
If someone is struggling with alcohol, they are often tired or hungover. In extreme cases, they wake the next morning still drunk but try to function.
The above reason often leads to a decrease in job performance. Individuals with alcohol issues are often late to work. Their mental capacity is affected so the work they perform may be performed at a slower rate or with more errors.
The same root causes affect their relationships with loved ones. They do not nurture close relationships, they may cancel dates at the last minute, or not show at all. Financials are often poorly managed, which leads to mistrust, frustration, and anger on the part of those close to them, especially spouses.
2. You Will Notice Abnormal Mood Swings
Mood swings are common among alcoholics. They can be the result of a withdrawal or too much alcohol consumed. For some, the mood swings are the symptom of another underlying mental illness.
Alcoholics may use alcohol knowingly or unknowingly to treat their systems in lieu of and not other pharmacological solutions.
3. Lie About Drinking Alchohol/ Drink at Inappropriate Hours
When an alcoholic becomes aware of their disease but is not willing to stop, they begin to lie. They may lie about when, or how much, or how frequently they drink. They believe this allows them to hide their drinking. In reality, they are only fooling themselves.
It can also lead to other behavior such as drinking at unusual hours, i.e. before everyone gets up in the house or in the middle of the night. This may be done to hide the alcohol or in response to alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
4. You Notice the Physical Signs of Alcoholism
There are also several key physical signs of alcoholism. These include:
- Flushed skin or face,
- Red or blotchy skin,
- Trembling hands,
- Bloating of the face or stomach.
These are classic signs physical signs of alcoholism.
5. Trouble with the Law
Alcohol affects your decision-making abilities. Often this results in dangerous or risky behaviors. Drunk driving is a common legal issue among alcoholics, others include disorderly conduct and domestic violence.
Above is just a shortlist that may suggest that you or your loved one should seek treatment for the effects of alcoholism.
Know the Warning Signs of Alcoholism
May individuals with alcoholism exhibit a range of signs suggesting that they need additional support. These range from changes in relationships, abnormal mood swings, physical changes, and even trouble with the law.
If you’re seeing any of these signs, you’re probably an alcoholic. Take action now, and keep tabs on our blog for more helpful advice.
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