5 Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
There is a big difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction. Namely, one belies a problem that needs to be addressed and the other is a medical disease that needs treatment at an alcohol rehab. To help you determine whether you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse or alcoholism, today we’ll discuss 5 signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse and tomorrow we’ll look at 3 signs of alcohol addiction.
Symptom of Alcohol Abuse #1: Health Problems
Drink too much, and you’ll wake up the next day with a hangover. But if you continue to drink too much or do so regularly, your health problems will significantly increase. If you have medical issues already, alcohol, as a toxin, may worsen these conditions. If you recognize that you are getting sick more often and in general just not feeling “up to snuff,” and you drink often, alcohol abuse may be the culprit.
Another health problem is the dangerous situations that you put yourself and others into when you drink. This may mean driving a car when you’ve had one too many or showing up to work where other people depend on you to be your best when you are decidedly less than.
Symptom of Alcohol Abuse #2: Financial and Legal Problems
Alcohol abuse can cause you to slip up in a number of areas of your life, with financial and legal problems often numbering among the ramifications of these slip ups. You may end up paying bills late, which in turn incurs the wrath of bill collectors and collection agencies. You may not be keeping track of your money and subsequently over drafting your account, bouncing checks and incurring fees, which only make your financial situation worse.
Legal problems like drunk driving charges are common as well as assault charges and issues with being drunk in public. Depending upon the restrictions where you live and your tendencies when you drink too much, these may vary. Court costs and fees for tickets only serve to exacerbate your financial issues.
Symptom of Alcohol Abuse #3: Problems at Work and School
It’s hard enough to do well at work and at school when you’re sober, much less when you’re drinking on the job or before work or class. Even if you wait to drink until after you come home, you’re still going to feel it the next day. Your energy and ability to think clearly and concentrate will be hindered. Fall behind at work, and not only do you risk getting fired and losing your livelihood but you give yourself a reputation that may impede future opportunities. If you’re in school, you’re wasting money on classes that you’ll have to re-take, missing out on opportunities to excel and destroying your GPA. Even if you’re just chronically late or barely managing to skate by, if nothing else, you’re selling yourself and your potential short.
Symptom of Alcohol Abuse #4: Relationship Problems
Do you get irritated when other people comment on the amount you drink or how often you imbibe? Do you feel guilty the morning after a binge drinking session and vow not to do it again? Do you find your circle of friends changing to one that is based on alcohol use? Is your significant other drinking more than usual to keep up or is he or she one of the ones who is irritated by your alcohol use? All of these changes in your relationships could signify that you have an issue with alcohol abuse.
Symptom of Alcohol Abuse #5: Social Problems
If you choose which recreational activities or hobbies to pursue based on whether or not there will be alcohol at the event or avoid events solely because you won’t be able to drink before or during, then that is a clear sign of alcohol abuse. Another one: building your schedule according to when you want to drink or building secret drinking sessions into your schedule so that no one will know that you are drinking.
Alcohol abuse is serious, but perhaps the most serious consideration is that it is the precursor to alcohol dependence or alcoholism. If you recognize yourself in the symptoms listed above, get it under control before it’s too late!
Any other symptoms of alcohol abuse that were missing from the list? Add them below!
Tags: alcholism treatment, alcohol abuse, Alcohol Rehab
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