Alcoholic drinks are popular nearly everywhere, in almost every culture. But while these types of beverages can be quite enjoyable, when they are not consumed in moderation serious problems can occur. Alcohol addiction can negatively impact an individual’s life and relationships with friends and family. This is why recognizing and understanding the signs of alcohol addiction is essential in helping those afflicted make positive changes in their lives.
Don’t Let Addiction Control You
Signs of Alcohol Addiction
1. Hiding or Lying About Your Drinking
If you or someone you know finds themselves trying to hide and sneak a drink in, even from their own friends and family, it is a concerning matter. Some people with alcohol addiction will not admit how much they drink. These signs show that they think they are doing something wrong and that is why they are trying to hide it from the people closest to them.
2. Drinking Alone
Some people tend to start drinking alone to alleviate anxiety, depression, stress, or past trauma. If nobody is aware of your struggles, you are most likely going to increase your drinking, which can lead to negative emotions. These kinds of behaviors can mean that a person may have some self-medicating problems or issues that they don’t want to face.
3. Drinking First Thing in the Morning
If an individual feels like they have to or need to have a drink first thing in the morning, this may be a sign of psychological dependency on alcohol. Most people who drink in the morning often do it alone. If the individual has a drink in the morning it can easily lead to them drinking all day and it could lead to impulsive behavior throughout the day. If they do not have that drink in the morning, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. Drinking first thing in the morning could lead to liver damage.
4. Making Excuses for Drinking or Being Defensive
The most common form of defense mechanism is denial. When an individual who has alcohol addiction is confronted by a friend or family member and they won’t admit that they have a problem or are being defensive about it, may mean that they are in denial. They may make excuses like “it relaxes me” or “it helps me sleep” for their drinking problem. Once the individual acknowledges their problems, then they can do something about it.
5. Neglecting Responsibilities
When an individual becomes addicted to alcohol, they might begin to neglect their responsibilities at work, home, or school. This could include being late, having frequent absences, missing work, performing poorly on tests or at your job. Alcohol should never be consumed if it takes over your responsibilities and if it is taking over the important moments of your life then you can reach out for help.
6. Increased Alcohol Tolerance
Often frequent drinkers will feel they need to increase their intake to achieve the same effect as when they drank a prior time. This is a potential sign of dependence. As person tolerance expands, they may drink more to compensate, and their body will become accustomed to having more drinks than the average amount.
7. Trying to Reduce or Stop Drinking, and not being able to do so
Once the individual understands and realizes their drinking problem and is trying to make a change but have been unsuccessful, consider finding additional help. Even though they want to take control of how much they drink, if they are unable to, then there is a chance that they are struggling with alcohol addiction. It’s a good sign when the individual wants to reduce or quit drinking because it shows that they understand the negative impacts it has on their life.
Overcome Your Addiction with Modern Psych
For many individuals, overcoming alcohol addiction can be a challenging process that may seem impossible, but with the support from Modern Psychiatry and Wellness, recovery is possible. Once individuals understand the signs of alcohol addiction, acknowledge that they have a drinking problem, and are ready to make a change, our team at Modern Psychiatry and Wellness will provide support, experience, and customized treatment plans aimed at treating the individual’s overall health. Contact us today!
