Symptoms of Alcoholism

Some of the symptoms of alcoholism-

-Abdominal pain
-Confusion
-Drinking alone
-Episodes of violence while drinking
-Hostility when confronted about your alcohol intake
-Lack of control of one's amount of alcohol intake
-Make excuses to drink
-Nausea,vomiting
-Need for daily use of alcohol to function
-Neglecting to eat
-Not caring about physical appearance
-Numbness and tingling
-Secretive behavior to hide drinking
-Shaking in the morning

People who might be suffering from alcoholism;

-Men who have more than 15 drinks a week
-Women who have more than 12 drinks a week
-Anyone who has more than 5 drinks per occasion at least once a week

(one drink is defined as one 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1 1/2 ounce shot of liquor)

The following questions are used by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to test for alcohol abuse and dependency

-Do you ever drive when you've been drinking?
-Do you ever drink more than before to get drunk or get desired effect?
-Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
-Have you ever had any blackouts after drinking?
-Have you ever lost a job or missed work because of your drinking?
-Is someone in your family or your friends worried about your drinking?

If any of this sounds familiar or you are concerned about your drinking, contact a treatment center , doctor, or find an AA meeting in your area.

I only posted this because I thought it might help someone, not because I'm trying to preach to anyone.

 

If you find you are drinking more than three times a week and it is more than one glass of wine or one beer, then I'm pretty sure you are either an alcoholic or on your way to becoming one.

 

Other signs you might be alcoholic:

1. You drink all day long.

2. You drink more than 3 or more times a week.

3. Drinking for more than 4 hours.

4. Constantly going to bars/taverns/pubs/lounges/nighclubs (you're there every single week).

5. You don't care about your appearance (you rarely take a shower, don't put makeup on if you're a female, etc.).

6. Red complexion on your face (which normally means broken capillaries).

7. Blackouts every time you drink.

8. Sick/vomiting every time you drink.

9. Headaches every time you drink.

10. Stays in bed a lot when not drinking.

11. Drastic personality changes (you easily get upset for no reason or way too happy for no reason).

12. Constant swollen abdomen/stomach (it never goes away. Most likely a swollen liver or liver disease already).

13. Constantly losing jobs or absent from work a lot.

14. Losing your friends and family because you drink way too much (you start drinking alone, because no one likes being around you anymore because of your drinking).

15. Tried cutting down or changing the type of drinks constantly to try not to get drunk anymore.

16. More than 1 arrest for drunk driving or disorderly conduct caused by your drinking.

17. Neglecting to eat or eat very rarely (especially female alcoholics, it's a type of anorexia-eating disorder).

18. You constantly hide bottles and glasses from loved ones and/or friends.

 

I generally just use one symptom to diagnose....just take a look in the bedroom and if there's any bottles in there it's a positive.

 

Another symptom: lying about how much you drink and/or getting defensive when people ask about it. A nonalcoholic wouldn't care less.

Also, if you have to drink until you puke your pass out, yet don't drink everyday (the inability to stop at 1 or 2 drinks) you could be a functioning alcoholic, but still an alcoholic. There is help out there for anyone struggling with alcoholism, for those intimidated by AA, no one there will turn you away, people are glad you came. The first time you go you may be freaked out, but you'll be welcomed with open arms! If you think AA is for 'christians' it is non-denominational. Your 'higher power' could be God, Buddha, Mother Nature or some unnamable omnipresent being!

If you're squeamish about AA, your doctor will help you. If you don't have a doctor, there are many drug and alcohol counsellors also who are publicly funded, if you have severe withdrawal symptoms you may need medical help, all of these people will help you get that. You are one phonecall away from the potential of HELP and...you are not alone. Hope this helps anyone struggling with this.

 

Ooh, good test.

 

AA or NA, or different groups, can be an amazing thing...
to find other people like you with strength in their heart and a sincere desire to live+
it is good to put yourself into a community of change...

 

.

 

Prana, I think you just described addiction in general.

Oddly enough, Family Guy did an episode on this, claiming that AA was just as bad as alcoholism because the members only traded one addiction for another. They stressed moderation.

Me, I have a very addictive personality and several addictions. With my mental screwiness, I think it's just too much trouble to fight the personality. So I chose good addictions: exercise, healthy veggies, and some light sexual masochism. I'm in great shape, and my marriage has improved.

 

I agree with prana on this.

 

Why do people define alcoholism so liberally? An alcoholic is someone who is physically dependent on alcohol and who drinks a lot everyday. More than 15 drinks a week? Weekly "binges" (5 drinks is way too low to be considered a real binge)? Come the fuck on.

 

no shit. i drink almost daily, but i haven't been drunk in a couple months. does that make me an alcoholic by these standards? yes it does

:afro:

 

Yeah, if those "symptoms" really determine whether or not you are an alcoholic, then I'm an alcoholic right now. But I KNOW I'm NOT. It's not an addiction to me. I just enjoy what I drink. I do not let it rule me...

Although, I will say that I've been drinking more these days because of some severe emotional pain I've been going through. No, I actually drink less than I was a few months ago. So I'm recovering from this emotional trauma. Thanks god, lol.

 

There are a lot of 'umbrella' symptoms, certainly if you have one or two this doesn't always classify you as an alcoholic. Sure, alcoholism is a dependence, that's the main symptom, if you can't function without it, you may need help. Someone can only help themselves, mind you. Becoming sober has to be for *you*, another person's suggestion could have some bearing on your decision, but in the end it's your decision to make. There's help and hope just remember that.

As far as social drinkers and casual drinkers who do it to enjoy a drink, that's different. We're just talking about the disease. Some may say the definition is liberal, but it has to be, there are so many factors that contribute to the disease: whether it be a physical , psychological or emotional dependence, it's sometimes hard to discern which it is.

Some people can have a few drinks in a week and that's cool. Alcoholics either drink too often or drink too much when they do drink. All alcoholics don't drink everyday, and some people can without being an alcoholic. If you NEED to drink, you're dependent.

 

Alcoholism is a continuum. There is no magic line to cross.

 

I drink all day long everyday always black out have to drink in the morning to feel better etc.

 

Yeah I'm shwilly sick like a motherfucker

 

I would call someone an alcoholic more if they needed alcohol in order to function normally. Last year I went through a period where I was drinking every day without fail, started around 6 or 7, drank till the night was done, and didnt wake up till 2 or 3 the next day, grabbed something to eat, do any work that was completely necessary, and then start over. I suppose then I was aware I had a problem, but based on some of these loose definitions I still am an alcoholic. However I do not believe that I am. Nor actually have a problem with booze anymore, just something to do on good nights with friends.

 

I agree. According to this, I could be considered an alcoholic. I drink more than 5 drinks in one sitting, I experience black outs (that actually does scare me a bit, but it makes me a bad binge drinker, not an alcoholic), if I start drinking before dinner I'll usually neglect to eat, etc etc....

sure, i have some tendencies. But I live with two alcoholics. My dad and my uncle and most of their friends when I was growing up were bad alcoholics. I know what the life of an alcoholic is like. I agree with the person that said an alcoholic needs to drink every day. I go weeks without thinking of drinking. I think the definition of an alcholic needs to differientate between binge drinkers with some tendencies (who probably should be careful to control their drinking, like I do. thats why I space out my drinking) and serious alcoholics.

the difference between an alcoholic and a person who just enjoys alcohol is self control and being careful not to cross the line where self control becomes physically difficult.