Also, the severity of alcohol abuse may play a role in the warning signs a person exhibits. For example, some people try to cover their alcohol abuse by drinking in private and isolating themselves from others. This makes it challenging for family members or friends to intervene and help their loved one.
Mild alcohol abuse can be easily overlooked. However, what may appear as a minor issue can turn dangerous over time. These early warning signs should not be ignored. Seeking treatment sooner rather than later will allow you to get back to the things you enjoy most in life. If left untreated, alcohol abuse can spiral out of control quickly.
While there is no exact formula to determining whether or not someone is an alcoholic, symptoms often co-occur. One symptom may snowball into another, fueling additional problems down the road. No matter how minor a drinking problem may seem, alcohol abuse symptoms should not be ignored.
Call a treatment provider now to find alcohol treatment facilities nearby. There are several screening tools that help with determining whether someone has alcoholism. One tool is known as CAGE — a questionnaire that measures the severity of a drinking problem. Oftentimes, a medical professional may also ask you questions from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM to properly diagnose alcohol abuse.
Answers to these questions should be based on the past year of alcohol use. Questions include:. The CAGE is a brief questionnaire that you can take to help determine if you have a problem with alcohol. Any negative consequences in just one area of your life, regardless of how much or how often you drink, are cause for concern and an indication that you need the help of a professional. Alcohol abuse can lead to an array of issues , affecting both your personal and professional life.
Prolonged drinking puts you at risk for developing serious health complications and can cause other potentially life-threatening consequences. Denial is one of the main reasons why millions of people do not receive treatment for alcoholism.
Some individuals will try to rationalize their drinking behaviors. For instance, you may blame other people or certain circumstances for your drinking. Learn about alcoholism support options and find other resources to start on your recovery plan today. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Only attending events where alcohol is available or allowed could be an early sign of alcoholism. So could hanging out with others who drink and shunning those who do not.
This person won't go to a Little League game, but will definitely go to a college game where there will be tailgating.
They may take you to an occasional movie, but can't wait to get out of there and go to a bar. They drink when they're happy and when they're mad.
They drink when they are celebrating and they will celebrate anything and when they're depressed. They use alcohol to cope with life, whether life brings ups or downs. Alcohol is a crutch. Alcohol simply means more to them than it does to other people.
An early sign of alcoholism is an ability to "hold their liquor. They have developed a tolerance for alcohol , which means it takes more alcohol to make them feel the way one or two drinks used to make them feel.
Although they may not appear intoxicated after a few drinks, their mood or personality may change. They may go from being a kind, sweet person to being mean and verbally abusive after just a couple of drinks.
Or, they could change from being shy and quiet to being loud and aggressive. They could become overly emotional while drinking, whereas when sober, they rarely express any emotions. They're fine when they have a drink in hand, but if they are in a situation in which they cannot drink for any significant period of time, they can become irritable.
They may become angry at the slightest provocation, or no provocation at all. This means that when they're sober they become unpredictable and difficult to communicate with. They may say that they are not going to drink today, but as soon as they get around others who are drinking, they change their mind.
Or they may tell you that they are only going to drink one or two, but ends up having much more. They may start out not drinking and then create a situation, like an argument, that gives them an excuse to start drinking. Most social drinkers have a type of alcohol or a brand that they prefer, and they stick to drinking their preferred beverage.
Alcoholics will drink whatever they can get their hands on. Frequently drinking a larger amount of alcohol or for longer than intended. Wanting to cut down or control drinking but not being able to stop.
Facing problems at home with family, work, or other commitments as a result of drinking or being sick from drinking. Continuing to drink even though it causes issues with loved ones. Giving up on interesting, important, or pleasurable activities to drink instead.
Getting into repeated situations while or after drinking that increase the risk of getting injured or hurt such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex.
Continuing to drink despite feeling depressed or anxious, adding to another health problem, or after having had a memory blackout. Drinking much more to get the same effect or finding the usual number of drinks has become less effective than before.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritable moods, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, or sweating after the alcohol wears off.
Having at least two of the symptoms indicates that a person has AUD. Depending on how many symptoms a person has, AUD can range in severity. However, mild AUD can progress in severity, which is why seeking treatment early is important.
If the person does have an alcohol problem, the best thing you can do is be open and honest with them about it. Be prepared to face a negative reaction. Try to roll with any resistance to your suggestions. The person may be in denial, and they may even react angrily to your attempts. Do not take it personally. Give them time and space to make an honest decision, and listen to what they have to say. All you can do is offer your help. Be nonjudgmental, empathetic, and sincere.
Imagine yourself in the same situation and what your reaction might be. Your friend or loved one may also vow to cut back on their own. However, actions are more important than words. Urge the person to get into a formal treatment program.
Ask for concrete commitments and then follow up on them. You may also want to see if other family members and friends want to be involved. This can depend on several factors, such as how serious the situation is or how private the person may be. Approaching someone to discuss your concerns is different from an intervention. An intervention is more involved. It involves planning, giving consequences, sharing, and presenting a treatment option.
0コメント