Recognising alcoholism can be challenging, as it often involves a complex set of behaviors and symptoms. Here are some signs that someone may be struggling with alcoholism:
- Drinking despite negative consequences: Someone with alcoholism may continue to drink even when it causes problems in their personal or professional life, such as health problems, relationship issues, or financial difficulties.
- Tolerance: Over time, a person with alcoholism may need to drink more to achieve the same effects, indicating a physical tolerance to alcohol.
- Withdrawal: Someone with alcoholism may experience physical or emotional symptoms when they try to stop drinking, such as shaking, sweating, nausea, or irritability.
- Loss of control: A person with alcoholism may struggle to control their drinking or set limits on their alcohol consumption.
- Preoccupation with alcohol: Someone with alcoholism may spend a significant amount of time thinking about drinking, obtaining alcohol, or recovering from the effects of alcohol.
- Neglecting responsibilities: A person with alcoholism may neglect important responsibilities, such as work, school, or family obligations, in favour of drinking.
- Social isolation: A person with alcoholism may withdraw from social activities or hobbies they once enjoyed in favour of drinking.
- Do they always seem to have a drama in their life- people with alcohol issues often lurch from personal drama to personal drama, all these events can be either caused by alcohol, or alcohol is used to help them cope with events or to used to seek solace in other drinking partners.
- Do you find empty bottles hidden around the house/garden- this is a sign the person is ashamed and hiding their use of alcohol.
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be struggling with alcoholism, it is important to seek professional help. Alcohol use like any addiction is unlikely to go away without support. Better teh address the habit or how they deal with emotions. A professional or addiction specialist can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options, such as therapy, medication, or support groups.
If you are struggling with any of the above issues do contact Dr Siobhan McCarthy @ukpsychologist.uk to make an appointment.
