It is always hard to confront someone when you suspect they may be abusing alcohol. How can you be sure? The signs of alcohol use disorder can be difficult to identify. And approaching someone you suspect has a problem can be complicated, especially when you care about that person. If you have been asking yourself, “Is my loved one an alcoholic?” you may need guidance. At New Bridge Foundation®, we have many years’ experience identifying and treating alcoholism at the alcohol rehab center in Northern California. Whatever your relationship to the individual, you owe it to them and the people they care about to say something. The questions outlined below are an excellent place to start.
Is My Loved One an Alcoholic?: Identifying Behaviors
If you are wondering, “Is my loved one an alcoholic?” there are signs to watch out for. Although they can be subtle, someone abusing alcohol will demonstrate particular behaviors. Among the questions you should ask are:
- Does the consumption of alcohol interfere with work, school, or family life? An alcoholic might not even notice the change because it is so gradual. But over time, a person with a drinking problem will not be able to meet the normal expectations of life.
- Do they continue to drink despite negative consequences? As the alcohol begins to consume their lives, there will be negative consequences. Some of these will be physical and psychological, and some will involve not living up to responsibilities. However, despite these negative consequences, the person continues to drink.
- Are they continually engaging in risky behaviors when drinking? Risky behaviors include, most notably, driving, operating heavy machinery, and putting children at risk. But they may also involve fighting, having unprotected sex, or committing crimes.
There are, of course, many more behaviors we could point to here. But these are three important, broad ranged categories.
Physical Symptoms of an Alcoholic
There are any number of physical symptoms that can be eventually associated with alcohol abuse. As chronic alcohol abuse takes its toll over time, the disease can affect every major system of the body. In the early stages, however, there are two main categories of symptoms to look for. The questions you should be asking include:
- Has their tolerance increased over time? One of the most pronounced symptoms is the need to drink more alcohol over time in order to receive the same amount of pleasure. There are many dangers associated with this problem. The critical thing to remember is that even if they are not feeling the effects of, say, several drinks, the adverse physical impact on the body is just as dangerous.
- When they have tried to stop or slow down their drinking, have they begun to experience the physical symptoms of withdrawal? These may include anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, nausea, shaking, and sweating, among other things. And remember, unlike other substances, alcohol detoxification often requires medical attention. So “going it alone” is a potentially dangerous option.
If you have been asking yourself, “Is my loved one an alcoholic?” these are some of the physical symptoms of alcohol abuse that you can look for.
Reach out to New Bridge Foundation® Today
It is not always easy to identify the symptoms of alcoholism. And it can be even more difficult when the person suffering is someone you care about. If you have been wondering, “Is my loved one an alcoholic?” and are worried, don’t hesitate. Reach out to the addiction specialists at New Bridge Foundation® via our secure online contact form, or call us at 866.772.8491. Help for the person you care about is closer than you think.
