Alcoholism: Signs & Symptoms

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Alcoholism: Signs and symptoms
Mayo Clinic
May 6, 2010

Before treatment or recovery, most people with alcoholism deny that they have a drinking problem. Other indications of alcoholism and alcohol abuse include:

• Drinking alone or in secret
• Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
• Not remembering conversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as "blacking out"
• Making a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned
• Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure
• Feeling a need or compulsion to drink
• Irritability when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available
• Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car
• Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel "normal"
• Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances
• Building a tolerance to alcohol so that you need an increasing number of drinks to feel alcohol's effects
• Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — if you don't drink

People who abuse alcohol may experience many of the same signs and symptoms as people who are dependent on alcohol. However, alcohol abusers don't feel the same compulsion to drink and usually don't experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they don't drink. A dependence on alcohol also creates a tolerance to alcohol and the inability to control your drinking.

If you've ever wondered if your own alcohol consumption crosses the line of abuse or dependence, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you need a drink as soon as you get up?
• Do you feel guilty about your drinking?
• Do you think you need to cut back on your alcohol consumption?
• Are you annoyed when other people comment on or criticize your drinking habits?

If you answered yes to two or more questions, it's likely that you have a problem with alcohol. Even one yes answer may indicate a problem.

 

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Intended as guidelines for workers in restaurants and bars, the list includes the outward signs of intoxication.

• Inappropriate speech volume: An intoxicated person shouts when it isn’t necessary, whisper when there’s no need for secrecy. The voice may go from low to high (or vice versa) when there is no reason to suggest a change in volume is necessary
• Motor control (fine) deteriorates: As people become drunk, their skills requiring fine motor control (hand-eye coordination) deteriorate. Intoxicated patrons may fumble with cellphones or have difficulty picking up change. As their co-ordination declines, people also misjudge distances. They may set a drink down hard on a table, thinking the table is lower than it is.
• Noticeably shallow breathing: Can you notice a difference between your breathing and the customer’s? An intoxicated person may breathe noticeably slower or shallower than others. There may be weakness in breath, with little air inhaled or exhaled.
• Poor enunciation, slurring words: Alcohol relaxes muscles, including those in the mouth, making it hard to speak clearly and distinctly.
• Pace of speech: Intoxicated people may change the rate of their speaking, alternating racing speech with slow speech, or talking consistently slow or fast.
• Other signs: Inappropriate sweating, red eyes and tiredness.

Source: Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

 

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Drinking alone or in secret
Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
Not remembering conversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as "blacking out"
Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car
Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good

These are the ones that pertain to me. My therapist has called me an alcoholic before,which really offended me and made me mad. I don't consider myself an alcoholic,but I do admit that I abuse alcohol. But, after asking myself the questions,it kind of borders on dependence. I do feel guilty about my drinking,I do think I need to cut back and I do get annoyed when people comment, but only because I already feel bad enough about it already.

It just really,really upsets me. THE one thing I never wanted to do,the thing I hated being around is the thing I am doing. What do I do to get this under control(again)?

 

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What do I do to get this under control(again)?

Have you ever investigated participating in a Twelve Step Program in your area?