A common question for those with little experience of living with alcoholics – Is my loved one an alcoholic? If you suspect that your loved one is deep into heavy drinking, observe them for some basic warning signs and symptoms. Sometimes you may fail to notice when someone close to you is battling alcoholism until a misfortune happens.
Is My Loved One An Alcoholic?
In most cases, moderate alcohol consumption entails having only one bottle of beer after a long tiresome day, dinner with a glass of wine, or a few bottles with friends during weekends. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), daily alcohol intake for women should not exceed one drink. For men, health experts recommend not more than two drinks per day.
However, some people cannot stick to the recommended alcohol consumption limit and frequently exceed it, which leads to alcohol addiction. Here are telltale signs that your loved one is an alcoholic.
Lying About Drinking or Hiding Alcohol
A common feature among many alcoholics is denial. People with drinking problems either reject the existence of the problem or believe they can manage their drinking habits on their own.
Denial, coupled with drinking-related stigma, may prevent alcoholics from seeking help or sharing their condition with close family members and friends. If there is any particular container in your home or place that your loved one denies you access, the chances are that it is their alcohol-hiding place. Check these areas to confirm that nothing fishy is going on.
Probable hiding places for alcohol and other illicit substances are in the garage, their wardrobe, shampoo bottles, under the bathroom sink, sports drink bottles, fake water bottles, and under beds.
Deteriorating Health Status
Excessive drinking can lead to substantial wear and tear on your body. An estimated 17 million Americans have alcohol use disorders, and more than 88,000 of them die from alcohol-related illnesses.
What other illnesses can the condition cause? Alcohol metabolizes in your liver to produce acetaldehyde – a toxic and carcinogenic substance that damages your organs, leading to cirrhosis and hepatitis.
There are several other diseases that have a direct link to alcohol, including:
- Heart complications
- Immunodeficiency
- Diabetes
- Mental health problems
- Certain cancers like the cancer of the rectum, mouth, stomach, esophagus, breast, larynx, colon, and throat
A sudden decline in the health status of your loved one or a trend of consistent worsening of their manageable illnesses can be a good indication that they are suffering from an alcohol use disorder. If your loved one is an alcoholic, make sure they are aware of the possible health conditions that could result.
Extreme Mood Swings and Depression
Alcohol consumption can be disastrous to the mental health of the user. While intoxicated, your loved one may become enraged, short-tempered, or even violent. When their drinking problem is approaching addiction levels, depression starts to set in. At this level, they will withdraw from the world and will no longer find pleasure in what previously excited them.
Irresponsibility at Home, School, or Work
If you are wondering if your loved one is an alcoholic, tip-offs include a lack of interest in the lives of their children, pets, spouses, and other family members. Poor delivery and performance at work or school is another indication of alcoholism. Other common signs that show your loved one is abusing alcohol are financial irresponsibility and dangerous behaviors like driving while intoxicated.
Is My Loved One an Alcoholic? Get Help at Right Step Hill Country
In case your loved one is battling alcoholism, do not despair, help is available. At Right Step Hill Country, our vastly experienced staff members provide a wide range of advanced treatment options centered on the patient’s specific requests and needs.
For the best results, our therapists combine several treatment strategies, such as:
- Medically-assisted detox in Texas
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Inpatient and outpatient rehab
- A women-only addiction treatment program
- Chronic relapse track
When you notice a few signs of alcoholism, do not waste too much time pondering the question: is my loved one an alcoholic? Do something about it today before it becomes too late. Contact us at 1.844.675.1628 to schedule an appointment.