Alcoholism is a severe and crippling disease that can seriously harm a person’s physical and emotional well-being. Relationships on a personal and professional level may also suffer.
To identify whether someone you care about is experiencing difficulties, you must comprehend the telltale signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction. These are the top five signs that alcohol misuse could be an issue:
Physical Changes
A person may begin to neglect their appearance as they continue to drink, resulting in an unkempt or disheveled look. They may also neglect other aspects of their lives, including work and family responsibilities.
At this stage, the problem is causing severe problems with relationships, health, and career. They may be losing control of their finances, missing work or school, and engaging in risky sexual behavior. They may have difficulty remembering things that happened, blackouts or “alcohol-induced blackouts.”
Alcoholism can cause several physical changes that affect all body systems. These include heart disease, liver disease, and brain damage. The physical changes can be reversed with treatment and abstinence from alcohol. Medications like naltrexone, Campral (acamprosate), and disulfiram are available to help reduce drinking and withdrawal symptoms.
Mood Changes
Alcohol can cause dramatic mood changes, causing a person to experience highs and lows. That is because of the drastic changes that alcohol can have in brain chemistry, which causes people to feel relaxed and mellow at first but then later become depressed or anxious.
Heavy drinkers who already struggle with mental health issues like anxiety or depression may also experience mood changes as a result of their drinking. It is because alcohol can make their symptoms worse, and they may drink more to deal with these feelings.
Alcoholism can also result in a variety of emotional issues, including marital problems and legal issues. Before alcoholism becomes a significant problem, these issues must be addressed with alcohol addiction treatment in Atlanta since they might make it more difficult to quit drinking and stay sober.
Behavioral Changes
Suppose a loved one’s drinking is causing them to miss work or other responsibilities. In that case, if they’re spending more money than usual on alcohol or losing interest in personal hobbies, this is cause for concern. Alcoholism may also lead to poor hygiene and legal issues.
People of all ages, origins, and areas of life are impacted by alcohol addiction. There are even high-functioning alcoholics who often don’t fit the stereotype of an alcoholic and may be in denial about their problem.
Treatment options can include individual psychotherapy, group therapy with a recovery-focused leader or support groups, medication, and residential programs. Drugs might lessen cravings and lessen the discomfort associated with withdrawal. Drugs might lessen cravings and lessen the discomfort associated with withdrawal. Examples of these medications include naltrexone, Campral, and Antabuse. These are typically combined with cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT.
Relationship Changes
When people drink excessively, they often experience problems with relationships and family members. Uncharacteristic and hurtful behavior caused by alcohol can lead to arguments, resentment, and distrust. Alcoholism also causes financial troubles due to spending money on alcohol, as well as professional and legal issues due to being drunk in public or breaking the law.
If you think a loved one may have a problem with drinking, it’s important to talk openly and honestly with them about your concerns. It is best done in a calm and private setting when they are sober. There are several types of treatment options available for alcoholism. These include motivational enhancement therapy, individual counseling, mutual-help groups, and alternative therapies. Reach out to a treatment professional to discuss your choices for recovery today.
Legal Issues
Alcoholics often experience problems with their family, work, and social life that lead to legal issues. These may include:
Impairment from drinking is a common reason for poor job performance and behavior, including fighting with co-workers and other employees. It can result in disciplinary action or celebson termination.
Alcohol abuse can also result in domestic violence and other problems with loved ones. It is a significant cause of traffic accidents and other dangerous behaviors. Studies show that people who drink heavily are at increased risk for having psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. There is also a strong link between the amount of alcohol available in a community and its consumption. Countries with lower taxes, cheap alcohol, and extensive advertising have higher rates of alcoholism.
