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Alcohol Addiction Symptoms

As we all know in the UK, our binge drinking culture is real and widespread. This can hide the extent of an individual’s addiction and pain, clouding it behind social expectations and norms. To help you understand the signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction we have put together this list.

Our goal is to help people understand the symptoms of alcoholism, the warning signs that someone is moving from heavy drinking to alcohol abuse and the withdrawal symptoms of an alcoholic who has stopped drinking.

Help Me Stop Symptoms Of Alcohol Addiction

  • A lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
  • An increased alcohol tolerance
  • Tiredness or irritability
  • The inability to say no to alcohol
  • Anxiety, depression or other mental health issues
  • Becoming secretive or dishonest

Other symptoms of alcohol addiction include:

  • Regularly appearing intoxicated
  • Temporary blackouts
  • Short term memory loss
  • Making excuses for drinking
  • Becoming isolated and distant from friends
  • Drinking alone or in secret
  • Changing the people you hang out with to suit your drinking
  • Needing to drink more to feel the effects of alcohol
  • Lying about your alcohol abuse
  • Hiding the evidence of drinking
  • Becoming intoxicated more regularly
Mature man shaking hands with doctor at open doorway
Group Work addiction

Regularly appearing intoxicated is a common thing among people who abuse alcohol. They use alcohol to self medicate. Rather than developing effective coping strategies, they drink to numb negative emotions. Unfortunate this just sends them into a spiral of shame and self-doubt that forces them to drink again.

Temporary blackouts and short term memory loss are a symptom of alcohol abuse but can also be a sign that someone is in danger of alcohol poisoning. Blacking out can put you in a seriously unsafe position as you are not in control of your body and may engage in seriously risky behaviour.

Making excuses for drinking is one of the classic symptoms of alcohol abuse. People drink alcohol for many different reasons but when you are trying to think up a reason to drink it is one of the warning signs you have a serious problem.

Isolating yourself from your family and friends is not just a sign of alcohol abuse, it is how the disease protects itself. If you have a loved one telling you they are worried about you it might lead you to get treatment. The more isolated you become the less help you have and the further you can sink into your addiction. If you are feeling trapped and isolated by your drinking please contact us. Even if have pushed your friends away we can help you recover and rebuild your relationships.

Drinking alone or in secret shows that you are not drinking to enhance a situation but rather to escape. If you are hiding your drinking habits you know deep down that they could be a sign of alcohol abuse. Remember that help is available and there are lots of resources to help you stop drinking.

Changing the group you hang out with to suit your drinking habits is another clear sign of alcohol abuse. If you are hanging out with people only because they validate your drinking choices it is time to reconsider your decision to drink alcohol.

Increased tolerance is something many people see when they increase their drinking habits. If you have noticed it takes more alcohol to become intoxicated it is a sign that you may want to cut back. If you have seen a large increase in your alcohol tolerance you should seek help before it causes health problems like liver disease.

Lying about your consumption is a huge red flag for anyone who may have a problem drinking. When you lie to cover up how much alcohol you consume you are admitting that your behaviour is likely alcohol abuse.

Hiding the evidence that you were drinking is just like lying about consumption. You know you drank more than you should and you do not want others to know you have a problem. This is a clear sign of alcohol abuse and we strongly urge you to contact us to get help.

Drinking until you are drunk more often is the final symptom we cover here. If you feel the desire to drink to excess more often it can cause serious health problems. It also likely means you are misusing alcohol to help deal with negative emotions. This is a clear sign of alcohol abuse.

These are the most common symptoms of alcohol addiction but they are by no means the only ones. It is also important to remember that you do not need to have all these symptoms to be an addict. Any of the symptoms listed could indicate you have a problem.

Alcoholism can also cause individuals to abuse alcohol in situations where it is dangerous to do so. This is sometimes tied to work; drinking in places where you are required to operate heavy or dangerous machinery, for instance. For many, it leads to the dangerous act of driving drunk – particularly with regularity and knowledge of the dangers involved.

If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, Help Me Stop can help. Call or email us today to speak with one of our expert therapists. They can help you understand your options and treatments.

If you know someone that may be struggling with alcohol addiction it can be difficult to confront them. We suggest talking to the experts at Help Me Stop. They can help you speak to a loved one about their alcohol abuse. They can also provide information on the treatments available if your friend or family member ignores your concerns and is continuing to drink. We can also point you to other support services. Our experts can help you spot symptoms of alcohol abuse and give you a guide for how to talk to your loved one about your concerns. Just remember that alcohol abuse is a disease and they need help.

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If you’re unsure about whether you are suffering from alcoholism or not, please choose the sensible option and seek a professional’s guidance. There is a good chance that anyone who thinks they may have a drinking problem does. If you are found to be abusing alcohol, we can provide you with a range of treatment options and help you work through any withdrawal symptoms. If not, you will be able to find valuable information on the issue that may help you frame and reduce your binge drinking behaviour.

It’s estimated that over a billion people worldwide drink problematically. Perhaps more surprising than this figure is the number of those who seek help: just around one in six.

We are here and we want to help you. We offer treatment as well as family support.

Please get in touch with the Help Me Stop team right away for support, guidance and information.