By Dr. Geoffrey A. Booth, M.D., Medical Director, LifeSync Malibu
The signs may have crept in a little at a time, those telltale symptoms of that you might have an alcohol use disorder. Maybe you find yourself looking forward to the next time you can drink, planning your activities around opportunities to drink. Maybe you feel sick when the alcohol wears off, or have no recollection of the events of the prior evening. You may even stash alcohol away, hiding it in closets, at work, or inside your car. All of these signs point to a drinking problem.
Although it is hard to admit it to ourselves, and especially to others, that we may have an alcohol problem, it just doesn’t pay to be in denial. The longer an alcohol use disorder (AUD) is allowed to progress unchecked, the more devastating the disease will ultimately become. Continue reading to learn how to recognize the signs of an AUD, and how the condition can be successfully treated.
First Comes Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse is the predecessor of alcoholism. Alcohol abuse involves excessive drinking, such as binge drinking or a daily routine of heavy drinking. These habits can lay the foundation for an alcohol use disorder. Here are the signs of alcohol abuse:
- Experiencing regular hangovers
- Experiencing blackouts or short-term memory loss due to excessive drinking
- Prioritizing drinking, putting drinking above work, relationships, and obligations
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Drinking alone
- Hiding alcohol, lying about how much you are drinking
- Isolating behaviors, withdrawing from family
- Using alcohol to self-medicate, to reduce stress or symptoms of anxiety or depression
- Neglecting personal hygiene
- Change in physical appearance, bloating, weight gain, ruddy complexion, glassy eyes
- Preferring to socialize with fellow heavy drinkers
Alcohol abuse can set the stage for addiction, as consistent excessive drinking will cause changes in brain chemistry. By recognizing the signs of alcohol abuse, you are able to change your drinking habits, or seek out a supportive community, such as A.A.
Consider this Questionnaire about Alcohol Use Disorder
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has created an online questionnaire, a handy tool that helps you answer the question, “Do I have an alcohol problem?” NCADD provides a list of the common signs of AUD to consider whether they are present in your own life. The more of these that you recognize in yourself, the higher the odds that you have an AUD:
- Do you avoid friends and family while drinking, preferring to drink alone?
- Do you consume higher quantities of alcohol as time goes on?
- Do you drink in response to stress, sadness, anger, or disappointment?
- Do you have hand tremors in the morning?
- Do you not remember things you said or did the night before?
- Do you experience financial, legal, career, or family problems due to your drinking?
- Has your doctor advised you to cut down on alcohol?
- Do you lie about how much alcohol you drink?
- Are you preoccupied during the day with drinking or to you crave alcohol?
- Do you get drunk several days in a row?
The Signs of Alcoholism
When alcoholism takes root, there are notable effects that include physical signs, behavioral signs, and psychological signs.
Physical Signs of Alcoholism:
- Bloating
- Nausea and vomiting in the morning
- Blood in urine
- Shaking, tremors
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Blackouts
- Increased alcohol cravings
- Lack of personal hygiene
Behavior Signs of Alcoholism:
- Neglects obligations
- Decline in work or school performance
- Legal trouble, such as a DUI arrest
- Irritability
- Money problems
- Dishonest behaviors
- Drinking alone
Psychological Signs of Alcoholism:
- Relationship problems
- Symptoms of depression
- Symptoms of anxiety
- Mood swings
Three Stages of Alcoholism
It is still not understood why some individuals can drink heavily and never become alcoholic, while others can quickly become enslaved by alcohol. Several contributing factors are at play. These include strong family history of alcohol use disorders, co-occurring mental health disorders, history of trauma, and excessive or chronic stress.
Alcoholism progresses in three stages, although the duration of any stage can vary significantly. These three stages include:
Early stage alcoholism. During this early stage, alcohol use becomes more regular, versus drinking on social occasions only. The individual may access alcohol in order to self-medicate a mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety, or to help with insomnia. During this phase, they may attempt to cover up their alcohol consumption. Meanwhile, tolerance to alcohol increases, leading to higher levels of consumption to get the earlier effects.
Middle stage alcoholism. During the middle stage, it becomes evident to others that there is a problem with alcohol. The individual may experience blackouts after excessive drinking. They may experience mood swings, irritability, and stomach distress. Bloating and weight gain, or loss, are also signs of middle stage alcoholism. Alcohol cravings become more pronounced, and the individual centers their day around drinking. During this stage, alcoholism can cause relationship problems, financial problems due to job loss, and possibly a DUI. When attempting to limit drinking, withdrawal symptoms will break through.
End stage alcoholism. In the final stage of alcoholism, the individual has no control over their drinking at all. In the morning, they wake up sick and have to immediately begin drinking. This continues throughout the day to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. Serious medical conditions have developed, including possibly cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, hepatitis, or heart conditions. End stage alcoholics are also more prone to falls and accidents. Cognitive problems become more pronounced, with signs of dementia emerging. Psychological symptoms, such as paranoia and fear, often occur during end stage alcoholism. Suicide is a very real concern in end stage alcoholism as well. Suicide rates among alcoholics are very high.
As hard as it might be to acknowledge the physical signs of an alcohol problem, it pales in comparison to the benefits of recovery. Take that first step toward a healthy, purposeful life and reach out for help today.
About the Author
Geoffrey A. Booth, M.D. is the Medical Director of LifeSync Malibu, an exclusive rehabilitation program located in the heart of Malibu. Dr. Booth has treated thousands of addicts over the years and now has dedicated most of his clinical time to providing medical care and detoxification to clients who suffer from substance abuse. He is committed to helping them establish the foundations for long-term sobriety. While not working, Dr. Booth has a rich personal life filled with activities surrounded by friends and family.
