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signs of alcoholism

5 Signs of Alcoholism

If you’re worried that a loved one suffers from alcoholism, it’s important to look for tell-tale signs. Some of the symptoms of alcoholism may be obvious; others are subtler. Get in-the-know, so you can take the next steps to help your loved one leave alcohol abuse in the past.

Contact Promises Washburn House at 855.298.3104 today for information about our alcohol rehab center. We can help.

5 Signs of Alcoholism

Recognize the five most common signs of alcoholism in yourself or loved ones, and know that help is always available at the alcohol rehab center in MA.

1. Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is not always a sign of alcoholism, but it may be if your loved one always drinks in that manner. When someone can’t have a drink without drinking to excess, this suggests an abusive relationship with alcohol. If a loved one cannot have just one drink and unintentionally gets drunk and blackouts regularly, alcohol addiction could be why.

2. Drinking Alone

Another warning sign of alcoholism is regularly drinking alone. When social drinking turns into solo drinking, it may mean the person is feeding an addiction.

Some people drink alone because they have underlying mental health issues that they find difficult to cope with when sober and in their own company. They turn to alcohol consumption to escape themselves, as it temporarily numbs or masks their emotional pain.

One sign that someone drinks alone a lot is a lot of empty alcohol bottles lying around the house or in the trash. But alcoholics are often very good at hiding their drinking habits. If you suspect a loved one is drinking alone, it may be worth questioning them. Do so in a calm, casual, and non-accusatory way. Your loved one may deny the problem or diminish it. In this case, speak to others close to them to check that they’re not drowning their sorrows in solitude.

3. Living a Party Lifestyle

One of the reasons alcoholism goes unnoticed is that alcohol consumption is culturally acceptable and part of ordinary social interactions, such as celebrations and going to bars and clubs. Many people also lead a party lifestyle without becoming dependent on alcohol. However, this kind of party lifestyle may point to alcoholism if a loved one doesn’t feel comfortable spending time anywhere other than parties or bars. They may drink heavily throughout the night into the morning.

Someone struggling with alcohol addiction can pursue this kind of lifestyle unchallenged because they surround themselves with others who are drinking, so it’s easy to fit in. However, if you notice that your loved one spends all their free time at bars or clubs, they might have an abusive relationship with alcohol.

4. Reckless or Unusual Behavior

Alcohol is a disinhibiting substance. It can help people relax and loosen them up. It acts as a social lubricant. Drinking is appealing and commonplace for this reason, but alcohol doesn’t always lower inhibitions in a positive way. While being drunk can make you more chatty and outgoing, it can also make you act recklessly. One of the surest signs of alcoholism is when someone keeps drinking despite negatively affecting their behavior. Unusual behavior may include:

  • Getting into fights or arguments often.
  • Acting violently or aggressively
  • Being rude and insulting
  • Having risky sex
  • Public intoxication
  • Driving drunk

If a loved one acts regularly, it may be time to talk to them about seeking alcohol addiction treatment in MA. An abusive relationship with alcohol could be the root cause of this disruptive and out-of-character behavior.

5. Emotional Changes

In addition to lowering inhibitions, alcohol also acts as a depressant. Whether a loved one is suffering from depression or not, drinking may lower their mood and result in other emotional changes, such as increased anger, irritability, and anxiety. Alcoholism can contribute to—or worsen—mental health issues, such as major depressive disorder or anxiety disorder. Of course, picking up on negative emotional changes in a loved one doesn’t mean alcohol is involved. Still, since drinking and poor mental illness often go hand-in-hand (known as dual diagnosis), you should always be mindful of how a loved one’s drinking habits affect their mood, thoughts, and feelings. 

How to Help Your Loved One with Signs of Alcoholism

You can help a loved one who is suffering from alcoholism in many ways. What you don’t want to do is be judgmental, pushy, or act as a savior. These approaches will probably push your loved one away.

Be Firm and Compassionate

You may be unsure about whether a loved one’s concerning mental state or behavior is the result of a drinking problem. This is why you need to confront them about it properly. You should be direct in the conversation but remain understanding that alcoholism is a disease. Tell your loved ones what needs to happen and why emphasizing the damage they’re causing to themselves and others. Express how much you care about them, and stress that you’re there to help them recover.

Don’t Enable Them

This is one of the most vital tips for helping a loved one. If your friend, partner, or family member has a drinking problem, don’t enable that issue. This may mean:

  • Avoiding going to certain places, like bars, clubs, and parties, together in case they trigger cravings
  • Not allowing alcohol in the house
  • Not funding their drinking
  • Taking away their car keys if they’ve been drinking

Help Them Follow a Positive Lifestyle

Trying to get sober can be extremely challenging because someone may find the need to replace alcohol with something else once they give up drinking. You can help your loved one fight the urge to self-medicate by encouraging them to engage in healthier habits. This could include spending time together when alcohol isn’t involved and doing positive activities together, like exercise or cooking classes. Many recovering alcoholics find that the high and mental health benefits of physical activity make it easier for them to stay sober.

Consider incorporating addiction therapy programs into your schedule. The following programs can help build new coping skills for triggers and healthy habits:

Point Them to the Right Services

Several services and treatment options exist for a loved one struggling with alcoholism. These include:

Find Effective Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Washburn House

You can help a loved one by finding the nearest addiction treatment center, mental health professional, or support group and providing all the necessary information to help them understand it’s the right choice. Ultimately, you can’t force your loved one to quit drinking or get professional help. They have to want to get sober.

Contact Washburn House by calling 855.298.3104 for more information about treatment for the signs of alcoholism. Once they’ve started their journey, you can support them through encouragement, care, and compassion.

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