Noticing the signs of alcohol abuse in your loved ones, or yourself, can be quite difficult. After all, it’s hard to admit that you, or someone you care about, may be struggling. However, seeing those warning signs can make a huge difference in recovery. So, we’re going to help you determine a few of the common signs. It’s important for you to keep in mind that every person experiences alcohol abuse in a different way. Therefore, the signs will always vary just a bit. You know the people around you better than we do. The best thing you can do if you see something, is to say something…
Signs of Alcohol Abuse: Recognizing Symptoms
Lying About/ Hiding Your Drinking
If you notice that you, or someone you care about, is having trouble coming clean about how much they’re drinking— it’s a strong indicator that something might be off. people often feel the need to hide how much they drink when, 1) they’re drinking quite a bit, and 2) they don’t want to face the backlash from people around them. The difficult part about hiding alcohol abuse, is that it’s fairly easy to detect when someone is drinking. From the smell, to the side effects, and having a drink in hand… spotting the signs isn’t foolproof, but can be fairly easy for a very observant person.
Drinking to Cope
Another strong sign of alcohol abuse, is leaning on alcohol to help you feel better. Whether you’re trying to escape stress, anxiety, depression, or a difficult day— using alcohol to do so can indicate a dependence. While most everyone drinks to relax and have fun, when it becomes necessity, it becomes problematic.
Blacking Out Regularly
Having one too many drinks is common for every drinker every now and then. However, ‘blacking out’ regularly, is extremely dangerous and concerning. While it can happen every now and then for many, doing it often is a sign that you don’t know when to call it quits on drinking. In short, you might not know your limits, or intentionally push them.
Drinking at Risky Times
Drinking in situations that could potentially become dangerous, such as after taking medication, or before driving— definitely displays a level of alcoholism. If you’re in a situation that could become dangerous if alcohol was in the mix, and you still drink, this is inevitably a problem. If you notice this behavior in the people around you, or in yourself, it’s important to consider the consequences.
Don’t Ignore the Signs
If you, or a loved one, are displaying these signs, or signs that stand out to you— it’s important that you take notice, and try to make a change (or help them make a change). Alcohol abuse is serious, and comes with serious consequences in the long and short run. Reach out for help, do what you can, and get started on the journey to healing.
