If you or someone you know is showing signs of alcohol abuse, by first understanding what those signs are and what they mean can go a long way in addressing this potential disease. Most health care practitioners will tell you: consuming one or two drinks per day for healthy men and one drink per day for healthy women is considered acceptable. Aside from this, if the consumption level increases, there may be cause for concern.
As anyone knows, dependency on alcohol to get through life is not a good thing. Alcoholism in this country affects all socio-economic classes. Alcohol abuse knows no age, gender and financial position. Alcohol addiction can affect anyone, often without warning. That is why it is important to have alcohol facts available to more easily discern an alcoholism sign before it gets out of control.
When dealing with alcoholism, there are two major signs to watch for: tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is revealed in the need for increasing amounts of alcoholic consumption in order to become intoxicated. Withdrawal symptoms occur when the individual begins to pull away from friends and loved ones. They may even start running with others who also have a problem with alcoholic abuse.
This being the case, a general definition of alcoholism is one who exhibits a need to drink regardless of the occasion. This can include the need to ‘unwind’ after a hard day at the office by consuming alcohol on a daily basis. It can even be displayed by the individual insisting that they are just fine to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming several drinks. The person may also exhibit signs of violence through outbursts, may begin missing days at work or school, or neglect the house or family in favor of drinking.
Recent statistics reveal there to be approximately 14 million adults in the United States considered heavy drinkers that fit the definition of an alcoholic. So, with this statistic in front of us, what exactly is considered ‘heavy drinking’? Well, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, healthy men aged 65 and under consuming more than four drinks per day and healthy women consuming more than three drinks daily could be considered heavy drinkers.
In addition to this, if someone exhibits a desire to drink alone, begins making excuses to drink, drinks on a daily basis just to make it through the day, experiences violent outbursts while drinking, drinks in secret, becomes defensive about their drinking, doesn’t eat well, doesn’t care how they look, or has shaking episodes first thing in the morning, these could constitute ten signs of alcoholism.
There can also be an inability to recall certain events of the previous evening, as well as feeling anxious or nervous within a social setting where alcohol is not available. Another way of looking at this is to realize that ‘problem drinking’ becomes an issue when ‘drinking causes problems’.
In addition to the more obvious consequences of alcohol abuse, heavy drinking can begin to take a toll on the health of the body. It is a proven fact that over-consumption of alcoholic beverages on a regular basis can seriously damage the liver, heart, brain and other vital organs. If left unattended, potential irreversible damage may occur, resulting in serious illness or even early death.
If any of these warning signs confirms your suspicions, seeking alcohol abuse help is paramount. Contrary to what you might think, there is a cure for alcoholism that begins with proper treatment of alcoholism for those caught in the trap of alcoholic abuse. Once you have acknowledged the warning signs, whether it is for you or a loved one, help for alcoholics is available without feeling ashamed or hopeless.
The good news is there is help available!
A good place to start down the road to becoming free from the grip of alcohol would be to consult with your health care professional. They can provide the necessary facts needed to begin the healing. There is also the time-tested organization called Alcoholics Anonymous. AA has local chapters throughout the United States and there is likely one in your area. It is even worth counseling with your local church organization for help with your alcoholism.
Regardless of how many signs of alcoholism may exist, it is never too late to get the help necessary to begin recovering from alcoholic addiction. It all begins with that one step that turns into a walk, resulting in alcoholic freedom for life!
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By D. P. Brown
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/D._P._Brown/564940
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