Physical Signs and Other Symptoms of Alcoholism & Alcohol Abuse
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. “There’s no quantity or frequency of alcohol included in the definition,” says Anne Fernandez, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist for University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services. When it comes to identifying whether someone has a drinking problem, the process is fluid.
Here are some questions you can ask that may help guide your choice:
More often, people try to quit or cut back over time, experience recurrences, learn from them, and then continue on their recovery journey. For many, continued follow-up with a treatment provider is critical for overcoming alcohol problems. The provider can help adjust the treatment plan and aid long-term recovery. Your provider may also be able to suggest an online self-guided program. Such e-health tools have been shown to help people overcome alcohol problems.
Signs You’re Drinking Too Much
Don’t be surprised if your first attempt to talk to your loved one about their drinking is not effective. Even when your loved one is committed to changing, it can take several rounds of treatment before they truly stop. After the first attempt, the next step you might take is an intervention. There are several things you can do to intervene, show your concern and support for your loved one, and protect yourself from getting too wrapped up in their addiction. If you do have any of these symptoms, then alcohol may already be a cause for concern, and a conversation about alcohol use with a professional is recommended.
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- If your drinking is causing problems in your life, then you have a drinking problem.
- For example, you recognize that your alcohol use is damaging your marriage, making your depression worse, or causing health problems, but you continue to drink anyway.
Recognize Early Warning Signs
Your ongoing recovery depends on continuing mental health treatment, learning healthier coping strategies, and making better decisions when dealing with life’s challenges. In order to stay alcohol-free for the long term, you’ll also have to face the underlying problems that led to your alcoholism https://ecosoberhouse.com/ or alcohol abuse in the first place. Binge drinking can have many of the same long-term effects on your health, relationships, and finances as other types of problem drinking. Binge drinking can lead to reckless behavior such as violence, having unprotected sex, and driving under the influence.
Evaluate whether you recognize any of the following symptoms in yourself. And don’t worry—even if you do identify symptoms, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of AUD and other alcohol-related consequences. The early warning signs of an alcohol problem can be hard to recognize because some symptoms can overlap with what are considered normal teen behaviors. Researchers blame this kind of heavy drinking for more than half of the roughly 88,000 alcohol-related deaths — from car crashes, alcohol poisoning, suicide, and violence — that happen every year. The AUDIT questionnaire is designed to help in the self-assessment of alcohol consumption and to identify any implications for the person’s health and wellbeing, now and in the future.
But friends and family may feel unsure about how best to provide the support needed. The groups for family and friends listed in the “Resources” section may be a good starting point. When seeking professional help, it is important that you feel respected Am I an Alcoholic and understood and that you trust the person, group, or organization to help you. However, remember that relationships with health care providers can take time to develop. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can affect all aspects of your life.
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Medical Professionals
Long-term alcohol use can cause serious health complications, affecting virtually every organ in your body, including your brain. Problem drinking can also damage your emotional stability, finances, career, and your ability to build and sustain satisfying relationships. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can also have an impact on your family, friends and the people you work with. If you think you might have an alcohol problem, discuss it with a healthcare provider. They can offer advice on how to approach your treatment and assist you with the process of detoxing, withdrawing, and recovering from alcohol use disorder. Everyone’s experience with alcohol is different, but effective treatments are available, whether your condition is mild, moderate, or severe.
