How to tell if you are Dependent on Alcohol

Alcoholism is the most severe type of problem drinking. Often when people come to one of my alcohol awareness classes, my alcohol class students wonder how to spot the signs and symptoms of alcoholism.

Alcohol dependence entails all the signs or symptoms of alcohol abuse,but it also entails another element: physical dependence on alcohol. There’s a fine line between alcohol misuse and alcoholism, but if you rely on drinking  to function or experience physically compelled to drink, you’ve crossed it.

Tolerance: The 1st important warning indicator of alcohol dependence.

Do you have to drinkconsumea lot more than you used to in order to get buzzed or to really feel relaxed? Can you drink a lot more than other men and women without getting drunk? These are indicators of tolerance, which can be an early forewarning sign of alcohol dependence.  Tolerance means that, over time, you need more booze to really feel the very same effects you used to with smaller amounts.

Withdrawal: The 2nd main warning indicator of alcohol dependence.

Do you require a drink to steady the shakes in the morning? Drinking to ease or avoid withdrawal signs or symptoms is an indicator of alcohol depdendence  and a huge red flag. When you drink heavily, your body will get used to the alcohol and experiences withdrawal signs and symptoms if it’s taken away. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nervousness or jumpiness
• Shakiness or trembling
• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sleeplessness
• Despression symptoms
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Damage of appetite
• Aggravation

In extreme cases, withdrawal from alcohol can also include hallucinations, confusion, seizures, fever, and agitation. These signs can be dangerous, so talk to your medical doctor if you are a major drinker and want to stop.
Other signs of alcoholism:

• You’ve lost control over your drinking.
• You frequently drink much more alcohol than you wanted to, for longer than you intended, or in spite of telling yourself you wouldn’t.
• You want to give up drinking, but you can’t. You have a persistent desire to cut lower or quit your booze use, but your projects to give up have been unsuccessful.
• You have given up other actions simply because of alcohol.
• You’re spending much less time on activities that used to be essential to you (hanging out with loved ones and friends, heading to the gym, pursuing your hobbies) because of your booze use.
• Booze will take up a great deal of your energy and attention.  You invest a lot of time drinking, pondering about it, or recovering from its results.
• You have few if any pursuits or sociable involvements that don’t revolve around drinking.
• You drink although you know it’s leading to problems. For instance, you recognize that your booze use is harmful your marriage, creating your depression worse, or inflicting well being problems, but you carry on to drink anyway.

If you or somebody you know have these symptoms, seek professional help. Also know that there are online alcohol class options to take voluntary and involuntary courses on alcohol rehabilitation.