How to Identify an Alcoholic

Identifying an alcoholic is not always easy, but there are commonly noticed patterns of behavior and physical signs of abnormal alcohol use that are recognizable. Modern day client evaluations using diagnostic criteria presented by the American Psychiatric Association ask these seven simple questions to determine if alcohol dependency is an issue for the individual:

1. Does the person experience the onset of withdrawal symptoms if alcohol is removed    from their consumption list?
2. Has the person developed a tolerance to the alcohol?
3. Do they consume greater amounts of alcohol than they had originally intended to?
4. Have they made attempts to stop drinking but were unsuccessful?
5. Does the person spend excessive amounts of time drinking?
6. Has the person given up important activities, friends and family?
7. Has this person continued to use alcohol knowing the negative effects of drinking?

 

If the person answers yes to three or more of these questions, further investigation and interviewing is required. This is done to determine the level of alcohol affliction and what the best course of treatment for this individual may be based on many variables such as personal support systems, geography, insurance and the individuals desires (do they want or should they be placed in a holistic or medical environment).

Understand that alcohol abuse is not technically considered to be the same as alcoholism. Abusing alcohol is a misuse of the substance often resulting in personal and social disruption, aggressive or dangerous behaviors, irresponsible sexual activity, legal problems such as DUI (driving under the influence) and recurrent alcohol use that cause’s negative consequences.

Other signs that a person may be contending with an alcohol dependency issue could be frequent and apparent hangovers, exhibiting a belief that you cannot have fun if there is no booze, experiencing blackout periods where s/he cannot recall what they did or where they were, lying about their alcohol consumption and attempting to keep secrets, hand tremors, expressing the feeling of being run-down and depressed, seeming or communicating suicidal thoughts or actions and unexplainable mood swings.

Although there are statements such as “the overnight alcoholic,” the truth is very few people become alcoholics overnight. The avenue leading to alcoholism is a multilayered progression. The gateway swings wide open when the person no longer drinks to just be social, but now requires an alcohol infusion before going to the neighborhood get together, dinner or the company softball game. Then there may be an increase in consumption from a social 1 or 2 drinks to 4 or 5 drinks a day. The middle stage of the walk usually involves drinking earlier and earlier in the day and some guilt association with their drinking may come into play. The person might, for instance, switch from scotch to wine or beer thinking that this makes it more acceptable, but this is only a short term fix. Nearing the end of the pathway, the person is now dependent upon the alcohol to the point of obsession at times. They drink although they know it is hurting their family and employment and it is against the advice of their health care providers. There is an honest understanding that they are killing themselves with alcohol, but they feel powerless to stop the pattern they have physically and mentally fallen into.

A seasoned and subtle alcoholic may become very savvy in regards to hiding their addiction, but they normally are not able to contain the mystery for long periods of time or in all situations. The best way to identify an alcoholic is to not ignore or turn a blind eye to the activity.

 

Alcohol and Alcoholism Information

Website Design & Hosting