While Alcohol is a legal drug it unfortunately can come with many consequences, one being at risk of severe addiction. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says about 18 million people in the United States struggle with alcohol use disorders. There are different causes that can lead to alcoholism including; biological, environmental, psychological, and social factors.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) the new term for alcoholism is, alcohol use disorder. Before being diagnosed by a medical professional with the disease, there are liquor addiction symptoms and signs to watch out for. It’s important to know the symptoms and signs of liquor abuse because realizing there is a problem could potentially help to stop it before it gets to the level of a diagnosis, or even guide one to coming to terms with needing real help.

Liquor Addiction Symptoms and Signs

To be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, a person must meet specific criteria. A mental health professional must find that a person has at least two of the delineated 11 criteria during a 12-month period of time. Depending on the criteria met, a person will be diagnosed with either mild, moderate, or severe alcohol use disorder. Here are the general 11 criteria:

  • Feeling powerless to control one’s level of alcohol use
  • No longer finding interest in social activities or hobbies
  • Wanting to stop drinking, but being unable to do so
  • Drinking in high-risk situations like driving
  • Devoting a significant amount of resources/time to drinking
  • Developing a tolerance for alcohol
  • Experiencing cravings when not drinking
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
  • Having problems in life whether that be school, work, or at home due to alcohol use
  • Having to drink to feel better
  • Continuing to use alcohol even if it leads to any social, physical, relationship, and personal problems

The criteria are also the symptoms and signs of liquor abuse. If any of these can be associated with your level of drinking, you may have a problem. Let’s break some of the most apparent liquor addiction symptoms down.

Alcohol Withdrawal

This occurs when alcohol use has been heavy and prolonged and then is suddenly stopped or significantly reduced. Signs of withdrawal include; sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, trouble sleeping, nausea/vomiting, hallucinations, anxiety, agitation, and even seizures. It can happen within several hours or four to five days later. Withdrawal can become so severe it could impact your ability to function. If you notice withdrawal happening, it’s important to take that next step of getting professional help. This can be one of the most notable liquor addiction symptoms.

Behavioral Signs

Many different behavioral signs become quite apparent when having an alcohol use disorder. People can become very secretive, hiding where they are or when they are drinking from family members or friends. If there is a diminished level of care for hygiene or personal appearance, that can also be a sign. There can be major changes in a person’s personality including; mood, aggression, and depression. Constantly showing up intoxicated to work or family functions. Overreaction when receiving criticism over their amount of drinking. Alcohol abuse has a heavy mental impact, leading to these greater mood swings and increased lethargy. It can even reduce memory function, cause a person to gain or lose weight quickly, and cause blackouts. These are all important behavioral signs to look out for.

A major and dangerous behavioral sign of alcohol abuse is drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each day about 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes, making it one person every 52 minutes. The organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving says on average a person will drive drunk 80 times before being arrested for the first time. If you are getting behind the wheel while intoxicated or notice a loved one doing this, it can be a major sign of alcohol use disorder. Those who are dependent on alcohol and still go to work, events, shopping, anywhere that requires transportation and still put their life or other lives at risk require help for this disorder.

Craving Alcohol

It’s actually considered quite normal to crave alcohol in certain situations. Cravings can come when stressed or feeling strong emotions. Alcohol releases endorphins making people feel happy and good. However, these feelings are temporary, alcohol is a depressant. If you are having constant cravings in every life situation or mood, this is a major symptom of alcohol use disorder. The more you give in to the cravings, the more it can have a toll on your physical health and lead to tolerance. What is known as ‘yo-yoing’ is common in cravings. It refers to the process of constantly drinking and then stopping, but the cycle continues over and over again. The user will say they are ‘done’ drinking, but eventually, give in and cravings begin to form. Luckily, cravings are temporary and there are ways to help to control and stop them.

  • Recognize triggers– There are two types; external and internal. External triggers are people or any place that reminds you of drinking. Internal triggers are emotions or when your mind starts thinking of alcohol, leading to the cravings. Dealing with the triggers like talking to someone you trust, listening to music, or something that clears your head to help combat the triggers and cravings.
  • Avoid risky situations– get alcohol out of your house, and stay away from bars, drinking with friends, or any activities that can lead to drinking.

Health Complications of Liquor Abuse

Health Complications of Liquor Abuse 

Abusing alcohol can lead to many different health complications and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol has led to approximately 95,00 deaths and 2.8 million years of potential life lost each year in the United States from 2011.

Short-Term Health Risks

Immediate effects can happen after excessive alcohol use leading to harmful health conditions. The majority often is a result of binge drinking. Injuries in motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings. Violence can increase including; homicide, suicide, and sexual assault. High blood alcohol levels can lead to alcohol poisoning. Risky sexual behaviors could lead to HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy. There is also a chance of miscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders amongst pregnant women who are excessively drinking.

Long-Term Health Risks

Over time, alcohol abuse can lead to many different long term health effects and diseases that could ultimately lead to death, including:

  • Liver Disease– Chronic use of alcohol damages the liver and prevents it from working properly to remove harmful substances from the body, this is a life-threatening disease.
  • Lung Infections– People who drink excessively have a harder time fighting off bacteria and viruses which can lead to illnesses like Pneumonia and Tuberculosis.
  • Diabetes– Alcohol can prevent organs from properly balancing their blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes.
  • Cancer– Drinking increases the risk of breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon cancer, especially amongst women.
  • Dementia– Excessive alcohol consumption over a long period can lead to brain damage and even shrink the frontal lobes of a brain, increasing the risk of developing dementia or other memory problems.
  • Stomach Issues– ulcers can appear with excessive drinking and damage to the intestines.
  • Bone Loss– Increases risk of thinning bones or Osteoporosis.

That’s not all either, high blood pressure, stroke, the risk of heart disease, a weak immune system, depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. If you notice symptoms of any of these diseases or discomfort with your body or mind, these are signs of alcohol use disorder.

When to Seek Help

Unfortunately, there’s no secret remedy to detecting when someone or yourself has a problem with drinking. The only way to know if there is truly an existing problem is by acknowledging any of the symptoms or signs discussed above. The earlier the treatment of alcoholism, the better. Addictions that have gone on longer can be harder to break, however they can be successfully treated. If you are a family member who wants to help someone who you believe is drinking excessively here are some steps you can take.

  1. Research and learn about Alcohol Use Disorder

First, you must take time to become familiar with the disorder, signs, and symptoms of excessive drinking. You wouldn’t want to approach your loved one before knowing all you can about the disease.

2. Practice your approach

When you think it’s time to confront a loved one make sure you know exactly what and how you’re going to say something. Avoid negative comments and show that you support them. Also, prepare yourself for how they will react to your accusations.

3. Intervention

Gather other family members and friends to show you’re not alone in your thinking. Have a plan before setting an intervention and make the person feel comfortable. Let each person share how they feel and offer treatment options.

Treatment Options for Liquor Addiction Sympotms

Treatment Options

If you already know you have a problem without having someone else tell you, there are many treatment options available. Treatment does work too, research shows that about one-third of people who are treated for alcohol problems have no further Liquor addiction symptoms 1 year later. There are many different types of treatment available too.

Behavioral Treatment

This type is aimed at changing drinking behavior through counseling and therapy. By working with a health professional to identify behavioral changes, they will help develop skills needed to stop/reduce drinking, help build a strong support system, work to reach goals, and help cope with triggers.

Medication for Liquor Addiction Sympotms

There are three medications currently FDA approved in the United States to help reduce drinking and prevent relapse. They can be prescribed by a doctor.

  1. Antabuse (Disulfiram) this medication is used as a drinking deterrent. It works by causing a severe adverse reaction (like vomiting) if someone consumes alcohol while on it.
  2. Naltrexone is used for alcohol cravings. A monthly injectable form works by blocking the high that people can experience when drinking alcohol.
  3. Campral (Acamprosate) is used for discomfort. It works by normalizing alcohol-related changes in the brain, this helps reduce some of the physical distress and emotional discomfort one can experience when they quit drinking.

Support Groups

There are many different programs and groups to help those get through alcohol use disorder. One of the most popular Alcoholics Anonymous, most commonly referred to as AA. There are also 12-step programs when combined with professional medical help can add that an additional valuable layer of support.

Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities

Alcohol treatment centers fall into two different categories; inpatient and outpatient. Both are focused on rehabilitation but have some differences.

  • Inpatient- Also known as residential treatment, it requires patients to check themselves into a controlled environment, aimed at overcoming addiction. It has 24-hour medical and emotional support. It tends to have a higher success rate, it can be more expensive, and it can disrupt one’s life as it is required for 28-days to 6-months.
  • Outpatient- This is a less restrictive option. It requires 10-12 hours a week spent visiting a local treatment center instead of staying at the facility. You will do sessions focused on education, individual and group counseling, coping with addiction. It typically lasts three to six months. It is a less expensive option but does tend to have a lower success rate than inpatient rehabilitation. It’s preferred that one with a mild or moderate addiction does this program, not severe.

If you or someone you love believes you have any Liquor addiction symptoms or signs, seek professional medical help for the diagnosis. A doctor will help point you in the right direction for treatment. There are many different rehab facilities to choose from, contact Rehabs Of Armerica to learn more about places in your area, they will help you make the right decision moving forward to help combat your or a loved one’s disease. After reading this, if you find yourself with one or even all 11 signs pointing to alcohol use disorder, it’s time to seek help, it is out there and ready for you.