The Four Warning Signs of Alcoholism

Alcoholic

Persons who are becoming addicted to alcohol display four unmistakable warning signs. While an alcoholic may claim that he has his habit under control, and he can quit any time he wants to, this is simply not the case. He may be very convincing to family members and even to himself, but the fact is that alcoholism causes a person to believe alcohol is beneficial and even necessary for his own well-being. He will lie or get angry in an effort to prevent his habit from being interrupted.

Craving

Someone who is suffering from alcoholism craves alcohol. Whether in the form of beer, wine, or harder liquor, an alcoholic experiences a strong desire for alcohol. Oftentimes he’ll think about his next drink when he isn’t drinking. He has a need or compulsion to drink.

Loss of Control

An alcoholic who starts drinking has a hard time stopping. He will keep drinking regardless of his state of mind or health. Someone who is addicted to alcohol can’t just “have one drink”. One drink becomes many.

Physical Dependence

When an alcoholic makes the rare effort to quit, he suffers actual physical withdrawal symptoms including nausea, sweating, and shakiness. He’ll also experience varying degrees of anxiety. Depending on the nature of his addiction and how much he’s been drinking on a daily basis, his physical dependence can lead to life-threatening complications, including convulsions, hallucination and delirium tremens (D.T.’s).

Tolerance

Once someone begins to drink alcohol regularly, he develops tolerance. In other words, he needs more and more alcohol in order to achieve the same high.

One thing to remember about alcoholism is that it gradually becomes worse with time. There are many levels of alcoholism, and a person doesn’t need to be flat-out drunk every hour of the day in order to be considered an alcoholic.

If you are asking yourself whether you or a loved one has a problem with alcohol, that’s a pretty good sign here is indeed a problem.

Narconon Louisiana’s alcohol addiction rehab program exists to help alcoholics safely quit alcohol without suffering life-threatening complications. However, effective rehabilitation for an alcoholic only begins with a physical detox.

From that point, we help our clients discover the underlying reason they turned to alcohol in the first place. We also help them gain life skills and new understanding that will help them mend the lives that alcohol has tried to destroy.

If you know someone who needs help, or would like more information about our alcohol and drug abuse treatment program, please contact one of our counselors.