About 15% of Americans drink excessively, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Excessive alcohol use can increase a person's risk for cancer, stroke, high blood pressure and a host of other conditions, according to MayoClinic.com. Additionally, MayoClinic.com reports that a person's risk for suicide and accidental injury increases with excessive alcohol consumption. Alcoholics can recover through interventions and support programs, but sometimes it's difficult to know if a person is truly an alcoholic. If you think that a family member may have a drinking problem, there are several warning signs you can look for.
Step 1
Look for increased alcohol tolerance. According to Keystone College's Counseling Department, alcoholics gradually build up a greater tolerance to alcohol. When you notice that it takes more drinks for your family member to get intoxicated, this means that his tolerance is increasing and he may have an alcohol problem.
Step 2
Count the number of drinks that the family member has per day. In one day, if a male family member has more than five drinks, or a female consumes more than four drinks, then the family member is abusing alcohol, according to MayoClinic.com. Even occasional alcohol abuse can be problematic, and recurring alcohol abuse is a warning sign for alcoholism.
Step 3
Watch for signs of physical dependence. If your family member begins to sweat or shake when she is without alcohol, this can be indicative of alcohol withdrawal, according to Keystone College. Typically, withdrawal symptoms only occur if a person has an alcohol problem.
Step 4
Monitor the person's work habits and other responsibilities. If alcohol consumption appears to negatively impact the family member's daily routine, then she may be an alcoholic.
Step 5
Search shared property for alcohol. If you share a car or house with the family member, look for hidden alcohol. According to MayoClinic.com, alcoholics often try to hide their alcohol abuse from family members, so sometimes certain warning signs will be difficult to spot. However, if the person is hiding alcohol around the house, then chances are she is drinking secretively and may have an alcohol problem.
Step 6
Investigate the family member's legal background. Arrests for drunken driving or public intoxication are strong indicators of a drinking problem. Alcoholics may not openly divulge alcohol-related legal problems. Fortunately, open-records laws in most states allow you to perform a background check on a family member. This can often be done at your local county courthouse for a small filing fee.
Tips and Warnings
- If you notice any of these warning signs, consult with a physician or therapist to discuss treatment options for the family member. Depending on the situation, an intervention, talk therapy or group therapy may be advised.
