The United States Department of Labor (DOL) explains that addiction can be both physical and psychological. The key factors that identify addiction, according to the DOL, include the use of alcohol despite the harm it may cause to the individual, those around her and the community. There are several characteristics of alcohol addiction that can vary from person to person.
Drinking Habits
The Mayo Clinic describes several drinking habits that may be characteristic of an individual addicted to alcohol. These include drinking alone or secretively, lacking the ability to limit the amount of alcohol consumed, losing memory of activities while drinking, developing a drinking routine and becoming irritable if it is interrupted, feeling the compulsive need to drink, keeping alcohol in unusual places, gulping drinks or becoming intoxicated intentionally or drinking to feel good or normal. The DOL explains that the key factor is that drinking is chronic and progressive.
Drinking Effects
Drinking can have a different effect on individuals who are addicted. The University of Maryland (UMM) explains that users may drop activities or hobbies they once enjoyed and replace them with drinking. Other ways addiction impacts the drinker, as described by the Mayo Clinic, include becoming irritable when the usual drinking time is near but alcohol is not available, experiencing legal problems, developing problems with employers or finances, developing a tolerance so more alcohol is required to feel intoxicated, and withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of withdrawal include nausea, sweating and shaking when alcohol has not been consumed for some period of time, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Self-Assessment
The Mayo Clinic suggests individuals who worry that they may be addicted to alcohol assess themselves. They propose doing this by asking yourself if you drink as soon as you wake, feel guilty about drinking, consider reducing the amount of alcohol you consume and/or become annoyed when others question or comment about your drinking habits. Answering yes to any of these questions may indicate a problem, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Health Characteristics
Several health changes can occur from excessive alcohol use. The Mayo Clinic warns that users may experience memory loss, weakness and paralysis of the eye muscles, liver problems such as jaundice or hepatitis, gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular problems such as stroke, diabetes complications due to liver malfunction, erectile dysfunction in men and menstrual irregularities in women.
