Alcoholism is a disease. Contrary to what some may believe, it is not simply a habit you can break the moment you choose to. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a disease that makes your body dependent on alcohol. Just as for any other disease, such as cancer or diabetes, treatment is available.
Hiding Your Addiction
According to Alcoholismtreatment.com, drinking by yourself is a reason to believe you may have an alcohol addiction. The site states that drinking in moderation with friends is considered normal, while drinking alone indicates an actual need for alcohol.
Increased Toleration
An increased tolerance to alcohol is considered to be one of the most subtle signs of alcoholism, simply because you may not realize it's happening. If you need to increase the amount of alcohol you drink to become tipsy, your body is not only becoming tolerant, but is also developing a dependency.
Using Beer In Place of Aspirin
When you wake up the next morning with a killer hangover and reach for a beer rather than an aspirin to wash your headache away, you are exhibiting one of the most serious signs of alcholism, according to Alcoholismtreatment.info.
Loss of Memory
Also referred to as blacking out, this symptom may be a sign of alcohol abuse rather than full-fledged alcoholism. The difference between the two is simple. If you are abusing alcohol, you drink in excess but have not lost total control as of yet. If you suffer from frequent blackouts though, it definitely indicates an inability to stop drinking once you have reached a reasonable limit.
Legal Issues
Once alcohol begins to get you in trouble, you know you are in trouble with alcohol. This can include one or more DUIs or DWIs, accidents or fights with complete strangers. No matter how you look at it, these are all situations you wouldn't have found yourself in had you not been drinking.
Lying
People lie intentionally for one reason--because they know they are wrong and fear the consequences. If you are lying about the amount of alcohol you are consuming, you are displaying an awareness of your problem. It is a problem you want to hide from those around you because you don't want to face the consequences of your actions.
Drinking Them Under the Table
Another symptom of alcoholism is drinking your friends under the table. If you can out-drink all your friends, all of the time, you have a reason to be concerned about your chosen past time.
Stress Relief
Listening to music, meditating, drinking alcohol--the common denominator with these three activities is stress relief. Using alcohol as a means of relieving stress or calming your nerves is extremely dangerous though, as you are only making yourself dependent. Unless you find another outlet for your problems, your consumption will increase as your alcohol addiction creates new stress for you.
Personal Relationships
Perhaps those who love you are beginning to criticize you for the amount of time you are intoxicated. According to Alcoholismtreatment.info, this is one of the strongest signs of alcoholism. If the people who know you the best are asking you to cut down, chances are you have gone over the edge.
Hiding Your Alcohol
According to the Mayo Clinic, hiding your alcohol at work, in your car or in strange places at home is yet another symptom of alcoholism. This act displays a desperate need to drink no matter where you may be, and is a direct result of the obsession taking over your body and mind.
