An alcoholic can have a physical and a psychological dependence on alcohol, with the psychological aspect being as controlling as the physical. Helpguide.org states that alcoholism is considered more than seven drinks a week for women, and more than 14 drinks a week for men. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) adds that 5 to10 percent of male drinkers and 3 to 5 percent of female drinkers are dependent on this drug.
Secretive Drinking
When a person becomes psychologically dependent on alcohol, he will drink even when no one else around. The Mayo Clinic states that an alcoholic will drink alone or in secret. The NIH adds that secretive behaviors hide alcohol use. For example, the alcoholic will place his alcohol in unusual areas where he could access it at any time or without other people seeing, such as at work or in the car. Because the alcoholic will hide his alcohol anywhere he can, he will not restrict where he drinks.
Loss of Control
Helpguide.org notes that a psychologically dependent alcoholic cannot control the amount of alcohol she drinks. Even if at the beginning of the day the alcoholic tells herself to drink less, but she will not be able to stick to that limitation. The alcoholic will also be unable to stop her drinking, and will deny that she has a drinking problem. She will continue to drink, despite the problems it causes her and other people. The Mayo Clinic adds that the alcoholic feels a compulsion to drink. As a result, she loses interest in other activities if they do not involve alcohol.
Behavioral and Emotional Changes
An alcoholic can display a change in emotions or behavior when he drinks. For example, the alcoholic may become violent when he drinks, or become hostile when confronted about his drinking, according to the NIH. Because he becomes consumed by his drinking, the alcoholic neglects essential things, such as eating and his physical appearance. The Mayo Clinic notes that when the alcoholic's normal drinking time approaches, he can become irritable, especially if he is unable to drink.
