Alcoholism is a progressive disease. Alcoholics who are in the advanced stages of the disease do not wake up one morning as full-fledged alcoholics. They progressed through stages of the disease that started as infrequent drinking experiences with consumption of small quantities of alcohol.
Many people erroneously believe that all alcoholics are malnourished, unemployed, skid row bums. The reality is that many alcoholics are successful, hardworking people. They are able to perform their jobs with proficiency, have stable finances and appear to be in good health.
Just because a person does not possess the common traits that are typically associated with alcoholism doesn't mean that a drinking problem doesn’t exist.
Below is a list of ten clues that may indicate the existence of a drinking problem. The list does not include the major clues such as financial, legal or health problems that result from drinking. Rather, it includes indicators that are less commonly associated with a drinking problem. Review the below list and honestly assess your own drinking habits.
Constant Thoughts About Drinking - Though you may not drink daily, or even weekly, you find yourself constantly thinking about drinking alcohol and how good you feel when you drink. Your mind is preoccupied with your next opportunity to drink and plan your drinking experience with great excitement.
Binge Drinking - Binge drinking does not necessarily mean that you party all night, drink with a beer bong, or drink shot after shot in rapid succession. Binge drinking is simply consuming a large quantity of alcohol over a single experience. It may seem as innocent as drinking a twelve pack of beer while watching a sporting event or drinking a bottle of wine with dinner.
Blacking Out - Drinking to the point of memory loss is common among problem drinkers. Black outs are not always as extreme as waking up in a strange place or forgetting how you got home. It can simply include lack of recognition of minor details during the drinking experience such as topics of conversation or the conclusion to a television episode.
Sneaking Drinks - Taking a sip of alcohol when it’s not appropriate or when it is unlawful with the hopes that no one will know is a habit that some problem drinkers have. Even though the problem drinker may not go to the extreme of hiding a bottle of whiskey in a desk drawer or pouring vodka in a soda can, taking a few sips of liquor before driving or having a quick drink in the morning may indicate a drinking problem.
Dishonesty About Drinking - When confronted with concerns or statements from family and friends about the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption, problem drinkers often intentionally minimize how often and how much they drink.
Progression of Quantity and Frequency - Are you drinking more alcohol more often than you were five years ago? If so, your drinking has progressed. You may not drink every day, but progression of frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption is an indicator of problem drinking.
Increased Tolerance to Alcohol - A simple way to detect an increase in alcohol tolerance is to examine how much alcohol you require to achieve a sense of euphoria. If you are a problem drinker, you may require significantly more alcohol to achieve the desired result than you needed when you first started drinking.
Preference to Drink over Hobbies - Choosing to drink over an enjoyable activity such as performance of a sport, hobby or family gathering may indicate problem drinking. Even if the choice to drink over another activity is made just once, a drinking problem may be present.
Defensiveness About Drinking - Do you get defensive or make excuses when someone makes a statement about how much or how often you drink? Problem drinkers typically rationalize their drinking habits and justify the frequency of their alcohol consumption.
Having a Reputation as a Drinker - Everybody knows someone who can "hold their alcohol" or always has a drink at hand. Those who have a reputation as a drinker often demonstrate characteristics common to problem drinkers such as always drinking at parties, always having a drink with meals, or being intoxicated frequently.
If any of the above clues apply to you, assess your drinking habits and be honest with yourself about the possible existence of a drinking problem. If you feel that you may be a problem drinker, seek the help of a substance abuse professional and make your health and welfare a priority.
Also Read:
Am I an Alcoholic or Drug Addict?
Factors Contributing to the Development of Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Five Undeniable Facts About Alcoholism Recovery
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