Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction

Just like there is a multitude of different causes and effects of alcohol addiction, there are also a number of different signs and symptoms ranging from physical to emotional to mental symptoms. Unfortunately, often times the alcohol abuser cannot see the signs and symptoms or will refuse to believe that they fall under the category of someone addicted to alcohol. This usually means that the people who will intervene of recognizing the addiction are someone closest to the alcohol addicted person, living with them on a daily basis.




Some of the signs and symptoms can be seen simply by looking at the person, but other times it takes really knowing and seeing this person operate on a day to day basis in order to recognize the addiction. There are many alcoholics that can function in certain aspects of their lives for a long period of time, although most individuals addicted to alcohol will eventually let the addiction consume their lives to the point where it does begin interrupting their job, social life, overall well-being and family life.

Recognizing these signs and symptoms isn't as easy as it may seem, but it is important if you recognize any of these factors that you work towards intervening and getting help for the alcohol addicted person.


Physical Symptoms

• Increased Tolerance to Alcohol - Someone who needs more alcohol and has a significantly higher tolerance towards alcohol usually indicates someone that has been drinking a great deal, regularly over a long period of time in order to create that tolerance.


• Withdrawal Symptoms - If the individual is without alcohol for any period of time, it is likely they will begin to have withdrawal symptoms, which could include a great deal of anxiety, tremors and shaking, headaches and nausea or vomiting.


• Blackouts - Drinking to the point of blacking out on a regular basis.


• Physical Problems related to drinking - If an individual begins to have physical problems related to drinkings, such as liver disease, insomnia, heart disease, or malnutrition and continues to drink excessively, this is the sign of a problem.


• Strong craving - If the person feels they need or cannot go without a drink, or doesn't just enjoy an alcoholic drink but seems to chug or gulp the drink, this is often a sign that they have moved past social or even problem drinking to an addiction.

Emotional and Mental Signs and Symptoms

• Impaired functioning - If drinking is beginning to interrupt an individual's social life, work, or family life, yet continues to drink, this is a very important sign that drinking has become more important than normal life functions.


• Irritability - Especially when the individual cannot drink at the desired time or if someone tries to challenge them or tell them they do not need to be drinking. Irritability often occurs when an individual cannot have or find their drink of choice.


• Hiding alcohol - Whether it is simply lying to friends and family about when they drink or it is physically hiding alcohol in different locations throughout the home, this is usually a sign that the individual cannot go without having a drink somewhere nearby or knows they have a problem and don't want others to know they are drinking.


• Legal troubles - If the person begins to get into legal problems because of their drinking, such as being arrested for a DWI, but continues to drink at the same rate, this is a very important sign that the addiction has come more important to the person than their troubles and responsibilities.