How To Identify Signs Of Alcohol Abuse

If you, a loved one, or someone you know suffers from alcohol abuse, there are typically some behavioral signs of the problem. Below is a list of questions that can be asked to determine if alcohol abuse is an increasing problem. All that's needed is a simple "yes" or "no" and you'll gain a perspective on what you should be doing to turn things around promptly. Remember, you will be doing nobody any good whatsoever if you don't answer these questions as honestly as possible.

• Have drinks typically been gulped rather than sipped?

• When under increased stress, is alcohol used more than usual?

• Are there guilty feelings associated with drinking?

• Has time been lost from work due to alcohol consumption?

• Has drinking caused abusive conduct with a spouse or children?

• Does drinking continue when others have stopped?

• Has an auto accident ever been attributed to alcohol usage?

• If alcohol is not available at a social event, is there an uncomfortable feeling?

• Is there a craving for a drink at any special time every day?

• Is there ever a need for a drink first thing in the morning to get going?

• Is there a hidden bottle or a "stash at home?"

• Is there a preference to drink alone so it's possible to drink more?

• Is a drink ever needed to get rid of the "shakes?"

• Does alcohol help build confidence?

If you answered "yes" to several of these questions it may be time for you to take a closer look at your drinking. If you took the test with somebody else in mind, you might want to print these questions out and confront that person with your results. A responsible use of alcohol will allow a person to answer "no" to all of these questions. The more "yes" answers involved, the more signs there are of a serious alcohol abuse problem.

These questions can help advance a plan to treat alcohol abuse before the problem gets worse. Doubts accompany almost any intake of mood altering substances when capacity limits have been exceeded. It's a point universally shared and may be most important for anyone interested in avoiding the consequences of alcohol abuse as a drug dependency. How does one know if drinking has become an addiction? Go through the questions again and provide yourself with honest answers. If you do not tell the truth, you will only be hurting yourself.

The next step requires honesty with ones self. Since denial is, however, a prime symptom of alcoholism, that may not be as easy as it sounds. A clearer answer lies in the person's conduct. We can be sure we're headed for possible alcoholism and addiction if our consumption has begun to adversely affect a major part of our life, be it health, family, work, or friendships.

Each of these questions indicates a behavioral sign that alcohol abuse is a problem. The more signs evident, the larger the problem. If you find yourself answering "yes" to several of these question, we encourage you to seek assistance with your alcohol abuse problem.