When does a casual liking for alcohol turn into alcohol abuse?
This is the one question most people who drink alcohol have no answer for, and it’s easy to see why. If people knew how to determine that drinking alcohol was gradually turning into alcohol abuse or alcoholism, there wouldn’t be any alcohol addicts today. No one starts drinking alcohol hoping to become an alcohol addict.
If you don’t mind a drink or two every day or often or if your loved one loves the bottle, it’s important to know alcohol abuse signs. This way, you can tell when you’re slipping into alcoholism and slam on the brakes before it’s too late.
Keep reading to learn the signs of alcohol abuse.
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You’re Always Nursing a Desire to Drink
There’s no major harm in having a drink or two (if you’re male) and less than one drink (if you’re female) every day. The CDC recommends it.
However, depending on your drinking habits and the type of alcohol you drink, it’s possible to develop a drinking problem over time. If you’re always nursing a desire to drink alcohol, for example, there’s a good chance you’re getting into alcohol abuse.
Most of the time, the only way to curb that craving is to have the drink – then it goes away. But a few hours later, usually the next day, the craving will be back.
You Can’t Help but Drink, Even When You Hate the Hangovers
Drinking alcohol can be a fun thing to do – until the consequences of heavy drinking catch up with you later on. If you’re familiar with hangovers, you know how they can incapacitate you the next morning and cause you a thumping headache.
In fact, it’s not uncommon to find people who swear not to drink ever again after suffering a terrible hangover. No one ever makes good of that promise. A few hours or days later, they’ll be back at it, drinking like hangovers don’t exist.
If you’re like that, it’s a clear sign you’re becoming an alcoholic.
Alcoholism Is Affecting Your Professional and Social Life
Are you skipping work because you hard to nurse a bad hangover? Have you received performance warnings at work? Are you always absent-minded and sleepy at work?
If yes, there’s a good chance it’s the alcohol to blame. Your professional life is usually one of the first casualties when you become an alcohol abuser.
Your home and social life will follow soon after. Drinking a lot often means coming home late, which might not go well with your significant other. If you have children, there will be reduced interaction since you’re always out drinking even when you should be home.
Living with an alcoholic isn’t easy. This isn’t what you want to subject your family to.
Keep an Eye on These Alcohol Abuse Signs
Alcoholism doesn’t just happen. It’s the inevitable result of a habit. If you love a drink, keep an eye on these alcohol abuse signs. You don’t want to wait until you’ve sunk in addiction to notice.
Stay tuned to our blog for more tips and advice.