Symptoms of Alcoholic Behavior

Alcoholism can cause irreparable damage both to the alcoholics themselves and to those close to them. It is estimated that some 76 million people worldwide suffer from alcoholism, and health care costs and work hours lost to the disease rank in the billions of dollars. Signs of alcoholic behavior vary from patient to patient, but their appearance suggests an urgent need to confront the problem and seek help.

Loss of Control

• An alcoholic may have an irresistible craving to drink, which comes to dominate his thoughts. In addition, many alcoholics often prove unable to cut themselves off once they have begun drinking.

Hidden Bottles

• Alcoholics may feel a need to drink alone or in secret, keeping evidence away from friends and family. They often keep bottles of alcohol hidden away in their car or stashed in secretive corners of the house.

Problems at Home and Work

• Alcoholism often reverberates across different parts of an alcoholic's life. Work performance may suffer and relationships with friends and family members may become increasingly dysfunctional as a result.

Blackouts

• Alcoholics may experience blackouts while under the influence of alcohol--gaps in memory where they said or did things that they honestly can't remember.

Increasing Tolerance

• An alcoholic may need increasing amounts of drink in order to achieve a sense of intoxication. It often accompanies a need to drink heavily in order to feel "normal" or "happy."