Signs of Alcohol Abuse

More than 20 percent of all people in the United States report that one or more of their family members or friends has a drinking problem. Knowing the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse is the first step to intervention and recovery.

Statistics

• More than 13 million people in the United States abuse alcohol, with more than 8 million of them being alcoholics. Alcohol is the third leasing cause of preventable death in the United States, with more than 100,000 deaths per year.

Depression

• People suffering from alcohol abuse will enter a state of depression. The depressive state will often coincide with periods of time when the person is unable to drink due to a certain social setting, such as being at work. A person suffering from alcoholism will suddenly cheer up after having a few alcoholic beverages.

  A state of depression can also lead to alcohol abuse. Some people will view alcohol as a way to let go of how they are feeling. Many times depressive people will be happier in social settings and more outspoken when drinking alcohol. They feel that their social life has improved because of alcohol. Alcohol abuse is present or imminent when this feeling of improved social skill occurs.

Shaking and Trembling

• If a person who appears to have trembling hands--the shakes--is suddenly cured after having an alcoholic drink, he may be dependent on alcohol. Shaking and tremors are often signs of withdrawal caused when a person has not had alcohol for an extended period of time. This occurs often when his normal drinking routine is broken.

Irritability

• Persons dependent on alcohol will continue to get more irritable as more time passes since their last drink. Irritability when her usual drinking time comes near and she is anxiously waiting the moment is a sure sign of alcohol abuse. An alcoholic may even become angry and possibly violent if she is unable to drink for long periods.

Storing Alcohol In Strange Places

• If you find a bottle of alcohol in a strange place, such as in a car, under the porch or under the bathroom sink, a person is at risk for alcohol abuse. As his addiction grows stronger, the alcoholic will begin to hide alcohol in unexpected places. The paranoia associated with someone finding out usually causes the person to find unexpected storage in an effort to keep his secret.

Memory Loss

• People who have become dependent on alcohol and feed the addiction regularly will often have blackouts and memory loss. In general conversation with friends, an alcoholic will stumble over the answer when she is asked what she did or where she was on a certain night of the week.

Defensiveness

• If a loved one becomes defensive, or maybe even angry, about his alcohol use or practices when you question him, he could be abusing alcohol. Being defensive or making excuses about why he drinks is a top sign of alcohol abuse and oftentimes is the top warrant of intervention.