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Signs & Symptoms of Social Alcoholism

The signs and symptoms of social alcoholism are not always easy to spot. Many people are social drinkers; however, this does not necessarily mean that alcohol is a problem for them. Social alcoholism essentially means that someone either needs alcohol to relax or have a good time in a social setting, or he is not a regular drinker but drinks to an extreme in social settings.

  1. Excessive Consumption

    • Excessive consumption of alcohol in a social setting is one of the major signs of social alcoholism. People who cannot relax at a party or other social gathering without several drinks generally suffer from social anxiety, which is one of the main causes of social alcoholism. Having a drink or two does not define social alcoholism, but having glass after glass of any alcoholic drink in order to relax or become more socially comfortable is a major warning sign for this disorder. Unfortunately, alcohol is considered to be a social relaxant, which is the main event in many social situations, from office dinner parties to just meeting friends for a drink after work, and social alcoholism may develop out of a fear of rejection, nervousness, or other inhibitions. The National Institutes of Health outlines social and psychological factors that may contribute to alcoholism, including peer pressure, low self-esteem and depression. These factors may contribute to the overindulgence that is so common among those suffering from social alcoholism.

    Denial

    • Denial is a major defense mechanism used by people suffering from addictions of all kinds. Social alcoholics may use denial to suppress the fact that they have an actual physical or psychological need for alcohol in a social setting. An article in "Psychology Today" discusses the concept of the "high functioning alcoholic," or HFA, a concept that is applicable to those suffering from social alcoholism. One of the main characteristics of HFAs is that they believe their lives to be in total control and that they do not have a problem because they can manage and still function in life, which is a dangerous sign of denial. Social alcoholics may not see their problem because it happens only once in a while, or they say things such as "What's wrong with having a few drinks at a party?". They may also be in denial about the consequences of their actions on others.

    Alcohol Poisoning

    • The Mayo Clinic states that alcohol poisoning may occur after binge drinking or consuming more than five drinks in a row. Social drinkers who overindulge are at risk for alcohol poisoning, particularly if they are not regular drinkers, as their bodies are not accustomed to rapid ingestion of large quantities of alcohol. Alcohol poisoning can affect heart rate and breathing, and can potentially lead to seizures, cardiac arrest, coma or death.

    Drunken Driving

    • Social alcoholics generally have a high risk of drunken driving, particularly if they arrive alone to a party or gathering. The social alcoholic may not be able to identify when he has had too much to drink and may resist intervention from friends or coworkers who try to assist by calling a taxi or family member for transportation.

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