Symptoms & Causes of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a disease in which an addiction to alcohol usually leads to negative situations. A person who suffers from alcoholism must constantly drink, and without help from loved ones or rehab programs, usually cannot break out of the cycle of drinking and regret.

Denial

• The biggest symptom of alcoholism is the sufferer not believing that he actually has a problem or addiction, despite the fears of his loved ones. Most alcoholics deny that they suffer from the disease.

Drinking Symptoms

• When a person drinks alone and/or secretly; is unable to moderate the amount of alcohol she consumes; feels compelled to drink; hides alcohol at home or work; and suffers from withdrawal symptoms when sober; she may be suffering from alcoholism.

Social Symptoms

• When a person has memory lapses and/or blackouts, loses interest in hobbies or activities, get irritable when going without alcohol and has trouble with close relations, these are some of the warning signs of alcoholism.

Causes

• Men outnumber women 2 to 1 as alcoholics. Though there is no concrete research proving a genetic or biological disposition to alcoholism, some researchers feel there could be a connection.

Factors

• Trauma, depression, low self-esteem, stress and anxiety are all environmental factors that can lead to alcoholism. Children with alcoholic parents are more likely to become alcoholics themselves.