Alcoholism isn’t always easy to spot. It manifests itself differently from person to person. However, there are usually warning signs.
Everyone knows the classic signs. Drinking too much is the most obvious sign. But alcoholics are good about hiding their drinking.
You might need to look for other signs to recognize alcoholism. Here are some of the less-known physical signs of alcoholism.
- High Tolerance
Alcoholics aren’t always drunk.
In fact, alcoholics develop a very high tolerance to alcohol.
Some people can be highly functioning alcoholics. This makes it difficult to tell when they have a problem.
When you go out with someone, watch how much they drink.
If they need to drink a lot to get drunk, they might have an addiction.
If you’re worried about yourself, think about how much you drink.
How many drinks does it take for you to notice any effect? It could be that you have a naturally high tolerance. Or it could be that you’ve developed a tolerance from addiction.
Try cutting back if you noticed that you need a lot of alcohol to feel anything.
If you have trouble cutting back, you have a problem.
- Changed Behavior
Addiction changes your brain.
Alcoholism literally alters the channels in your brain.
An alcoholic can’t function properly without alcohol. This will change their behavior. Everyone behaves differently.
If you think someone is acting strange, mention it.
Maybe they are just going through a rough tine. Alcoholism isn’t always the reason for changed behavior. However, it often is.
It might be time to look into seeking inpatient treatment. Residential facilities like Hollywood Hills Recovery are the best option.
Alcoholism is a serious issue. It usually requires an intervention to recover.
Recovery is a long process. It is also a difficult process. Even once recovered, an alcoholic is never the same.
That’s something you need to be prepared for.
- Insomnia
Alcoholics have trouble sleeping without alcohol.
Insomnia is also a common cause of alcoholism. In small amounts, alcohol can help you fall asleep. That’s not the case once you become dependent on it.
Over time, your body builds up a tolerance to alcohol.
Once you’re addicted, you need even more alcohol to help you sleep.
Alcoholics often drink to the point of blackout. This isn’t healthy. It will only make them more dependent.
If you suffer from insomnia, alcohol is not a natural remedy. It’s best to seek help from a sleep specialist. Don’t try and medicate yourself.
See if you can fall asleep without alcohol. Or see if you can fall asleep with less alcohol than you usually drink.
If you can’t, the chances are high that you have a problem.
When tempted to drink, substitute alcohol for a calming drink. There are many non-alcoholic beverages that will help you sleep.
Brew a pot of chamomile tea. It’s one of the world’s oldest sleep remedies.
A glass of warm milk or another herbal tea should also help.
- Depression
Alcoholics are more likely to be depressed.
People suffering from depression are also more likely to develop an addiction.
This creates a toxic cycle of dependency. If you or a loved one suffer from depression, you should be careful with alcohol.
Here is a list of symptoms from WebMD to help you determine if depression is the underlying issue.
You should seek help for depression. Drinking is not a healthy form of self-medication. You should consult an expert.
Therapy is a much healthier way to treat depression.
If you go to a residential treatment center for alcoholism, you will probably attend therapy.
This will help you identify the root causes of your problem.
- Illness
Alcohol gradually ruins your immune system.
There are tons of toxins in alcohol. That isn’t healthy.
Constantly drinking will slowly destroy your body. Alcoholics get sick easier than those who don’t drink.
If a loved one is constantly sick, ask about their drinking habits.
Perhaps they don’t realize what the problem is. They will thank you for pointing it out.
No one wants to be sick all the time.
Conclusion
Alcoholism manifests itself differently in every individual. However, these symptoms are fairly common among most alcoholics.