Red Flags of a Secret Alcoholic
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a debilitating disease that can threaten the livelihood of not only the person suffering from alcohol addiction, but the ones they are close to as well. Because of this, many alcohol abusers will conduct their binge drinking in secret, attempting to hide this aspect of themselves from their loved ones.
Warning Signs That Someone Is Dependent On Drinking Alcohol
Someone could struggle with alcohol addiction if they do any of the following actions. Those with alcohol use disorder may have constant excuses to explain their drinking, such as parties, having guests over, or needing to unwind after a difficult day. While these are common reasons to have a drink, it’s worrisome if it occurs in excessive amounts.
This also holds true for people who drink at odd times, such as first thing in the morning or right before bed– this shows that the person is depending on alcohol to get through the day. Alcoholics also will have to frequently apologize for their behavior while drunk, usually causing trouble in their relationships and feeling remorse over this when sober.
These actions go hand in hand with another sign of alcohol abuse, which is frequent mood swings; alcoholics will switch very easily and quickly between seeming fine to being enraged or depressed. They may also deny or blame others for bad things they do when inebriated.
Alcohol abusers are likely to have a high tolerance to alcohol. Although height, weight, and gender all affect someone’s tolerance, be wary if someone is able to drink much more than another person with their same attributes. Another sign of potential alcohol addiction is social withdrawal, especially for somebody who is typically extroverted. Isolation is a sign of both alcohol abuse and depression, which often go together.
A common sign that someone is dependent on alcohol is a tendency to be late to important events or work. In the same vein, they may also forget about these events entirely, or forget about entire periods of time (known as blacking out). The biggest warning of an alcohol addiction is that the person doesn’t know when to stop drinking once they’ve started, and they become belligerently drunk instead of drinking in moderation.
Symptoms Of Alcohol Use Disorder
The effects of alcohol abuse can damage the user’s central nervous system, so someone struggling with alcohol addiction is likely to have shaky hands, blotchy skin, or a flushed face. They may also have symptoms of alcohol withdrawal if they go without a drink for an extended period of time.
Short term withdrawal symptoms can include fatigue, sadness, and irritability while long term symptoms include alcohol tremors and insomnia. Excessive alcohol use can have a poor effect on mental health, as can withdrawal from alcohol. If you notice someone with these behaviors, they may need to consider receiving treatment for alcoholism.
Treatment Options For Alcohol Addiction
The first thing an alcoholic should do on the path to recovery is go through medical detox. Treatment facilities offer this option for anyone struggling with withdrawal from substances. In medical detox, patients will have medical professionals supervising them and providing medication to ease withdrawal symptoms. This helps patients get through the worst of withdrawal and be ready for recovery.
After detox, the next step in recovery at a treatment center is to undergo therapy to determine the cause of their addiction. With individual and group therapy, along with support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, alcohol abusers are able to work through the issues that drive them to drink.
At Arista Recovery, we offer detox and a variety of therapy to assist alcoholics in their recovery mission. We understand how difficult dealing with alcohol use disorder can be, and we’re here to help people on their path to a brighter future.
