Alcoholic Warning Signs

Warning Symptoms of Alcoholism:

There are many indicators that a person is an Alcoholic or a Potential Alcoholic. They can be easily noticed by anyone who is close enough to the person to know how they normally behave and make decisions. All one really has to do is pay attention.

Normal day to day behaviors, as well as the decision making process, may suddenly change. Finances may be handled differently than they normally would. The person may become secretive about their activities, especially if they have an indication that the drinking behavior is not approved of by those around them.

Personal hygiene may become an issue as the person loses their motivation due to the Alcoholism.

Depression is very likely to set in as the drinking increases.

One of the most obvious behaviors to pay attention to is how the person relates to those around them. Their behavior may create a sense of personal shame which will cause them to avoid people they normally enjoy being around. They may become isolative and angry.

Many people suffering from Alcoholism are also easily agitated. They may get angry over things that previously would not have bothered them in the least.

There is also often a loss of time and a forgetfulness of things done or said in that time. Some alcoholics have “blackouts” and truly will have no memory of some of the things that they may have done when they were drinking. This is not uncommon and it will add to their sense of shame and feelings of isolation.

There are some things that a person can be aware of and pay attention to when looking for warning signs of Alcoholism. Watching normal behavior patterns change is a strong indication that there is some type of problem. It is also not unusual for the alcoholic to deny the changes or attribute them to some other outside influence and even blame those close to them.

Other specific things to look out for include the following:

Behavioral

  • Mood Swings
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Aggressive Behavior
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Craving for Candy or Sweets
  • Fatigue
  • Suicide Attempts or Threats

Family

  • Divorce
  • Decreased Sexual Relations
  • Decreased Social Life, Limited outside activities
  • Financial Difficulties
  • Child or Spousal Abuse
  • Complaints from Neighbors and Friends
  • Frequent Cancelled Appointments

Occupational

  • Absenteeism
  • Tardiness
  • Job Related Accidents
  • Poor Performance
  • Loss of Job
  • Complaints from Superiors or Coworkers
  • Periods of Unemployment
  • Frequent Job Changes, Moving Towards a Job where there is freedom to Drink

Physical

  • Headaches
  • Lloss of Memory or Blackouts
  • Morning Nausea
  • Impotance, Inability to Achieve Orgasm
  • Indigestion
  • Unexplained Seizures
  • Vomiting of Blood
  • Frequent Infections
  • Withdrawls i.e., Tremors, Seizures, Rapid Heart Beat