We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse?

By Bethany Keene
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,501
Share

The symptoms of alcohol abuse usually become most noticeable when they begin to interfere with an individual's life. He or she may find that he begins missing work, getting in legal trouble, neglecting responsibilities at home, or causing trouble in personal relationships. In addition, another one of the most common symptoms of alcohol abuse is an inability to cut back on drinking, or to have "just one" drink in any given situation, despite the best of intentions.

Symptoms of alcohol abuse may not always be obvious to the person with a drinking problem, but may instead become obvious to the other people in the individual's life. Often, friends or family members might begin to comment on someone's drinking habits, stating that they wish he or she would stop or cut back on the alcohol, or that they are concerned about her health. Someone with a drinking problem might continue to go out and get drunk even knowing that it could cause a fight with friends or family, and potentially cause lasting damage to relationships.

People may begin to notice symptoms of alcohol abuse in themselves as well. They might feel that despite their best intentions, they can never just have one drink or cut back on their drinking in general; they may start to feel ashamed of the amount they drink, and begin hiding the fact that they are continuing to drink. In addition, some people with a drinking problem will find that they need to have a few drinks at the end of the day to relax, or in the morning to combat a hangover.

Over time, an individual's tolerance for alcohol will get higher, and they will need to drink in increasing amounts. He or she might begin to drink until they black out, or experience vomiting or even alcohol poisoning. Another one of the most noticeable symptoms of alcohol abuse is that people begin to have trouble functioning in daily life without alcohol. They may feel shaky, anxious, depressed, or irritable unless they can have a drink.

Legal problems or unsafe behavior are some of the other symptoms of alcohol abuse. Getting arrested for driving while intoxicated, for example, is one example. Someone with an alcohol problem might also behave unsafely while using machinery at work. These are a few of the most common symptoms of alcohol abuse; if an individual suspects that he or she has a drinking problem, it is important to see a doctor and discuss options for getting help.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-symptoms-of-alcohol-abuse.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.