What are the signs and symptoms of alcoholism?
Most alcoholics deny that they have a drinking problem. Other signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse include: • Drinking alone or in secret • Not remembering conversations or commitments — sometimes referred to as “blacking out” • Making a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned • Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure • Feeling a need to drink • Irritability as usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn’t available • Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car • Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances • Building up a tolerance to alcohol so that you need an increasing number of drinks to feel alcohol’s effects • Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating and shaking, if you don’t drink People who abuse alcohol may experience many of the same signs and symptoms as people who are dependen
