Alcoholism is fast becoming a serious issue to deal with in modern society. Chances are you might know someone or the other, with alcohol abuse issues. The worst part of alcoholism is that it is a progressive disease. So, the more they drink, the worse they get. And with time, the symptoms start getting more and more obvious. If you see any of these symptoms in the person you are with, then chances are that you might be dating an alcoholic.
Even though it is comparatively easier to detect alcoholism in the later stages, it might prove to be a challenge doing the same initially. It is not always possible to understand who is heavily dependent on alcohol and who just simply likes to drink (social drinking). However, there are a few signs that might help you predict this better.
Here Are 7 Indicators That You Might Be Dating An Alcoholic
1. They drink to de-stress themselves.
When alcohol becomes a way of coping with everything in life, it is a sure-shot sign of alcoholism. An alcoholic will want to drink when they are angry, sad, or stressed out in any way. Even when they are extremely happy, they will want to drink to their heart’s content, because they simply cannot function without it.
For them, alcohol is their best friend and something they cannot imagine their lives without. Drinking means more to them than it does to other people, and that is where the difference between an alcoholic and non-alcoholic becomes clearer.
Want to know more about how alcohol is bad for you? Read 10 Ways Alcohol and Drugs Impact Your Health
2. Their social life centers around drinking.
If you see someone always pushing to have alcohol in every social event, or when they choose to only participate in things that have alcohol, then it is a big sign of being an alcoholic. When a person is well on the way of being an alcoholic, they start looking to drink in any and every way possible, which includes their social life.
They will always prefer to go to those places, that serve alcohol. Even if they go for a movie or bowling once in a while, they will stay distracted and will itch to go to a pub or bar. And if they do get a chance to do that, you will see that they are instantly happier and more energetic when surrounded by alcohol.
3. Alcoholism runs in their family.
When alcoholism runs in the family, there is a very high chance of a person becoming an alcoholic by default, compared to people who don’t have any family history of alcoholism. The more you spend time with someone, the more you get to know them and their family better.
If you notice other people in their family with an alcohol abuse problem that has been going on for years, then chances are that the person you are in a relationship with might also develop the same problem. Genetics and family history play a huge part in facilitating alcoholism in people.
Looking to know more about how not drinking alcohol can be good or you? Read Less Drinking, More Self-Care: 5 Fun Things Recovering Alcoholics Can Do Instead of Drinking
4. You will notice drastic changes in personality.
A typical Dr. Jekyll/ Mr. Hyde situation comes into play when alcoholism is concerned. When an alcoholic is sober, they will exhibit a very calm, kind, and normal demeanor (Dr. Jekyll. But once they start getting drunk, chances are that their personality will change drastically.
They will become short-tempered, aggressive, abusive (verbally, emotionally, and possibly physically), and loud (Dr. Hyde). Apart from all this, an alcoholic might even get overly emotional when drunk, whereas when they are sober, they hardly express any of their emotions. If you notice such huge changes in someone, then they might be well on their way of being an alcoholic.
5. An alcoholic never seems drunk.
One of the best ways you can understand if someone is starting to become an alcoholic or not is by studying their capacity of holding their alcohol. Alcoholics tend to not get drunk that easily, even when they have had quite a few drinks. This is because they have built up a strong tolerance for it, and they will need more alcohol to actually get drunk.
For example, a non-alcoholic might start feeling pretty drunk after 4-5 drinks, whereas an alcoholic will seem normal. They might start showing signs of drunkenness only after 8-9 drinks. Having a strong tolerance for alcohol is one of the best ways of discerning whether someone has an alcohol abuse problem or not.
6. Focus on alcohol brands.
When it comes to social drinking, most people have a specific brand of alcohol they always go for. In case that brand is not available, they completely forgo the idea of drinking, as alcohol is not really a necessity for them. But it’s an entirely different scenario when it comes to people with an alcohol abuse problem.
Even alcoholics have their favorites, but even if they don’t get to have that, they will be happy with just about anything they can get their hands on. If they can afford it, they will indulge in expensive spirits, but if they are short of money, they will have something cheap. No matter what, they will always find a way to drink.
Want to know more about how excessive drinking is detrimental to every aspect? Read Dangers Of Over Indulging In Alcohol During Isolation
7. Alcohol has been responsible for many problems.
When someone’s drinking habits start spilling into the other aspects of their lives and start disrupting it, it is clear that they have a serious problem with alcohol. If someone has been involved in a DUI or has been let go from their jobs due to their dependence on alcohol, then know that it’s not social drinking, it’s straight-up alcoholism.
Even if their drinking is causing huge problems in their lives, an alcoholic will never give up drinking. They will continue to drink heavily, without considering any of the consequences that might befall them.
Alcoholism is a serious problem, and can even be dangerous sometimes. If the person you are with is showing these signs, then take steps to help them deal with it. Dealing with alcoholism in the early stages can help an alcoholic give it up easily, compared to making them give it up in the later stages. With therapy, emotional support, and understanding, it is definitely possible to eradicate this problem.
If you want to know more about the signs of alcoholism, then check this video out below:
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