At What Point Are You Considered An Alcoholic?

Your life doesn’t have to be falling apart for you to be considered an alcoholic. There are tale-tell signs that will point out that your alcohol intake problem needs to be handled. While there are a plethora of ways to diagnose alcoholism, none is as effective as a self-diagnosis. There are millions of people with a drinking problem and are struggling to quit. If you are among this category, then you are in the right place. So, at what point will you be considered an alcoholic? Is there a cure for it?

Your Unwillingness To Admit That You Have A Problem

Not so many alcoholics will want to admit that they have a drinking problem. Now, and as earlier mentioned, your life doesn’t need to be falling apart for you to be considered an alcoholic. Alcoholism is a broad term and one that needs to be defined appropriately. The minute you have a continual urge to take alcohol, then you’ll be classified among individuals who are alcohol dependent. 

Now, this is where you might require professional help, and as suggested by the Coastline Behavioral Health experts, an addiction and wellness health program might be all that it takes to see you get your life back. However, it has to be a self-initiated effort. You might have loved ones who are willing to lend you a helping hand, but before this happens, you must be willing to admit that you have a problem. 

Showing Symptoms Of Alcoholism 

To detect whether you are an alcoholic, it’s important to know of the symptoms to be on the lookout for. There are, of course, signs that could exhibit that you have an alcohol problem. As earlier mentioned, people with an alcoholic problem will try to cover it up with excuses and deny that they have a problem. Some’ll isolate themselves and lead a solitary life. Among the signs that could point out that you are an alcoholic include: 

• Short-term to long-term memory loss after consuming alcohol
• Signs of irritability and constant mood swings
• Feeling hungover after a drinking spree
• A sudden change of appearance, such as skin blemishes and losing weight

The Failure To Maintain Healthy Relationships

Alcoholism is the major cause of breakups, divorce, and the failure to maintain healthy relationships. If you have been drinking for quite some time and you are constantly barraged with issues of being irresponsible, neglecting your duties as a parent, or your inability to cope with family life just because you have to nurse your hangovers or spend more time at your favorite joint, then you have a drinking problem. 

In essence, an alcoholic will make it their priority to drink and this doesn’t work well when a person is in a relationship. One thing to note is that your spouse needs attention and it’s also important that their needs be met. Lack of these fundamental issues could cause you to be at loggerheads with your wife, husband, kids, or friends. 

Constant Problems At The Workplace

If you had one too many the previous night, chances are that you’ll need time to nurse your hangovers the following morning. This will not go well if you have a 9-5 job and have to show results at the end of the day. You’ll always be late for work, shaggy, and showing signs of fatigue. Any supervisor or boss will not tolerate such behaviors and it’s for this reason that most alcoholics lose their high-paying jobs. Knowing that you have responsibilities should tame your urge to take alcohol during a workweek.

You Are Always In Debt

An alcoholic will have inhibitions that will be controlled by their urge to drink more and more. This will not go well if you have limited resources. It might force you to borrow more than you can pay. Additionally, and for lack of a better term, a lowered sense of decisiveness might cause you to buy items impulsively. These are items that you might not have the use of. At the end of the day, you’ll have used your credit card in ways you had not planned for. 

Constant Medical Bills

The minute you realize that your days are spent checking in with specialists for health-related problems associated with alcohol, then you have a drinking problem. There are so many health problems you might experience that are alcohol-related. These include: 

• Chronic alcoholism can lead to liver problems
• High consumption of alcohol is the number one cause for a multiple of cancers including liver cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer to mention but a few
• A lowered immune system which will put your health at a greater risk of infections
• Brain damage
• Osteoporosis

As you can see, there are a plethora of ways to tell whether a person is an alcoholic. This is not the way you had intended to lead your life. However, there are ways to fight it and lead a life filled with purpose. You could seek help from your friends, rehab facilities, or work towards reducing your alcohol consumption by yourself. It’s time you took the bull by the horns and regained your once-fruitful and sober life!