Alcoholism is a chronic disease whereby the body becomes dependent on the consumption of the alcoholic beverages. An individual may become obsessed with the drink and not be able to control the quantities drunk. Although drinking can be causing serious problems at work, to the health and the family of the individual, he or she may still not be able to control it. At the same time, it can be possible for one to have problems with alcohol, but still not display any negative effects.
However there are signs that should raise red flags about one being afflicted with the problem of alcoholism. Below are some red alerts on alcoholism that should not be ignored:
- You cannot control the amount of alcohol you drink
- You are drinking alone or in secret
- You do not remember conversations or commitments made while drunk
- When your ritual of having a drink is broken and it upsets you
- Being irritable when drink time approaches and you do not have access to alcohol
- You keep alcohol in unlikely places at home or in the car
- You drink double shots or drink to feel ‘normal’
- Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms if you do not drink
- Building a tolerance level to alcohol so that you need to drink more to get the same effect
- Finding excuses to drink
