Signs of Alcoholism That You Need to Be Aware Of
Alcohol addiction is a disease that has many signs and symptoms. For example, if you drink more than three drinks in one day or experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, shaking, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia then you may be addicted to alcohol. Excessive alcohol drinking also causes alcohol breath that is very disgusting for others. There are ways how to get rid of alcohol breath. If you are concerned about your drinking habits speak with a medical professional for a proper diagnosis of alcoholism. Below are signs of alcoholism that you need to be aware of.
Anxiety
One sign of alcoholism is that people who drink excessively typically have a compulsive need to drink. This excessive compulsive drinking can lead to addiction and in turn cause anxiety of which you can find help from help4addiction.co.uk, thereby, taking charge of your life. Excessive alcohol use has been linked to the development of mental disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. In one study, it was found that alcohol can cause people to experience stress or anxiety.
Alcohol causes the brain to release GABA, a neurotransmitter that is thought to prevent anxiety and tension in the body, which leads to feelings of relaxation. However, when too much alcohol is consumed it can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety because the brain will trigger the release of other chemicals like dopamine which are responsible for feelings of pleasure. Mixing different types of alcohol can also lead to anxiety.
Mood Swings
Another sign of alcoholism is mood swings. Alcoholics who drink excessively typically indulge in risky, out-of-character behavior and often feel regret, anger, guilt, and shame. This can lead to mood swings as the alcoholic's moods begin to quickly change due to their state of mind. The person may go from feeling angry and irritable one moment to feeling overly happy or giddy the next. Alcoholics typically suffer from some sort of mental illness and this often leads to mood swings.
No Appetite
When you drink, your appetite for food decreases. This is because alcohol inhibits the activity of the region in the brain that controls hunger. However, when you are sober or recovering from alcoholism, your appetite will return back to normal levels because your brain regains control over these functions. One of the major signs of alcoholism is that alcoholics typically have no appetite for food because they are so focused on drinking.
Feelings of Hopelessness
Alcoholics typically feel a sense of hopelessness and this is one of the major signs that someone may have a drinking problem. Feeling hopeless can manifest itself in many ways such as an inability to carry out even the simplest everyday tasks, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, and withdrawal from family and friends. An alcoholic will suffer from feelings of hopelessness because they are so focused on drinking that nothing else seems to matter.
Slurred Speech
Heavy drinkers have slurred speech, but your speech may be affected if you are suffering from alcohol addiction. Alcohol causes the muscles in the mouth to relax which impairs the capacity of the drinker's lips, jaw, tongue, and throat to articulate words properly. This is one of the signs of alcoholism that you can notice in others, but it may also be a sign of chronic alcoholism if you have slurred speech when you are sober.
Being aware of the major warning signs is important if you are an alcoholic or know one. Alcoholism can have many negative effects on people’s lives including health problems, social issues, financial difficulties, legal troubles and more so don’t wait until things get worse before taking action.