What Are The Warning Signs Of Alcoholism?

There are various warning signs to help detect alcohol abuse and understand if you or your loved one needs alcohol detox treatment. While many signs are recognizable, others may be more difficult to identify. The severity of alcohol abuse may play a role in the warning signs a person exhibits. For example, some people try to cover their alcohol abuse by drinking in private and isolating themselves from others. This makes it challenging for family members or friends to intervene and help their loved one.

Mild alcohol abuse can be easily overlooked. However, what may appear as a minor issue can turn dangerous over time. These early warning signs should not be ignored. Seeking treatment sooner rather than later will allow you to get back to the things you enjoy most in life.

Common Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse

If left untreated, alcohol abuse can spiral out of control quickly. When alcohol abuse begins to negatively impact a person’s life and causes harm. Recognizing the warning signs of alcohol abuse and getting proper alcohol detox treatment can make a significant difference in someone’s recovery process.

Recognizing Alcoholism

  • Have you continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another health problem?
  • Have there been situations where you ended up drinking much more than you intended?
  • Have you lost interest in other activities and hobbies since you started drinking?
  • Have you experienced symptoms associated with an alcohol withdrawal?
  • Have you felt an urge or craving to consume alcohol?
  • Have you gotten into situations while drinking that increased your chances of harming yourself or others (i.e., drinking and driving)?

No Matter How Minor A Drinking Problem May Seem, Alcohol Abuse Symptoms Should Not Be Ignored. If You Or A Loved One Is Struggling With Alcoholism, Changing Tides Treatment Is Here To Help.  1-844-88-DETOX

Alcohol abuse can lead to an array of issues, affecting both your personal and professional life.

Prolonged drinking puts you at risk for developing serious health complications and can cause other potentially life-threatening consequences.

Denial is one of the main reasons why millions of people do not receive treatment for alcoholism. Some individuals will try to rationalize their drinking behaviors. For instance, you may blame other people or certain circumstances for your drinking. Rather than acknowledge the problems you’ve experienced from alcohol, you become defensive when someone mentions your excessive drinking pattern. By refusing to recognize the negative consequences of alcohol, you’re preventing yourself from living a healthy, sober life.

In the last several decades, a growing number of teens have started abusing alcohol. Because adolescents’ brains are still developing, teenage drinking behaviors vary greatly compared to adult patterns. Symptoms could be the following:

  • Escaping Reality
  • Experimenting
  • Fitting In/ Acceptance
There are various warning signs to help detect alcohol abuse and understand if you or your loved one needs alcohol detox treatment.

The frontal area of our brain, which is involved in (functions such as) executive functioning and planning … that is not as developed in teens, and alcohol affects that. Kids are already more impulsive, less patient … and alcohol effects that.

Dr. John Allen 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides the most reliable estimates of alcohol use by young people in the United States.

  • It is estimated that nearly one-third of teens have had one alcoholic drink by the age of 15.
  • Nearly 60% of teens have had at least one alcoholic drink by the age of 18.
  • In 2015, about 7.7 million young people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported that they used alcohol beyond having “just a few sips” within the month prior to the survey.
  • It is estimated that approximately 11% of all the alcoholic beverages consumed in the United States are consumed by individuals between the ages of 12 and 20.

Some of the most common symptoms of alcohol abuse are:

  • Experiencing temporary blackouts or short-term memory loss
  • Exhibiting signs of irritability and extreme mood swings
  • Making excuses for drinking such as to relax, deal with stress or feel normal
  • Choosing drinking over other responsibilities and obligations
  • Becoming isolated and distant from friends and family members
  • Drinking alone or in secrecy
  • Feeling hungover when not drinking
  • Changing appearance and group of acquaintances you hang out with

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are impacted by several factors including frequency of drinking, amount consumed during drinking, length of time drinking, medical history and co-occurring health conditions. A person is more likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms if they’ve abused alcohol and drugs.

Professionally-managed alcohol detox treatment

Usually includes medication to help manage the symptoms of withdrawal, reducing the immediate risks to the individual and making the detox process far more comfortable that it would otherwise be. Unlike a true medical alcohol detox treatment, residential detox takes place in a comfortable, home-like setting rather than a hospital, providing a far more comfortable overall experience than a cold, medical environment would.

Signs of withdrawal symptoms include:

  • anxiety
  • restlessness
  • sweating
  • headaches
  • chills
  • vomiting
  • insomnia

Severe symptoms include, but are not limited to:

  • seizures
  • delirium tremens
  • hallucinations
  • high-blood pressure
  • increased heart rate
  • severe depression

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline And Symptoms

For some, alcohol withdrawal simply feels like a “hangover.” Nothing much to worry about, right? If you’ve been using alcohol regularly for an extended period of time, this is completely untrue. The reason alcohol withdrawal is such a serious issue is that those suffering from withdrawal can go from having symptoms of a mild hangover to very severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms quickly.

Without trained staff to oversee the alcohol detox treatment process, the person suffering from withdrawals will be at-risk for serious health problems.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome, also known as AWS, occurs when a person abruptly stops drinking after a prolonged period of time. Symptoms of AWS can range from mild to serious. Because alcohol is a legal and socially acceptable drug of choice for many Americans, the withdrawal process is often misunderstood. In this post, we answer some of the frequently asked questions about alcohol withdrawal.

AWS produces a broad range of symptoms which follow a general timeline. These symptoms begin between 6 – 24 hours after the last drink and can range in severity.

Mild symptoms tend to begin within 6 – 8 hours of discontinued alcohol use. These symptoms are usually associated with minor physical disturbances and changes in behavior and mood. Many times, loved ones may overlook these signs because they mimic the symptoms of a hangover. For someone who has consumed a lot of alcohol for a long period of time, it is important not to dismiss these signs.

Moderate symptoms usually begin between 12 – 48 hours after the last drink. These symptoms are more intense and are associated with abnormal vital signs. These signs must be closely monitored by a medical professional.

Severe symptoms usually begin between 48 – 72 hours into the detox process. These include “delirium tremens” (also known as DTs) and seizures. Both can occur without warning. Both can be fatal. It is estimated that roughly 3 – 5% of individuals in withdrawal will experience DTs. For this reason, withdrawal should be closely supervised by a medical professional.

This is only a rough timeline and it is important to note that alcohol detox treatment and withdrawal symptoms may vary from person to person. Today, many professionals prefer to use the CIWA to determine overall severity rather than rely on stages as a framework for understanding withdrawal. Either way, do not attempt to diagnose yourself.

No matter how long a person has been drinking, remember that recovery is possible. Entering alcohol detox treatment can be scary. If you or someone you love needs help to overcome addiction, don’t remain silent. Medical professionals can help ensure a smoother, safer detox process. They can be the first hand that helps transition a person from fatal illness to a life of freedom.

we have solutions. Call 844-883-3869.

If You Or A Loved One Is Struggling With Alcohol Dependence Or Abuse, Give Us A Call Today For Help! We Are Standing By And Ready To Take Your Call!  1-844-88-DETOX

Day 1-3

Anxiety
Insomnia
Fever
Restlessness
Nausea
Tremors

Day 4-7

Delirium Tremens
Agitation
Confusion
Disorientation
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Autonomic Instability

Week 2

Nervousness
Shakiness
Depression
Mood Swings
Nightmares
Brain Fog

2 Months - 1 Year

Anxiety
Decreased Energy
Depression
Reduced Sexual Interest
Tremors
Sleep Disorders

Serious Withdrawal Symptoms - At ANY Stage

Fever
Hypertension
Hypothermia
Increased Pulse
Seizure
Tremors