What are the signs of alcoholism?

What are the signs of alcoholism? Well, there are many. This disease is considered progressive, which means it just continues to worsen or become more severe over time. In other words, it just gets worse and worse if there are no measures taken to correct the problem.

First of all there are early warning signs, that eventually if left alone will become symptoms of a bigger problem. The early signs are someone who is frequently intoxicated and have established a heavy pattern of drinking, particularly in dangerous situations, such as driving. Another common sign is those who drink to black outs. For others it might be a drastic change in behavior when they are drinking, like becoming violent or angry.

Then what are they signs of alcoholism? The following symptoms are taken from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.

First, the individual neglects other activities. They give up or fail to go to important social, occupational or recreational activities because of alcohol use.

Second, when they do consume alcohol it is excessive. Then tend to consume larger amounts of alcohol over a longer period of time than they intended to.

Third, when the individual does try to cut down on alcohol or control the consumption of they are unsuccessful.

Fourth, alcohol is continued to be used despite knowing that a persistent or recurring problem is a direct result of, or exacerbated by alcohol.

Fifth, they are spending a large amount of time on alcohol related activities. In other words, they spend a lot of time trying to get alcohol, use it, or recover from having used to much.

Sixth, the user is suffering withdrawal symptoms like nausea, sweating, shakiness or anxiety when they stop using alcohol after a period of heaving drinking.

Seventh, they have increased tolerance to alcohol and require more and more each time they to drink to fell the effects.


There are many rehabilitation alcohol treatment centers across the country that offer many different types of programs. The signs of alcoholism should not be ignored.