Signs of Alcohol Addiction

One thing you have to watch out for when trying to identify the signs of alcohol addiction is in regards to the whole "abuse versus addiction" issue.

In some cases someone is merely abusing alcohol. They are not truly alcoholic but they certainly drink like one in the short term. However, in the case of alcohol abuse, the person is not really addicted to alcohol.

On the other hand, some people really are addicted to alcohol. They have a most sustainable pattern of lifelong alcohol addiction, displaying all the classic symptoms of both craving and withdrawal.

So if you are trying to look for signs of alcoholism then you have to realize that simply identifying heavy drinking does not qualify as being alcohol addiction. Instead you have to look for more than just that. In particular, watch out for:

1) A sustained pattern of abuse over a long period of time.

2) Withdrawal symptoms when the person stops drinking abruptly.

3) Signs of craving when the person is not drinking.

4) The inability to stop drinking after they have started.

Unfortunately, any of these could really be seen in anyone who is merely abusing alcohol as well, so the key is to look for recurring patterns over time.

Remember that only the alcoholic can diagnose themselves (for it to do any good). If they are going to change their life then they have to make this admission on their own. Having someone else diagnose them will not be enough to elicit any change on their part.