| Alcoholism | | | | his/her drinking. |
| Alcoholism is a disease. It can be a serious and fatal | | | | A person who is suffering from alcoholism will slowly |
| disease, if left untreated. But like most diseases it does | | | | begin drinking more and drinking more frequently. A |
| have warning signs and symptoms that can help one | | | | nightly drink, will also become a morning drink, to help |
| to recognize that a problem is developing. | | | | calm the shakes and to calm the nerves. Soon a drink |
| Of course, the most obvious sign is that the person is | | | | or two will be added to lunch. As time goes on, more |
| drinking too much. This person may begin drinking to | | | | and more alcohol will be needed to quench his/her |
| help cope with a problem or problems in his/her life. | | | | thirst. |
| This person will generally object that his/her drinking | | | | Left untreated the signs of alcoholism will only worsen |
| isn't serious. He/she will say that it is recreational and | | | | as will the effects of it to the person's body. Over time |
| he/she can stop whenever he/she wishes. Yet, the | | | | the body will begin breaking down and showing effects |
| drinking continues. | | | | of the continued drinking such as: |
| The drinking will slowly begin to affect this person's life. | | | | Weight Loss |
| It may interfere with his/her job performance. It may | | | | Insomnia |
| interfere with his/her social relationships. It may even | | | | Shaking |
| begin affecting his/her health. | | | | Ulcers |
| Some of the physical signs that a person will develop | | | | Intestinal Problems |
| that can be indicating signs of alcoholism are: | | | | Kidney Failure |
| An increased tolerance to alcoholic. This means the | | | | Liver Failure |
| person can drink more or has to drink more to actually | | | | And even: |
| become drunk. | | | | Death |
| The continued use of alcohol even though the person | | | | Alcoholism is a disease that will slowly affect one's |
| becomes sick (vomiting, headache, etc.) | | | | entire life. |
| Frequent abdominal pain | | | | It can impair one's job performance. It can cause one |
| Nausea | | | | to be late for work. It can cause one to miss work. It |
| Vomiting | | | | can cause one to do poorly on the days they do |
| Puffy or red eyes | | | | show up for work. |
| Puffiness of face | | | | Alcoholism can affect one's personal relationships. It |
| Feeling numbness in arms or legs | | | | can cause one to act more aggressive than usual. It |
| Swelling of the liver | | | | can cause one to act like they do not care about |
| Blackouts (not remember what he/she did or say while | | | | those around them. It can cause them to be mean, |
| drinking) | | | | bitter and hateful. |
| There are also emotional signs that a person will | | | | Alcoholism can cause one to act in ways they would |
| develop that can be indicating signs of alcoholism such | | | | not normally do. It can cause one to cheat. It can |
| as: | | | | cause one to steal. It can cause one to drive |
| Depression | | | | recklessly. |
| Irritability | | | | Alcoholism can also create havoc on one's personal |
| Sleep disorders | | | | hygiene. It can cause one's breath to smell. It can keep |
| Mood swings | | | | one from caring about cleanliness such as bathing, |
| Aggression | | | | wearing clean clothes or even brushing one's teeth. |
| Shame and Guilt | | | | Without seeking treatment, alcoholics may soon find |
| Nervousness | | | | themselves truly as alone as they feel. They may lose |
| Hallucinations | | | | their jobs. Their friends and family may slowly fade |
| Impaired judgment | | | | from their lives. Even their romantic partners, may soon |
| A person who is suffering from alcoholism will try to | | | | get fed up and discouraged from the hardships and |
| deny that he/she has a problem. If confronted with this | | | | difficulties they face having to live with them. |
| problem, he/she may try to cover up his/her drinking, | | | | Seeking treatment as early as possible is the best |
| even to the point of trying to hide the alcohol and to by | | | | thing for any person who is showing signs of |
| drinking it in secret. | | | | alcoholism. Yet, most people will deny they have a |
| A person who is suffering from alcoholism may also | | | | problem and will refuse to face it. |
| isolate him/herself from friends and family members, | | | | If you recognize these signs of alcoholism in yourself |
| especially those who try to confront him/her about the | | | | or someone you know, please try to seek help while |
| serious of his/her drinking and its effects. This isolation | | | | you still can. Contact your local chapter of Alcoholics |
| can take place both physically and emotionally. | | | | Anonymous today and learn more about the signs of |
| A person who is suffering from alcoholism may also | | | | alcoholism and the treatment of it. |
| miss or ruin many social or family events because of | | | | |