| Alcohol abuse is certainly different from having an | | | | weekend, or only having one drink after work. The loss |
| occasional drink or being a social drinker. | | | | of the ability to control alcohol use is a symptom of |
| People who come to have difficulties with alcohol | | | | alcohol abuse. |
| generally follow a progressive path. What may start | | | | 4. Do you have blackouts or periods where you can |
| as an occasional drink now and then can progress to | | | | not remember what has happened or conversations? |
| drinking greater quantities and more frequently. One of | | | | This is a sign you have had too much to drink and |
| the warning signs of alcohol abuse is that problems | | | | abused liquor. Frequent blackouts is a sign of addiction. |
| start occurring that are related to drinking. Here are | | | | 5. Do you find yourself reaching for alcohol as a |
| some signs and symptoms that alcohol use may may | | | | solution when you feel emotionally upset, need to calm |
| getting progressively worse. | | | | yourself, or feel anxiety of any kind? This can indicate |
| 1. These days, do you find that it takes more alcohol to | | | | an increasing emotional dependency on alcohol. |
| feel good than it did in the past? If you are getting to | | | | 6. Have you ever been drunk or high at work, school, |
| the point where you can 'drink anyone under the table', | | | | special occasions, etc. to the point where you could |
| it is not a bragging point. It indicates you are developing | | | | not fulfill your obligations? Has your drinking become so |
| a tolerance for alcohol, and that is a danger sign. | | | | important your life is grinding to a halt? |
| 2. Do you start focusing on keeping a constant alcohol | | | | 7. Have you ever driven while drunk or high, or done |
| supply handy? Does the idea of not being able to get | | | | any other activity which would have placed you or |
| a drink easily start to occupy your thoughts more than | | | | others in harms way? That is certainly alcohol abuse. |
| it has in the past? | | | | And if you have answered yes to any of the |
| 3. Do you ever drink or use more than you intended | | | | questions above, there may be a chance some further |
| to? Have you set a limit for yourself and then not | | | | information may be helpful to you on alcohol abuse. |
| been able to keep it? This may be not drinking until the | | | | |