Distinguishing the Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse

There is certain social acceptance when it comes to the signs and symptoms of alcoholism or alcohol abuse. There is a certain expectation of alcohol use especially around the holidays. Take those same symptoms and signs and apply them to the consequences such as fatalities from drunk driving or a infant suffering from the impact of mom’s alcoholism during pregnancy that may lead to brain damage and mental retardation and it becomes evident that what may be acceptable at a holiday party, even amusing can be deadly and devastating to families all over the world. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcoholism and alcohol abuse for what they are and for the serious consequences attached to them.

Alcoholism carries with it a widespread and costly addiction that causes individuals of all age groups, sexes and races to abuse alcohol and to become dependent on alcohol. The act of regular social drinking can lead to alcohol abuse and to the seriously chronic disease, alcoholism.

Individuals who have a physical addiction or dependence to the drug alcohol may very well have the disease, alcoholism. If they crave alcohol to the point that they become irritable and distraught when alcohol is not available and if they are denied alcohol or alcohol becomes unavailable to them and they exhibit signs of withdrawal such as nausea, sweating or tremors they very well could have the disease alcoholism.

It is not always easy to detect the signs or symptoms of alcohol abuse (drinking alcohol to excess but being in control of how much has been consumed) or the signs that a person is suffering from alcoholism but a professional medical doctor can diagnose the alcohol problem (abuse or alcoholism) by examining the individual taking a medical and symptom history and by using an assessment tool called the "CAGE test". There are four short questions that are designed to help professionals detect alcohol abuse or alcoholism. If the individual answers yes to any of the four questions indicates the need for further investigation. The CAGE test and other assessment tools are available on the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) site.

Signs and symptoms that may offer a clue that the individual may have an alcohol abuse or alcoholism issue are:

Cravings for alcohol

The need to drink alcohol at particular times like after dinner

Loss of control over the amount consumed or the ability to stop drinking

The body and brain have developed a dependence on the drug, alcohol evidenced by the presence of withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, anxiety about alcohol discovery, tremors, irritability, sweating, even seizures

If you notice these signs and symptoms in yourself or someone else and you suspect that the individual is not able to control how much they drink it is important to encourage the individual to seek professional guidance so that a diagnosis and treatment can be initiated. Doing so just may save the life of that person or someone you love because alcohol abuse and alcoholism touches many lives many of them innocent.

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