Signs That a Person Has a Drinking Problem
Many people believe that it is easy to tell if a person has a drinking problem. However, it may surprise you to learn that the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence has research indicating that roughly nine percent of the American populations have an alcohol abuse problem. This equals a total of 18 million people. Obviously, these people will have a wide range of problems, from chronic alcoholism to having a few too many drinks every now and then. Addiction rehabilitation centers can help people to overcome their alcoholism issues. Since there are so many people with alcohol abuse problems in the world around us, how can you tell who needs help? Here are some things to look for to determine if a friend or relative is struggling with alcoholism.
Signs That a Person Has a Drinking Problem
- Chronic lateness
We all run late from time to time. However, if someone is continually late, especially for important appointments and events, it could indicate a much larger issue. When a person is drunk, they will lose track of time more easily, often sleeping through their alarm. If a person has always been on time for as long as you have known them, then they suddenly start failing to show up on time for their job, alcoholism could be the reason.
- Everything they do involves alcohol
Drinking alcohol can be fun in a social setting. Tipping back a few drinks with the people from work or your friends is a great way to relax and socialize. However, there are other people who take things to extremes. Alcoholics will need to drink in every social situation. If there is no alcohol available, they become annoyed and agitated. This is a key indicator of addiction. If the person only gets excited about going places or doing things where alcohol will be present, he or she might need to go to rehab.
- Memory loss
If you know someone who is continually drinking to the point that they are losing their memory and blacking out, it is clear they have a serious problem that needs to be dealt with. Many people don’t realize that passing out and blacking out are two different things. When a person passes out, they are completely unconscious. When a person suffers a blackout, they remain conscious with no memory of anything they did. Both are dangerous and can possibly put the person in situations that are potentially life-threatening.
