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0 / 28 Fotos
It rages around the world
- Alcoholism has a staggering impact on the population of the US and remains a significant global contributor to fatalities.
© Shutterstock
1 / 28 Fotos
It's not about frequency or volume
- An important distinction is that there is no frequency or volume included in the definition of alcoholism.
© Shutterstock
2 / 28 Fotos
It's more about it being used to cope
- The issue mainly revolves around specific aspects of alcohol that can cause difficulties in your life, such as dependency on drinking.
© Shutterstock
3 / 28 Fotos
Drink sickness affecting work
- A notable characteristic of this issue arises when it starts adversely affecting crucial aspects of your life.
© Shutterstock
4 / 28 Fotos
Putting yourself in dangerous situations
- Excessive alcohol consumption leads individuals to lose their inhibitions, resulting in risky behaviors such as drinking and driving.
© Shutterstock
5 / 28 Fotos
Drinking more or for longer than intended
- This is a common issue among individuals who enjoy consuming alcohol. The risk lies in the negative impact it can have on various aspects of their lives, including their overall well-being.
© Shutterstock
6 / 28 Fotos
Tried to quit, but couldn't
- One of the most common signs of alcohol addiction or misuse is the avoidance of acknowledging the issue, which is frequently seen in individuals experiencing this condition.
© Shutterstock
7 / 28 Fotos
The after-affects
- An indication of alcohol misuse is that an individual's life is impacted while recovering from alcohol consumption.
© Shutterstock
8 / 28 Fotos
Giving up important and enjoyable areas of life to drink
- This is a significant issue for individuals starting to develop alcohol dependence. Those who are falling into addiction to alcohol often gradually neglect other aspects of their lives that are positive and enjoyable.
© Shutterstock
9 / 28 Fotos
Depression and anxiety
- Consuming excessive alcohol harms the brain, so it's not unexpected that individuals who drink heavily will encounter mental health problems.
© Shutterstock
10 / 28 Fotos
Blackouts
- Losing consciousness due to alcohol consumption or experiencing memory loss afterward is a significant red flag. Beyond being highly risky, it signals that the individual is strongly controlled by alcohol's influence.
© Shutterstock
11 / 28 Fotos
Narrow focus
- Another sign is when alcohol completely consumes a person's thoughts, similar to how nicotine affects a tobacco smoker.
© Shutterstock
12 / 28 Fotos
Relationships and home life
- Excessive alcohol consumption greatly harms individuals' home lives and relationships as it hinders their ability to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
© Shutterstock
13 / 28 Fotos
Sleep disturbances
- Individuals who undergo both physical and psychological withdrawals from alcohol often struggle with sleep disturbances.
© Shutterstock
14 / 28 Fotos
Shaking
- A typical sign of alcohol misuse is the occurrence of tremors in a person's hands.
© Shutterstock
15 / 28 Fotos
Withdrawals
- Additional symptoms experienced by individuals who misuse alcohol include anxiety, perspiration, respiratory difficulties, and cravings.
© Shutterstock
16 / 28 Fotos
Coordination
- Excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption can lead to lasting issues with coordination in individuals over time.
© Shutterstock
17 / 28 Fotos
Slurred speech
- Slurred speech is not limited to moments of intoxication for chronic alcohol users; it can persist even during their regular daily activities.
© Shutterstock
18 / 28 Fotos
Memory
- Individuals who abuse alcohol are gradually harming their brain, consequently leading to long-term impairment of their short-term memory.
© Shutterstock
19 / 28 Fotos
Becoming secretive
- Individuals who abuse alcohol often display secretive behavior in order to conceal their dependency.
© Shutterstock
20 / 28 Fotos
Self-loathing
- This is a common occurrence among individuals trapped in a pattern of alcohol misuse. The consumption of alcohol leads them to act unintentionally, resulting in feelings of self-hatred due to their inability to quit.
© Shutterstock
21 / 28 Fotos
Emotional fluctuations
- Individuals who abuse alcohol are typically those who derive immense pleasure from its consumption, despite the accompanying negative effects. This perpetual cycle of either being intoxicated or experiencing withdrawal manifests as fluctuations in mood.
© Shutterstock
22 / 28 Fotos
Loneliness
- Alcohol misuse often starts as a social endeavor, such as binge drinking at a nightclub. However, it eventually leads to isolation as excessive drinking pushes loved ones away.
© Shutterstock
23 / 28 Fotos
Chronic alcohol misuse
- The signs of chronic alcohol abuse are well-known, encompassing physical ailments like liver failure and social consequences such as homelessness.
© Shutterstock
24 / 28 Fotos
Why people misuse alcohol: escaping reality
- Life, including adulthood, can be challenging as we encounter and carry our own share of trauma. Some individuals resort to misusing alcohol as a means to evade the harshness of reality.
© Shutterstock
25 / 28 Fotos
Why people misuse alcohol: experimenting
- Trying out alcohol is a simple way to develop a habit of misusing it or depending on it for social purposes.
© Shutterstock
26 / 28 Fotos
Why people misuse alcohol: social pressure
- Alcohol plays a significant role in socializing in the Western world, so it can feel like you need to drink in order to make friends and be part of a group. This can sometimes include pressure to binge drink in many cultures. Sources: (American Addiction Centers)(Michigan Health)
© Shutterstock
27 / 28 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 28 Fotos
It rages around the world
- Alcoholism has a staggering impact on the population of the US and remains a significant global contributor to fatalities.
© Shutterstock
1 / 28 Fotos
It's not about frequency or volume
- An important distinction is that there is no frequency or volume included in the definition of alcoholism.
© Shutterstock
2 / 28 Fotos
It's more about it being used to cope
- The issue mainly revolves around specific aspects of alcohol that can cause difficulties in your life, such as dependency on drinking.
© Shutterstock
3 / 28 Fotos
Drink sickness affecting work
- A notable characteristic of this issue arises when it starts adversely affecting crucial aspects of your life.
© Shutterstock
4 / 28 Fotos
Putting yourself in dangerous situations
- Excessive alcohol consumption leads individuals to lose their inhibitions, resulting in risky behaviors such as drinking and driving.
© Shutterstock
5 / 28 Fotos
Drinking more or for longer than intended
- This is a common issue among individuals who enjoy consuming alcohol. The risk lies in the negative impact it can have on various aspects of their lives, including their overall well-being.
© Shutterstock
6 / 28 Fotos
Tried to quit, but couldn't
- One of the most common signs of alcohol addiction or misuse is the avoidance of acknowledging the issue, which is frequently seen in individuals experiencing this condition.
© Shutterstock
7 / 28 Fotos
The after-affects
- An indication of alcohol misuse is that an individual's life is impacted while recovering from alcohol consumption.
© Shutterstock
8 / 28 Fotos
Giving up important and enjoyable areas of life to drink
- This is a significant issue for individuals starting to develop alcohol dependence. Those who are falling into addiction to alcohol often gradually neglect other aspects of their lives that are positive and enjoyable.
© Shutterstock
9 / 28 Fotos
Depression and anxiety
- Consuming excessive alcohol harms the brain, so it's not unexpected that individuals who drink heavily will encounter mental health problems.
© Shutterstock
10 / 28 Fotos
Blackouts
- Losing consciousness due to alcohol consumption or experiencing memory loss afterward is a significant red flag. Beyond being highly risky, it signals that the individual is strongly controlled by alcohol's influence.
© Shutterstock
11 / 28 Fotos
Narrow focus
- Another sign is when alcohol completely consumes a person's thoughts, similar to how nicotine affects a tobacco smoker.
© Shutterstock
12 / 28 Fotos
Relationships and home life
- Excessive alcohol consumption greatly harms individuals' home lives and relationships as it hinders their ability to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
© Shutterstock
13 / 28 Fotos
Sleep disturbances
- Individuals who undergo both physical and psychological withdrawals from alcohol often struggle with sleep disturbances.
© Shutterstock
14 / 28 Fotos
Shaking
- A typical sign of alcohol misuse is the occurrence of tremors in a person's hands.
© Shutterstock
15 / 28 Fotos
Withdrawals
- Additional symptoms experienced by individuals who misuse alcohol include anxiety, perspiration, respiratory difficulties, and cravings.
© Shutterstock
16 / 28 Fotos
Coordination
- Excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption can lead to lasting issues with coordination in individuals over time.
© Shutterstock
17 / 28 Fotos
Slurred speech
- Slurred speech is not limited to moments of intoxication for chronic alcohol users; it can persist even during their regular daily activities.
© Shutterstock
18 / 28 Fotos
Memory
- Individuals who abuse alcohol are gradually harming their brain, consequently leading to long-term impairment of their short-term memory.
© Shutterstock
19 / 28 Fotos
Becoming secretive
- Individuals who abuse alcohol often display secretive behavior in order to conceal their dependency.
© Shutterstock
20 / 28 Fotos
Self-loathing
- This is a common occurrence among individuals trapped in a pattern of alcohol misuse. The consumption of alcohol leads them to act unintentionally, resulting in feelings of self-hatred due to their inability to quit.
© Shutterstock
21 / 28 Fotos
Emotional fluctuations
- Individuals who abuse alcohol are typically those who derive immense pleasure from its consumption, despite the accompanying negative effects. This perpetual cycle of either being intoxicated or experiencing withdrawal manifests as fluctuations in mood.
© Shutterstock
22 / 28 Fotos
Loneliness
- Alcohol misuse often starts as a social endeavor, such as binge drinking at a nightclub. However, it eventually leads to isolation as excessive drinking pushes loved ones away.
© Shutterstock
23 / 28 Fotos
Chronic alcohol misuse
- The signs of chronic alcohol abuse are well-known, encompassing physical ailments like liver failure and social consequences such as homelessness.
© Shutterstock
24 / 28 Fotos
Why people misuse alcohol: escaping reality
- Life, including adulthood, can be challenging as we encounter and carry our own share of trauma. Some individuals resort to misusing alcohol as a means to evade the harshness of reality.
© Shutterstock
25 / 28 Fotos
Why people misuse alcohol: experimenting
- Trying out alcohol is a simple way to develop a habit of misusing it or depending on it for social purposes.
© Shutterstock
26 / 28 Fotos
Why people misuse alcohol: social pressure
- Alcohol plays a significant role in socializing in the Western world, so it can feel like you need to drink in order to make friends and be part of a group. This can sometimes include pressure to binge drink in many cultures. Sources: (American Addiction Centers)(Michigan Health)
© Shutterstock
27 / 28 Fotos
Do you know the signs of alcohol addiction?
Some are more subtle than you might expect
© Shutterstock
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2012 approximately 7.2% of individuals in the United States were suffering from alcoholism. The prevalence of alcoholism is higher in men compared to women, with a ratio of about two to one. Nonetheless, it is important to note that each case of alcohol abuse is unique. A healthy person and a problem drink might consume the same amount of alcohol, but the impact it has on their lives is completely different.
This raises the question: do you know the indicators of alcoholism? The American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) outlines important symptoms, although there are additional signs that are widely recognized but not included.
To familiarize yourself with the signs of alcoholism, click through the gallery.
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