Warning Signs of Alcoholism?
Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), affected about 14.5 million people in the U.S. aged 12 and older as of 2019. Of those with AUD, 9 million were men, while the remaining 5.5 million were women.
Those numbers are shocking, but the chief problem is that AUD is deadly. Experts say excessive alcohol use shortens the lives of those it kills by 26 years.
Thus, it pays to learn about the warning signs of alcoholism. It can help you stop yourself or a loved one before it’s too late, Experts from an alcohol rehab say excessive alcohol use shortens the lives of those it kills by 26 years.
We’ve listed the indications of alcohol addiction below, so please read on.
Engaging in Risk-Taking Behaviors
Alcohol lowers inhibitions and distorts perceptions. It makes intoxicated people think they’re stronger, smarter, or safer. That can impair their rationality, make them take risks, and do things they won’t do when sober.
A perfect example is driving drunk. As alcohol affects judgment, intoxicated drivers may feel overconfident about their skills. They might think they can handle faster speeds when they can’t due to their impaired senses.
That further proves AUD is among the deadliest types of addiction since it can lead to fatal crashes. At the very least, it can cause people to get into more accidents or become violent.
Increasing Blackout Experiences
Excessive alcohol use can cause a temporary blockage of memory transfer in the brain. That’s what you call a blackout. It results in a person having no recollection of what transpired during intoxication.
A blackout can affect anyone who drinks so much alcohol, even for the first time.
However, being unable to control a problem with alcohol can cause more blackouts. That’s because the longer and the more a person drinks, the more tolerant they become of alcohol. That can cause them to drink even more and have another blackout.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Some men’s and women’s rehab centers specialize in alcohol and substance use disorders. One reason is that AUD often co-occurs with SUD. For example, having AUD can make a person more prone to developing SUD, or in other cases, SUD can trigger AUD.
AUD can also co-occur with mental illnesses, including anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. Indeed, about 1 in 3 people who abuse alcohol have at least one severe mental illness.
All those conditions share similar symptoms, such as moodiness, isolation, and lethargy. Worse, they increase a person’s risk of self-harm, including suicide attempts.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
A person with AUD can have symptoms like mild tremors, sweats, and anxiety while getting sober. These are the effects of stopping or reducing alcohol intake after long-term use.
A more severe alcohol withdrawal symptom is delirium tremens. It’s a condition that can cause seizures and can be deadly if not treated immediately. Its reported mortality rate is 1% to 5%.
Never Ignore the Warning Signs of Alcoholism
Alcohol use disorder is deadly in the short and long run and can cause chronic diseases. That’s why you should never ignore the warning signs of alcoholism, whether in yourself or a loved one. If you think you or someone you care about has AUD, please seek professional help ASAP.
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