Individuals impacted by alcoholism suffer from a persistent brain disease that can initiate uncontrollable drinking behavior. Doctors use a set checklist when diagnosing this illness. If you know someone who meets the diagnostic criteria, they may need some form of alcoholism treatment to recover. Are you concerned that your friend might need treatment? You can look for the presence of certain notable changes or signs that tend to appear in people affected by alcohol use disorder. If you or a loved one requires alcoholism treatment, contact Northpoint Colorado at 888.231.1281 today.
The Potential Importance of Signs of Alcoholism
By yourself, you can’t determine for sure if your loved one is addicted to alcohol. For definitive results, they must seek a diagnosis from a doctor or addiction specialist. Still, any alcoholism signs you notice may be vital. That’s true because they:
- Can alert you to risky drinking behaviors in your loved one
- May indicate that your friend is already in need of alcohol treatment
- Could indicate that your friend will meet the criteria for alcoholism in the future
It’s helpful to understand how alcohol addiction is defined today. Under current guidelines, it’s considered a form of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Most of the criteria for diagnosing AUD highlight the potential effects of alcoholism. However, some of them highlight the possible effects of serious alcohol abuse. This abuse is marked by disruptive changes in essential aspects of daily function.
Be on the Lookout for These 5 Alcoholism Signs in a Friend
Your loved one may experience alcoholism symptoms that impact them internally. Because they’re not readily visible, these symptoms can escape your attention. However, the typical affected person also displays notable signs of what’s happening to them. Common signs of alcoholism to pay close attention to include:
- Involuntary drinking – Your affected friend may no longer have control over when or how much they drink.
- Multiple unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking – People affected by alcoholism often try repeatedly to quit without being able to.
- Abandonment of once-favored activities – Your loved one may start cutting out activities that don’t involve alcohol use.
- Powerful urges to keep drinking – Frequent references to wanting a drink when doing other things may point to a problem.
- Denial of alcohol-related health issues – Your friend may deny what seems to you like the clear harmful effects of their drinking.
Other signs may also occur. For example, your friend may go into withdrawal when they try to stop drinking. They may also need to drink in larger and larger amounts before they feel intoxicated.
What Alcoholism Symptoms Might Your Friend Experience?
What sorts of symptoms may occur in your friend affected by alcoholism? The list of these internal changes may include:
- Obsessive thoughts about drinking alcohol
- A down or irritable mood when they’re not drinking
- Not being able to remember what happened while drinking
Your friend may also experience symptoms of alcohol abuse. One common issue here is not cutting back on drinking when they know it’s leading to relationship problems. They may also find it harder and harder to meet their important responsibilities.
Help a Friend with Alcoholism Treatment at Northpoint Colorado Today
Are you worried that your friend may have AUD or face risks for future problems? Talk to the alcohol recovery professionals at Northpoint Colorado. We can answer any question you may have about the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. In addition, we help clarify if your friend may need AUD treatment.
Northpoint is also your source for that treatment. We feature both outpatient and inpatient programs for alcoholism recovery. Your loved one can choose the specific services they need to restore sobriety and wellness. Call us today at 888.231.1281 or reach out through our online form.