1. Close friends, relatives or colleagues express concerns about drinking habits
An external viewpoint can often be far clearer than self-reflection. An alcohol addict will often find excuses for their drinking whereas their loved ones see it clearly.
2. Cravings for a drink affects mood or concentration levels
Feeling distracted and craving alcohol is a sign that your body is becoming dependent on alcohol and now needs it to stave off physical ‘withdrawal’ symptoms.
3. ‘Self-medicating’ with drink because of problems at home, social or work life
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism can lead to a person drinking more and more because it only offers temporary relief. In the long run this makes things worse.
4. Trying and failing to cut down on
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Being unable to remember large periods because of too much alcohol indicates you’re drinking too much.
8. Having an alcoholic drink first thing in the morning
By having an ‘eye opener’ in the morning, a person is slipping into a routine in which they need alcohol simply to start the day. There is also added risk of being unfit to drive a car, as this ‘topping up’ process will likely push a person over the legal limit.
9. Finances are affected by the amount of money spent on alcohol
Often, a person begins to suffer from financial difficulties because of alcohol.
10. Drinking habits beginning to cause problems at home, socially or in work
Frequent small accidents or mistakes can begin to creep in, whether it’s errors in work or missed appointments.
By learning to recognise these signs it’s possible to help either yourself or a loved one and stop a drink problem from getting out of hand. Early intervention helps improve the chances of a positive outcome in any attempt to beat an alcohol addiction, so being aware of the tell-tale signs is a good way to be on