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How can you tell if someone is drinking?

Unlike many other drugs, the smell of alcohol can also be a warning sign that someone is drinking. ... What Are the Signs of Intoxication? Slurred speech. Lowered inhibitions. Impaired coordination and motor skills. Sense of confusion. Memory problems. Concentration problems. General personality changes.

therecoveryvillage.com - How To Tell If Someone Has Been Drinking | What You Should Know

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Understanding the signs and symptoms of abusing alcohol can be difficult, but it’s important to be able to recognize potential warning signs. Many adults report that they drink at least occasionally, frequently in social situations or when they want to unwind. Alcohol can also be used as a way to relax, and while alcohol consumption in moderation isn’t necessarily problematic, it is a substance that can increase the likelihood of adverse consequences and it can also lead to dependence and addiction. Understanding the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse or dependency versus consumption can be a difficult distinction to make, but it’s important to be able to recognize potential warning signs of alcohol abuse if you think a loved one might have a problem. There can be a lot of blurred lines that come with identifying and distinguishing signs of alcohol abuse, and it can be harder to spot a problem as compared to warning signs that someone is on drugs.

What Are the Signs of Intoxication?

For most people, there’s a significant difference between drinking a glass of wine with dinner and having several shots of liquor in terms of behavior and visible impairment, but alcohol can impact you a lot more than you’re aware of or the people around you realize. As soon as you take a sip of alcohol, it increases your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. The higher that BAC goes, the more likely you are to show outward signs of impairment. If you’re unsure of how much someone around you has had to drink, look for symptoms including:

Slurred speech

Lowered inhibitions

Impaired coordination and motor skills

Sense of confusion

Memory problems

Concentration problems

General personality changes

Some of the other physical signs someone is drinking or intoxicated include glassy or bloodshot eyes, talking loudly, or increased moodiness. Unlike many other drugs, the smell of alcohol can also be a warning sign that someone is drinking. Alcohol has a strong odor that is not only present right after someone drinks, but it also tends to linger on their breath or even their clothes. The changes that can occur because of drinking may be subtle, such as someone becoming more talkative or social. That’s a big reason a lot of people drink in social situations. The signs that someone is drinking can also be severe and include aggression, violence or engaging in risky behaviors. What Are the Signs of Alcoholism? If you see someone occasionally drink or even become impaired, it may not signify an alcohol dependence, but it could indicate alcohol abuse or even alcoholism. This is where things can get tricky when it comes to knowing the warning signs of alcoholism. First, alcohol abuse typically refers to people who aren’t necessarily dependent on or addicted to alcohol, but they do drink heavily, and they ignore negative consequences that can occur, even if it’s just something like a hangover. Common Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse or Binge Drinking: Being preoccupied with drinking, such as constantly looking forward to visiting bars

A lack of interest or involvement with activities including school or work

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Inability to control drinking or frequently drinking more than they intended to

Violence or erratic behavior

Drinking despite the fact that the person knows they will have to do something like driving that can be risky when impaired

Drinking even though physical conditions can be made worse because of it

Hangovers interfere with other activities or commitments

Memory loss

Blackouts

There can be warning signs of alcohol abuse without addiction, but abuse can often turn into an addiction and even a physical dependency on alcohol. When someone doesn’t drink, they experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can include feeling sick, anxious or sweaty

The person foregoes things they used to like in order to drink

Damage can be done to relationships, careers and other areas of a person’s life but they keep drinking A person who is addicted to drinking will often start drinking early in the day and will be drunk for long periods of time One of the common signs of alcohol addiction is drinking alone, and trying to hide drinking A big red flag of alcohol abuse or addiction is getting into dangerous situations repeatedly when drinking, such as having unsafe sex or driving under the influence.

Wondering If You Yourself Could Have a Drinking Problem?

Think about whether you lie to cover your drinking, or often feel guilty about it. Do you feel like you need to drink to relax, or do you often blackout while drinking? These can be representative of a potential alcohol abuse problem. Many of the symptoms and signs of alcohol abuse that are listed above may be indicative of alcohol use disorder (AUD). In order to be diagnosed with an AUD, people must meet criteria that are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). People who meet two of 11 criteria during a 12-month period may have an AUD, and severity is classified as mild, moderate or severe. Along with learning more about alcohol use disorder, including the warning signs of an alcohol problem, you can start preparing for how you will broach the conversation with the person. You can also research information regarding treatment and recovery centers for alcohol addiction or contact an alcohol abuse hotline. Most individuals who have an alcohol use disorder, regardless of severity, can benefit from alcohol rehab treatment or online counseling services, such as teletherapy. Unfortunately, only a small amount of people receive help, which is why proactively identifying an alcohol problem can be so critical; call The Recovery Village support team today to learn more about comprehensive treatment for yourself or a loved one. Articles Related to Alcoholism Can I Detox From Alcohol At Home? Alcohol detox isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. Read More Am I An Alcoholic? Alcoholism takes many forms, and the stereotype doesn’t always hold true. So when do a few drinks with friends become a full-blown alcohol addiction? How do you know if you are an alcoholic? Read More Repairing Liver Damage From Alcohol Use While cirrhosis scars from excessive drinking are irreversible, quitting alcohol and leading a healthier lifestyle can help your liver heal from alcohol-related liver disease. Read More Foods to Eat When Detoxing From Alcohol When detoxing, hydration is key. However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification. Read More How Long Does Alcohol Detox & Withdrawal Take? Detox from alcohol can begin within hours. Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms happen for heavier drinkers. Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session. Read More What Are the Effects of Daily Drinking? Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term. Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. Read More

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By – Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD Dr. Jessica Pyhtila is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland with practice sites in inpatient palliative care and outpatient primary care at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Read more Editor – Renee Deveney As a contributor for Advanced Recovery Systems, Renee Deveney is passionate about helping people struggling with substance use disorder. With a family history of addiction, Renee is committed to opening up a proactive dialogue about substance use and mental health. Read more Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Kevin Wandler, MD Kevin Wandler holds multiple positions at Advanced Recovery Systems. In addition to being the founding and chief medical director at Advanced Recovery Systems, he is also the medical director at The Recovery Village Ridgefield and at The Recovery Village Palmer Lake. Read more

therecoveryvillage.com - How To Tell If Someone Has Been Drinking | What You Should Know

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