Signs of Alcoholism

There are three stages of drinking. One is– social drinking, second is—problem drinking and the third is—alcoholism. There is a very thin line between problem drinking and alcoholism. Though a lot has been said regarding the condition of alcoholism some people feel that once you have started to drink, you have embarked the road to alcoholism and are going to reach there inevitably. But others feel that social drinkers never become alcoholics and the ones who start drinking tend to keep a balance in their lives.

An alcoholic looses his ability to choose whether to drink or not drink. Once the drink has been taken he is unable to decide whether to drink more or stop. Because an alcoholic is never going to feel he needs to stop, not that they don’t realize, the realization is there but they are unable to resist.

The signs and effects of drinking can be seen in all the aspects of an alcoholic. His health starts desecrating—initially it will be stomach problems or deficiency diseases, gradually leading to lever and brain damage.

During the middle phase of alcoholism a person can still function reasonably normal. He can still hold his job but gradually he starts becoming aggressive towards his family and friends and later remorseful. He becomes unreliable at work and can endanger the lives and safety of others.

The family may find it difficult to live with them. An alcoholic may realize the problems and may promise to change but is not able to.

In the last phase of alcoholism the person maybe intoxicated most of the time and will be busy in finding ways to arrange his drink. He will develop persistent tremors and shakes and maybe unable to do simple things like tying his shoes or buttoning his shirt without a drink. At this stage he will either seek help for recovery or drop out of normal life completely and drink himself to death.