Warning Signs that Someone is On the Path to Alcoholism

Alcohol abuse is all too common – unfortunately so. You may have a friend or loved one who you know likes to have a drink and have a good time, but lately, you may be wondering if your loved one’s drinking isn’t just social. Has it crossed over into problematic drinking? Could your loved one be on the path to alcoholism and need help?

Learning a bit more about alcoholism can help you decide whether you need to talk to your loved one about addiction treatment. You may also talk to an addiction counselor in Chandler to learn more about how you can help or support your loved one.

Bearded man holding a beer, shows signs of being on the path to alcoholism

Signs of Alcoholism

Your loved one is not likely to tell you the truth about their drinking and the ways that it has negatively impacted their lives. Some people may even lie when you confront them about their drinking. You will need to pay close attention to their behavior and other signs that may indicate a problem with alcohol.

Here are a few common signs of alcoholism:

Brittle hair and nails
Facial redness
Poor hygiene
Mood swings and irritability
Confusion
Clumsiness or lack of coordination
Dishonesty
Elaborate storytelling
Isolation
Financial problems
Spending long periods behind locked doors (including the bathroom)
Chewing gum or mints a lot, or wearing excessive deodorant or perfume, to mask the smell of alcohol
Yellow tint to the eyes or skin – only in advanced cases, as this indicates liver damage

One or two of these signs is not necessarily an indication that there’s a problem, but it may be enough to put you on alert to watch for other signs. If you are seeing many of these signs in your loved one, it’s an indication that there may be a problem, and you may want to talk to an addiction counselor about how to confront and help your loved one.

Risk Factors for Alcoholism

Some people may be more at risk of becoming dependent on drugs or alcohol than others. Knowing these risk factors can help you better understand whether your loved one may be susceptible. Combine these risk factors with the signs of alcoholism, and you can feel more assured if you start to suspect that there might be a problem.

Some of the risk factors for alcoholism and drug dependence include:

A history of trauma
High levels of stress
Mental illness, including depression or anxiety
Experimentation with alcohol at an early age

These risk factors do not mean that a person will become an alcoholic. However, it is helpful to know about these risk factors when trying to understand if someone is struggling with alcohol dependence and in trying to help that person.

How You Can Help

Once you feel like there are clear signs that your loved one has a problem, you may be moved to help. The first thing you should keep in mind is not to say or do anything that will make your loved one feel shamed or judged. You should show empathy and understanding as much as possible. And you should talk about what you perceive as their problem in a respectful manner.

Give your loved one space, but let them know that you are there for them when they need it. Practice your own self-care, and get support, as well. Attend meetings for the loved ones of addicts, and talk to a counselor if you need to. You will need to process your own feelings and better understand the addiction treatment process if you are to give your loved one the help they need.

If you have a loved one who is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, call Corebella Health and Wellness. We offer addiction treatment services for the whole family. We offer addiction treatment for the individual, as well as counseling and support groups for the loved ones of addicts. We also offer services to promote a healthier overall lifestyle, both to support ongoing withdrawal, as well as to promote a healthy recovery. We offer services in Tempe, Glendale, and Scottsdale. Call us today to learn more about our services or to meet with an addiction specialist about your needs.