Are you drinking too much?
As we round off our focus on Dry July, your health is our priority. Anyone that has been or knows someone that has been dependent on alcohol will know that it affects every aspect of our lives.
Relationships deteriorate as fast as our liver, and sometimes alcohol addiction has made a devastating mark before we even realise there is a problem. Like most diseases, you have the best chance of recovery from addiction if you notice it early.
So, here are the signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction, and what to do if you suspect it.
Early signs of alcoholism
You do not become an alcohol addict overnight. So, noticing the signs of addictive tendencies is the best way to prevent yourself from losing control. If you are the type of person that finds it hard to stop drinking after having one or two, you are more at risk than others.
If you start to choose alcohol over other – previously more important – activities, that might also be a warning sign. As soon as alcohol use begins to negatively impact your life, you should examine your relationship with it more closely.
Bloodshot eyes, swelling in the face and limbs and appearing ‘on-edge’ might also indicate early alcohol dependency. Any change in character that correlates with alcohol use is a potential warning sign that someone is developing an addiction.
Later signs of alcoholism
Withdrawal can appear at any stage of alcohol dependency, but it is generally considered a severe symptom. Anxiety, tremors, heart palpitations and sweating are commonplace. Nausea, vomiting, hallucinations and seizures can also come on with alcohol withdrawal, but are less common.
When the body craves alcohol, it is tempting to remove the discomfort by drinking more alcohol. That’s how alcohol dependency - like all addiction - progresses. While withdrawal is unpleasant, it only gets worse over time, so speak to your doctor as soon as you suspect dependency.
Physical symptoms tend to appear last in alcohol dependency. We covered some of these when we first introduced Dry July, but liver cirrhosis and heart attacks are very common. The brain, pancreas, stomach and blood may also be damaged.
What to do if you see the signs
If you think a loved one might be struggling with alcoholism, speak to them. Sometimes, all we need to begin our journey to wellness is to realise there is a problem. Knowing you or anyone else has noticed might confirm someone’s suspicions – triggering them to act.
If a gentle conversation has no effect, do not pester them. Feeling under the spotlight can create more secrecy and drive a person towards dependency. If someone is in denial, all you can do is equip them with the resources they need to get better. Educate yourself and others on how much is too much - it might surprise you.
The most effective help is sought on our own. So, patience and empathy are the best help you can give another person. Importantly, be kind to yourself. No one else is your responsibility and there is nothing you can do to ‘save’ a person that does not want to be saved.
Alcohol: Australia’s favourite drug
As a nation with alcohol use ingrained so deeply in our culture, it can be difficult to remember it’s addictive. It’s also harder to spot the symptoms of alcoholism, as some of the behaviours that might raise concern in other cultures are normalised here.
If you are worried about yourself or a loved one, speak to your doctor. They will be able to evaluate your circumstances and direct you to the most relevant specialist. There are alcohol dependency groups and charities all across Australia that can support you through to health.