When Do Signs Of Alcoholism Mean That Things Are Seriously Wrong ?

 

There is a marked difference between social drinking of alcohol and the dependence on alcohol, although sometimes there seems to be a fine line between the two. Some people can drink quite a bit, but it does not affect their normal lifestyle.

The symptoms of alcoholism that occur when a person is losing control are a high tolerance to alcohol, the need to have a drink at any time, episodes of withdrawal, and the inability to manage a normal lifestyle due to drinking.

For example, a person may start missing appointments, work, even days at a time. Normal functional things get skipped like personal hygiene, chores such as taking out the garbage or getting the mail.

A person who is suffering from alcoholism may not feel that anything is wrong, of if there is that sense, then the thinking prevails that this is only a temporary situation, and that the drinking can be stopped at any time they choose. Of course, this is the farthest thing from the truth.

One of the biggest dangers is that the alcoholic feels that normal driving ability is still within the range of skills that are not affected. The fact is that alcohol is involved in a great number of fatal accidents. The more a person gets into a constant state of alcoholism, the more of a danger there is for bad things to happen.

The only real help an alcoholic can receive is to have someone intervene and get them to a treatment facility where clinical help can be received. The alcoholic will not feel that it is necessary, so some degree of tension and strife can result. Intervention can be difficult, but it is necessary because the additive state that the alcoholic is in prevents any action on the part of the alcoholic. The person who intervenes has to be strong and realize that they will be saving a life by intervening.