The Definition of an Alcoholic and How to Spot One

The simple definition of an alcoholic, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary, would be one that is affected with alcoholism. More complexly, alcoholism is a disorder identifiable when a person exhibits a dependence on alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has reported that 1 in 4 people who drink above the recommended maximum number of drinks per day and week are already suffering from alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse problems. What's even more frightening is that it has also reported some unsettling US alcoholism statisticswhich state that 1 in 13 adults (or 14 million people) are considered to be abusers of alcohol, or suffer from alcoholism. Alcohol addiction is a crippling condition, but the good news is that in most cases it can be easily spotted. There are differences between people who abuse alcohol and those that suffer from a full blown addiction. Abusers of alcohol might exhibit behavior such as drinking in risky situations, getting hurt or hurting others while drinking, blacking out, and more. Signs of alcohol addiction will probably include those same signs, but other indicators will be present as well. These are some of the most common ways to spot an alcoholic.

1. Inability to Stop Drinking After Starting

A person suffering from alcoholism will exhibit a strong inability to stop drinking. With alcoholics, there is rarely a limit in mind, and it is often difficult for them to determine where or when to draw the line. Even if an alcoholic begins to drink and wants to stop at a certain point, they are rarely successful at staying true to this desire. Additionally, an alcoholic will experience uncontrollable urges to drink. Emotional or stressful events in their life will probably worsen the urges, and they experience more intense binges when going through difficult times.

2. Withdrawal Symptoms Occur When Not Drinking

An alcoholic will experience withdrawal symptoms if they do not drink for a certain period of time. The period of time depends on how heavily they depend on alcohol and how crippling the addiction is. Likewise, the symptoms will be worse depending on the severity of the addiction. Common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Insomnia
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Anxiety
• Headache
• Sweating
• Shaky hands

In more severe cases, hallucinations might be experienced, but they usually cease after 48 hours at the most.

3. Continuing to Drink Regardless of Its Effect on the Abuser's Life

A person might be an alcoholic if they continue to drink, even when it begins to take a toll on other areas of their life. Their work ethic might begin to deteriorate, or they might begin missing work altogether. Their financial situation might begin to plummet. There are many ways in which an alcohol addiction can affect all other areas of a person's life.

4. Drinking Alone

Many alcoholics will exhibit a habit of drinking regardless of whether they are around people or not. Many might do it because they feel ashamed or guilty about their excessive drinking when they do it in the company of others.

5. Making Up Excuses to Drink or Hiding It

Coming up with excuses to drink or trying to keep drinking private is another one of the common signs of alcoholism. For example, an addict will find something such as a "happy hour" or an unopened liquor bottle as a viable excuse to begin drinking. They might view these occurrences as opportunities that won't soon happen again. Additionally, hiding the alcohol habit is a very strong indicator of a drinking problem.

Sources:

1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Moderate & Binge Drinking
2. WebMD: Alcohol Withdrawl

How To Help A Friend Who Has An Alcohol Problem

As many medical experts know, alcohol abuse and addiction can be very problematic conditions. This is the case for many reasons, including the fact that alcoholism can impair one's health while problematizing the user's ability to attain or maintain stable income. Alcoholism can also have a profoundly negative impact on the user's relationship given the fact that the user's loved ones often pour economic resources into her or his recovery, an activity which can entail resentment and estrangement. If you are attempting to help someone who has an alcohol addiction, you should learn as much about the problem as you can.

United States Alcoholism Statistics

To gain a deeper understanding of how widespread and pervasive alcoholism is, it may help to briefly review some statistics regarding alcohol use in America. Here are several:

• In 2011, 51.5% of adults aged 18 and older were currently regular drinkers, meaning that they consumed at least 12 drinks within the past year.
• In 2011, 13.6% of adults aged 18 and older were current infrequent drinkers, meaning that they consumed 1-11 drinks during that year.
• In 2010, there were 15,990 alcoholic liver disease deaths.
• In 2010, there were 25,692 alcohol-induced deaths (excluding homicides and accidents)

Alcohol Statistics For Teens

In addition to gaining a general understanding of how alcoholism affects Americans, it is important to know how alcohol consumption affects young people. Here are some statistics:

• By the age of 15, 50% of teens have consumed at least one drink.
• By the age of 18, more than 70% of teenagers have consumed at least on drink.
• On average, young people consume around 5 drinks on one occasion. This activity can constitute binge drinking.
• Every year, 5,000 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related homicides, car crashes, alcohol poisoning, suicides, and other types of injuries like burns, falls, and drowning.

Once you gain a general understanding of alcoholism and alcohol use, you will be better equipped to help an individual struggling with the problem. Here are three strategies that can help you:

1. Don't Be An Enabler.

As many professionals know, enabling is a process in which an individual engages in activities or exhibits attitudes that directly or indirectly help an addict continue their addictive behaviors. To determine whether you are an enabler, consider the following questions:

• Do you ever call in sick for an alcoholic when they are too hung over to go to school or work?
• Do you ever bail an alcoholic out of jail or pay any legal fees he or she has entailed?
• Do you ever drink with the alcoholic in an attempt to strengthen the relationship?

2. Suggest That The Alcoholic Attain Help.

This is a relatively straight-forward strategy that should be sought out with care. In some cases, a family or group of friends can schedule an intervention in which they lovingly confront the alcoholic and make strong suggestions regarding her or his need to attain help. This type of intervention generally includes a clear outline of the debilitating actions and/or behaviors that the alcoholic has been engaging in. It also offers a prearranged treatment plan which includes clear goals, steps and guidelines. Finally, it spells out what every family member and friend involved will do if the loved one will not select a treatment option.

3. Encourage Other Interests And Social Activities.

Like most people, alcoholics have interests that stimulate them intellectually and emotionally or contribute to a sense of general livelihood and joy. Suggesting that they engage in such activities-whether it be novel writing or playing baseball-can help facilitate the recovery process by encouraging the addict to become engaged in non-alcohol related activities. Used individually or together, these steps can help you bring an end to a loved one's alcohol addiction. If you suspect that you or someone you love has an alcohol addiction, be sure to consult with a medical professional to attain the advice and counsel you need.