In many cultures worldwide, alcohol is foundational to celebrations. Yet alcohol is actually a potent drug with many serious consequences for misuse. If use escalates to the point of alcoholism, the results can be life-threatening. In fact, 2.5 million people die annually of alcohol-related causes, with many more millions suffering illness or injury from its effects. Nearly 4 per cent of all deaths are related to alcohol.
Technically alcohol is classed as a depressant, which means that it slows down essential functions of the body. It distorts judgment and reduces a person’s ability to think rationally.
Some Early Warning Signs of Alcoholism
Here are some common early warning signs of alcohol that you may want to watch for:
- When you wake up in the morning, you feel compelled to have a drink
- You wonder where your next drink is coming from
- You plan social or work events around access to alcohol
- You find yourself drawn to alcohol no matter what you are doing
- You find it hard to stop once you start drinking
- You experience withdrawal signs such as sweating, shaking and nausea that get better once you have a drink
Things You May be Saying To Yourself
Maybe you’ve started to wonder about the role alcohol is playing in your life. Do any of these statements sound familiar:
- “I wonder if my drinking is out of control.”
- “Is this (fill in the blank) a warning sign of alcoholism?”
- “My work life is not working anymore because of my drinking.”
While your drinking buddies may laugh off questions like this, you are actually brave for finding this site and asking these types of questions. If you are here, chances are you (or someone you know) may have a problem.