Signs

5 Signs Of Alcoholism You Must Intercept To Avoid Living With An Alcoholic

The signs of alcoholism are often ignored in the early stages until it becomes apparent that you are living with an alcoholic. No matter how much you love someone or want to take care of them, dealing with an alcohol addiction is a situation no one can really prepare for.

As the signs of alcoholism develop and become recognizable in an individual, family and friends can often think back in time and remember the exact signs of alcoholism that they never realized or did not think it was something they should address immediately. Instead of allowing the almost certain end result of living with an alcoholic, learn the top 5 signs of alcoholism that you can interrupt in the beginning stages and prevent yourself or someone you love from dealing with an alcohol addiction.

1. High tolerance for alcohol is one of the signs of alcoholism that are always left undetected. Many people occasionally drink a bit too much during a holiday or random celebration over the weekend. However, when people begin to increasingly need more and more alcohol just to experience the effect of the alcohol they are usually developing number of signs of alcoholism at the same time.

2. Becoming unsociable. Alcoholics are not usually social drinkers; instead, they would rather drink alone. The people who are living with an alcoholic would sometimes notice that the craving to drink has become so strong that the alcoholic finds it hard to focus or think about anything else. Very commonly, they will turn down spending time with family and friends unless the event or celebration actually involves alcohol.

3. Changes in appearance and health. When living with an alcoholic you must remember that alcohol is a drug and for alcoholics the brain becomes dependent on the drug over time. As the alcohol cravings advance nausea, tremors, irritability, loss of coordination and other physical alcoholic symptoms may become evident. Their eyes can become sunken and red rimmed while the skin can turn sallow and dry scaly patches can occur. Many alcoholics will lose a large amount of weight. Alcoholics also tend to neglect their physical appearance and may have a shaggy beard, raggedy hair and wear rumpled ill fitting clothing.

4. Risky behaviors. As the disease continue to develop, you can experience the changes in the behavior of someone controlled by alcoholism. These changes in behavior are sure signs of alcoholism. They may get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence even when they are dealing with legal consequences; they may fail to show up to work or pick up the kids from school and will often not have a valid reason for their absence.

5. Memory loss. This is one of the advanced signs of alcoholism. When consuming large quantities of alcohol, someone with an alcohol addiction can fall unconscious and will often wake up without any recollection of what they have done. Some may remember their actions but feel guilty or regretful over what their obsession with alcohol leads them to do. Under the grip of the drug, an alcoholic’s personality can alter, resulting in verbal or physical abuse.

By recognizing the signs of alcoholism early, you can quickly get started on learning an approach that will get the one you love the help they need before the addiction becomes all consuming. Although living with an alcoholic can feel hopeless the key to getting out of this nightmare is the right knowledge put into action urgently!

The signs of alcoholism must be closely observed when you suspect you might be living with an alcoholic. Knowing what to do and what not to do when dealing with an alcoholic will always give you positive, desirable outcome. I have found some great information related to the signs of alcoholism and living with an alcoholic.

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Clingy Girlfriend Or Wife? 13 Signs of an Unhealthy Or Codependent Relationship

The image of the demanding woman being in control of the relationship is one that is popular and sometimes even comical in TV in film.  Just look at the popular American sitcom Everyone Loves Raymond: Raymond is always at risk of getting into trouble with his wife.  However, sometimes being stuck in a relationship with a dramatic, demanding, clingy woman can be anything but funny.

The following signs indicate that you may be in an unhealthy codependent relationship with your partner:

  • You must let her know where you are at all times.
  • You have to call multiple times a day.
  • You aren’t allowed to have platonic female friends.
  • She resents your family for taking up your time.
  • You’ve discovered that she secretly checks your email, internet history, or social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace, etc.).
  • She is extremely jealous.
  • She can’t just let things go.
  • She insists on talking about “problems” for hours.
  • She always suspects you of cheating or doing something wrong, even if you’ve done nothing.
  • She’s overly critical of how you act You feel as if you have to “walk on eggshells” around her.
  • Your friends warn you that you should not be tolerating her clingy, controlling behavior.
  • You can’t speak your opinion because she always “freaks out” when you disagree.
  • When you try to break up, she threatens to harm herself.

When you feel stuck in such a relationship, you might have opposing feelings: On one hand you love your partner and want to please her; on the other hand, you may have a nagging sense that you never wanted this life.  You may feel that your partner stands in the way of you living a fulfilling life.

It’s your obligation to closely examine your situation.  Many people wish to leave their partners because they blame them for everything; when they finally leave, they realize that it wasn’t only their partner that was causing the disruption, but their own issues as well.

That said, many men would be much better off by gathering the courage to leave a clingy, demanding, codependent partner (by the way, codependence always involves two people, but here I’m using it to describe a woman who is overly dependent on her man).  Though leaving may seem impossible at times, you can do it, regardless of your circumstances.

 

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Signs Of Alcoholism That Will Destroy Your Life And Family

Being able to recognize the signs of alcoholism as early as possible is extremely important especially when you think that your loved one might have an alcohol problem. The person can be very skillful at hiding their drinking at first, but alcoholism will interfere with the rest of their life and eventually destroy your family.

Living with an alcoholic will slam your life on its head, so begin looking for the following signs of alcoholism and take action now.

#1: Drinking interferes with work, friendships, hobbies or other aspects of their life.

The person may skip going to school, work, meetings or events and declare they were unwell so the family does not realize that alcohol is the cause of their absence. As the alcoholism advances the interferences become more difficult to hide or deny.

For example, it can begin with missing a day of work here and there and end up with showing up at work drunk or getting fired for alcohol related reasons.

#2: The person loses interest in things that kept them social and happy.

One of the sure signs of alcoholism is the person withdrawing. They may have enjoyed playing baseball previously but suddenly stop attending games and drop out of their team. This is often due to the alcoholic spending more and more time thinking about drinking and getting drunk to the point where it becomes a priority and replaces any other interests.

#3: They burst out or become angry every time you attempt to speak with them about their drinking.

This is one of the first signs of alcoholism that brings the attention of the family members to the presence of alcohol abuse addiction. A generic comment or question about the alcoholic’s drinking patterns can receive an overreacted, uncharacteristic response as they start yelling or lose control.

Alcoholics become very defensive and do whatever they can to hide their drinking and discourage family from discussing the issues with them or becoming involved in any way.

#4: They seem incapable or unwilling to stop regardless of the consequences.

Another of the many signs of alcoholism is when an alcoholic loses everything they loved and still continue drinking as if they do not realize what they have done, or simply do not care. Many alcoholics can get fired from their jobs, isolate themselves from all of their friends, and even cause their spouse and children to leave them.

For some, being left by a spouse or being told by a court that they are an unfit parent can be the catalyst to change. For others, the disease can consume them and they continue drinking unless an alternate alcoholic intervention occurs.

Living with an alcoholic is a struggle and most people have no idea how to deal with the situation. Family members end up with no self confidence from being degraded by the alcoholic and eventually isolate themselves from their friends as they try to cover up the alcohol problem at home.

The emotional impact of living with an alcoholic can be felt for a lifetime, especially in the children of alcoholics.

If you witnessed any of these signs of alcoholism then you must act immediately in order to protect your family from living with an alcoholic later on. You must find out the other signs of alcoholism, learn about alcohol abuse addiction and discover the pit falls that many people get into so that you can avoid them. Doing nothing now may result in you becoming one of the heartbreaking statistics.

If left undetected the signs of alcoholism will develop into a full scale alcoholism. Consequently, living with an alcoholic will destroy your family. Whether the person in your home is just showing signs of alcoholism or you already are living with an alcoholic, keep gathering information to help you deal with the situation.

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Recognizing The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse, or alcoholism, is a serious illness that often requires immediate treatment. Not everyone knows what to look for in terms of alcohol abuse, but the truth is that there are very definitive signs that can quickly confirm the need for treatment.

Many alcoholics drink because they are angry or sad, but often end up feeling guilty either while they are drinking or after the effects wear off. Emotional drinking is a very likely sign of alcohol abuse and should not be overlooked. If the feeling of needing to reduce the level of alcohol consumption begins to occur or when friends and family start to express their concern, it is often time to seek counseling for alcohol abuse.

A large number of alcoholics find themselves lying about their behavior, which is usually an indication of shame. This may be a clue that he/she knows their actions are excessive and they wish to hide it from those closest to them, which means that they realize their actions are unhealthy and there may be a good chance for recovery.

If alcohol becomes a way of dealing with stress, the drinker has an undeniable addiction. Stress is a part of everyday life and, if alcohol is how a person chooses to deal with that stress, drinking too will become an everyday activity. For this reason, anyone that drinks alcohol as a way of coping with stress should consider an alcohol abuse treatment program.

There is no universal definition for alcoholism because it masks itself in a variety of ways. For some, it involves a physical dependency on alcohol while others lose their control over how much they drink. For many, the use of alcohol continues with the knowledge that it harmful to their health. There are many reasons that alcoholism may occur, including links to hereditary genes, stress, the addictive nature of alcohol and even the family environment.

The good news is that alcoholism is treatable and, once the signs of alcohol abuse are noticed, a remedy can often begin immediately. Whether it be via an inpatient or outpatient care facility or simply the willingness to stop drinking with the support of family and friends, alcohol abuse can be a thing of the past. Regaining the control over a life that was once consumed by alcohol is not a process that can happen overnight, but it is one that will be worth the effort. The most important step in working toward a life that is free of alcohol is actually wanting that life.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or recommendations regarding alcohol abuse. Before deciding on the most effective method of treatment, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor for advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual situation.

Related Advice For Families Of Alcoholics Articles

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For Men: 11 Signs You’re in a Codependent Relationship And How to Get Out

It’s often obvious that a needy, demanding woman who clings to a man has codependent tendencies.  However, a relationship consists of two people, and HE is no less responsible.  In fact, his behavior can also be labeled “codependent.”  Two people who have codependent tendencies may act in opposite ways: While one is needy and drains her partner, the other may have a enlarged sense of responsibility to his partner, and is overly sensitive to her needs and demands.

In fact, people with opposing codependent styles tend to attract each other.  These opposing psychological profiles have been termed “takers” and “caretakers.”

Codependent relationships are complicated, and they’re often characterized by manipulation, lack of boundaries, repressed emotions, emotional volatility, jealousy

issues, verbal abuse, etc.  Both partners tend to have complicated back-stories, which often serve to justify abnormal behavior.  If you’re a man feeling stuck in a codependent relationship, realize that your happiness is worth the effort it takes to move on.

First, take a look at this list, which identify just some of the signs to look for:

You feel that you’re responsible for her, and it’s your job to make her happy and solve her problems You suppress your emotions and avoid confrontation You have the sense of sacrificing the life you want so that you can be with her and take care of her You feel trapped at times, and have the sense that you are planning an eventual escape You feel tremendous guilt at the thought of abandoning her She is extremely jealous and makes it difficult for you to interact with other females or have female friends She has an intense fear of rejection and abandonment She lives her life in way that depends on you for many of her needs, as opposed to being independent and having a variety of fulfilling relationships She has expressed that she wouldn’t be able to live her life if you betrayed or abandoned her She depends almost exclusively on you as her source of happiness and validation She dominates and manipulates you through her emotional response, which is often too extreme

These are just some of the signs that are easiest to spot from the man’s point of you view.  If you feel that you may be in a codependent relationship, or you feel as if you’re trapped and there’s no way out, most like.  Being in a codependent relationship makes for a stressful and unhappy lifestyle.  And yet, your avoidant tendencies may keep you from following through with a break up or separation.

You may be planning to break up for a long time, but you just keep holding off — many men wait years, or even a lifetime, remaining in such a relationship.  It’s important that you don’t dwell on planning, and you take certain actions, fast.  If you feel ready to begin the separation process, DO NOT hesitate: The longer you wait, and the more time you both invest, the more difficult it becomes.

You may want to consider getting the help of a counselor.  Be sure that the counselor doesn’t assume that you want to maintain the relationship if you’re choosing to move on; many counselors operate from the assumption that the relationship should be “fixed.”

Finally, many men are in dire need of a map that:

1) Identifies what is dysfunctional in your relationship

2) Affirms your right to leave an unhappy relationship

3) Guides you through the break up in a way that minimizes pain and hardship for you both

More Codependent Relationships Articles

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Signs of Codependency

Codependency usually comes about as your response to another person’s chemical dependency. It revolves around your relationships with the people in your life. It involves the effects these people have on you. You, in turn, then try to affect them and their behaviors. As you begin to see them spiraling out of control, you end up trying to control their behavior.

The soul of codependency lays in you, though, not the other person. It is a silent war you begin within yourself. Usually it develops from low self-esteem. The codependent person does not feel worthy. It is a dysfunctional relationship with the self. Because you live a dysfunctional relationship internally it manifests externally to others. You don’t love yourself and you don’t trust yourself either. You tend to be out of balance and out of harmony. You may feel disconnected. You tend to live life in a reactor mode and give your power over to outside sources.

Chemical dependency is recognized as a disease. Codependency may not be recognized in the same means, but it can make you sick and will not help you or your loved one start on the road to recovery. Codependency is a progressive state. As things around you get steadily worse, your reactions to those things become more intense. In the back of your mind you may think you are helping the other person. You may have the best intentions. As you see it, they are destroying themselves. You don’t realize that the characteristics you portray as a response to their behavior not only sabotage your relationship with that person, but sabotage yourself.

Codependents feel obligated to offer unwanted advice to help the other person solve what you see as their problems. You feel responsible for the other person. Somewhere wrapped up in that process you are trying to please others. You want them to see you as necessary in their lives. You want them to see how essential you are to their well being. You will even abandon your own routine to help the other person.

When your help is either brushed off or not effective the way you thought it would be you become angry. You blame others for the spot you are in. You blame others for making you feel the way you do. You feel unappreciated, used and you become a victim. Over time you learn how to endure it. You live with the anxiety, the hurt and the anger.

If these signs sound familiar, there is help. Once you have determined that these feelings and tendencies in no way help you or the other person, you must focus on correcting your inclination towards codependency. First, accept that we all are responsible for our own feelings and actions. Do not be afraid to let the other person live their life, to live with the consequences they create. Love the person and be there for them, but do not try to control or manipulate the final outcome of their behavior. It may be hard at first, but they too have a lesson to learn that you will not always be there to bail them out of their bad choices.

Second, realize that you are worthy of being loved. Don’t center your life on other people thinking that you don’t deserve happiness too. Stop looking to relationships to provide you all your good feelings. Look within you and start loving yourself. Then others around you will see the radiance you exhibit and will gravitate toward you.

Third, begin to focus on your own life. You have probably let it slide to the wayside. Look for your happiness within yourself, not outside towards others. Think about your passions and what makes you happy. Then start to concentrate on the steps you can take to start living a joyful life.

You may be codependent, but know that you are a strong people. You have just mistakenly focused your attention toward the wrong thing. You have the power to change and to start recovery. That will let you be who you are while letting the other person be who they are.

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