Author: Gary Jackson

Signs & Symptoms of Alcoholism How to Know if Someone Has a Drinking Problem

Alcohol in the form of ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, is in alcoholic beverages. It’s also in mouthwash, some cooking extracts, some medicines and certain household products. Ethyl alcohol poisoning generally results from drinking too many alcoholic beverages in a short period of time. When a person is drunk, the first thing you need to do is check for signs of an alcohol overdose. If they are overdosing, it’s a medical emergency — which means you should call 911 right away. If someone you know is having a hard time controlling their drinking, and continuing to drink even though it causes significant problems in their life, they may have an alcohol use disorder.

  • If you or your spouse is dealing with alcohol use problems and they’re more than you can handle on your own, it may be time to consider professional treatment options.
  • Instead, a person who abuses alcohol isn’t able to control their drinking when they do drink.
  • Ethyl alcohol poisoning generally results from drinking too many alcoholic beverages in a short period of time.
  • They may self-isolate in an attempt to avoid conflict and shame.

AUD is characterized by cravings, physical and emotional dependence on alcohol, uncontrollable alcohol use, and negative emotions when not drinking. According to the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), an estimated 15 million people in the United States have AUD. Alcohol abuse is different from AUD, the more “severe” of the two conditions. People who abuse alcohol but aren’t physically addicted may experience the same signs and symptoms as people who have AUD. But people who abuse alcohol often don’t have the same cravings or need to drink that a person with AUD does.

Impact on your health

The more you drink, especially in a short period of time, the greater your risk of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is a serious — and sometimes deadly — result of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Drinking too much too quickly can affect breathing, heart rate, body temperature and gag reflex. Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function.

How To Tell If Someone Has Been Drinking

But the results of not getting help in time can be far more serious. When you take a sip of alcohol, it begins making its way through your body. It starts at the stomach and then makes its way to the bloodstream and eventually the liver. Alcohol takes approximately 15 to 45 minutes to feel its effects. If you suspect that a drunk person is in danger or if your safety is at risk, seek emergency help immediately. However, too much alcohol can cause unpleasant reactions, like irritability, aggression, and even physical illness.

Recognizing the Physical Signs of Intoxication

When all behaviors and health problems are taken into consideration, a doctor may determine that a person’s drinking is in fact an addiction. Signs include slurred speech, uncoordinated movements, lowered inhibitions, and the smell of alcohol on the breath. However, identifying an addiction may not be so black and white. On average, young people have about five drinks on a single occasion.