Indicators of Alcoholism – Drug Addiction

Alcoholism indicators. It is very frustrating to the families seeing their loved ones being messed up by alcohol abuse and addiction.

If there is anything you do not want for your children is them being associated with people addicted to any drug of any kind. The grave dangers of being in a state of addiction will not allow anyone in the right state of mind to have their children go through the problems related to substance abuse. One of the commonly abused drug is alcohol, a substance whose consumption is legal and is used freely the world over. Parents have a duty to watch over their children and bring them up in total safety of any harm of addiction. This is an enormous role to do and especially in this time of work commitment where there is very little time parents spend with their children. But even in the middle of all these busy schedule parents must be very observant and ensure safety of the children from all manner of addictions. Therefore as a parent do you suspect that your child is abusing alcohol or using drugs? Are you worried in anyway? Have you noticed some changes with your child? As a parent, it is usual to be concerned and this is what we want to discuss in this article.

Indicators of Alcoholism – How Are Parents Affected?

Being knowledgeable about alcoholism and drug addiction is very instrumental to helping your children. You will need to begin with yourself and access the degree to which you’re affected by their use of alcohol or drugs. Being knowledgeable and your capability to being helpful to them will rest on your understanding of alcohol and drugs and who your children’s abuse has affected you individually. By the way the most important step you may take into helping your children is to commit to sourcing for help and support for yourself. You can do this by answering these questions as follows: As for alcohol find out if you are easily trouble bus someone’s and for drugs ask yourself if you will need help. With this in mind let us progress to the warning sings.

Indicators of Alcoholism – Warning Signs

The use and abuse of alcohol and drugs are serious issues that should not be ignored or minimized and we should not sit back and hope they just go away.  If left untreated they can develop into drug dependence or alcoholism.  As a result, it is important to identify the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse early.  If you’re worried that your child might be abusing alcohol or drugs, here are some of the indicators to look for:

Indicators of Alcoholism – Physical and health warning signs of drug abuse

• Eyes that are bloodshot or pupils that are smaller or larger than normal.
• Frequent nosebleeds could be related to snorted drugs like meth or cocaine.
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
• Seizures without a history of epilepsy
• Declining personal grooming or physical appearance.
• Impaired coordination, injuries, accidents, bruises that they won’t or can’t tell you about that is to say they can explain how they got hurt
• Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
• Shakes, tremors, incoherent or slurred speech, impaired or unstable coordination.

Indicators of Alcoholism – Behavioral signs of alcohol or drug abuse

• Missing class, falling grades, getting in trouble at school
• Drop in attendance and performance at work-  loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies, sports or exercise-  decreased motivation
• Complaints from colleagues, supervisors, teachers or classmates
• Missing money, valuables, prescription or prescription drugs, borrowing and stealing money
• Acting isolated, silent, withdrawn, engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
• Clashes with family values and beliefs
• Preoccupation with alcohol and drug-related lifestyle in music, clothing and posters
• Demanding more privacy, locking doors and avoiding eye contact
• Sudden change in relationships, friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies.
• Frequently getting into trouble (arguments, fights, accidents, illegal activities)
• Using incense, perfume, air freshener to hide smell of smoke or drugs
• Using eye-drops to mask bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils

Indicators of Alcoholism – Psychological warning signs of alcohol or drug abuse

• Unexplained, confusing change in personality and/or attitude.
• Sudden mood changes, irritability, angry outbursts or laughing at nothing.
• Periods of unusual hyperactivity or agitation.
• Lack of motivation; inability to focus, appears lethargic or “spaced out.”
• Appears fearful, withdrawn, anxious, or paranoid, with no apparent reason.

Signs and symptoms of alcoholism and drug dependence

Alcoholism involves all the symptoms of alcohol abuse, but also involves another set of elements i.e. Physical dependence e.g. tolerance and withdrawal. 

Tolerance – Tolerance means that, over period of time you will need more of alcohol to feel the same effect you use to feel at minimal quantity.  Ask yourself if you drink more than you used to? Or drink more than other people without showing obvious signs of intoxication?

Withdrawal – As the effect of the alcohol wears off you may experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or jumpiness, shakiness or trembling; sweating, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, depression, irritability, fatigue or loss of appetite and headaches. Do you drink to steady the nerves, stop the shakes in the morning?  Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and addiction.

In serious cases, withdrawal from alcohol can be life-threatening and may involve hallucinations, confusion, seizures, fever, and agitation.  These symptoms can be dangerous and should be managed by a physician specifically trained and experienced in dealing with alcoholism and addiction like Dr. Dalal Akoury, Founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. She is having over two decades of experience in offering exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars globally and anyone or qualified professional can now be a part of this truly successful and fast addiction recovery treatment.

Loss of Control – Drinking more than you wanted to, for longer than you intended, or despite promising yourself that you will not do it this time.

Desire to Stop but Can’t – You have a persistent desire to cut down or stop your alcohol use, but all efforts to stop and stay stopped, have been unsuccessful.

Neglecting Other Activities – You are spending less time on activities that used to be important to you (hanging out with family and friends, exercising- going to the gym, pursuing your hobbies or other interests) because of the use of alcohol.

Alcohol Takes up Greater Time, Energy and Focus – You spend a lot of time drinking, thinking about it, or recovering from its effects.  You have few, if any, interests, social or community involvements that don’t revolve around the use of alcohol.

Continued Use Despite Negative Consequences – You drink in full knowledge that it’s causing problems.  As an example, you realize that your alcohol use is interfering with your ability to do your job, is damaging your marriage, making your problems worse, or causing health problems, but you continue to drink.

Indicators of Alcoholism – Drug Addiction