10 Signs of Chronic Alcohol Abuse

Dangers of Chronic Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is a common activity for people to participate in when they turn 21, however, some people start much younger than 21. Alcohol abuse on any given night can be dangerous due to the substances effect of impairing a person’s judgment and ability to make smart decisions, but prolonged alcohol abuse can lead to numerous problems in a person’s life.

Someone who is a chronic alcohol abuser will experience physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms when they haven’t had a drink in a few hours.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, long term alcohol use can lead to the development of neurological impairments, chronic diseases, and social problems in a drinker’s life. Some problems that long term alcohol use cause include, cardiovascular problems, liver diseases, throat cancer, and social problems, such as, unemployment, family problems and lost productivity.

Ten Signs of Chronic Alcohol Abuse

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcoholism is the most serious alcohol disorder there is, it is a disease where a person consumes alcohol chronically and experiences symptoms that include, strong cravings, dependence and loss of control. This is also known as alcohol dependency.

Below is a list of ten signs of chronic alcohol abuse:

1. Uncontrollable cravings: When a person is a chronic alcohol abuser they will experience uncontrollable urges to drink. These urges may feel impossible for them to ignore.

2. Needing to drink more: A chronic alcohol abuser will build tolerance to alcohol, which means their body will continue to need more of the substance to feel the affect they want.

3. Not being able to stop: A chronic alcohol abuser may have difficulty stopping drinking once they start.

4. Withdrawal symptoms: Alcohol dependence means a person will have withdrawal symptoms every time alcohol is not in their system. These withdrawals can be painful.

5. Mood swings: The constant fluctuation of being intoxicated from alcohol then coming off of the intoxication, to getting intoxicated again, will lead to a person having rapid, and sometimes uncontrollable, mood swings.

6. Pulling away from loved ones: It is common for chronic alcohol abusers to pull away from their family and friends.

7. Financial problems: Once a person develops a dependence to alcohol, they will continually need to purchase the substance, and over time, they will need to buy more and more of it. This can lead to loss of jobs and financial problems.

8. Loss of activities: Most people allow drinking to become their main source of fun and enjoyment, and in return they will stop doing activities that they once enjoyed.

9. Depression: Alcohol impairs brain chemicals, so it is common for a chronic alcohol abuser to develop depression.

10. Poor immune system: Chronic alcohol abusers are more susceptible to contracting diseases because alcohol abuse lowers a person’s immune system’s fighting capabilities.