In some situations, it can be challenging to pinpoint signs of alcohol abuse. Alcohol is common in our culture, primarily because using it is legal. Women with alcohol use disorders often learn how to hide their addictions. Even so, three telltale signs may help you to identify the disease.
1. Look for Concealment of Alcohol Consumption
Although society turns a blind eye to drinking alcohol and even drinking to excess, there’s still a double standard. Women who drink make a different impression than men. Society tends to promote male drinking, both in movies and in real life. However, the same cannot be said for women. For this reason, plenty of women hide their drinking, particularly in the daytime. Someone with an alcohol addiction may transfer drinks into different containers such as portable water bottles or coffee cups. Therefore, it is critical to keep an eye out for someone concealing a drinking problem.
Signs that a friend is hiding their alcohol abuse include:
- They heavily drink when they are alone
- They lie about or cover up their levels of drinking
- They’ve drank to the point of passing out
- Due to heavy drinking, they have missed out on special occasions
- They drink alcohol first thing in the morning
Don’t worry if you have missed the hidden signs of alcohol abuse. Your goal should be to help your friend get addiction treatment rather than blaming yourself for the past.
2. Identify the Swagger that Comes with “Holding Your Liquor Well”
Being able to drink a lot of alcohol and still act sober is not something to be proud of. Although in some situations people respect this so-called mastery, it’s often an indication that you’ve built up a tolerance. For the body to do this, it must be taking in a regular influx of the substance. In other words, you’re drinking a lot of alcohol on a daily basis and need more to reach a buzz.
If you drink socially, you may have people point out to you how well you can hold your liquor. Rather than taking pride in this statement, consider it a warning that you might be heading for trouble.
3. Recognize the Recovery Phase that Comes with Alcohol Abuse
However, no matter how good you are at holding your liquor, there’s a recovery period. Call it a hangover or refer to it as the need to “get going,” it interferes with regular morning routines. You may feel sick, vomit, or work hard not to do so. The recovery phase makes it unpleasant to be around you, and you’ve come to dread it.
Unfortunately, it’s not enough to keep you from drinking. You may already suffer from an addiction to alcohol at this time. If you try to stop drinking, you suffer from unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Your body tells you that it needs more of the drug for you to function.
Because you don’t want to deal with the symptoms, you give in and have another drink. If you’re still in one of the earlier stages of an alcohol use disorder, you rationalize. You promise yourself you won’t go as far the next time you drink, but you always do.
Get Help for Yourself or a Loved One
You don’t have to suffer in silence or hide your problem any longer. Getting effective addiction treatment is possible at Soledad House in San Diego, CA, where compassionate therapists understand your predicament. Geared toward women, you receive the following:
- A personalized addiction treatment plan that meets you where you’re at
- Customized care for help with your situation
- Spiritual components
- 12-Step program access for personal accountability
- Aftercare treatment to boost your success with relapse prevention
Call 866.314.3222 today to begin the road to recovery from alcohol abuse.
