The 9 characteristics of the behavior of the alcoholic person

Alcoholism is a very present disorder in our society, and in recent years it has become widespread towards younger and younger people, among other things due to the leisure and recreation dynamics of adolescents from our country.

How to detect the warning signs that are expressed in the behavior of people addicted to alcohol? There are a series of essential characteristics, shared by those people who have alcoholism, and knowing them is essential to identify them and go on to seek professional help.

• Related article: "How is the alcohol detoxification process?"

The 9 basic characteristics of alcoholic behavior

If you are interested in knowing what are the typical characteristics of the behavior of an alcoholic, keep reading, because here you will see a summary. Of course, it is important to note that each of these behavior patterns can also occur individually in non-alcoholic people at times punctual, and that is when they are presented at the same time (all or many of them) and continuously over time when the alarms.

1. Irritability

One of the main characteristics of people who suffer from alcoholism is the progressive increase in irritability, especially when the person has not been drinking for several hours or does not have access to an alcoholic beverage at a time determined.

This irritability is presented with increasing magnitude the greater the addiction to alcohol., being able to cause sooner or later other more serious reactions such as aggressiveness and violent behaviors, after a long time of the habit of consuming.

That is why another of the signs that can indicate a case of alcoholism consists of constant discussions, which are not always have to be related to the addiction of the person, and the general discomfort with the closest social circle, family and friends.

2. Drink alone

Another of the classic signs that characterize the behavior of the alcoholic is the tendency to drink alone regularly, especially when it is not during the meals of the day. Generally, alcohol consumption is a social or table-related activity in which a drink is shared. lunch or dinner with others, that is why the moment a person begins to drink on their own and in loneliness, especially if it is not only in quantities that are only sufficient to quench thirst, implies a greater probability of having developed alcohol dependence.

Alcoholics tend to drink alone for many reasons, some of which may be to cope with a depression or any other disorder associated with alcoholism, or the need to hide said consumption from others people.

3. Always ensure the reservation of alcoholic beverages

People who suffer from alcoholism tend to show great interest in ensuring in advance the presence of alcoholic beverages in the place where they will spend time or where they live.

That interest in always having alcohol reserves available at home can be shown in public or also be kept discreet so as not to arouse suspicion among family members, colleagues floor, etc.

• You may be interested in: "These are the 9 effects that alcohol has on the brain in the short and long term"

4. Loss of social relationships

Another characteristic feature of alcoholics is the progressive deterioration that their social relationships experience. This is due, again, to the irritability, bad mood or aggressiveness that these people usually show with their circle of friends and closest family, as well as the displacement of social relations to the background on your priority list, as consuming becomes the main thing.

5. Increased tolerance

Alcoholics develop a high tolerance for alcohol, which results in your ability to drink more than most people before noticing the intoxicating effects of any alcoholic beverage.

On the other hand, this also makes people with alcoholism more frustrated by finding it difficult to satisfy their desire to consume the amount of alcohol they feel they need to be well.

6. Physical and psychological degradation

Alcoholism is a tremendously destructive disease for the person who suffers it and that has both physical and psychological effects, the longer the period of alcohol addiction lengthens.

Some physical symptoms of alcoholism are sweating, anxiety to drink, tremors, dizziness and vomiting, loss of self-care and also personal hygiene.

As we have seen, the psychological symptoms are usually irritability, mood swings, loss of control over one isolation and recurrent memory loss, but also bear in mind that many forms of addiction increase your chances of developing other severe psychological and psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia (if there is a genetic predisposition).

7. Abstinence syndrome

When an alcohol addict stops consuming alcoholic beverages for a time, he usually experiences a syndrome abstinence, which constitutes another unmistakable characteristic that we are faced with a case of alcoholism.

This withdrawal syndrome also It is linked to a series of physical symptoms that usually appear within 8 hours of the last use alcohol, the most relevant being: cold sweat, palpitations, nausea, and fearful nightmares.

8. Tendency to Denial

Alcoholic people often deny their condition to other people and tend to get angry when someone tries to talk to them about it and become defensive at all times.

Another of the classic characteristics of an alcoholic is to rationalize his disorder whenever someone tries to talk to him about his problem, and make excuses that free him from all responsibility. This does not mean that they are "bad people", in many cases it is usually the result of the development of the disease. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to convince them to go to therapy, which means that by the time they finally see professionals, the problem has worsened.

9. Change in daily habits

Another of the signs by which alcoholism can be detected in a person is changing habits in all aspects of life.

And it is that, people with alcoholism can end up changing their hygiene habits, to the point of neglecting it, their habits of diet, the healthy activities they carried out before addiction, such as playing sports, and even changing circles of friendships. In addition, their sleep schedule is often disorganized and with ups and downs.

Looking for treatment to overcome alcohol addiction?

If you or someone in your close circle has developed symptoms of alcohol addiction, we invite you to get in touch with our team of professionals. On CITA Clinics We have been specializing in the treatment of addictions for many years, and we offer a full therapeutic overture that ranges from therapy sessions to the possibility of entering our residential module located in the middle of nature and with a wide variety of equipments. On this page You can find more information about how we work.