| Alcoholism is a disease involving uncontrollable physical | | | | 7. The more time without a drink, the more signs |
| dependence and emotional reliance on alcohol. The | | | | irritability are shown. |
| sufferer is unable to stay away from drink even | | | | 8. Gulping strong drinks to achieve the drunk feeling |
| when faced with dire consequences in all areas of his | | | | as fast as possible. |
| life - marriage, work, financial health. It is a chronic | | | | 9. Tolerance levels are reached making it necessary |
| disease and often progresses to the point, if | | | | to drink even larger amounts to achieve the needed |
| untreated, it becomes fatal. | | | | feeling. |
| The term "alcohol abuse" is used to describe a state | | | | 10. Relationships, work, financial troubles increase, |
| less severe than true alcoholism. As an alcohol abuser, | | | | sometimes involving legal actions. |
| you may drink to excess and suffer social and health | | | | 11. When no alcohol has been consumed for a while |
| consequences, but never completely lose your | | | | for whatever reason, experiencing symptoms of |
| control over the substance as you would in | | | | physical withdrawal - shaking, sweating, and nausea. |
| full-fledged alcoholism. | | | | If you haven't reached the stage of true alcoholism, |
| Just because it's not as bad as alcoholism, abuse is | | | | but are instead an alcohol abuser you may suffer |
| by no means a safe way to use alcohol. The National | | | | some of the same symptoms, with the exception of |
| Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence says 18 | | | | the compulsion to drink and the withdrawal |
| million Americans abuse alcohol. Alcohol plays a part in | | | | symptoms when not drinking. Alcoholism is also more |
| almost half of all traffic fatalities in the United States. | | | | suspected when a tolerance to alcohol has been built |
| The loved ones of these victims put very little stock | | | | up and when an inability to stop drinking is observed. |
| in the difference between an alcohol abuser and an | | | | Have you ever wondered if your own alcohol |
| alcoholic when the driver at fault drank more than he | | | | consumption has crossed the line into either alcohol |
| should have. | | | | abuse or alcoholism? Ask yourself the following: |
| Although it's not always easy to diagnose the true | | | | - What's the first thing you think of when you get up |
| alcoholic, there are indications that can be recognized. | | | | in the morning? If having a drink ranks in the top 1 or |
| Not everyone suffering from alcoholism suffers all | | | | 2, there could be problem. |
| these symptoms. In addition, because they tend to | | | | - Do you feel guilty enough to hide how much you |
| be secretive about it, it will be difficult to discover in | | | | drink from those who care about you? From your |
| another. Here's what to watch for: | | | | boss? |
| 1. Keeping drinking secret from friends and family; | | | | - Do you often think about how you should cut back |
| drinking alone a lot; hiding the alcohol in unusual places. | | | | on the amount of drinking you do? Have you made |
| 2. Being unable to stop drinking once started. | | | | failed New Years' Resolutions to stop? |
| 3. Experience full or partial "blackouts," where your | | | | - Do you get annoyed when others mention or, |
| memory of events while drinking isn't complete. | | | | heaven forbid, criticize your special relationship to |
| 4. Becoming annoyed when a regular drinking ritual, | | | | alcohol? |
| like having a drink after dinner, is interrupted. | | | | A yes answer to any of these questions could |
| 5. Leaving behind former hobbies and pleasurable | | | | indicate at least alcohol abuse and possibly even |
| activities. | | | | alcoholism. Seek help! |
| 6. Drinking becomes a compulsion or a need. | | | | |