Watching someone you care about struggle with their alcohol consumption is a painful and confusing experience for many. It can be difficult to distinguish between problematic drinking habits and what clinically qualifies as full-blown alcohol use disorder. Recognizing the signs of alcoholism is the first critical step toward helping your loved one. These signs are not just about how much or how often a person is drinking alcohol; they also may involve noticeable changes in behaviour, priorities, and mental health. This guide will walk you through seven of the key indicators of alcohol addiction and provide insight into when and how to approach the conversation about getting help.
Key Points
- Changes in Behaviour are Key: Look for increased secrecy, loss of interest in hobbies, and neglect of responsibilities as major red flags.
- Tolerance and Withdrawal are Physical Signs: Needing more alcohol to get the same effect (tolerance) and experiencing withdrawal symptoms (like shakiness or anxiety) when not drinking are clear indicators of dependence.
- Relationship Problems May Emerge: Continued alcohol use despite causing conflict or strain in personal relationships is a core symptom of an alcohol use disorder.
- Risky Behaviour Increases: Engaging in dangerous situations, such as driving after drinking or having unsafe sex, shows that alcohol is impairing judgment.
- Intervention Requires Compassion: When you decide to talk to your loved one, approach the conversation with empathy and concern, not judgment or anger.
1. Increased Secrecy and Dishonesty
One of the most common behavioral signs of alcoholism is a significant increase in secrecy surrounding drinking habits. Your loved one might start:
- Hiding alcoholic beverages around the house
- Lying about how much you drink
- Becoming defensive and irritable when asked about their alcohol consumption.
They may start drinking alone or at odd hours and go to great lengths to cover their tracks. This secrecy is often driven by shame and a desire to protect their drinking from interference. A 2023 national survey from Health Canada found that nearly nearly 90% of Canadians have used alcohol in their lifetime, making it by far the most-used legal substance in the country.
2. Loss of Control Over Drinking Alcohol
A defining characteristic of an alcohol use disorder, the clinical term for alcohol addiction, is a loss of control. This doesn’t necessarily mean drinking every day. It means that when your loved one does start drinking, they are unable to reliably control how much they consume. They might drink more than they intended or for longer than they planned. You may hear them make promises to stop drinking or cut back, only to break them repeatedly. This isn’t a sign of a moral failing; it’s a primary symptom of the disease of addiction.
3. Neglecting Responsibilities and Relationships
As alcohol use becomes the central focus of a person’s life, other responsibilities fall by the wayside. Signs of alcoholism related to this idea can look like:
- Poor performance at work or school, or frequent absences.
- Neglecting household chores or childcare duties.
- Withdrawing from hobbies and social activities they once enjoyed.
- Damaging personal relationships with family and friends due to their behavior while drinking or their defensiveness about it.
When a person continues their alcohol consumption despite these clear negative consequences, it is a powerful indicator that the alcohol problems have progressed to a serious level.
4. The Physical Signs: Tolerance and Withdrawal
Beyond behaviour, there are two key physical signs of dependence.
- Tolerance: Over time, the body adapts to the presence of alcohol, meaning the person needs to drink more alcohol to achieve the same desired effect. An amount that used to make them feel intoxicated now feels normal.
- Withdrawal: When they go for a period without drinking, their body rebels. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild (anxiety, shakiness, nausea) to severe (seizures, hallucinations). Experiencing withdrawal symptoms is a definitive sign that a physical dependence has developed.
5. Dangerous Situations and Risky Behaviour
An alcohol use disorder impairs judgment and lowers inhibitions, which can lead to engaging in dangerous situations. This might include driving under the influence, having unprotected sex, getting into physical altercations, or combining alcohol with other substances.
For example, mixing alcohol with prescription medications like antidepressants, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), can be extremely dangerous and lead to a dangerous spike in side effects or overdose. The fact that a person continues to put themselves at risk is a stark sign of how much control the addiction has. The Health Canada survey found that 28% percent of the general population participated in polysubstance use (using 2 or more substances at once). This number rose to 42% when looking at youth or young adults over a span of 12 months.
Behavioural vs. Physical Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder manifests through multiple warning signs across multiple categories. Recognizing these patterns early helps identify when casual drinking has crossed into dependency, enabling timely intervention and treatment.
| Sign Type | Examples | What It Indicates |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioural | Lying about drinking, neglecting work, relationship conflicts. | The psychological and social impact of the disorder. |
| Physical | Increased tolerance, experiencing withdrawal symptoms. | The development of a physical dependence on alcohol. |
| Risk-Related | Driving drunk, engaging in fights, mixing alcohol with drugs. | Impaired judgment and a loss of self-preservation instincts. |
| Emotional | Mood swings, irritability, defensiveness, symptoms of depression. | The impact of alcohol on mental health. |
6. Worsening Mental Health Conditions
There is a strong link between alcohol abuse and mental health conditions. You might notice a significant increase in your loved one’s anxiety, depression, or irritability. Alcohol is a depressant, and while it might provide temporary relief, it often exacerbates underlying mental health problems in the long run. Studies have found that a significant percentage of people with an AUD also have a co-occurring mental disorder. Combining alcohol with antidepressant medication can also interfere with treatment and worsen symptoms.
7. Failed Attempts to Stop Drinking
Many people with an alcohol use disorder are aware on some level that they have a problem. They may express a desire to quit or try to stop drinking altogether, only to relapse. These failed attempts are not a sign of weakness; they are a symptom of the disease. The physical and psychological pull of addiction, especially the discomfort of alcohol withdrawal, can make it incredibly difficult to stop drinking without professional support.
When and How to Intervene
Recognizing the signs is the first step; acting on them is the next. If your loved one’s behaviour is endangering themselves or others, an immediate intervention is necessary. In other cases, plan to have a conversation when they are sober and you are both calm.
- Approach with Empathy: Use “I” statements to express your concern (e.g., “I am worried about you”). Avoid accusatory language.
- Be Specific: Mention specific behaviours or incidents that have concerned you.
- Offer Support: Frame the conversation around getting help. Research treatment options beforehand and have them ready. Suggest talking to a healthcare provider or a specialist.
- Set Boundaries: It is important to establish boundaries to protect your own well-being. This may mean refusing to make excuses for them or not providing financial support that enables their drinking.
- Consider a Professional: For severe cases, a professional interventionist can help guide the conversation and manage the process.
You should also expect resistance and stay patient. Many people with alcohol use disorder will initially deny the problem or become defensive. This reaction is common and doesn’t mean your efforts are wasted. Stay consistent in your message, revisit the conversation if needed, and remind them that help is available whenever they’re ready to accept it.
Take the First Step Toward Lasting Change
It is a painful reality to watch the signs of alcoholism emerge in someone you love. From the subtle shifts in drinking habits to the more overt signs of dependency and risky behaviour, these symptoms paint a clear picture of a person who needs help. By learning to recognize these indicators and approaching the situation with compassion and a clear plan, you can be a powerful force for change. The journey to recovery often begins with a single, courageous conversation.
It’s time to get your life back. Into Action Recovery Centre has helped thousands of men rebuild through structure, brotherhood, and proven long-term recovery since 2012. No excuses. No shortcuts. Just results that last. Contact us or call now and start rising again.
