Recognising Alcoholism

UK Government statistics estimate that more than 600,000 adults suffer from alcohol dependence in England. This number has slowly been creeping up for the past few years, as alcohol addiction continues to grow into a national concern.

Yet, we cannot help but wonder how many more people struggle with alcoholism without realising it, slipping under the statistics radar. Many of us tragically wait until a problem deepens before we let anybody know how much we are hurting.

This help guide illustrates ways you can identify alcoholism before the issue inevitably worsens. We hope to provide a shining light for those struggling in the darkness of alcohol addiction.

What does it mean to “recognise alcoholism”?

Much like recognising another deep problem or concern, recognising alcoholism involves putting a name to a dark and often upsetting force. Some people may look at it as putting a name on a demon, as it can often be deeply emotional with some amount of resistance or confrontation.

Yet, addressing and naming a problem is often the prerequisite step towards deep healing and recovery.

One of the most common reasons a person might not be able to recognise alcoholism is that it has become normalised in their life. A person may have grown up seeing a parent or loved one drinking to excess, which starts to appear normal or commonplace the more frequently it happens.

The act of placing a name on alcoholism can be much harder to do for some people than for others. For example, an adolescent with an alcoholic parent may be scared of the ramifications of even suggesting their parent has a problem. Outside of familial connections, it may be hard to recognise a friend or colleague has an alcohol addiction, as they may go to great lengths to hide or downplay the amount they drink.

Acknowledging when someone’s drinking has gone too far is not easy. Sometimes, it is less about the actual quantity of alcohol they consume and more about how drinking affects their thoughts and actions. True recognition may lie in noticing when alcohol stops being a choice and starts being a need.

How does alcoholism develop?

The elusive line between alcohol use and misuse can be hard to trace. A myriad of factors can mean that one person’s “excess” is another person’s “normal,” yet there are often recurring themes found in the development of alcoholism.

Understanding how alcoholism develops and unfolds can help you recognise when the line has been crossed.

The role of psychological and emotional triggers

Many people turn to alcohol to manage difficult emotions like stress, grief, anxiety, or trauma. It becomes a tool for numbing pain or escaping pressure. Over time, a person can convince themselves that their only solace is to drink. The brain slowly learns to associate drinking with relief, sometimes to a greater degree than is true. Some of the main contributors to triggers are:

• Emotional pain and unresolved trauma often drive a person to drink more frequently
• Stressful life events and mental health conditions can intensify cravings and make urges harder to control
• The temporary relief gained through alcohol masks deeper problems and hinders the development of healthier coping strategies.

The shift into alcohol dependency

As alcohol use increases, so does the body’s ability to tolerate its effects. What once provided a short, pleasant buzz now requires a substantial amount more to reach the same effects. This dangerous physical shift often runs parallel with psychological dependence. It can appear as:

• Drinking is becoming more of a “routine” than an occasion
• Attempts to cut down are unsuccessful, or withdrawal symptoms appear when drinking stops
• Life begins to revolve around alcohol, socially, emotionally and physically

Understanding the parallel development of physical and psychological contributors to alcoholism is crucial. It may allow you to spot early red flags before the spiral into full-blown addiction takes hold.

What are the signs of alcoholism I need to watch for?

Recognising alcoholism runs deeper than the signs of drunkenness on a night out. Many subtle and covert signs require a discerning eye and ear. You may need to deeply understand a person’s sober behaviours before recognising how their intoxicated self differs.

That being said, here are some key signs that suggest alcohol use is dangerously spiralling into addiction:

• Increased tolerance: Getting used to alcohol’s effects means that more is needed to feel the same level of influence, or drinking larger quantities over time.
• Drinking to cope: They may clearly use alcohol as a way to temporarily manage stress, escape emotions, or handle difficult situations.
• Neglecting responsibilities: You may see them missing days at work, neglecting important family occasions, or letting their hobbies and goals dissolve.
• Secrecy and defensiveness: Their feelings of guilt will make them hide their drinking or downplay how much it is affecting them. They’ll likely grow defensive if you raise the deeper issues.
• Physical or emotional symptoms: These can manifest as shakiness, anxiety, irritability, or low mood when they’re not drinking.
• Social withdrawal: Sadly, deep alcohol addictions make many people withdraw from their social circle. You might suggest doing activities with them outside of drinking, which is met with resistance or excuses.
• Failed attempts to cut down: They’ll likely tell you how much they want to stop, or that they are stopping, but every rule that’s put in place is broken and no positive long-term changes appear.

Recognising one or two signs may not be a definitive indicator that alcoholism is present, but when several are present together, they probably need help. Alcoholism festers in silence and intensifies in isolation. We hope that recognising the pattern can help you take the first step towards breaking it.

What are the ramifications if alcoholism is left unchecked?

For many of us, recognising the signs of alcoholism represents the first step. Recognition is a relatively safe activity that comes before raising the issue with your loved one. It is natural to have worries about opening the discussion, but it may make the difference between getting help in time and watching an addiction become unmanageable. It can be easy to convince yourself to address today’s problem tomorrow when you have more strength or you’re sure that it’ll be easier to do it later.

Yet, addiction is a progressive condition, and its spiralling consequences may plunge your loved one into depths that you haven’t yet comprehended.

Your loved one’s tolerance will continue to increase towards alcohol. It will increasingly become more normal for them to take days off work or, worse, go to work under the influence. Their sense of self-worth may silently and tragically fade away until they’re convinced that they must suffer, until the end, all alone.

Don’t wait until you’re sure they’re at ‘rock bottom’ before you take action. The feeling of being in hell at this moment may tragically be looked back on in the future as being relatively okay. Your loved one will likely continue to get worse, and yesterday’s rock bottom becomes today’s bottomless spiritual pit, where darkness and pain are the only company to be found.

Please, if you need help, know that we are here for you.

I’m ready to take the next step towards sobriety

Recognising alcoholism often demands a lot of honesty and bravery. Whether you’re seeing the signs in yourself or someone close to you, facing and naming the truth opens the door to positive change. A person really shouldn’t wait to hit ‘rock bottom’ to get the help for alcoholism they need and deserve.

At UKAT Liberty House, we provide in-depth, tailored support to guide you through every stage of the recovery journey. Reach out to us today. The first step is often the hardest, but it could change the life of a person who needs it. We’re here to walk beside you, one step at a time.