Generally speaking, the signs of alcoholism are unclear to many people. It is not unusual to have questions as to what alcohol addiction is exactly, how is is different from alcohol abuse, and when an individual should look for treatment due to their drinking problem. The following information will provide you with the answer to these questions and many others you many have.

• Cravings - A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
• Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
• Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
• Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high.”

Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking? Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt bad or guilty about drinking? Do you have a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a drinking problem. In the United States, 23 million people have a substance abuse problem and more than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

Physical and emotional signs of alcoholism
• Insomnia
• Accidents
• Loss of self esteem
• Anxiety
• Not taking care of yourself
• Being unusually suspicious
• Poor work performance
• Blackouts/memory loss
• Taking sick days for hangovers
• Breakdown of relationships, such as divorce
• Trembling hands
• Depression
• Trouble having erections in men
• Driving offenses
• Easily annoyed
• Drinking alone or in secret
• Not remembering conversations or commitments.
• Making a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned.
• Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure.
• Irritability as usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available.
• Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car.
• Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel "normal."
• Having problems with relationships, employment or finances or legal problems.
  
  

Ask yourself these questions to find out if you show sings of Alcoholism
• Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but it only lasted a couple of days?
• Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking?
• Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in hope that you wouldn't get drunk?
• Have you had to have an eye-opener upon awakening during the past year?
• Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
• Do you need a drink to get started, or to stop shaking?
• Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?
• Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
• Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks at a party because you do not get enough?
• Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking anytime you want to, but you don't stop?
• Do you have "blackouts"?
• Have you ever felt your life would be better if you didn't drink?