The 9 behavioral characteristics of the alcoholic person.
These are the behavioral patterns that characterize those who develop alcohol addiction.
Alcoholism is a very present disorder in our society, and in recent years it has become widespread among younger and younger people, among other things due to the dynamics of leisure and recreation of adolescents in 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 present alcoholism, and to know them is basic to identify them and to pass to look for professional help.
The 9 basic characteristics of the alcoholic's behavior
If you are interested in knowing what are the typical characteristics of the behavior of an alcoholic read on, because here you will see a summary. However, it is important to note that each of these behavior patterns can also occur individually in non-alcoholics at specific times, and that it is when they occur at the same time (all or many of them) and continuously over time when the alarm bells should ring.
1. Irritability
One of the main characteristics of people suffering 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 given time.
This irritability becomes more and more pronounced the greater the addiction to alcohol.The alcoholism can sooner or later provoke other more serious reactions such as aggressiveness and violent behavior, after a prolonged period of time of consumption.
That is why another sign that may indicate a case of alcoholism is constant arguments, which are not always related to the person's addiction, and general discomfort with the closest social circle of family and friends.
2. Drinking alone
Another of the classic signs that characterize the alcoholic's behavior is the tendency to drink alone regularly, especially when it is not during meals during the day. Generally, alcohol consumption is a social activity or linked to the table where lunch or dinner is shared with others, that is why the moment a person begins to drink on their own and alone, especially if it is not only in quantities that are only sufficient to quench thirst, it is more likely to have developed alcohol dependence.drinking alone implies a greater likelihood of having developed alcohol dependence.
Alcoholics often drink alone for many reasons, some of which may be to cope with depression or any other disorder associated with alcoholism, or the need to hide such consumption from others.
3. Always keep alcoholic beverages in stock
People suffering from alcoholism often show great interest in ensuring the presence of alcoholic beverages in advance in the place where they will spend time or where they live.
This interest in always having a stock of alcohol available at home can be shown in public or also kept discreetly so as not to arouse suspicion among family members, roommates, etc.
4. Loss of social relationships
Another characteristic feature of alcoholics is the progressive deterioration of their social relationships. This is due, again, to the irritability, moodiness or aggressiveness that these people tend to show with their circle of closest friends and family members, as well as social relationships take a back seat on their list of priorities, as they are their list of priorities, since consuming becomes the main thing.
5. Increased tolerance
Alcoholics develop a high tolerance to alcohol, which translates into their ability to drink more than most. their ability to drink more than most people before they notice the intoxicating effects of alcohol. before they notice the intoxicating effects of any alcoholic beverage.
On the other hand, this also makes people with alcoholism more frustrated as they find 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 from it and has both physical and psychological effects, the longer the period of addiction to alcohol.
Some physical symptoms of alcoholism are sweating, anxiety about drinking, tremors, dizziness and vomiting, loss of self-care and personal hygiene.
As we have seen, the psychological symptoms are usually irritability, mood swings, loss of self-control, isolation and recurrent memory loss, but it should also be noted that many forms of addiction increase the likelihood of developing other severe psychological and psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia (if there is a genetic predisposition).such as schizophrenia (if there is a genetic predisposition).
7. Withdrawal syndrome
When an alcohol addict stops consuming alcoholic beverages for a period of time, he or she usually experiences a withdrawal syndrome, which is another unmistakable characteristic of alcoholism.
This withdrawal syndrome is also linked to a is also linked to a series of physical symptoms that usually appear within 8 hours after the cessation of the last alcohol consumption. of alcohol, the most relevant being: cold sweat, palpitations, nausea, nausea, nightmares.
8. Denial tendency
Alcoholics tend to deny their condition before other people and they are used to get angry when someone tries to talk to them about it and to become defensive at all times.
Another of the classic characteristics of an alcoholic is to rationalize their disorder whenever someone tries to talk to them about their problem, and to make excuses that relieve them of all responsibility. This does not mean that they are "bad people".In many cases, it is often the result of the development of the disease. Unfortunately, sometimes it is difficult to convince them to go to therapy, which means that by the time they finally go to professionals, the problem has worsened.
9. Change in daily habits
Another of the signs by which alcoholism can be detected in a person is the fact of changing habits in all aspects of life. the fact of changing habits in all aspects of life..
People with alcoholism may end up changing their hygiene habits, to the point of neglecting it, their eating habits, the healthy activities they carried out before the addiction, such as playing sports, and even changing their circle of friends. In addition, your sleep schedule is often disorganized and up and down.
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 contact our team of professionals. At CITA Clinics we have been specializing in the treatment of addictions for many years, and we offer a full therapeutic overture ranging from therapy sessions to the possibility of admission to our residential module located in the middle of nature and with a wide variety of equipment. On this page you can find more information about how we work.
(Updated at Apr 12 / 2024)