5 main signs of alcoholism. Addiction check here!

From this article you will learn the easiest way to identify the first signs of alcoholism in a person. Is it worth sounding the alarm already or is it not so scary yet?

The list presents the 5 main signs of alcoholism . Even if one sign is present, we can say with confidence that a person has an alcohol addiction.

If you want to help a person, first of all, you yourself need to understand what alcoholism is in order to be able to convey this message to the drinking person.

The person himself often denies that he suffers from alcoholism. After all, few people want to admit their addiction. Therefore, a person protects himself in every possible way from attempts to convict himself of alcoholism, this is how he protects his addiction, depriving himself of his chances of recovery.

I wrote how to destroy all excuses for addiction in the article How to Determine Whether You Have an Alcohol Addiction.

Remember that recognizing the signs of alcoholism is the first step towards sobriety.

Awareness of the problem is already half the solution.

And as long as a person denies his addiction, nothing will move.

So, here is a list of signs of alcoholism by which you can clearly determine that a person has an alcohol addiction.

What happens when alcohol enters the body?

When a person drinks, the alcohol enters the bloodstream and flows through the body, reaching the brain, heart, muscles and other tissues. As the concentration of alcohol in the blood increases, alcohol intoxication occurs. Due to the influence on the central nervous system, the response to stimuli gradually decreases and changes in behavior occur.

There are 6 stages of alcohol intoxication:

Euphoria. This state is characterized by the appearance of a feeling of happiness and fun. Usually occurs immediately after taking the first dose of alcohol. At this stage, concentration decreases, reactions slow down, and a feeling of confidence and liberation appears. A person may begin to do and say things and words that are unusual for him.
Losing control. This is the stage at which a person begins to perceive information more difficult, the reaction is slow, and vision may become blurred. At this stage, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain balance, and a feeling of drowsiness appears.
Confusion. At this moment, the ability to correctly perceive color, shape, size and movement disappears. Muscle coordination is impaired, which can lead to loss of balance and falling. Speech becomes incoherent and emotionality increases.
Stupor. At this stage of alcohol intoxication, complete loss of motor functions occurs. Vomiting and loss of bowel and bladder control are common.
Coma. Loss of consciousness occurs. Body temperature may rise or fall sharply. Sometimes there are problems with breathing and circulation.
Death. Respiration stops and death occurs.

It seems obvious that a person should stop drinking as soon as the euphoria stage occurs. But in reality this happens very rarely. The problem is that as the mind weakens, the ability to make rational decisions diminishes. The more a person drinks, the more he wants.

The harm of alcohol on the human body

Alcoholism causes serious harm to the human body. Organs affected primarily: liver, brain, heart, reproductive system. Let's consider the topic in more detail. How exactly do beer, wine, vodka and the like affect your well-being? Why at first it may seem that alcohol is not a pest, but a helper?

Many people know that alcohol is an excellent solvent. Want to make sure of this? Take a little alcohol and place a piece of lard in it overnight - the result you see in the morning will surprise you. When cognac, vodka or another drink containing alcohol ends up in the stomach, some of it moves into the blood. Consequences: red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body, are deprived of fatty lubricant - it simply dissolves. It helps them slide past each other without disrupting their intended functions, but when it is lost, they no longer slide, but stick together. If 8-10 red blood cells stick together, they will resemble a bunch of grapes - it will pass through the vein without difficulty, but when it gets into the capillaries, it creates difficulties on the way to the neurons of the brain.

Alcoholism causes blockage of blood vessels, which results in an aneurysm. It can result from a hemorrhagic stroke, which in most cases is fatal.

Symptoms of alcoholism

Alcohol addiction can manifest itself in different ways. Signs and symptoms of the disease vary greatly between people. For example, some drink alcohol on a daily basis. While others drink periodically, thereby effectively hiding their condition from loved ones, friends and colleagues.

People who struggle with alcohol addiction feel that they cannot exist without alcohol. Drinking is a high priority in their lives.

Below are some common symptoms that indicate you have a drinking problem:

A constant desire to drink that distracts you from daily activities.
Lack of control and willpower. A person starts drinking every day and cannot stop.
Increased tolerance to ethanol.
Drinking alcohol at any time of the day. The first thing a person does when he wakes up is reach for the bottle.
Drinking alcohol in situations where it is inappropriate, irresponsible or dangerous.
Lack of interest in work, any other activity, family.
Negation. A person who suffers from alcohol addiction does not see this as a problem.
Lie. Hiding the fact of drinking.
Detoxification. When you stop drinking alcohol, withdrawal symptoms occur. Irritability, unsteadiness, trembling, nausea, restlessness, fatigue and insomnia appear.
Changing social circle. The appearance of drinking buddies among friends.

Physical state

By the onset of the development of the chronic stage of the disease, the patient’s internal organs have certain lesions that become chronic. It is interesting that painful sensations appear during periods of relative sobriety, while in a state of intoxication nothing hurts, due to the extreme mode of functioning of the body.

Characteristic diseases:

cirrhosis;
cardiac ischemia;
hepatitis;
pancreatitis;
hypertension;
ulcer;
gastritis;
hemolytic anemia;
renal failure;
allergy;
arrhythmia.

In cases of the development of chronic alcoholism, a stable physical dependence on alcohol is noted. It is explained by disturbances in metabolic processes in the body and, above all, by the abolition of the synthesis of substances similar in properties to alcohol, necessary to ensure the vital processes of the body.

In cases of regular intake of alcohol into the body, the cells stop independently producing the necessary enzymes, since they already arrive in a ready-made form. When you withdraw from alcohol, there is an urgent need for another dose, since the body is no longer able to produce them on its own.

How does alcoholism develop?

Alcohol and drug addiction is a problem with many causes. For some patients, psychological traits such as impulsivity, low self-esteem, and a need for approval lead them to use stimulants. Some people drink to cope with emotional problems.

Social and environmental factors, such as peer pressure and easy availability of alcohol, may play a key role. Poverty and physical or sexual abuse also increase the chances of developing alcohol dependence.

Features of alcoholics

The psychological aspects of alcoholism, the characteristics of future and current alcoholics have been studied for a long time. The main idea that researchers agree on is that alcohol is an analogue of family. Alcohol gives a feeling of confidence, security, warmth, peace, that is, it performs the functions of a family.

The following are more susceptible to alcoholism:

individuals with an antisocial orientation;
infantile and immature;
suggestible;
people with dysthymia;
unsure of themselves;
with an increased need for power;
anxious;
dependent or demonstratively independent;
individuals with imaginative thinking, poor ability for abstractions and analytical thinking;
with an unsatisfied need for affection and care, love.

Often alcoholism is an unconscious revenge on parents. It arises as a result of a destructive parenting style.

Stages of alcoholism

There are three in total:

At the first stage, people develop psychological dependence; alcohol is perceived as a way to solve a psychological problem. Drinking fills the void, helps you forget negative situations for a while and relieve the stress associated with them. Psychological addiction is not the result of chemical changes in the brain. An addict drinks alcohol on a regular basis to relieve emotional stress. The first stage of the disease is characterized by an increase in doses and frequency of ethanol intake. Psychological dependence is manifested by a feeling of dissatisfaction in a sober state, constant thoughts about alcohol, and raising the mood before drinking alcohol. The stage lasts from one to 5 years.

At the second stage, people who feel the need to drink for pleasure, emotional pleasure, have a physical alcohol dependence. Even the sight, thought, or smell of alcohol can trigger feelings of pleasure. This occurs due to chemical changes in the brain. Over time, the body gets used to the systematic intake of alcohol. The amount of drinking to achieve the desired effect of pleasure increases. When trying to stop, a person experiences intense withdrawal symptoms (withdrawal). Alcoholism of the second stage has a progression period from 5 to 15 years.

At the third stage, alcohol tolerance decreases, intoxication occurs after taking small doses of alcohol. Long-term binges, decreased intellectual abilities and mental degradation are observed. The stage lasts 5-10 years and most often ends in death.

Mental condition

The chronic form of alcohol dependence is characterized by a change in mental state. In 10-15% of patients, the development of alcoholic psychoses is observed, which are usually classified as:

delusional states;
hallucinations;
confusion;
epileptic seizures.

The occurrence of such symptoms occurs due to the toxic effects of alcohol on cells and individual areas of the brain, leading to necrosis and death of nerve cells. According to medical data, psychopathic symptoms can manifest themselves both during moments of alcoholization of the body and during periods of rare abstinence.

The destructive effect of alcohol on the brain leads to partial memory loss, weakened attention, decreased cognitive abilities and dementia. The drinker's personality is subject to degradation. For this reason, concepts such as family and moral standards fade into the background. The patient leads a parasitic lifestyle.

A patient with a chronic form of alcohol dependence constantly experiences an inexplicable groundless anxiety state, unaccountable fears, panic, and suicidal tendencies. These manifestations occur immediately after stopping alcohol. Only the next dose of alcohol can eliminate them. The presence of such a characteristic symptom as: the inability to begin any activity without stimulation by alcoholic beverages is noted.

Asthenic drinkers develop increased self-doubt, timidity, rapid exhaustion, and a feeling of inferiority. Representatives of the hysterical type are characterized by a tendency to bravado and deceit. Almost all patients with chronic alcoholism experience sleep problems, leading to progressive depletion of the nervous system.

Causes of alcoholism

Alcohol addiction is a disease. The reasons for the abuse are still unknown. The cravings experienced by an alcoholic can be as strong as the need to eat food or drink water. There are a number of factors that can lead to alcohol dependence in a person:

Genetic predisposition. Research shows that people who have parents or other close relatives who were addicted are at risk of becoming addicted to alcohol.
Physiological reasons. People who start drinking at an early age are more likely to develop alcohol dependence. Also, various ailments can become a factor in the development of addiction. For example, liver diseases, head injuries, mental disorders.
Psychological trauma. An addiction to alcohol can develop against the background of traumatic events or difficult periods of life.

Causes

Why addiction to alcoholic beverages develops cannot be answered unequivocally by any doctor. There may be many reasons for this, which are usually divided into several groups:

Psychological. A person drinks to achieve inner harmony, to relax, achieve mental comfort, and lift his spirits.
Socio-psychological. These are psychological attitudes created by society over many years. Most people cannot imagine a celebration without alcohol, be it a wedding, name day or funeral.
Biological. Passion for alcoholic beverages can be triggered by disruptions in the functioning of the nervous system, metabolic disorders, and a genetic predisposition to alcohol (when a child grew up in a family of alcoholics).

Consequences

Alcohol addiction has a negative impact on a person's body and mind, their appearance, and their personal and professional relationships. Most importantly, alcohol addiction kills. Those who suffer from addiction can die in painful and extremely unpleasant ways. These could be infections, bleeding, accidents. Below are some of the consequences of alcohol abuse:

1. The influence of alcoholism on appearance:

The effect on the skin is expressed in the premature appearance of wrinkles and the occurrence of rosacea. These are all side effects of alcohol abuse. Alcohol dehydrates and dilates the capillaries under the skin. This explains the redness of the face in alcoholics.
Hair. The dehydrating effects of alcohol can make hair dry, brittle and prone to breakage.
Eyes. Overuse of ethanol can cause blood vessels in the eyes to burst, causing red eyes. Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause the whites of the eyes to turn yellow.
Weight. Alcohol is extremely high in calories due to the presence of large amounts of sugar and leads to weight gain.

2. The effect of alcohol on the body. Health problems that can be caused by alcohol abuse:

oncological diseases,
obesity,
infertility,
heart diseases,
impotence,
ulcers,
high blood pressure,
damage to the heart muscle
alcohol poisoning.

3. Impact on consciousness. Alcoholism not only affects your appearance and physical health, but can also cause serious damage to your mind. Alcoholism is thought to increase the risk of the following symptoms:

depression,
dementia,
hallucinations,
personality disorder,
memory loss,
loss of consciousness,
mood swings,
decreased libido,
the appearance of suicidal thoughts,
suicide.

4. The influence of alcohol on relationships. Addiction is extremely strong. It is incredibly difficult for relatives and friends to overcome addiction. Patients often deny their addiction, which makes treatment even more difficult.

Female alcoholism

About 12% of women drink alcohol heavily, compared to 20% of men. Research also shows that this gap is gradually closing. This trend is due to the fact that alcohol addiction develops faster in women. Alcohol-related problems, such as brain atrophy or liver damage, also occur more often in the fairer sex.

Women are more vulnerable due to certain biological factors. First, they tend to weigh less than men. Women's bodies contain less water and more fatty tissue, which retains alcohol. Secondly, women are more emotional, have a harder time dealing with stress and are more prone to depression.

Alcohol personality change

This is an independent diagnosis, which is assigned code F07.0 in ICD-10. In essence, this is the personal degradation discussed above. Alcohol-induced personality changes are diagnosed when at least two of the following are present:

a noticeable decrease in the ability to perform purposeful activities, especially with delayed results;
emotional swings (euphoria and emotional flexibility, inadequate humor mixed with irritability, anger, aggression or apathy);
satisfaction of needs and drives in any way, disregard for norms and consequences;
suspicion or paranoia, preoccupation with one narrow and abstract topic;
changes in the tempo and speed of speech, random associations, hypergraphia;
changes in sexual behavior (activity, passivity, promiscuity, change in preferences).

Treatment of alcoholism

There are many ways to overcome alcohol addiction. Treatment tactics are selected individually, depending on the stage and duration of alcohol abuse. Currently, there are many medications for alcohol addiction. Among them are “Esperal”, “Kolme”, “Proproten-100”. The first two make drinking alcohol extremely unpleasant after drinking. This leads to a reflexive aversion to the taste and smell of alcoholic beverages. "Proproten-100" is a homeopathic medicine to reduce cravings for alcohol. Also, along with drug therapy, psychological support is an important aspect of treatment.

Treatment

Getting rid of a bad habit is a labor-intensive and lengthy process. Treatment of alcoholism always takes place in several stages and includes both medication and psychotherapeutic interventions. First, the patient is taken out of the binge, symptoms of intoxication are eliminated, and internal organs are diagnosed. If diseases are present, symptomatic treatment is prescribed. Then they work on developing an aversion to alcohol and provide psychological support during the recovery stage.

Coding

This is a whole group of psychological techniques, the purpose of which is to get rid of mental dependence on alcohol. The patient is convinced that he will die if he drinks alcohol even once more. There are many different coding methods, which can be divided into two groups:

Psychotherapeutic effects are effects on the patient’s psyche without the use of drugs. The most popular and effective methods of psychotherapy are coding according to Dovzhenko, the method of Saikov, Rozhnov and other proprietary programs.
Drug coding, or “stitching”, “stitching” – taking drugs that develop cravings for alcohol. These can be subcutaneous implants (Torpedo, Esperal), solutions for intravenous administration (Algominal), tablets for oral administration (Kolme, Teturam).

Drugs for alcohol addiction

There are medications that block the brain receptors responsible for the euphoria after drinking alcohol. When used regularly, these drugs reduce cravings for alcohol, improve the patient’s mental state, and normalize sleep. These include:

Proprothene 100 - helps not only to get rid of addiction, but also to smooth out the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome. The drug is developed on the basis of herbs and plant extracts, therefore it has a minimum of contraindications and is suitable for all groups of patients.
Vivitrol is an intravenous powder that helps curb cravings for alcohol. The drug has many contraindications, so injections with it are carried out only in a hospital setting. The effect of the injection lasts for 1 month.

Other drugs help cope with the consequences of quitting alcohol, eliminate many symptoms of intoxication, and normalize the patient’s mental state. These include:

Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant. Prescribed for the detection of alcoholic delirium and epilepsy. The drug has no contraindications, but can cause many adverse reactions - sleep disturbances, increased frequency of seizures, hepatitis.
Haloperidol is an antipsychotic, often used in the complex treatment of alcoholism. The drug helps suppress uncontrollable nausea and has minimal side effects.

To maintain the body throughout the treatment and in order to prevent the development of alcoholic encephalopathy, patients are prescribed vitamin complexes and probiotics, which are designed to eliminate disturbances in the intestinal microflora and improve the absorption of nutrients. During the recovery stage, the body of a former alcoholic especially needs:

magnesium;
potassium;
sodium;
phosphates;
folic acid.

Psychological help

It is difficult to get rid of chronic alcoholism with drugs or coding alone. To prevent relapses, depression, and alcoholic psychoses, the patient will need psychological support at the stage of rehabilitation after addiction. This could be classes in an Alcoholics Anonymous group or private visits to a psychotherapist, the purpose of which is to help a person relearn how to live and adapt in society.

Detoxification

The second important step is to detoxify the body. Usually, for this, the patient must be inpatient treatment. To cleanse the body and relieve hangover syndrome, detoxification therapy is carried out. It consists of several stages:

Prescribing intravenous or intramuscular injections for poisoning, diuretics, anticonvulsants, laxatives, vitamins B and C.
Compliance with drinking regime and high-calorie nutrition.
For mental disorders, tranquilizers are used.
In cases of sleep disturbance, sleeping pills are used.

Diet, nutrition for alcoholism

Diet to cleanse the liver

Efficacy: therapeutic effect after 21 days
Time frame: 3-4 weeks
Cost of products: 1300-1400 rubles. in Week

Diet for liver cirrhosis

Efficacy: therapeutic effect after 3-4 months
Terms: lifelong
Cost of products: 1600-1800 rubles. in Week

Diet for depression

Efficacy: therapeutic effect after 1-3 months
Dates: no data
Cost of products: 1700-1800 rubles. in Week

Rehabilitation

The next step in treatment for abuse is choosing an alcohol rehab center. In such institutions, an individual approach is provided to everyone, appropriate therapy, diet, special physical exercises, control and monitoring of the patient are prescribed. While in a rehabilitation center for alcohol addiction, the patient is away from his usual company and is excluded from drinking alcoholic beverages. In a word, there is no temptation. This is a definite advantage in addiction treatment.

Alcohol symptoms in children and adolescents

Alcohol is especially dangerous for children; its consumption leads to the destruction of brain cells.

Alcohol is especially dangerous for a child’s body; its use leads to the destruction of brain cells, nervous system disorders and poor organ function. The first signs that can be observed:

Alcohol addiction testing

decreased brain activity;
lack of logical consistency in actions;
increase in temperature and pressure;
decrease in glucose and leukocyte levels;
bad behavior, truancy from school.

Solving the problem at home

Alcoholism is a tragedy both for the person and for his loved ones. Is it possible to get rid of alcohol addiction at home? Can. It is worth noting that not all people who decide to give up addiction forever achieve results. Most often, after a short period of abstinence, a breakdown follows, after which the person begins to drink even more heavily. As a rule, the problem lies in the illiterate choice of a remedy for alcohol addiction. The most important thing in treatment is the desire and willpower of the patient. Help and support from loved ones also plays an important role in combating abuse.

To treat alcohol addiction at home, you must first stop communicating and meeting with drinking buddies.

An important feature in the treatment of alcohol addiction is the lack of free time a person has. To do this, you need to devote yourself to some hobby, for example, drawing, reading, horse riding.

Symptoms and behavior of an alcoholic

Signs that indicate a person is prone to alcoholism:

Drinking alone
. At first, an alcoholic needs company to drink alcohol, but gradually this ceases to be an important factor - he is able to drink a large amount of strong drinks without anyone else's presence.
Secret drinking of alcohol
. Realizing that he has become addicted, the patient tries to hide it by periodically “disappearing” from the sight of friends and acquaintances.
A clear desire to drink
. Drinking does not require a reason in the form of a special holiday or good company - an alcoholic simply feels the need to drink, regardless of the circumstances.
Uncontrolled drinking of vodka, beer,
etc. A person has no idea about an adequate measure, and drinks as long as he can.
" Stash" of alcohol
. The addict is afraid that if an acute desire arises, he will not be able to immediately satisfy the need for drink, and hides started or full bottles of alcohol “just in case.”
Drinking rituals
. Drinking becomes an unspoken ritual in a certain situation: returning home from work, meeting a friend, while watching TV, and so on. If the ritual is violated, it causes irritation and long-term deterioration in mood.
Memory losses
. Having sobered up, a person does not remember everything that happened to him the day before and some facts turn out to be a surprise.
Aggressive behavior
. Alcoholics react aggressively to requests from loved ones to stop drinking. For this or other reasons, scandals, assault and other manifestations of aggression on the part of the drinker often occur in the family.
Apathy
. Interest in activities that were previously fascinating disappears: almost no attention is paid to former hobbies, and events that do not involve drinking do not arouse interest.

ethnoscience

How to get rid of alcohol addiction at home? To treat cravings for alcohol, you can try using traditional medicine methods. These can be various tinctures, decoctions, tea. They have diuretic and tonic properties, which is additional support in the fight against alcoholism. Below are a few recipes for alcohol addiction:

Bearberry decoction. Required ingredients: 2 tbsp. l. bearberry, 200 ml water. Pour water over the leaves of the plant and bring to a boil. After 15 minutes, the decoction is ready for use. Take a tablespoon daily.
Herbal tincture. For preparation you will need plants such as yarrow, wormwood and thyme. Mix all ingredients. Pour boiling water over it. Leave for a couple of hours. Take the strained broth 4 times a day. The duration of treatment is 2 months.
Herbal tea. The necessary ingredients need to be taken in 20 grams. These are wormwood, St. John's wort, yarrow, caraway, angelica, mint. Pour boiling water over the plant mixture and let it brew.

Convulsive attack during alcohol withdrawal

When binge drinking begins and the doses of alcohol consumed increase, the likelihood of seizures increases. If alcohol consumption decreases, the likelihood of having a seizure decreases. There is a direct connection between these factors. Alcohol seizures usually occur during alcohol withdrawal, caused by quitting alcohol without drug support. Within a period of 6 to 48 hours, the addict may develop a convulsive attack - this is one of the signs of withdrawal syndrome.

Prevention

What can you do to reduce your risk of becoming addicted to alcohol or drugs? Tips for preventing alcohol addiction are given below:

Avoid drinking alcohol. Don't be afraid of a negative reaction from friends or strangers.
Choose the right social circle.
Be able to enjoy life without the influence of alcohol or other stimulants.
Know the enemy by sight. Have an accurate understanding of the consequences of the harmful effects of alcohol or drugs on the body.
Be smart, have your own opinion and control your life. Do not be influenced by other individuals.

What are the causes of this disease?

The causes of drunkenness and alcoholism may include the following:

low standard of living, unfavorable social environment;
general unsettlement, dissatisfaction;
failures in career, family;
the beginning of drinking “for company.”

But the social causes of alcoholism still come first; a prosperous, successful person, whose day is completely busy, and whose life is bright and eventful, is unlikely to waste his time forgetting himself in alcohol.

Of course, such a rule is not mandatory, but most often alcohol dependence syndrome is detected among people with a low social level.

Alcohol addiction. Reviews

Alcohol has serious effects on the health of both young and old people. Timely treatment and support from loved ones reduce the risk of relapse into addiction.

According to reviews, the fight against alcohol addiction is a long and difficult process. Self-medication may not only not bring a positive result, but can also be dangerous for the patient. Former alcoholics claim that the most effective way to recover is rehabilitation in specialized centers for alcohol addiction.

Why do you want to go to the toilet after drinking beer?

A condition such as alcoholism is a dangerous social phenomenon, which is becoming “younger” every year.
According to statistical studies, children who are barely 12 years old start drinking alcohol every year. By the age of 18-20 they suffer from various forms of alcoholism, by the age of 30 they acquire serious illnesses and become infertile. Alcoholism is a disease that must be combated by identifying the causes of drunkenness and completely eliminating them, convincing the patient himself of the need for treatment.

How do people become alcoholics? Usually it all starts with weak drinks consumed socially. Gradually the dose increases, the morning begins with a shot or glass of beer, ethanol has an increasingly damaging effect on the body, destroying the nervous system.

A bad habit turns into a harmful one, and it is almost impossible to give up alcohol on your own, which means you need qualified help from a specialist.

There are different types of alcoholism:

non-chronic forms;
chronic form;
chronic forms, pronounced and accompanied by various mental disorders.

People regularly come to our site with the following question: I drink almost every day, but a little bit, just for pleasure. I have no addiction or hangover; in the morning I’m ready to work again and generally live a full life. Is this alcoholism or not?

Expert of the site Hangover. Russian Federation, toxicologist Stanislav Radchenko warns that this drinking regimen should not be taken lightly: drinking alcohol almost every day for a long time is a sign of developing addiction.

For the time being, it may not be alcoholism, but simply everyday drunkenness. But sooner or later, the doses of alcohol will begin to gradually (and imperceptibly for you) increase: for example, if you were initially limited to 150 grams of strong alcohol per day, then over time they will turn first into 170, then 200, 220, 300, and so on.

Up to a certain point, everyday drunkenness is asymptomatic for everyone and therefore does not cause concern. (Especially if you are not yet 35 years old: the compensatory capabilities of a young body are really great.) And when you feel that alcohol is ruining your life, it will not be so easy to stop drinking.

This table will help determine whether your everyday drunkenness has turned into overt alcoholism.

Physical and chemical dependence on strong drinks develops in a person as a result of frequent drinking of alcoholic beverages. Based on the meaning of the word “addiction,” it becomes clear that an alcoholic becomes dependent on a glass of vodka and will no longer be able to exist normally without drinking strong drinks.

A person with alcohol addiction not only loves to drink, but cannot live without alcohol, since this hobby becomes a part of his life.

At the same time, taking a small dose of alcohol every day does not lead to the development of dependence on this drink, but if a person tries to drink for any reason and does it constantly, this is a direct path to the development of alcoholism.

Many people would like to know the answer to the question why alcohol is addictive.

In fact, the answer to it is quite simple - when you constantly drink this drink, its breakdown, namely ethanol, is present in the body in large quantities.

If a person begins to drink alcohol daily, this substance is practically not removed from him, but remains for a long time. As a result, the body and internal organs get used to its presence and soon cannot function fully without ethanol.

In this case, a person constantly wants to take another dose of alcohol in order to satisfy the desire of his own body, as well as normalize its usual functionality.

Moreover, these symptoms develop with any type of addiction, since their gender differences in this case are not of serious importance.

Of course, it is very difficult to force the body to wean itself off a substance that regularly enters it. But the reason is not only psychological. And it’s not just about the habits that were described above.

Alcohol addiction helps reduce a person’s criticism of his illness. Criticism of illness and behavior is a person’s ability to understand that what is happening is terrible and wrong.

This is where a protective psychological mechanism comes into play. Who enjoys admitting to being an alcoholic? Accordingly, if previously a person agreed that he drinks too often, then over time it begins to seem to him that he does not drink that much and is not so drunk.

In words, a person may agree that he is sick, but to believe it himself, and even more so to find the strength to radically change his usual way of life, is very difficult, and only a few can cope with this.

Thus, the problem of alcohol addiction is often seen not by the person himself, but by his close people who suffer because of what is happening.