The Symptoms of Alcoholism

Not all alcoholics have the same symptoms, but many – at different stages in the illness – show these signs:

• They find that only alcohol can make them feel self-confident and at ease with other people;
• Often want “just one more” at the end of a party;
• Look forward to drinking occasions and think about them a lot;
• Get drunk when they had not planned to;
• Try to control their drinking by changing types of liquor, going on the wagon, or taking pledges;
• Sneak drinks;
• Lie about their drinking;
• Hide bottles;
• Drink at work (or in school);
• Drink alone;
• Have blackouts (that is, cannot remember the next day what they said or did the night before;
• Drink in the morning, to relieve severe hangovers, guilty feelings and fears;
• Fail to eat and become malnourished;
• Get cirrhosis of the liver;
• Shake violently, hallucinate, or have convulsions when they withdraw from liquor.

If you have other questions, please feel free to ask your EAP counselor. We can be reached at 866/443-3277.