Are you worried that your friend may have a drinking problem? If so, there are some common signs that you can look out for. While not everyone will have all of these symptoms, your friend may have a serious drinking problem if you notice several of these signs together.
Table of Contents
1: Your friend appears hungover very often.
If your friend is frequently “under the weather” and never has any other explanation than “I had a lot to drink last night,” he or she may have a drinking problem. Alcoholism can be sneaky because many alcoholics will try to conceal their alcohol abuse, so don’t be afraid to ask your friend directly if he or she has a problem.
2: Your friend has blackouts.
If your friend has ever woken up not remembering what happened the night before, this is a sign of alcohol-related memory loss, also known as a blackout. When this happens, the person may act out of character or do things they normally wouldn’t do.
3: Your friend has trouble controlling his or her drinking.
If your friend often drinks more than he or she planned to, or if drinking causes problems in his or her life (like missing work or getting into fights), this is a sign that he or she has a drinking problem. It can be wise to encourage them to seek help from professionals such as https://www.theprocessrecoverycenter.com/massachusetts/ or a similar clinic.
4: Your friend has withdrawal symptoms.
If your friend experiences physical symptoms like shaking, sweating, or nausea when he or she stops drinking, this is a sign of alcohol withdrawal. These symptoms can be very unpleasant and may cause your friend to drink more in order to avoid them, especially if he or she doesn’t know they are being caused by alcohol withdrawals in the first place.
5: Your friend’s drinking causes problems with relationships.
If your friend’s drinking is causing problems in his or her relationships, this is a sign that alcohol may be taking precedence over other areas of life. For example, if your friend always cancels plans or misses important events because he or she is hungover, this is a big red flag.
6: Your friend has difficulty controlling his or her emotions when drinking.
If your friend has ever gotten so drunk that he or she lost control of their emotions, this is a sign of alcohol abuse. Alcohol is a depressant, so it can worsen underlying issues like anxiety or depression if abused over time.
7: Your friend drinks alone.
If your friend often hides bottles around the house, drinks alone, or tries to hide the smell of alcohol on his or her breath, this is a sign that he or she has an alcohol problem. If someone was drinking with them before they drank alone, encourage your friend to talk to a professional who can help them stop drinking.
8: Your friend uses “games” during social occasions to drink more.
If your friend ever tries to get you drunk faster by playing drinking games, this is a sign that he or she may have a problem with alcohol. These types of games can quickly lead to dangerous levels of intoxication.
9: Your friend has lost interest in activities he or she once enjoyed.
If your friend used to have a lot of hobbies and other interests but now only spends time drinking, this is a sign that he or she may have an alcohol problem. If your friend has lost interest in activities that used to bring pleasure, encourage them to seek help.
