The simplest definition of an alcoholic is one who suffers from alcohol dependence syndrome which is the most severe stage of drinking problems. Alcoholism does not emerge in a single day. It is the culmination of progressive drinking that eventually takes hold on an individual and makes them slave. At the start, the alcoholic is a normal alcohol partaker, who then graduates to an established drunkard turning to a binger and eventually alcoholism. It is a disease, a fact recognized even by the World Health Organisation. The following are some of the most cognizable signs of an alcoholic:

Increased alcohol tolerance

At this point, the body’s tolerance to alcohol starts rising above the usual levels. Therefore, the person now needs more alcohol than previously taken to get intoxicated. The amount that initially made them drunk can no longer give that effect, meaning having to consume more for the same effect. This is amongst the earliest signs that someone is transitioning from a regular drunkard towards alcoholism. Also related to tolerance is the person being frequently intoxicated as the body now craves more alcohol. They even form an established pattern of drinking which day by day makes the body accustomed to being intoxicated. It is such patterns that increase the tolerance of the body towards alcohol.

Impaired control of consumption

The person can no longer control their urge to get drunk. There is a compulsion to want to drink which they have to answer to with a drink. The call to take alcohol becomes uncontrollable as the person can not restrain from doing so any more. This is evidences one thing, which is they are on route to alcoholism or have already become alcoholic. The unrestrained continuance to consume leads to persistent use rendering the person to alcohol slavery. The person will find any excuse to drink, they will even leave work or school to go and get a drink. It is not the resolve of the person to get intoxicated; it is a compulsion to do so.

More time spent in alcohol related activities

Day by day, more time is curbed out for drinking by the person. They make every excuse to be able to get their hands on alcohol more often. This usually starts with very frequent drinking then develops to binging. An alcoholic will sometimes be drunk for days, which drastically affects their other life activities. This devolves to poor eating habits, absenteeism from their places of work, school and neglect of responsibilities. The person drinks, then recoups and goes back to drinking again. They start drinking in the morning to nurse hangovers, drinking for long and drinking alone. If a friend or relative is here, it is time to seek professional help because they are suffering from alcoholism.

There are also signs such as blackout drinking, drastic behavioural changes when one is drunk, physical withdrawal symptoms like shaking, feeling guilty or depressed when drinking and continuing to drink despite getting into trouble when drunk. An alcoholic will normally deny having any problem and when asked they try to explain why they get drunk. When friends and family start noticing, they turn to avoiding them altogether. An alcoholic will equally continue drinking even when their will wants them to stop. In spite of this, helping an alcoholic person starts with their admission that they have a problem that needs to be addressed. A warning though, one may not be an alcoholic already, but if one’s drinking is becoming bizarre, they are heading there. Alcoholism is a disease, but it is treatable.