Drug and Alcohol - Addiction Recovery
Signs of Alcoholism
Signs of alcoholism are more than drinking too much and you can recognize it before you hit rock bottom. Here's how to spot the symptoms in yourself or someone you love before it’s too late.
Alcoholism Doesn’t Just Look One Way
If you had told me years ago that I was showing signs of alcoholism, I probably would’ve laughed it off. I had a job. I wasn’t homeless. I wasn’t drinking from a paper bag in a parking lot. That’s what I thought an alcoholic looked like. I didn’t know it could look like a guy who got home and “just needed a few drinks to unwind.” Or someone who enjoyed a few drinks with friends at the local bar on a regular basis on a weekday. Eventually that turned into bailing on family dinners and making promises to quit… then consistently breaking them.
I didn’t recognize the signs in myself. I didn’t see them in the people around me, either, even when it was obvious in hindsight. That’s the scary part. Alcoholism can sneak up on you, quietly, over time. It doesn’t always kick the door in. Sometimes, it just erodes the parts of your life you care about most, little by little.
I’m in recovery now, and I work in addiction treatment. I’ve seen what this disease can do, from the inside out. I’ve helped people who were like me, and people whose loved ones begged to get help. And I want you to know this: whether you're worried about yourself or someone you love, you’re not paranoid if you’re wondering. You’re not weak for asking. And most importantly, you’re not alone.
Let’s talk about what alcoholism actually looks like, and what to do if you see the signs.
What Is Alcoholism, Really?
There’s a lot of confusion around the word alcoholic. Some people picture rock bottom. Others think it’s just heavy drinking. But alcoholism isn’t about how much you drink, it’s about how drinking affects your life, your relationships, your mental health, and your ability to stop.
Alcoholism, also called alcohol use disorder, is a progressive condition. It doesn’t stay in one place. It deepens over time. For some people, it starts with occasional binges. For others, it looks like daily drinking that slowly takes over their life. And for many, it lives in denial, buried under the belief that “I’m not that bad” or “I can quit anytime I want.”
But the truth is, if alcohol is causing any problems, and you keep drinking anyway, that’s the biggest sign. It might not feel like a crisis yet, but it’s worth looking at. Because the earlier you catch it, the better your chances of turning things around.
We’re Here To Help You Find Your Way
Would you like more information about alcoholism? Reach out today.
My Turning Point: How I Missed the Signs
I didn’t wake up one day and recognized I had a problem. It was more like a slow unraveling. There were missed calls and forgotten plans. Excuses that stopped sounding believable, even to me. I remember lying to my boss about being sick, when really I just couldn’t pull myself together after a night of drinking. I told myself it was just because of stress, and that I had it under control.
Sometimes I drank because I was stressed. Other times it was boredom. There were nights I opened a bottle because I was angry, and others because I was lonely. I told myself I deserved it, that it was just to help me sleep, or just to take the edge off. I didn’t think I had a problem, because I wasn’t drinking in the morning, or losing my job, or getting DUIs.
But the control was slipping. I’d promise myself I wouldn’t drink that night, then find a way to justify it. I’d say, “Just two,” and end up six drinks deep. And when people around me started worrying, I got defensive. I didn’t want to hear it, because deep down, I already knew.
The truth hit me one night when I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize the person staring back. I looked tired. Hollow. Like I’d aged ten years in half as many. That was my moment, not dramatic, but real. That was the day I admitted to myself that maybe I wasn’t okay. Maybe I needed help.
The Signs of Alcoholism in Yourself
If you're wondering whether your drinking is becoming a problem, it’s already a sign in my opinion. A lot of people ask themselves that question and brush it off. But it’s worth listening to that voice. Here are some of the common signs I now recognize, both in myself and in others I’ve worked with.
Increasing tolerance You need more alcohol to feel the same effect. Tolerance builds gradually, and many people don’t notice until they’re drinking much more than they used to. It sneaks up quietly.
Hiding your drinking If you’ve ever poured a drink before guests arrived, refilled a bottle with water, or lied about how much you’ve had, that’s shame and secrecy. I used to hide bottles behind books, in gym bags, under the sink. I told myself it was just so people wouldn’t overreact. But I knew what I was doing.
Drinking alone or in secret When alcohol becomes something you do in isolation, especially to cope with stress or emotions, it starts taking on too much power. I often told myself, “I just want some quiet time,” but what I really wanted was to be left alone with my drinking.
Loss of control You say, “Just one drink,” but end up drinking until you pass out. You plan to take a night off, then cave before dinner. I’d promise myself I’d slow down after the weekend, after the trip, after the next big work project. The delay was always just around the corner.
Neglecting responsibilities Missing work, flaking on your family, skipping meals, avoiding bills, when alcohol starts interfering with your daily life, it’s no longer casual. I thought I was still functioning, but I was barely keeping it together.
Trying and failing to quit If you’ve made promises to yourself or others to cut back, and you couldn’t keep them, that’s a powerful sign that alcohol has more control than you think. I tried to set limits. I tried switching from hard liquor to beer. I tried drinking only on weekends. None of it lasted, because I never really wanted to stop, I just wanted to feel better about continuing.
We’ll Lead You to New Heights
Do you have more questions about alcoholism? Reach out.
The Signs of Alcoholism in Someone You Love
Maybe you’re not asking for yourself. Maybe it’s someone you care about. Watching someone spiral into addiction is painful, and it’s easy to make excuses for them. But if you notice these patterns, it may be time to speak up.
Mood swings and irritability Alcohol affects emotional regulation and can create a rollercoaster of moods, especially when it becomes a coping mechanism.
Lying or covering up drinking Finding empty bottles, smelling alcohol on their breath, or catching them in lies, that’s not nothing. That’s a pattern.
Declining health or appearance Weight changes, poor hygiene, unexplained injuries, or constant fatigue can all point to chronic alcohol use.
Legal or financial trouble DUI arrests, lost jobs, mounting credit card debt, these are all downstream effects of a deeper issue.
Withdrawing from relationships They stop showing up to family events. They avoid honest conversations. They only want to hang out when drinking is involved.
Defensiveness or denial They get angry when you bring up drinking, or flip the conversation back on you. That’s usually a sign they know something’s wrong but don’t want to face it.
What Most People Miss
Not everyone who struggles with alcohol hits rock bottom. Some people hold down jobs. They’re charming. They seem successful. These are what we call “high-functioning alcoholics”, and they’re some of the hardest to reach, because even they don’t think they have a problem.
What gets missed is the emotional dependency. Drinking not just socially, but because it’s the only way they know how to relax, connect, sleep, or feel okay. They might not drink every day, but they obsess about it. They plan around it. They feel anxious without it.
Alcohol will have serious effects on you physically, but most people in that position won’t care until it’s too late. They will do whatever it takes to continue drinking, but as they get older the regret will set in, when it’s already too late, unfortunately.
We’re Here To Help You Find Your Way
Do you need advice about alcoholism? Reach out today.
How Alcoholism Affects Others
When I was drinking, I thought I was only hurting myself. I didn’t realize I was breaking trust, damaging relationships, and creating ripple effects that hit everyone around me.
Alcoholism doesn’t just affect the drinker. It affects the spouse who walks on eggshells. The kids who see more than you think. The parents who can’t sleep at night. The friends who stop inviting you out because they don’t know which version of you will show up.
It creates fear, guilt, resentment, and chaos. But it also creates an opportunity, for healing, for reconnection, for change. And I’ve seen it happen.
What You Can Do If You’re Worried
If you're reading this and seeing yourself, or someone you care about, here’s what I want you to know: it’s not too late. You don’t have to hit bottom, and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
If you’re worried about yourself: Start by being honest. Take a quiet moment and ask yourself: Is alcohol helping me, or is it hurting me? You can also take our alcohol self-assessment, it’s private, quick, and might give you clarity.
If you’re worried about someone else: Don’t wait forever. Express your concern lovingly, and without judgment. Let them know you care. Offer support, not ultimatums. If you’re unsure how to do this, our team is always here to guide you through that conversation.
Recovery is possible. People change every day. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to take one brave step forward.
We’ll Lead You to New Heights
Would you like more information about alcoholism? Reach out today.
Getting Help From Alcoholism
At The Edge Treatment Center, we specialize in helping people break free from alcohol addiction, and that includes supporting their families. Many of us are in recovery ourselves. We understand what you're going through because we’ve lived it.
Whether you need medical detox, outpatient care, therapy, or just someone to talk to, we’re here to walk that path with you. No shame. No pressure. Just real support.
Call us, message us, or take our alcohol test. We’re ready when you are.
Final Words: You Can Still Rewrite the Story
I don’t know you, but I believe in you. I’ve seen people turn their lives around when everyone else had given up. I’ve seen parents get their kids back. I’ve seen partners rebuild trust. I’ve seen people rediscover joy, clarity, and freedom.
Maybe you’re not sure if it’s bad enough. Maybe you’re scared of what getting help looks like. That’s okay. Just know this: nothing changes if nothing changes. And if you’ve read this far, maybe that change is already beginning.
Your story isn’t over, you are taking charge right now and you are definitely able to come out of this a better person, and we’re here for you every step of the way.
We’re Here To Help You Find Your Way
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, there is hope. Our team can guide you on your journey to recovery. Call us today.
Written by
The Edge Treatment Center
Reviewed by
Jeremy ArztChief Clinical Officer
Drug and Alcohol
Addiction Recovery
July 25, 2025
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Chronic, long-term alcohol use can lead to alcohol-related brain damage, including conditions like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, often called “alcoholic dementia.” It affects memory, coordination, and reasoning. Even moderate alcohol use over time has been linked to increased risk of cognitive decline.
There is a genetic component to alcoholism. If you have a parent or close relative who struggles with alcohol use, your risk may be higher. But genetics are just one part of the equation — environment, trauma, stress, and emotional health also play major roles.
Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency. The most common signs include:
Confusion or stupor
Vomiting
Seizures
Slow or irregular breathing
Blue-tinged or pale skin and low body temperature If someone is unresponsive or shows these signs, call 911 immediately.
Early signs of liver damage from alcohol include:
Fatigue or weakness
Loss of appetite or nausea
Pain in the upper right abdomen
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Dark urine or pale stool Many people don’t experience symptoms until the damage is advanced, which is why early help matters.
Absolutely. Many people function outwardly — holding jobs, managing families — while quietly struggling with alcohol use disorder. Denial is common, and the line between social drinking and dependence can blur slowly over time.
Not necessarily, but it could be. Regular daily drinking, especially when it's hard to stop or you rely on it to relax or cope, is worth paying attention to. If it starts interfering with sleep, mood, relationships, or responsibilities, it may be time to seek help.
Alcohol abuse means drinking in a harmful way, like binge drinking or using alcohol in risky situations. Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, involves physical or psychological dependence, loss of control, and ongoing use despite negative consequences. One can lead to the other.
Alcoholism often damages trust, increases conflict, and creates emotional distance in relationships. Loved ones may feel neglected, scared, or responsible. Over time, it can fracture families and cause long-term trauma if left unaddressed — but recovery can also rebuild and repair those bonds.
Approach them with compassion, not judgment. Share your concerns calmly, focus on how it affects you and them, and offer support — not ultimatums. If you're not sure what to say, consider reaching out to a treatment center for guidance. We’re here to help you start that conversation.
