Do You Drink Too Much?

EAT & DRINK — By Staff on February 20, 2012 12:37 am

To many, getting tipsy at a party is fine.  What about drinking to the point of intoxication or blacking out? When is too much  beer, wine or hard liquor…simply, too much?

At some point, millions of people cross the line from enjoying an alcoholic beverage to getting stupid drunk. In fact a recent study says about 7.5 million U.S. children, 18 and under lived with a parent who has experienced an alcohol use disorder in the past year. This tells us all that alcoholism is a problem, especially for parents during bad economic times. But the signs of alcohol abuse are clear.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse

• Ability to consume a good deal of alcohol without getting intoxicated (high tolerance)

• A preoccupation with drinking and alcohol

• Experiencing blackouts or memory lapses

• Using alcohol to alter one’s mood or “calm the nerves”

• Hiding alcohol or sneaking drinks

• Relationship or marital problems as a result of too much drinking

 

As a matter of fact, a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said 6.1 million of those children live with two parents, with either one or both parents experiencing an alcohol use disorder in the past year. The remaining 1.4 million of the children live in a single-parent house with a parent who has experienced an alcohol use disorder in the past year.

Many alcohol and drug dependency experts say alcoholics or those addicted to substances lose this ability to control their drinking problem. The most common signs of alcoholism are an increased tolerance–takes more alcohol to feel its effects, feeling overwhelmed or powerless to substance, consumption is required to avoid withdrawal symptoms, and loss of control. In order to get help or to assist someone you know with support for alcoholism, call the National Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Information Center at 1-800-784-6776

Tags: signs of alcoholism, single father, substance abuse and mental health services administration, withdrawal symptoms