Facing the Facts About Alcoholism


A person is considered drunk or intoxicated when he or she suffers from behavioral or psychological changes such as inappropriate sexual or aggressive behavior, mood swings, impaired judgment, impaired social or occupational functioning that develop during or shortly after alcohol consumption.


Symptoms of Alcohol Intoxication:

  • Slurred speech


  • Poor coordination


  • Cannot walk straight


  • Rapid eye movement


  • Frequent headaches


  • Nausea


  • stomach pains


  • fatigue


  • weakness


  • muscle cramps


  • irregular or rapid heartbeat


  • Impaired attention or memory


  • Stupor or coma

Warning Signs of Alcoholism:

The following symptoms, may indicate someone is an alcoholic:

  • Need a drink in the morning to start the day


  • Deny any problem with alcohol


  • Do things while drinking that are regretted later


  • Dramatic mood swings, from anger to laughter to anxiety


  • Sleep problems


  • Depression and paranoia


  • Forget what happened while drinking


  • Change brands or go on the wagon to control drinking


  • Have five or more drinks a day

The best way to tell if someone is intoxicated is through the amount of alcohol in his or her blood. The blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) is expressed in percentage. Here's an example: the BAC of 0.05% means that about five parts alcohol to 10,000 parts of other blood components. Most people reach this limit after one or two drinks and usually feel relaxed, happy, and a sense of well-being.

The U.S Department of Transportation asked states to set 0.08% the blood alcohol concentration at which a person will be cited for drunk driving. The level of 0.08% can be reached by a 150lb man who consumed 3 mixed drinks. Check with your state for the exact percentage.


Deciding to Get Help

Acknowledging that help is needed for an alcohol problem may not be easy. But keep in mind that the sooner a person gets help, the better are his or her chances for a successful recovery.

Any reluctance you may feel about discussing your drinking with your health care professional may stem from common misconceptions about alcoholism and alcoholic people. In our society, the myth prevails that an alcohol problem is somehow a sign of moral weakness. As a result, you may feel that to seek help is to admit some type of shameful defect in yourself. In fact, however, alcoholism is a disease that is no more a sign of weakness than is asthma or diabetes. Moreover, taking steps to identify a possible drinking problem has an enormous payoff--a chance for a healthier, more rewarding life.

When you visit your health care provider, he or she will ask you a number of questions about your alcohol use to determine whether you are experiencing problems related to your drinking. Try to answer these questions as fully and honestly as you can. You also will be given a physical examination. If your health care professional concludes that you may be dependent on alcohol, he or she may recommend that you see a specalist in diagnosing and treating alcoholism. You should be involved in making referral decisions and have all treatment choices explained to you.