Typical Behaviors of an Alcoholic

When questioning whether someone is abusing alcohol, some typical signs of addiction are likely present. Noticing these symptoms and behaviors can help someone get better and avoid the many physical and mental health impacts of alcohol abuse. This can also help people with an alcohol addiction to not have long-term health issues. Behaviors of an alcoholic can include everything from being unable to limit the amount of alcoholic drinks consumed and spending a lot of time drinking to craving alcohol and feeling withdrawal symptoms when not consuming alcohol consistently.

What Are the Four Types of Drinking Behaviors?

When someone abuses alcohol, they will exhibit a specific type of drinking behavior. Every person who is addicted to alcohol falls under one of these four types of drinking behaviors of an alcoholic:

• Social Drinkers: These drinkers are more moderate. They consume alcohol only when there’s a social setting of seeing friends or family. They usually aren’t drinking to get intoxicated but rather to loosen up and have a good time. 
• Heavy Drinkers: Also known as hard drinkers, they drink large quantities of alcohol frequently. The behaviors of an alcoholic like this face can lead to serious health issues. 
• Problem Drinkers: These types of drinkers, also known as alcohol abusers, have a problematic relationship with alcohol. 
• Alcohol-Dependent Drinkers: Also known as alcoholics, because of their dependence on alcohol physically and psychologically, they have a very high tolerance to alcohol — meaning one or two drinks won’t make them feel the effects of intoxication. If they stop drinking, they will suffer withdrawal symptoms and strong cravings for alcohol. 

Although these are all different types of behaviors of an alcoholic, a person can display a mix of traits from multiple types of behaviors. If you notice these types of drinking behaviors, your loved one is likely suffering from alcohol addiction. It’s important to talk with them about their relationship with alcohol and encourage them to get help with alcohol addiction treatment. If they seem to be resistant and continue to deny the truth of their alcohol dependence, then it’s likely time to stage an intervention with friends and family. 

What Are the Five Warning Signs of Alcoholism?

It’s important not just to know the behaviors of an alcoholic — you also need to be able to recognize the warning signs of alcoholism that indicate the disease is taking a toll on their life, even if they are a high-functioning alcoholic. Here are the warning signs:

1. Consequences: When someone is addicted to alcohol, the disease comes with consequences, such as legal trouble, poor performance in school, or falling behind on work responsibilities.
2. Inability to Quit: Someone who has tried unsuccessfully to stop drinking alcohol on their own most likely has an alcohol addiction. If they can’t quit completely because they crave it when there’s a lack of it in their system, then their body has become dependent on the substance. 
3. Destroyed Relationships: In the process of becoming dependent on alcohol, someone can seriously hurt relationships and family members who are trying to help them. 
4. Change in Priorities: When someone is suffering from alcohol addiction, the disease will often take priority over everything else — even simple, basic responsibilities like keeping up with utility bills or mortgages. 
5. Decline in Health: Despite minor or major health scares caused by the addiction, someone who can’t stop drinking will likely continue to drink — and they might even recognize that it’s the drinking that’s causing these problems.

If your loved one exhibits these warning signs, they should seek help immediately. This isn’t just a wake-up call for them, but it’s a sign that if they don’t change their drinking habits soon, they could be at risk of serious health problems or even death.

Do Alcoholics Change Personalities?

Personalities aren’t permanent, and they can definitely change in response to something as serious as alcohol addiction. The behaviors of an alcoholic can correlate with changes in a person’s personality — and they might never be the same again. Some of the personality changes possible as a result of the behaviors of an alcoholic include: 

• Increased Reactivity and Hostility: Alcohol abuse shrinks the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which makes someone more prone to be involved in aggressive behavior. 
• Less Self-Control: Excessive drinking affects the person’s brain signals that warn them they’re making a mistake, and that’s why their self-control can be affected.
• Little to No Motivation: Because alcohol can cause memory loss and affect the brain, a person who is addicted to alcohol will often lack motivation.
• Deteriorating Mental State: Alcohol abuse can lead to worsening co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, in addition to the actual addiction. 
• Avoidant Behavior: Someone addicted to alcohol will likely try to hide the fact they drink heavily and try to be secretive about it. 
• Relationship Issues: Romantic and familial relationships, as well as friendships, are often strained because the person’s alcohol use is affecting them.

What Happens to the Mind of an Alcoholic?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, when someone drinks excessively, their brain is affected. When the parts of the brain are negatively impacted, different behaviors of an alcoholic become more likely. There are several specific brain functions affected by addiction, including memory, decision-making, impulse control, sleeping regulation, attention, and many other cognitive functions. When someone has gotten to this stage of their alcohol addiction, they have affected their brain functions so severely that the damage might be irreversible. 

Get Treatment for Your Loved One at Living Longer Recovery

If you recognize that your loved one is displaying the behaviors of an alcoholic, it’s time to have an important conversation and give them tough love. You need to come from a place of love and support as you encourage them to get professional help to be healthier and feel better. Living Longer Recovery is a top addiction treatment center in California that offers the right mix of treatment options and programs, as well as holistic therapies, that can help your loved one overcome alcohol addiction and have a better, brighter future. We’re proud to offer both outpatient and inpatient alcohol rehab treatment options. Call us today at 866-714-3294 to learn more about how we can help.

External Source

National Institue on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism — Neuroscience: The Brain in Addiction and Recovery