Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
- Anxiety and annoyance when asked about alcohol, making excuses for drinking
- Blackouts
- Bladder and bowel incontinence, urinary retention, difficulty urinating
- Blurred vision or dry mouth
- Cognitive impairment, memory or concentration disturbances, confusion or disorientation
- Denial of drinking or hiding drinking
- Drinking in spite of medical admonitions against it
- Arrests for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated; frequent car accidents
- Frequent falls and unexplained bruising
- Hiding alcohol
- Increased tolerance to alcohol (drinking more with less visible effects)
- Morning drinking
- Neglect of home, bills, or pets
- Persistent irritability and altered mood, depression, or anxiety
- Poor hygiene and self-neglect
- Problems with family and friends caused by drinking, withdrawal from social activities
- Seizures, malnutrition, muscle wasting, dehydration
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sleep problems; observable changes in sleeping patterns; unusual fatigue, malaise, or daytime drowsiness; sleep disturbances
- Slurred speech
- Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempt
- Tremor, motor uncoordination, shuffling gait, gait disorders
- Unusual restlessness and agitation, aggressive or abusive behavior
- Withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is removed