Here is all that you need to know about secret alcoholism.
Secret Alcoholism
Alcohol addiction can disrupt a person’s life greatly, but it’s not always easy to tell when a loved one has a problem. Many people struggling with alcohol addiction tend to keep their activities hidden from their family and friends; this is because they either underestimate the extent of their problem or they don’t want others to interfere.
Unfortunately, even obvious symptoms of alcoholism can go unnoticed, particularly if your loved one is a high functioning alcoholic. However, you can determine if your loved one has a hidden secret alcoholism problem by learning how to look for signs of alcohol abuse. By staying alert, you can help identify a drinking problem and then support your loved one throughout treatment.
High Alcohol Tolerance
Numerous factors can impact someone’s tolerance for alcohol, including age, weight, gender, and genetics. No matter what other factors are in play, though, the more a person drinks, the higher his or her tolerance will be. Thus, the more drinks it will take to become intoxicated. Repeated drinking episodes can lead to very little functional impairment, even after consuming large amounts of alcohol.
To tell if your loved one has a high tolerance for alcohol, watch their behaviors after drinking. As an example, a 160 pound male may take about three drinks to become “tipsy.” If he doesn’t display any signs of intoxication after that drinking threshold, then he may have a high level of alcohol tolerance.
Experiencing Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Repeated drinking does more than build an alcohol tolerance in the body; it also impacts people physically and mentally. The body starts to adjust so that drinking becomes the norm, which means not having a drink can cause withdrawal symptoms.
For alcohol, common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Shaky hands
- Insomnia
While symptoms of alcohol dependence don’t always indicate secret alcoholism, the impact of withdrawal can play a major role in forming alcohol abuse and addiction. If your loved one starts to exhibit physical signs of alcohol abuse in the form of withdrawal after not drinking for some time, then he or she may have a hidden alcohol problem.
At Asana Recovery, we understand how difficult recovering from these addictions through our daily work to help those struggling most from this disease. While some may believe they can make it alone, rehabilitation programs are essential in the fight to break dependency. The road ahead is not a smooth or easy one, but you can traverse it if done so with the support of the right team. Counseling and aftercare processes can assist you by addressing the psychological facets that led you to addition and help you build a structure from which to better cope with life without succumbing to addiction.
The supervised detoxification and residential treatment programs at Asana Recovery are offered in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. We’re deeply committed to ensuring your long-term recovery, and guiding you on your path to a healthier and happier future. There is no better time than now, and we’re always available to speak with you. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
