Alcohol addiction is a serious problem and one that needs to be dealt with. Ideally a drinking problem should be dealt with as early as possible, the sooner you deal with the easier it will be to treat. Unfortunately most people don't realize that they have a problem until it has become serious. Knowing the signs of a drinking problem can help you to recognize the symptoms and hopefully get help early enough that you can beat your alcohol addiction without too much difficult.
The symptoms of alcohol addiction are often not easy recognize, especially in ourselves. The warning signs that you should be on the lookout for include things like strong cravings to drink or an ability to limit the amount that you drink. A high tolerance to alcohol is another major warning sign, if you need to drink more than yous used to in order to get drunk you may have a drinking problem. If you are experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms like the shakes or nausea you almost certainly have a problem with alcohol addiction.
It is important to recognize that there is a difference between alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse, although they are often related. An addiction is a compulsive need to drink alcohol abuse occurs when drinking causes problems in your life. Things like alcohol related legal problems, or missing work are signs of alcohol abuse. The abuse may be caused by an addiction but it isn't the same thing, you may abuse alcohol without being addicted.
There are generally four stages of alcohol addiction that you will pass through as the problem becomes worse. The first stage is usually characterized by more frequent drinking and in increased amounts. You will also likely make a conscious effort to find more opportunities to drink. The second stage is usually marked by physical symptoms starting to appear as well as things like blackouts. This is usually the stage where people first realize they may be an addict. In stage three an addict usually starts to neglect things like his family or a job and sometimes even necessities like food. They also usually make excuses for their drinking. The fourth stage usually comes with serious physical symptoms as well as lengthy benders and hostility towards other people.
Alcohol addiction is a progressive problem, if you don't deal with it the problem is going to get worse. The earlier that you realize that you have an addiction to drinking the sooner you can get help and dealing with the problem early on will make it easier to deal with. It is never to late to deal with a drinking problem, there are programs out there that can deal with even the most serious addiction. Regardless of what stage you are at the first step to dealing with an alcohol addiction is to admit that you have a problem and decide that you are going to deal with it.