If you find yourself drinking more alcohol than usual, you may be at risk of developing long-term negative health conditions.
Alcohol use disorder among women in the United States increased by 83.7% between 2002 and 2013, according to a 2017 study sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
Consuming alcohol is associated with liver disease, cognitive decline, heart damage, and cancers. If you suspect you may be drinking more than usual, there are several signs of alcoholism to consider.
In this article, we’re exploring several common signs of alcoholism in women and the importance of seeking help.
Signs of Alcoholism in Women
Women are strong beings that often find the need to prove themselves. They work hard. They take on more than necessary. They play many different roles, including the career professional, mom, wife, sister, best friend, nurturer, social coordinator, house cleaner, chef, and so much more. Many of the hats for these roles are worn on the same day.
All of the demands combined with the ability to strongly feel emotions can lead some women to use alcohol as a way of coping with the stress. Used too often, though, and this escape can soon become an addiction. Truth be told, stress is only one of the reasons why women may become alcoholics. For instance, family history of alcoholism, sexual abuse victims, and mental health issues also lead women to drink.
Here are 10 common signs of alcoholism in women.
1. Too Many Drinks
There is a difference between sitting down with a girlfriend after one rough week and throwing back a few drinks – and going out frequently to do the same. Regularly going out and drinking a few drinks can be considered binge drinking. For women, binge drinking can be defined as having four or more drinks within two hours.
Ideally, one should be consuming no more than one drink. If it cannot be done, alcoholism could be at play.
2. Drinking No Matter What
For most people, seeing that their consumption of alcohol is harming their life – or their loved ones – will be enough for them to stop drinking. For someone dealing with alcoholism, drinking does not cease no matter what.
The loss of a job, ruined relationships, and even legal troubles do not matter. Nothing matters except having that next drink.
3. Broken Relationships – and Still Drinking
It is no surprise that drinking can break relationships. Drinking lowers inhibitions and can lead to actions and painful words that cannot be taken back when sober. For the person on the receiving end, things could seem broken and irreconcilable. For the drinker? She may not even remember it happening.
Regardless of how damaged relationships are due to alcohol, an alcoholic will continue to drink.
4. Ignoring Responsibilities
Most women naturally have a lot of responsibilities. Home, work, and family are just a few. Though those who find themselves in the middle of addiction are often moving through life seemingly without a care in the world. Missing work, neglecting household chores, forgetting family moments, and so forth just happen – because alcohol is the priority. Rather than facing responsibility, their time is spent either drinking or dealing with the repercussions of drinking too much.
5. Engaging in Risky Behavior
Drinking alcohol can lower one’s ability to function. When faced with dangerous situations, being intoxicated could have complicated and deadly consequences. Getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is one such instance of risky behavior. Maybe she thinks fulfilling responsibilities like grocery shopping or taking the kids to soccer practice while under the influence is better than not doing anything at all.
6. Overlooking Health Issues
Alcohol abuse over time can take a toll on a woman’s body. Declining health due to damage to the heart and brain, cancers, poor nutrition depression, falls and brittle bones, can all result from this abuse. Sometimes, coming face to face with a medical condition can make someone stop what they are doing. For alcoholics, though, overlooking health issues and continuing to drink is all too common.
7. Consuming Alcohol Early in the Day
Alcohol is one of those things that is consumed in the evening or night, with the occasional drink during the day on the weekends or while on vacation. Waking up to a drink is a sign of alcoholism. This is because it is usually consumed to combat the onset of withdrawal symptoms.
8. An Older Appearance
Heavily drinking alcohol is not kind to the skin over time. Alcoholic women tend to look older than they are and often look tired. The face may be puffy or bloated and the nose may be red and bumpy.
9. Menstruation and Infertility Issues
Alcohol consumption impacts a woman’s hormones, leading to sporadic or non-existent menstrual cycles and difficulty getting pregnant.
10. Exhibiting Signs of Withdrawal
When the alcohol starts moving out of the body – and it is not replaced with anymore – withdrawal symptoms will start to kick in. Shakiness, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, cold sweats, nausea/vomiting, and more are the signs of withdrawal from alcohol.
Healing From Alcoholism At Villa Kali Ma
Now that you’re familiar with some of the common signs of alcoholism in women, you can take steps to improve your health and heal.
Discover the benefits of holistic treatment at Villa Kali Ma and begin your healing journey. Whether you suspect you may have a problem with alcohol or you’ve been struggling to overcome addiction for years, Villa Kali Ma can provide the care and guidance you need to heal your mind, body, and spirit.