Dr Barbara Nawrot Updated: November 21, 2025, 09:44 Table of Contents
Alcoholism is a disease that doesn't discriminate – it can affect people of any age, regardless of their social status, education, or professional position. It often develops slowly, hiding under the guise of everyday habits. At first, loved ones may not notice any concerning changes. However, sooner or later, symptoms become obvious and can no longer be dismissed. That's when the question most often arises: how to recognize an alcoholic in the family and what signs indicate that the problem is more serious than it seems?How to recognize an alcoholic in the early stages?
The first signs of addiction can be exceptionally difficult to notice because at this stage, the drinking person usually still controls their daily life and masks well. Alcohol can become part of life almost imperceptibly – a glass of wine with dinner, a beer after work, or a drink on the weekend with friends seems completely normal. The problem begins when these situations repeat more and more frequently and become a fixed ritual. It's precisely this regularity that is one of the warning signs by which you can recognize that a loved one is entering a dangerous pattern. Read also: What are the symptoms of weekend alcoholism? In the initial phase of addiction, alcohol is treated as a way to relieve stress, improve mood, or reward oneself for a hard day. From the outside, it looks harmless, but in practice it leads to gradually building tolerance and the need to reach for a drink more often. Loved ones wondering how to recognize alcoholism in this phase should pay attention to changes in behavior: is the person starting to justify their drinking? Is alcohol becoming an inseparable element of every free moment?How to recognize alcohol addiction by behavior?
The drinking person increasingly seeks occasions to reach for alcohol – not only during social gatherings, but also at work, at home, or in situations where they previously wouldn't have reached for alcohol. Drinking often becomes a way to cope with emotions and stress. In the consciousness of the addicted person, the conviction appears that without alcohol it's impossible to rest, relax, or function well in daily life. How to recognize an alcoholic at such a moment? For example, by the fact that every meeting, even a small one, must be "seasoned" with a glass of wine or beer. Irritation appears when there's no access to alcohol, and ordinary everyday situations become a pretext for drinking. Over time, the body begins to adapt, and increasingly larger doses are needed to achieve the same relaxation effect. A characteristic signal is also withdrawal symptoms. When the break in drinking lasts longer than usual, the addicted person experiences unpleasant reactions from the body – from headache, nausea, and trembling hands to anxiety states and irritability. It's precisely these moments that show that drinking alcohol has stopped being a choice and has become a necessity.How to recognize an alcoholic by face and appearance?
Alcohol disrupts the body's water balance, destroys blood vessels, and weakens the liver, causing characteristic signs to appear on the face. These can be:- redness (red face after alcohol),
- permanently burst capillaries
- swelling
- an ashen or greyish skin tone.
How to recognize an alcoholic in everyday life?
The most obvious signals of alcohol addiction appear only when the addiction begins to affect all spheres of life. Initially, these may be minor problems at work – lateness, decreased productivity, difficulty concentrating. Later come conflicts with loved ones, which result from the fact that more and more time and energy is devoted to drinking. Eventually, financial problems also appear because alcohol becomes a priority, more important than other expenses. That's when it's easiest to see how to recognize an alcoholic – all other aspects of life take a back seat, and the entire daily routine centers around drinking. A characteristic symptom is also drinking in solitude. The addicted person who previously reached for alcohol only in company begins to do so in secret. There's also a tendency to hide bottles in unusual places – in closets, under the bed, or in the car. Such behavior shows that drinking is no longer an addition to life but has become its foundation. As addiction deepens, even the simplest duties – preparing a meal, caring for children, or work – become subordinated to thoughts of the next drink.Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) Syndrome
Adult children of alcoholics often enter adulthood with baggage of difficult experiences. They tend to choose partners who are addicted or emotionally unavailable, as well as having a strong need for control – of themselves and their environment – as a way to avoid the chaos known from childhood. This mechanism causes them to, on one hand, desire closeness and security, while on the other hand fear trusting and fully opening up to another person. This internal conflict makes building healthy relationships difficult and often leads to feelings of loneliness. That's why it's so important to remember that alcoholism is a disease of the whole family. Treatment and support are needed not only by the drinking person but also by their loved ones. Therapy offers a chance to break the vicious circle and rebuild life on new, healthier foundations.Help for people affected by alcoholism
The earlier we take action, the greater the chance of stopping the disease's progression and regaining control over life. A conversation, showing support, and encouraging therapy can be the first step to recovery. If you notice concerning signals in your family and wonder how to recognize alcoholism, don't wait for the problem to deepen. Contact specialists. At Nasz Gabinet, we have been helping addicted people and their families fight alcohol disease for years. Professional therapy is a real chance to return to life without addiction and rebuild bonds with loved ones.:::cta Need help fighting addiction? Our specialists are ready to help you. Call or schedule an online appointment. Call: 880 808 880 | Schedule appointment :::
