The number of alcohol-related deaths continues to rise, with 2.6% of roughly 2.8 million deaths in the country involving alcohol. The rate of alcohol-related deaths increased by 35% for men between 1999 and 2017.

For women, they increased by 85%; the largest annual increase among all groups.

Why is alcoholism more prominent for females? Keep reading to discover the seven major warning signs of alcoholism in women and when you should start finding an alcohol rehab center or detox clinic. With this guide, you can keep an eye out for the signs and determine when it’s time to seek help.

Discover the warning signs of alcoholic behavior in women below.

1. Friends and Family Are Concerned 

Have friends and family members asked you to stop drinking? If they’ve noticed a problem, chances are there is one.

Alcoholism can have a negative impact on your relationships. You might start pushing friends and family members away. If you’re beginning to isolate yourself, try to determine the cause.

For example, it’s possible you feel guilty about your alcoholic behavior.

Maybe you’ve lied about your alcohol addiction out of guilt, too. 

Friends and family members are usually the first people to notice a problem. Take the time to see the situation from their point of view. They’ve likely seen a drastic change in your behavior and personality. 

It’s difficult to see our own reckless behavior and choices. While hearing about it from an outside perspective is difficult, it’s also a chance to seek the help you need. 

One of the signs of alcoholism in women is the stress it causes others. Your friends and family members are likely worried about your health. Your addiction will likely impact them in a few ways, too. 

Take notice if you’re starting to hide your alcoholism from people you love. If you’re pushing the people you care about away, seek help. Instead of pushing them, lean on them for support.

Their presence will help you work through your alcoholism, especially if you plan on checking into rehab.

2. Withdrawal Symptoms

Maybe you’ve noticed your own alcoholic behavior and tried to quit on your own. Many people don’t know how to stop or can’t stop for long periods without help. If you’re trying to quit, you might begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. 

One of the indicators of alcoholism in women is withdrawal.

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms alone can feel painful and tedious. In some cases, they can also become dangerous. Instead of going it alone, seek professional help.

A professional can provide the guidance and support necessary to make quitting easier.

Your symptoms will likely include:

  • Nausea
  • Cramps
  • Headaches
  • Paranoia
  • Insomnia

These symptoms can stall or halt your recovery. By getting the care you need, you can discover the right tools and methods for coping with these symptoms. Rehabilitation can also help you combat these symptoms with techniques that will help you maintain your sobriety for the long-run.

3. Health Issues

If you’ve visited a doctor recently, they might recognize signs you’re an alcoholic woman before you do.

Alcohol can cause many strains on the human body. For example, alcohol can cause liver damage. It can also damage the brain and your heart. 

If you’re unsure whether or not you need rehab, check-in with yourself. Consider how you feel. How did you feel before you started drinking?

Chances are, you’ve noticed a change. 

For example, you might have noticed weight gain. Your skin might also start to experience damage.

Getting help as soon as possible can ensure you don’t put your body through irreparable damage. If you continue to drink, however, the damage you’re doing to your body will only get worse in time. 

Don’t let your addiction ruin your health. After all, you only have one body.

By undergoing rehab, you can discover a treatment and nutrition plan to help you avoid major health issues. You’ll also develop healthy habits to help you live a happier, healthier life. 

4. Neglecting Responsibilities

19.3 million people need rehab but never receive help. By neglecting to get the help you need, you might instead start experiencing problems at work, home, or school due to your drinking. 

In fact, alcoholism can impact your entire life. In addition to putting a strain on your current relationships, it can also impact your future.

Did you recently lose your job after arriving late and hungover? Maybe you had to drop out of school because you were flunking your classes. Neglecting your responsibilities is often an indicator of alcoholism.

Instead of focusing on your responsibilities, you might spend your time and energy trying to get more alcohol. This, in turn, can lead to financial issues. Instead of building a career and saving for your future, you’ll spend everything on your next drink.

5. Developing Tolerance

Tolerance is also another indicator of addiction. Can you drink more than you could before without getting drunk? If so, it means your body has become accustomed to alcohol.

As a result, your body will develop a tolerance to cope with your drinking better.

6. An Inability to Stop Drinking

You might also feel that you’re unable to stop drinking once you start. Do you always finish a bottle of wine once you open it? Maybe you feel a compulsion to drink all of the alcohol in the house once you’ve had one cup. 

This alcoholic behavior often indicates you’re not in control of your drinking. 

You might even drink so much that you black out regularly. Do you have no memory of what happened for hours at a time? Blacking out indicates you’ve had too much to drink. 

7. Reckless Behavior

If you begin exhibiting reckless behavior while under the influence, it’s time to get help. 

For example, you might think it’s okay to drive while you’re intoxicated. Though it might not seem like a bad decision at the time, reckless driving can lead to a fatal accident. You can take those moments back.

Alcoholism can cause you to lose control. You’ll also lose the ability to make smart, logical decisions. The decisions you make while drunk, including drunk driving, can lead to major legal consequences.

If you’re in an accident, make sure to contact a DUI attorney. Their experience with these types of cases can help.

Alcoholism in Women: 7 Signs It’s Time to Find Help

Alcoholism in women happens more often than you think. By recognizing these seven warning signs, you can get help before it’s too late. Otherwise, your reckless behavior might lead to dangerous consequences. 

Concerned about your wellbeing? Explore the Health and Fitness section of the blog today.