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If you're trying to figure out if someone has a problem, you need
to evaluate their changes in drinking behavior, reasons for that
person's drinking, and the impact of someone's drinking on his/her
relationships, studies, goals, etc.
Drinking Behaviors
| Social
Drinking |
- Drinks slowly.
- Knows when to stop drinking.
- Does not drink to get drunk.
- Eats before and during drinking.
- Never drives after drinking.
- Respects nondrinkers.
- Knows and obeys laws related to drinking.
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| Problem Drinking
|
- Drinks to get drunk.
- Tries to solve problems by drinking.
- Experiences personality changes - may be loud, angry,
violent, silent, remote, reclusive
- Drinks when he/she should not - before driving, going
to class, etc.
- Causes other problems, harms self or others.
- Blackouts - memory is erased, although it appears one
is functioning normally.
- Passouts - unconsciousness.
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| Alcoholic Drinking
|
- Spends lots of time thinking about drinking and planning
where and when to get next drink.
- Keeps bottles hidden for quick pick-me-ups.
- Starts drinking without conscious planning and loses awareness
of the amount consumed.
- Denies drinking.
- Drinks alone.
- Needs to drink before facing stressful situations.
- Blackouts.
- Goes from having hangovers to more dangerous withdrawal
symptoms such a delirium tremens (DTs), which can be fatal.
- Has or causes major problems.
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If you are concerned about someone’s drinking, talk
with them about it.
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