At some point or another, almost everyone has found themselves wondering,
- Do I drink too much?
- Should I go to rehab?
- Am I an alcoholic?
The answer to this is subjective and the only way to know whether you are an alcoholic is to look out for the signs and symptoms.
For the most part, those who ask questions such as these are generally not addicts, as they are very self-aware of their drinking and can probably control it. True addiction comes in that loss of control.
To check if you may have a problem, see if you can answer the questions that follow. For one, do you need to drink when you get up in the morning? If so, you have a problem and should be in rehab. However if you drink only when you are out in social situations, you may not have a problem, unless you drink excessively and get drunk every single time you go out.
Another question: Do you reach for a bottle every time you are stressed?
While some people have a glass of wine to relax, coupled with a meal, a hot bath or even a massage, reaching for the bottle instinctively is a problem and may be a sign that you need help.
Another symptom of those who are alcoholics is hiding the bottles anywhere and everywhere.
If you hide your drinking, you may have a serious problem, because this shows that you know others will not approve of your drinking. The need to hide it from them indicates that you have a problem.
While there is a list of signs and symptoms of alcoholism as long as your arm, you should know that if you are drinking all the time, or reaching for the bottle very time you are worried or anxious, if you drink to get drunk every time, or even if you hide your habit from others, you may have a problem that requires serious treatment.
The only way to deal with it is to speak to a doctor or other medical professional who can correctly diagnose you.
Complete Guide to Alcoholism can be located here also see articles about alcoholics and alcoholism and the overview on high functioning alcoholics or see the national alcohol addiction treatment network.