When someone is addicted to alcohol, they are at a high risk of having poor physical and mental health. Alcohol addicts are usually helpless when it comes to addiction because they find it hard to stop drinking despite some of them being aware that there are negative consequences that come with it.

If you are addicted to alcohol or you know someone who is, seeking early treatment is essential. With the signs mentioned below, you can tell if someone is struggling with alcohol addiction.

Physical signs: It is quite easy to know when someone is addicted from the physical signs. They might either be short-term or long-term signs. For the short-term signs, some of them are slurred speech, hangovers, blurry vision, slow reaction times, poor coordination, etc.

While the long-term signs of alcohol addiction may include high blood pressure, malnutrition, seizures, poor hygiene, liver damage, weakened immune system, etc.

Inability to cut down: One of the ways to know that someone is addicted to alcohol is when they find it hard to reduce alcohol intake.

They may be unable to control themselves anytime they see alcohol around them. Also, they might not pay attention to their physical surroundings or even the people around them when they drink alcohol.

Failure to meet important obligations: Alcohol addicts find it hard to fulfill crucial obligations because they spend more time drinking alcohol.

They might be unable to meet work-related deadlines which would reduce their productivity and performance in the long run. If the alcohol addict happens to be a student, their academic performance might be poor.

Giving up social activities and interests: If an alcohol addict is invited to an event where alcohol is not served, they might lose interest.

They will find it hard to engage in their normal hobbies because they are no longer interested. You will also discover that alcohol addicts will prefer to stay on their own instead of being around people so that they can spend more time drinking alcohol.

Alcohol addiction refers to the unhealthy use of alcohol to the point where it adversely affects your health and even puts other people around you at risk. It also could mean a pattern of drinking where you have an uncontrollable and obsessive.

People struggling with alcohol addiction need all the help they can get so that they won’t have to deal with complicated health issues.

Here are some signs that an individual is dealing with alcohol addiction

Isolation

One of the ways to know that someone is struggling with alcohol addiction is when they prefer to remain isolated instead of being around people.

They prefer to cut down on other activities so that they can spend more time drinking. Sometimes, they may suspect that being around people for a long time might give their drinking habit away.

They drink excessively

Another sign of alcohol addiction is when the person drinks more than normal when they are in public places. Some of them might take excessive amounts of alcohol that would leave them intoxicated, and they would need the help of other people to get to their homes.

Problems at school or work

When an individual is struggling with alcohol addiction, they are likely to have problems at work or school. They may not give their best, which would lead to average or abysmal performances. 

Reducing social activities

Addicted individuals may not pay attention to social gatherings or activities like they use to. They will gradually stop doing all their hobbies to focus on their alcohol addiction.

Drinking alcohol despite health issues

Some people struggling with alcohol addiction may still keep drinking despite having health issues, or even after receiving series of advice to stop their alcohol intake.

After observing the signs that someone is addicted, the next step would be to suggest addiction treatment to them. You can research some reputable rehabs that offer top-notch treatment to make people sober again.

Often, a little more than enough drink can alter your behaviours in ways beyond your control. That, after a night of drinking, you wake up hungover and sometimes unable to recall the events of the previous night. Then, people begin to use the excuse of “it was the alcohol”, blaming the alcohol for their bad judgement.

Either way, it is undeniable that alcohol affects our decisions, such that we act in ways we usually wouldn’t. Some would say it “frees” us up to act carefree. It is important, therefore, to examine the influence of alcohol on the lives of drinkers as it relates to their decision-making.

Several studies have researched the influence of alcohol on the lives of people, but one study that holds is that alcohol doesn’t blunt out consciousness.

They argue that people despite being drunk remain aware of whatever decision they make at that moment. But what alcohol does is make them give no regard for the consequences of such action, they don’t bother with the consequences.

Alcohol furthermore, makes us reactive rather than proactive. It causes us to make immediate decisions that we would have rather thought through before attempting. When intoxicated, we are prone to irrational decisions rather than rational decisions.

Also, alcohol clouds the mind and makes people act without fear. A drunk person is more likely to jump off an unsafe cliff than a sober person. So, you can say alcohol gives us wings to fly, but in reality, the reverse is the case, as it is often applicable to negative circumstances.

Alcohol’s influence on our decisions is more inclined towards negative rather than positive impacts. The implications are often regretful and in some cases severe for individuals. In summary, alcohol makes an individual irrational in decision-making, caring not about the consequences of his/her actions led by the booze.

There exists an intricate link between alcohol and crime in every society. The effects of alcohol abuse are usually felt in society in various ways, but a standout one is the crime rate. Studies have shown someone under the influence of alcohol is likely to commit a crime than someone not under the influence of alcohol.

Therefore, preventive measures for alcohol abuse have also been said to help avert crime in society. Looking closely at this assertion, this article will highlight some ways in which preventing alcohol abuse can help reduce crime. Note that the implications of alcohol abuse prevention on crime rate may vary based on society and other circumstances.

Some ways in which preventing alcohol abuse can help avert crime include;

• Often, those who commit crimes are under the influence of alcohol, for alcohol devoid them of their rationality. People steal or rob to be able to afford their alcohol addiction, which means that a large population of burglary is related to alcohol abuse. Therefore, attempts to prevent alcohol abuse will reduce the burglary rate in the community.
• Controlling or preventing alcohol abuse also helps to reduce re-offence by offenders. This is because proper treatment for alcohol abusers will help them get over their addiction, which in turn reduces the likelihood of them committing a crime. A sober person retains his or her consciousness and regard for the consequences of his or her action.
• Sexual harassment crimes can be averted with the prevention of alcohol abuse. It is no secret that most sexual harassment offenders are under the influence of alcohol. This means therefore that, if alcohol abuse is reduced, sexual harassment crimes will equally be reduced.

In summary, alcohol abuse is a major issue facing world communities, which translates into a high rate of crime in most communities. But as discussed above, a proper and effective preventive mechanism for alcohol abuse will equally translate into a reduction of crime rate in most cases. So, a community seeking to avert crime should consider preventing alcohol abuse as an effective strategy.

Do you find yourself drinking to relax, driving under the influence of alcohol, having problems with friends and family because of drinking? Perhaps, you also have legal issues because of alcohol, or you are often neglecting responsibilities, then you are most likely suffering from alcohol abuse. 

Alcohol abuse arises when you drink too much alcohol on occasion and too often such that your drinking habits often cause you to exhibit some risky behaviors and poor judgments.

Alcohol abuse can cause severe health conditions such as cirrhosis, a disease of the liver, or worsen certain disorders, for example, osteoporosis, or can prevent an early diagnosis of heart disease.

Most times, treatments for alcohol abuse are focused on helping you learn to control your level of alcohol consumption.

First, recognize you need help so, commit yourself to stay sober and practice healthier drinking habits. Treatment often aims at finding healthy ways to manage stress, therapy, and learning new skills to cope with managing your alcohol consumption.

 Effective treatments for alcohol abuse are:

1. Medication: Treatment can be through medical management using alcohol-deterrent medications, such as Revia or Vivitrol (naltrexone) or as prescribed by doctors. These medications will help you reduce symptoms of withdrawal and can also help you quit drinking. They tend to block the feeling of intoxication and help reduce cravings or make you feel sick upon alcohol consumption.
2. Behavioral therapy: This includes specialized alcohol counseling or joining support groups consisting of people with the same issue. You could also be involved in both counseling and support groups. These can increase your chance of recovery from alcohol abuse.

You must note that treatment would work differently per individual so, you should ensure you find a treatment that is most effective for you and find it sooner.

Crime is a social issue that is constantly increasing globally with several motivating factors varying per individual and society.

Generally, however, alcohol has proven to be a motivating factor of crime, and alcohol intoxication in itself under certain circumstances such as driving is criminal. Intoxication comes with some effects like the tendency of being loud, disruptive, aggressive, and belligerent.

Alcohol damages the side of the brain needed to stop impulses and control the ability to foresee the consequences of an action. Therefore, alcohol severely damages a person’s judgment when such a person is intoxicated.

It results in such persons taking risks and committing acts that they, on the contrary, would never have done. Likewise, they are more likely to be talked into something they otherwise would not do, some of which could be criminal. 

Moreover, levels of dopamine, one of the chemical messengers responsible for sending signals of pleasure, in the brain is increased by alcohol. It creates a buzz and makes a person derive pleasure from most actions he makes under the influence of alcohol. Hence, committing crimes could seem enticingly pleasurable.

Furthermore, the activities of the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain that is involved in decision making and which helps a person think rationally and clearly, are decreased by alcohol. Hence, an effect of alcohol consumption is that it prompts a person to act without thinking about his/her actions.

The prefrontal cortex is also partly responsible for your sense of control over your emotions and behaviors. It can gravely impact the aggression level of a person, making such one prone to violence, anger, and a high level of hostility.

These emotions are provocative and can make it more likely that individuals will want to commit violence against another as alcohol consumption will reduce your ability to control your emotions.

Drinking alcohol does not mean that person is going to be a criminal. At the same token, not consuming alcohol does not prevent someone from committing crimes.

However, extensive research on the topic of alcohol and crime suggest that alcohol consumption and criminal behavior are closely connected.

There is an obvious pattern or logical flow of links between drinking, poor decision making, criminal behavior, and legal consequences. The proof of this thinking is shown by the fact that so many people currently serving time in prisons or living with the stigma of a criminal record have a history of problem drinking.

It is also indisputable that there are consequences related to family, society and career when drinking is severe and when it affects the normal functioning of the mind or body.

Seeking treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol addiction or problematic drinking habits is the best way to avoid the worst possible consequences.

Problematic drinking has many, many negative consequences. It can’t be overlooked that one of the worst is passing on the same problematic habits to others.

As part of understanding alcohol abuse and crime, it is useful to know the common kinds of criminal behaviors and what kinds of penalties they carry. But another important consideration is the impact of these criminal behaviors on the victims.

Lack of control over alcohol use rarely has one victim, and the consequences are rarely short lived.

Crimes associated with alcohol abuse are likely to cause the offender to lose some money or freedom. But, more importantly, those crimes usually have long-lasting impacts on family, friends, or even complete strangers. The problem may be centered on one person, but the consequences have ripple effects.

Crimes generally associated with alcohol include domestic abuse and violence, underage drinking, robbery, assault and rape.

Alcohol is considered more likely to be a reason in violence where the attacker and the victim know each other. About two-thirds of crimes committed by an intimate person such as a spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend have been reported to be related to alcohol consumption.

Victims of crimes deal with many confusing and conflicting emotions. Crime is a traumatic experience and the victims often go through long periods of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms of PTSD are serious and have lasting mental and emotional scars.

The best way to prevent such trauma and heart ache in the society is for everyone to take personal responsibility when it comes to consuming alcohol and seeking immediate help if any signs of excess consumption or uncontrolled drinking behavior are noticed.  

It is well known that many crimes are committed under the direct or indirect influence of alcohol consumption.

Some crimes are connected to a person’s blood-alcohol level while others are related to the impaired state of mind due to the influence of the alcohol. Here are some of the common alcohol related crimes:

Driving Under the Influence

This is one of the most common culprits. Driving after drinking any amount of alcohol is dangerous. Unfortunately, deaths due to drunk driving are so common, in spite of the awareness campaigns.  Driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit is grounds for arrest. Though many are arrested for driving under the influence, many more will never be caught.

Theft

There are many reasons why a person with alcohol addiction might resort to stealing. Drinking is an expensive habit that needs a constant source of money. This is the reason why theft is a common alcohol-related crime. Robbery is a felony and carries penalties including potential jail time. The penalties differ depending on the nature of the robbery and the value of the stolen goods.

Domestic Violence

Alcohol related offences by an intimate partner such as a spouse or a partner could include physical attacks as well as sexual assaults, or psychological abuse. Ironically, since drinking often happens with or around an intimate partner, these partners are the ones who face the worst consequences of alcohol related crimes.

Child Abuse

Child abuse includes physical violence, neglect, mistreatment, and verbal or emotional abuse. Though convictions for child abuse have heavy penalties, the innocent victims suffer the most serious trauma.

Sexual Assault

Alcohol plays a role in many sexual assaults. This type of crime can be child abuse or intimate partner violence, or it could be perpetrated on a stranger. Anyone convicted of sexual assault should expect significant legal penalties that continue even after release from prison.

Homicide

Alcohol can amplify emotions, which is why it plays a role in so many homicides. Once a person under the influence of alcohol is in a state of heightened emotions, they lose control and are likely to carry out their actions further than they would normally.  The penalty for homicide can be life in prison or even death.

Exploring alcohol related crimes is important to appreciate the devastating impacts of alcohol on individuals, families and society. Crime is not be the first indication that people connect with problem drinking or addiction, but it is a significant and serious symptom that needs attention.

HOW SUBSTANCE ABUSE INDIVIDUALS TURN OUT TO BE CRIMINALS

A good number of times, people get addicted to one form of addiction or the other, and it is usually due to some factors. Now, the most common form of addiction, is drugs and alcohol addiction. Together, they are commonly referred to as substance abuse or addiction, and they basically mean the obsessive intake of alcohol and drugs.

Most times, taking alcohol and drugs usually start off as a harmless act. Probably as a means to get in the mood or to ease oneself of depression. However, if care is not taken, it transcends into a compulsive and obsessive disorder where the individual cannot do without taking either of the two.

Taking a look at stress for instance, some individuals take these substances in a bid to ease themselves of stress. The mistake they end up making is, they turn this into a regular act, and they get to a stage where they cannot do without it.

When one is intoxicated, there is a tendency for the individual to misbehave. For some set of people, whenever they are in the “high state”, they could act aggressively to people around them, which could result in harming them. While for others, they could be in sober state where they would be unable to interact with other people, thereby straining the bond of relationship between themselves and other people.

When it comes to criminal acts which are perpetrated by some set of individuals, one of the major reasons why they seem so dauntless, is not far-fetched. Most times, before they go for an operation, what they do is, take drugs which would help them look and feel fearless even in the face of real danger.

These drugs aid them by giving the necessary motivation to carry out their wicked act, thereby harming innocent people in the process. One of the best ways of salvaging this, is to ensure that these hard drugs are made limited and out of reach.

Also, those who are addicted to these substances, can be helped by introducing them to addiction rehab centres which would assist them to recover at a good rate.

Substance abuse can result in a great deal of misfortune, as the actions of those who are addicted begin to spiral out of control. However, what many fail to realize is the difficult futures that come through criminal records. For, such a history oftentimes drags itself on the heels of those who struggle with alcohol and drug misuse—presenting a great deal of problems for them. Yet still, there is legal action that can be taken—which can allow one’s content to be erased from his/her public record.

This is where expungement law comes in, as it “deals with the state court procedures for removing criminal records from public view”. For, without such that information is available to a wide range of people, causing the individuals to lose opportunities—such as jobs—that they might not otherwise. The reason behind this is because employers that are looking to hire are able to access that individual’s information, and upon doing so they can decide whether or not they want to hire him/her—based on his/her background history, and other such content.

As a result, it can be difficult for one to secure as many job opportunities as he/she might like—or one job in particular that he/she might have interest in—due to his/her past history. But, expungement takes care of such, so that the individual can gain the ability to start anew—with a clean record. Even so, the process differs from state to state, and there are certain requirements that one must meet—in regards to their offense—in order to qualify.  

In turn, offenses that may seem small to the outside world—DUIs, DWIs, etc.—can cause a great deal of suffering for the individual that is involved. However, if he/she chooses to expunge the charge, then those records can be be “erased” after the expungement has been approved. Upon doing so, it’s up to the individual to submit proof through documentation—and/or the expungement order—to agency databases, so that his/her information may be updated.

In conclusion, if individuals have faced charges—resulting from substance abuse—they have the ability to not only turn their lives around—through recovering from their addiction—but to turn their records around as well. It is through doing so, that they can restore—and/or regain—their opportunities—whether it be oriented around career, transportation, organization, family agencies, and so on. As a result, the most beneficial course of action that one can take is looking into the process of expungement in regards to his/her state.