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If you know someone who always seems to be having fun and always has a drink in their hand, it may be more than just an insatiable need to party. Your friend or even a family member may be suffering from an addiction to alcohol, and may not even be aware of it. Here are a few signs of alcohol addiction to assist you in getting your loved ones the help they may need. Recognizing these symptoms may be the difference between life and death.

First of all, you need to realize that alcoholism is a disease in which the body becomes completely dependent on alcohol to function properly, and is rarely diagnosed until well after it is in its advanced stage. One of the first signs of an alcohol addiction is constantly craving alcohol, and feeling insecure and nervous in a situation where there is no alcohol available. This in turn leads to alcoholics fulfilling that need by hiding alcohol, often drinking alone and in secrecy. In an environment where alcohol is readily available, they may not be able to control their alcohol intake. Although excessive use of alcohol will actually decrease the body’s tolerance level, those with an alcohol addiction are often able to mask the fact that they are inebriated due to alcohol having a chemical effect that actually stabilizes their body.

People with an alcohol addiction will initially deny the accusation and can also become quite defensive and in some cases violent when confronted with the subject that he or she may be drinking too much. Common responses often include, “I only drink socially” and “I can stop anytime I want to” when the truth is, getting their next drink is only thing on their mind. Outward physical symptoms include profuse sweating, nausea and “the shakes” if they haven’t had an alcoholic drink for a while.