Warning Signals:
How Much is Too Much?

The following symptoms and behaviors, when related to drinking, are "red flags" indicating that a person has seriously overindulged in alcohol. Beyond this, these symptoms could indicate a more serious drinking problem or even alcohol addition (alcoholism).

Top Three Indicators of Risk for Alcoholism

Family History
High Tolerance
Blackouts

Top three indicators of risk for alcoholism
Medical Signals
Academic Signals
Sexual Signals
Social / Psychological / Behavioral Signals
Drinking Behavior
photo of sleeping student

Medical Signals

· Accidents and injuries
· Passing out (unconsciousness)
· Gastritis
· Emergency room visits
· Nausea and vomiting

· Mysterious bruises
· Blackouts (memory loss)
· Frostbite
· Hangovers

Academic Signals

· Academic failure
· Not living up to one's academic potential
· Missed classes

· Difficulties with deadlines or procrastination
· Scheduling afternoon classes to
accommodate late night drinking

Sexual Signals

· Impotence in males
· Unintended pregnancy
· Wearing "beer goggles"
· Sexual assault
· Delayed orgasm in men and women

· Failing to use safer sex techniques
· Contracting a sexually transmitted disease
· Inability to resist an unwanted sexual
advance
· Engaging in sexual activities that are contrary
to one's values

Social / Psychological / Behavioral Signals

· Loss of self-respect
· Personality changes
· Mood swings
· Paranoia
· Embarrassment or guilt
· Driving under the influence (no arrest)
· Causing emotional pain to friends or
loved ones

· Problems with legal or university authorities
· Property damage
· Social isolation and withdrawal
· Depression
· Panic and unexplained fears
· Fights and arguments
· Arrests for driving while intoxicated

Drinking Behavior

· Centering one's recreational activities
around alcohol
· Drinking to feel more confident in social
situations
· Gulping drinks (especially the first few)
· Drinking before a drinking event (front
end loading)
· Drinking more than one intended to drink
· Inability to carry out an intention to "cut
down"
· Inability to predict how much one will
consume
· Inability to predict one's behavior when
drinking

· Spending substantial amounts of money
on alcohol
· Drinking to relieve anxiety, insomnia, pain,
or depression
· Finding excuses to drink
· Preoccupation with the next drink or
drinking event
· Feeling annoyed or angry when one's
drinking is discussed
· Family members or friends expressing
concern about one's drinking
· Drinking again soon after becoming sober
· Drinking alone, sneaking drinks, and/or
hiding bottles

If you observe these warning signals in yourself or others, it is wise to seek out help quickly, before the situation become worse and gets more complicated.