Signs and Symptoms

  Alcohol

​Signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence

• You can't control your drinking;
• When you don't drink, you feel anxious, nauseous and start sweating.
• You crave alcohol;
• You get annoyed when people criticise you about your drinking;
• You regularly drink more than you planned;
• You need alcohol to steady your nerves;
• You feel bad or guilty about drinking.

Consequences of excessive drinking

Alcohol affects your behaviour, judgment, coordination, concentration and emotions. If you drink compulsively, you might:

• Have an accident;
• Become a victim of crime;
• Strain your relationship with your family, friends or colleagues;
• Lose your job;
• Get involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour;
• Develop chronic diseases;
• Contract sexually transmitted diseases; and
• Have long-term health damaging effects.