Think Marijuana Addiction has any negative effects? Check out these stories about Addiction To Marijuana and see how partners and relationships can suffer.
Alcohol addiction signs aren't always what we'd commonly think of, like a guy passed out at a bar or someone panhandling on the street corner for beer money.
The men I treat for alcohol addiction often have signs that are much more subtle.
They want to have a drink every time they go out; they seek out social events where alcohol is going to be readily available, such as golfing; they believe they aren't any fun to be around unless they're drinking.
Drinking alcohol has become so socially acceptable and available that it has invaded areas of daily life like never before. With these societal changes it’s gotten harder and harder to see the signs of alcohol addiction.
Some parents now have to drink while taking their kids trick-or-treating on Halloween. Drunk dads trick-or-treating is becoming common — “The dads I take my kids trick-or-treating with—all neighbors or family friends—bring thermoses full of strong cocktails when we head out."
I've had people tell me they're disappointed when there isn't an open bar at a 5-year-old child's birthday party. This parent has learned when her daughter gets invited to a birthday party she has to ask if alcohol will be served to the parents — “Much to my dismay, beer bottles and cans were mixed in with children’s box juices in a cooler. Seeing people poppin’ bottles at a kiddie event wasn’t what I had in mind."
Who needs to have a drink or two in order to spend a couple of hours with their kids? Is trick-or-treating or a child's birthday party really about the kids or the adults?
What are the more subtle signs of alcohol addiction?
Nearly all of the men I counsel for alcohol addiction are fully functional guys. They have responsible jobs (business owners, pastors, doctors, CEOs, IT consultants, contractors), are husbands or partners, dads, and look from the outside like they have it all together. The signs of alcohol addiction aren't always easy to see, especially from the outside. But when their wives or partners are brutally honest, or you sit in my chair, you’ll see behind the facade and learn about the DUIs, starting drinking at 7 am on Sunday morning, slurring words at 4 pm on Monday afternoon, and throwing up on their daughter's shoes at a party.
I have been living with a problem drinker over 10 years. Now, I got to the point that I started asking myself if I am crazy; maybe it's normal. Is it normal to drink all weekend? Go to the pub on Friday, arrive drunk and continue to drink until he passes out? To drink even when he's doing chores? To drink 4/5 cans of beer during a Sunday? To hide empty cans? To get drunk when I am away? Even though [he] is looking after the kids. He doesn't want to go out with the kids or if he goes the first stop will be convenience store: beers!! Can I live like this because the alcohol doesn't affect his work? But it affects our family; lonely nights; ruined weekends. He always needs to drink at least two cans during the week. Am I exaggerating? I don't know what to think anymore. He says there is no point of making promises about stopping with the alcohol abuse, because he drinks normal. Despite all of the chaos in our relationship. It's my fault! All my fault!" -Brenda
Alcohol addiction doesn’t have to mean you get sloppy, stupid drunk every night, every week, or even every month. For one of the guys above this only happens every couple of months, but when you get so drunk you throw up on your daughter or threaten to hit your wife, the damage lasts a long, long time. And it's also an alcohol addiction sign.
If you see yourself or someone you love in some of these alcohol addiction signs take this warning seriously and get some help. All of the guys I’ve described above finally did and each one is in the process of making their life better. It takes a lot of courage and strength to admit that you’re drinking has become a problem, but real men can do it and then they get to work fixing the problem.
Think Marijuana Addiction has any negative effects? Check out these stories about Addiction To Marijuana and see how partners and relationships can suffer.
Could you have an Arousal Addiction? Or know someone who might? It’s possible. Many people do. So find out what Arousal Addiction is and how it manifests.
Think you have an Alcoholic Husband? See how a men's counselor who treats addictions says you can get an Alcoholic Husband To Admit It.
© 2026 Guy Stuff Counseling & Coaching, APC, All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Do Not Sell or Share My Information
Featured logos are trademarks of their respective owners.
*Thanks for this site & all your help/hard work* I was an addict for more than 15yrs. I now abstain from booze & have been in recovery from Opiate addiction for 5+years with the combined help of M.M.T & counseling!(I also volunteer as an "asst"(aid)for "Men's addiction services")😉 I'd like to address "Brendas" comment(s) if I may: The "limits" or what's considered an "acceptable"range of alc. consumption for a bio-recognized Male or female varies according to body weight,general health,duration & regularity of administration, Etc.It can also vary according to region & which recognized Govt. health &/or academic body you source the info from. Brenda, while I do hear some warning signs in the info you provided, I.E.-"blackout or passout" this is an obvious concern if it's at all a regular occurrence! If it's "once In A blue moon" so to speak, like it happened once on New Years Eve every 5-10 years, that's another story. But you referenced "2 cans during the week" and "maybe" "4-5 cans on the weekend/Sunday" right? Well,solely speaking in regards of "acceptable
range" if you meant "2-3 beers through the week" in the sense of 2-3 beers over 5 days, that is more than acceptable! But if you meant 2-3 per WEEKDAY you'll still find that to be within accepted "norms" of most points of reference. (Where I live, Doctors ACTUALLY RECOMMEND 2 GLASSES OF WINE (preferably red) per DAY! Brenda you will find excellent & up to date information all over this site!😀But I'll leave you with this:some certain signs of existing issues (or issues to come) are: If your husband or anyone else for that matter cannot stop drinking after having one or two drinks,cannot go to bed/sleep every night without 4+drinks, have booze hidden in secret places throughout your home, drink to excess every night, &/or put drinking (more to the point:getting drunk) ahead of anything & everything, and obviously last but not least: ANY BEHAVIOR THAT INCLUDES getting behind the wheel/controls of a car, bike, heavy machinery, Etc. after using any drug (including alcohol, pot, Rx drugs, etc.)
Or ANYTHING that may affect the mind, reflex, vision or central nervous system IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE! EVER!!!!!!!!