Doctors have a lot to consider when judging a person’s alcohol issues and recommending treatment. When identifying a drinking problem, the process is variable. The reason is that defining alcohol use disorder (AUD), a condition that is diagnosed when a person’s drinking causes harm or distress, varies from person to person. There isn’t any set quantity or frequency of alcohol included in the definition.
However, there are noticeable signs such as abandoned relationships and risky behavior. Employers and family members are usually the first to notice a problem while the individual might not recognize the degree of their actions. Ask yourself if the following events have occurred in the past year.
Recognizing the warning signs of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can help you understand whether your drinking habits have progressed into something harmful. AUD is a medical condition characterized by an inability to stop or control alcohol consumption, despite its negative impact on your health, relationships, and daily responsibilities. While some individuals may justify their drinking habits as “just a social activity” or “stress relief,” these behaviors can quickly escalate. If left unchecked, AUD can have severe physical, emotional, and social consequences. The following are 10 common signs that may indicate a drinking problem. Take a moment to assess your habits and ask yourself whether any of these resonate with your experiences over the past year.
10 Signs of AUD
1. Drinking More Than Intended or for Longer Than Planned
You may start drinking with the intention of “just one drink” but find yourself continuing for hours or consuming far more than planned. Despite setting limits for yourself, you repeatedly exceed them, indicating a lack of control over your alcohol intake.
2. Frequent Cravings or Strong Urges to Drink
An overwhelming urge to drink can consume your thoughts, making it difficult to focus on work, family, or hobbies. These cravings may come at unexpected times or in response to stress, leaving you preoccupied with when and how you can have your next drink.
3. Neglecting Responsibilities Due to Drinking
When drinking becomes a priority, responsibilities such as work, school, or caring for loved ones often take a backseat. Missed deadlines, poor performance, or skipping important obligations become frequent occurrences because drinking or recovering from its effects consumes your time and energy.
4. Continuing to Drink Despite Negative Consequences
Even when drinking has caused obvious harm—such as conflicts in your relationships, health problems, or difficulties at work—you may continue drinking. The negative outcomes of alcohol use don’t deter you, as the compulsion to drink overrides logic or concerns for your well-being.
5. Needing More Alcohol to Feel the Same Effects
Over time, your body builds a tolerance to alcohol, meaning you need to drink more to achieve the same level of intoxication or relaxation. If you notice that your usual number of drinks no longer produces the desired effects, it could be a sign that your body has adapted to regular alcohol consumption.
6. Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms When Not Drinking
7. Spending Significant Time Drinking or Recovering from Drinking
Drinking doesn’t just take up the time spent consuming alcohol—it also involves the hours or days recovering from hangovers or planning how to obtain more alcohol. This cycle can become a significant drain on your time and interfere with your ability to live a productive life.
8. Losing Interest in Activities Once Enjoyed
As alcohol takes over your life, activities and hobbies that once brought you joy may no longer seem appealing. Socializing, exercising, or engaging in creative outlets may fall by the wayside because drinking has become your primary focus.
9. Drinking Alone or in Secret
You may find yourself drinking in isolation or going to great lengths to hide your drinking habits from others. This can include sneaking alcohol into situations where it’s not appropriate, concealing bottles, or lying about how much you’ve had to drink. Drinking alone often indicates an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
10. Being Defensive or Lying About Drinking Habits
When friends, family, or coworkers confront you about your drinking, you may feel defensive, angry, or dismissive. Lying about how much you drink, downplaying its effects, or avoiding discussions about your habits are common signs of denial. This defensiveness can further isolate you from loved ones who want to help.
What are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Alcohol withdrawal happens most often in adults, but it may also happen to teens or children. The more often you drink, it’s more likely that you’ll have withdrawal symptoms when you stop. You may also have more severe symptoms if you have certain additional medical issues.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually start within 8 hours after the last consumption but might occur days later. Symptoms may reach their peak in 2 to 3 days but may last for weeks. Withdrawal symptoms include:
- Depression
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Shaking or jumpiness
- Mood swings
- Nightmares
- Confusion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heavy sweating and clammy skin
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Headache
- Appetite loss
- Tremors (hands or other body parts)
Understanding Problematic Drinking: What Does It Mean?
What is problematic drinking and do you have a drinking problem? Many people with alcohol problems can’t tell when it’s just a problem or completely out of control. It’s important to recognize how much you’re drinking and know how your alcohol use may be affecting your life and the people around you.
One drink equals:
- One 12-ounce bottle or can of beer
- One 5-ounce glass of wine
- One wine cooler
- One cocktail or
- One and ½-ounce shot of liquor
Consider this:
- How often do you consume an alcoholic beverage?
- How many do you have when you drink?
- How does the drinking you’re doing affect your life and the lives of other people?
Guidelines for Responsible Drinking
If you don’t have a drinking problem, here are some guidelines for drinking responsibly. If you can’t drink responsibly, you may have a drinking problem.
- Healthy men (of legal age) should limit drinking to:
- Not more than 2 drinks in 1 day
- Not more than 14 drinks in a week
- Healthy women (of legal age) should limit drinking to:
- Not more than 1 drink in 1 day
- Not more than 7 drinks in a week
Why Recognizing the Signs of a Drinking Problem Is Important
It’s important to recognize these signs because alcohol causes changes in the brain that can make quitting extremely complicated and difficult. Alcohol addiction is also caused by factors such as genetics, environmental impact, and developmental factors such as the age at which the person began using alcohol.
This is why a severe case of AUD might require specialized addiction treatment. Stopping alcohol use in people with long-term or chronic consumption could cause a fatal withdrawal. People who drink at a level where it’s not safe to quit on their own need a professionally monitored detox. The next step would be an appropriate treatment program.
When to Seek Help for Problematic Drinking
For most people, the line between alcohol abuse and casual drinking is a thin one. Although it’s okay for healthy adults to drink in moderation, more than that can have a negative effect on your life and your long-term health. Approximately 39 million U.S. adults drink too much and 140,000 die each year because of it. It can also lead to more than 200 diseases including:
- Chronic liver damage (cirrhosis)
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Cancer
- Higher likelihood of stroke
If you are asking yourself “Do I have a drinking problem?” the answer is ‘yes.’ and this is when to seek help. Accepting it as a problem is the first step to solving it. You should make an appointment with your primary healthcare provider or a professional treatment center to get an assessment and talk about the best course of action.
Treatment Options for Alcohol Use Disorder
Depending on the severity of your AUD, how it’s treated may vary. You may get personalized treatment from specialists in different settings such as:
- A detox center where you will be medically supervised while going through withdrawal symptoms
- An outpatient program where you attend therapy sessions at the therapist’s office or a treatment facility one to three times a week, depending on the intensity of the program
- A residential program or intensive outpatient program where you receive treatment for a certain period depending on the severity of your AUD
- Individual therapy or group therapy with an addiction-trained specialist
- Behavioral therapies with professionals trained in behavioral therapy
- Family therapy because AUD is a problem that affects the whole family
- Alternative therapies to fit your individual needs
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)–Certain medications can help with detox and cravings such as:
- Naltrexone
- Acamprosate
How Can Agape Treatment Center Help You?
Agape Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale , FL can help you beat AUD and go on to lead a fulfilling life of sobriety.
We have licensed professional therapists who are experienced in treating addiction. Depending on your needs, we can provide these alternative therapies:
Programs
We also have a number of treatment programs. You will be able to design a program that fills your needs. Finding a program that conforms to your beliefs and needs helps to ensure that you will stay in treatment, which will provide the best possible outcome. Just some of what we offer includes:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)–Although technically an outpatient program, PHPs are more like an inpatient or residential program in intensity. Full days are spent in treatment but you still go home. We have day and night programs so you can choose which will fit into your life.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)–In an IOP you will attend treatment sessions 2 or 3 times per week for a few hours per day.
- Outpatient Program (OP)–In a standard outpatient program, you will attend treatment once per week or as needed.
- Dual Diagnosis Program–Unfortunately, it’s common for individuals with an addiction to also have a co-occurring mental health disorder. And alcohol is very often used to self medicate a mental issue.
If you suspect you may have a drinking problem, reach out to Agape Treatment center today.
Stephanie Robilio is an accomplished Clinical Director at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. With a Master of Social Work degree, LCSW license, and extensive training in Rapid Resolution Therapy under her belt, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her unique combination of education and experience allows her to provide exceptional care to clients and lead her team with confidence. Stephanie’s joy comes from witnessing the moments when her patients creatively connect the dots and bravely move toward reclaiming their power. Her purpose is to help individuals understand their past so they can create a future full of hope, growth, and success. Stephanie attributes a large portion of her success to the supportive culture and strong sense of community fostered by the Agape team.
