11 Signs That You May Have A Drinking Problem
Elliott Davis
Are you wondering whether your drinking is on the high side of normal or if it's crossed the line into a problem? Think back on the past year. If any of the following scenarios seem familar, it might be time to make some changes.
You've had times when you ended up drinking more than you thought you would, or for longer than you were going to. It may not seem like a big deal if it only happens once in a while, but that shows you have trouble controlling yourself while drinking. And it's an early warning sign.
There are times when you want a drink so badly, you can't think about anything else until you get one. That strong need or urge can be triggered by people, places, things, or times of day that remind you of drinking. Certain emotions or physical sensations can also trigger a craving. When you have a drinking problem, your brain reacts to these triggers differently than a social drinker's does.
What is it that you do for fun, besides drink alcohol? Think about the activities you used to enjoy, the issues that were important to you, and the ways you used to spend your free time. Has drinking edged those things out of your life, or prevented you from doing them?
Can you think of more than a few times when you came to work with a hangover, missed deadlines, or got behind on schoolwork because of your drinking? When your alcohol use, including being sick from drinking, often prevents you from keeping up with responsibilities at home, work, or school, it's a problem.
You care about your loved ones, but you can't imagine your life without alcohol. Your drinking has led to trouble with your family or friends, or made problems worse, yet you continue to drink. This doesn't make you a bad person, but it does make it more urgent that you look for help to change your habits and get your relationships back on track.
As the effects of alcohol wear off, you may have trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, or sweating. Alcohol changes your brain chemistry, and when you drink heavily over a long period of time, your brain tries to adapt. If you suddenly stop drinking, your brain has to adjust again, causing these withdrawal symptoms.
Maybe you've been concerned enough that you've already thought about or actually tried to cut down on your drinking -- and it didn't happen. Alcohol masks unhappy emotions, so those feelings may come back when you quit drinking, making it harder to stick to your goal. If you try to abstain, but then obsess over alcohol or switch to another drug or behavior, that's a red flag.
Any of these things could signal an alcohol problem. Don't feel bad, but do consider cutting back on drinking -- or quitting altogether. Talk to your doctor, a therapist, or a counselor. The more things you said "yes" to, the more important it is that you take action or seek help from a health professional.
Alcohol use disorder is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol or continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems. This disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking. Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that's sometimes called alcoholism.
If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. It can range from mild to severe. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.
If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group.
Because denial is common, you may feel like you don't have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped.
Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don't recognize that they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you're concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person.
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Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder.
Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you're taking certain medications that also depress the brain's function.
There are, of course, outward signs, such as risky behavior and neglected relationships. Family members or an employer are often the first to notice a problem with alcohol, as the affected individual might not recognize the extent of his or her actions.
Other treatment options include counseling and 12-step support groups. At U-M's addiction treatment center, an offering known as the Discovery Group targets people who may or may not feel they have a substance use problem and are unsure whether they want to change.
Changes in behaviour can be common when drinking alcohol. However, some behavioural changes after consuming alcohol can be challenging. These behavioural changes might be considered warning signs that you have a drinking problem.
Heavy drinking can bring problems to your professional life and damage relationships with friends and family. Is your drinking causing you to be late for work or row with your partner? If it is but you are continuing to drink, it could be a danger sign of problem drinking.
Do you find yourself always suggesting social activities that involve alcohol? Do you need a drink as soon as you wake up? If you find it difficult to function in the morning, or socialise with friends, without drinking, it can be a signal that you have a problem that needs addressing.
The effects of alcohol go beyond the physical. Many people struggling with alcohol addiction find that their drinking damages their relationships with loved ones, friends and colleagues, and has a detrimental impact on their mental health.
If you think you may be drinking too much, or that your drinking is beginning to have a damaging effect on your life, we have a quick online test that can help you understand if there is cause for concern.
It can be difficult to know when you or someone you care about is struggling with alcoholism. Alcohol abuse can often be hidden or disguised among drinkers who believe that because they only drink socially, their use is not problematic.
However, when you lose control of your drinking, compulsively consume alcohol despite negative consequences, and/or experience cravings when not drinking, you may have developed an addiction to alcohol.
The COVID-19 pandemic has lingered on longer than anticipated, and throughout this time people have faced various hardships. Feelings of increased stress, boredom and disappointment over this time have contributed to an increase in alcohol use. If you have felt yourself drinking more and are feeling uneasy about it, read on to learn how to recognize a drinking problem and adjust your habits.
Some people can drink once a month and be an alcoholic. Some people can drink more often and not be an alcoholic. The difference is the reasons why you are drinking, the frequency and quantity of your alcohol consumption and the impact the drinking has on you or others around you. If you notice signs of excessive drinking or you suspect you might have a problem, here are a few considerations to determine if you have unhealthy drinking habits or are drinking for the wrong reasons:
You may feel you are ready to cut back on drinking on your own if you notice some of these signs of drinking too much. Remember, you are not alone, and many people struggle with their alcohol use. Be proud of yourself for taking the first step in recognizing a drinking problem and wanting to work towards a better, healthier you.
Once we assess your health needs, our providers will put together a course of action to help you work on a plan for cutting back on drinking and working through related mental health issues. While we work together to help you improve your drinking habits, we may discuss the benefits of sobriety and if that is the right choice for you.
Many of our patients have found that becoming sober has helped them lead a more fulfilling life. Additionally, excessive drinking can lead to underlying health problems, so when you stop drinking you may notice some of these benefits:
There are various warning signs to help detect potential alcohol abuse. While many signs are recognizable, others may be more difficult to identify. Also, the severity of alcohol abuse may play a role in the warning signs a person exhibits. For example, some people try to cover their alcohol abuse by drinking in private and isolating themselves from others. This makes it challenging for family members or friends to intervene and help their loved one.
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