If you are concerned about possibly having a drinking problem, you are not alone.
It is estimated that 15 million people in the United States struggle with an alcohol use disorder, while less than 10% of them receive treatment. Don’t be one of the many who wait until alcohol addiction tears their lives apart.
While social drinking is an embedded part of Western culture, taking things too far with alcohol can quickly lead to dependency. Overindulging and daily drinking are just some of the signs that you may have an alcohol problem.
If you have consciously considered whether alcohol is a problem for you, it probably is. Finding help from experts like the team at https://southeastaddictiontn.com/ can help you navigate the journey away from dependence.
Let’s take a closer look at some signs that you may have a drinking problem that needs to be addressed.
Understanding What Constitutes a Drinking Problem
Addiction to alcohol is defined as “a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive alcohol seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.”
While every personal circumstance is different, some predictable signs and behaviors can be reliable indicators that you have a drinking problem. Alcohol use disorders cover a range of behaviors from mild to severe.
Americans with alcohol use disorders are estimated at more than 6%. It is important to know the warning signs and seek help if necessary.
Many alcoholics avoid seeking help because they feel ashamed.
They worry about what their friends, family, and coworkers will think of them if they ask for help. However, it’s important to remember that asking for help is brave. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
You’re not alone in your struggles, and there are many resources available to help.
First Signs of a Problem
If you want to discover whether you are suffering from an alcohol addiction, you need to reflect on your own life.
Being honest about your behavior and impulses will help you identify if you need to change your habits or seek help.
- Changes in drinking patterns: When drinking becomes less of a habit and more of an impulse, you may notice changes in your own patterns. It is possible that on each occasion, you will find yourself drinking more than usual.
- Binge drinking: When faced with stress or difficult circumstances, you may indulge in binge drinking to escape your immediate reality. It is possible to have drinking binges that last for hours, days, or weeks. For instance, a person may drink heavily every day for weeks or months, leading to alcohol dependency and serious health issues.
- Tolerance: When you drink regularly, your tolerance for alcohol’s intoxicating effects increases. If you can drink more than your peers without getting impaired, it’s a sign that your tolerance is high.
- Withdrawal symptoms: Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be tricky to spot when they go beyond a headache and a hangover. These may be subtle signs of dependence if you are experiencing shakiness and irritability until your next drink. When drinking becomes part of your normal routine, like when you crack a daily beer after work, it can be more challenging to spot these types of mild withdrawal signs.
- Focus shift: If you find that you are too focused on getting to the point in your day when you can have a drink, it indicates that you may have a drinking problem. Ignoring your responsibilities at home or at work often accompanies a drinking problem. If you drink more than usual or feel you can’t stop once you start, you may have a drinking problem. Distancing yourself from family and friends so that you have more time to drink on your own without judgment is a clear sign of dependence.
- Loss of control: People with drinking problems often find it extremely difficult to stop consuming once they start. It may be a sign of a problem if you always drink until you become drunk and then lose control over yourself.
- Failed dry-outs: If you have tried to quit or reduce your alcohol consumption repeatedly without success, you need help. For instance, if, after setting a goal to abstain from alcohol for a month, you find yourself drinking more than usual, you should seek help.
- Pre-occupation: When you think about little other than when and how you will get your next drink, it’s time to acknowledge that you have an issue with drinking.
- Dishonesty: When you begin hiding your drinking habits from your friends and family, it’s a sign that you are dealing with the shame of an addiction. When you hide your activities, lie to protect your consumption, or steal resources to get your next drink, it’s a critical sign that your addiction negatively impacts your life.
Risk Factors of Alcohol Dependency
Beyond the obvious health risks that accompany alcohol addiction comes possible physical, emotional, and environmental factors that can influence future addiction.
There is a genetic component to addiction that is present in many cases. This doesn’t guarantee that you will become dependent on alcohol, but it could make you more likely to develop addictive behaviors.
Environmental factors contribute to alcohol addiction. Children who live in homes with alcoholism and those with caretakers suffering from mental health issues are at higher risk.
How to Get Help
If you feel ready to seek assistance for your alcoholism, resources are available in nearly every community. Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous are two commonly accessible resources.
They offer free and anonymous support groups for those coping with alcoholism.
Additionally, professional treatment is an option that can help individuals gain a deeper comprehension of their addiction and acquire techniques to conquer it.
Professional treatment can also help individuals build a strong support network, which can help them recover. Group therapy can be especially beneficial, as it can help individuals gain a better understanding of their addiction and provide encouragement from peers. Professional treatment can also help individuals develop coping skills and strategies to develop healthier relationships with family and friends.