Medically Reviewed By: David Jefferson, expert in Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Alcohol & Substance Detox.
It is sometimes challenging to determine how do you know when alcohol consumption has become an issue that requires professional help. Alcohol addiction is usually associated with excessive alcohol intake; however, AUD can also emerge slowly. A person can keep functioning, fulfilling duties, and being in relationships while consuming alcohol and having it negatively affect their health, mental state, or interpersonal communication.
As stated by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), AUD is a disease related to a hazardous pattern of alcohol consumption that causes serious discomfort or problems. AUD can vary in its severity, but it does not mean that mild forms are reasons not to seek professional assistance.
When Does Alcohol Consumption Become a Problem?
When alcohol use turns into a problem, there is an inability to manage consumption or drinking continues despite all negative results.
The most evident sign of this problem is an inability to control one’s alcohol intake. For instance, you plan to drink just one or two times, but you cannot control this number and often exceed the limit. You might want to reduce or stop drinking alcohol, but you cannot succeed in it.
Other typical indicators of alcohol misuse include:
- Spending a lot of time drinking or getting over drinking
- Having intense cravings for alcohol
- Needing more alcohol to get the same effect
- Missing work, school, family obligations, or important social events
- Drinking even though it causes issues in your relationships
- Drinking in situations that could be dangerous physically
- Having blackouts or alcohol-related injuries
- Drinking despite physical or psychological health issues
- Experiencing withdrawal when the effects of alcohol wear off
Such signs are included in the clinical criteria for assessing alcohol use disorder.
7 Indicators That You Might Need Alcohol Addiction Treatment
1. You Are Unable To Stop Yourself From Drinking Excessively
If you constantly make promises that you are going to consume less alcohol but do not manage to keep those promises. It may mean that alcohol becomes increasingly hard to control.
It is okay to have one-time experiences of drinking more than intended, but constant failure in trying to limit or quit drinking is one of the major red flags regarding AUD.
2. Alcohol Affects Your Relationships Or Social Obligations
Issues with alcohol might affect a person more than the drinker himself. For example, being in a dispute with your spouse, missing workdays, performing poorly at work, financial issues, or cutting yourself off from any kind of social events can be a hint that alcohol affects your daily routine.
If people around you are worried about your excessive drinking habits, you can consult with a specialist in addiction therapy even if you do not think you have alcohol addiction.
3. You Require Larger Amounts of Alcohol to Have the Same Result
The development of tolerance to alcohol means that the dose of alcohol that used to have a certain effect before does not satisfy you anymore.
This point might mean that a person’s body gets accustomed to alcohol consumption, and although this is not enough for an AUD diagnosis by itself, it can be one of the symptoms taken into account while evaluating a case.
4. You Have Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms are particularly significant reasons to consult with medical professionals.
Withdrawal symptoms might include tremors, perspiration, nervousness, nausea, irritability, insomnia, fast heartbeat, and, in severe cases, seizures or delirium tremens. There might be certain risks associated with stopping heavy alcohol consumption abruptly after a long-term usage of alcohol.
Do not try self-treatment of alcohol withdrawal if there is a possibility of physical alcohol dependence. It will help to understand if medically assisted detoxification is needed.
5. Alcohol Use Continues Regardless of the Existence of Any Health or Psychological Disorders
Use of alcohol may aggravate depression, anxiety, insomnia, or any other health disorders. If it is clear that alcohol worsens one’s health state but the person continues to use it, it can serve as another indicator of problem drinking.
AUD may be combined with other psychological problems. It will be helpful to get professional treatment to diagnose the disorder and treat both disorders.
6. Alcohol Has Become a Prioritized Activity for You
Think about how much of your time is spent with alcohol.
Are you making plans based on how many times you will drink? Organizing events in terms of drinking? Cutting back on hobbies, socializing, exercise, or family activities due to drinking?
When drinking interferes with your life and activities that you once enjoyed, it is time to seek professional assistance.
7. You Are Concerned about Your Drinking
It is not necessary to wait for the situation to become critical in order to seek help.
If you often ask yourself whether you have a drinking problem or should give up drinking, then talking to a healthcare or addiction professional will clarify everything.
Professional evaluation can check your drinking habits, symptoms, medical and psychological history, treatment options, and so on, without focusing on the sole indicator of the number of drinks you have.
Does It Mean That You Will Need Rehabilitation if You Need to Treat Alcohol?
No, there are several treatment options that vary from person to person.
An evidence-based treatment may include therapy, medications, outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient program (IOP), partial hospitalization program (PHP), inpatient treatment, or medically managed withdrawal.
Outpatient alcohol treatment is what suits certain individuals by offering sufficient help in maintaining parts of their daily life. Others will need to receive assistance in a more organized manner.
The correct approach has to be established during a personalized professional assessment.
What Happens at an Alcohol Use Assessment?
During the assessment, an alcohol treatment specialist can ask questions regarding:
- Frequency and quantity of your drinking
- Struggles to cut down on drinking or quit
- Experiencing cravings for alcohol
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Consequences at work, study, or home
- Physical condition
- Mental well-being
- Prior treatments
- Use of other substances
- Your objectives in recovering from alcohol misuse
The goal is not to put you down but to evaluate your situation and see if you have AUD and establish the correct level of treatment needed.
As described by NIAAA, AUD severity depends on the number of diagnostic criteria present within one year: two to three symptoms mean mild AUD, four to five mean moderate AUD, and six or more symptoms indicate severe AUD.
Can You Treat Alcohol Use Disorder?
Yes. It is possible to treat alcohol use disorder, and people may choose to undergo various combinations of professional interventions, medicines, peer assistance, and aftercare services.
People may be offered to participate in behavioral therapies that help patients to recognize triggers, develop coping mechanisms, motivate people, and work on behavioral patterns that are connected to their problem with alcohol consumption. In addition, certain FDA-approved medications can be prescribed to people during the treatment process for alcohol use disorder.
Recovery is not always linear. The most important thing is to have proper support and a treatment plan.
Conclusion
Understanding how to recognize whether you need professional treatment because of your problems with alcohol is the first step towards recovery. If you experience problems with your health, relationships, your obligations, or controlling your alcohol consumption, you can visit a professional to learn more about your options.
Pine Meadows Recovery is a rehab facility located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, providing individualized help for alcohol abuse and substance abuse issues. It offers programs such as partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, and evidence-based and holistic interventions. Feel free to contact Pine Meadows Recovery to find out about the types of treatment available and see what kind of support you may need.
Contact Details
Website: Pine Meadows Recovery
Phone: (262) 233-4168
Email: info@pinemeadowsrecovery.com
Address: 4633 Washington Rd., Kenosha, WI 53144, USA
FAQs
How do I know if I have a drinking problem?
Drinking in larger quantities than planned, inability to reduce drinking, strong urges to drink, withdrawal symptoms, and persistent alcohol use despite negative outcomes are some of the signs.
How much alcohol is considered too much?
There isn’t one amount that would be considered excessive. What matters is the way you drink and how it affects your well-being, relationships, and work.
Can binge drinking turn into an addiction?
It can. Alcohol use disorder does not depend on drinking frequency. It can happen due to loss of control and other adverse effects.
Is it safe to stop drinking suddenly?
If you drink excessively or suffer from withdrawal symptoms, make sure to visit a doctor first before quitting. In some situations, withdrawal might turn out to be quite dangerous.
What is alcohol use disorder?
Alcohol use disorder refers to a medical disorder characterized by alcohol abuse that leads to distress and a negative impact on the individual’s well-being or relationships.
What kinds of treatment exist for alcohol addiction?
It is possible to receive therapy, medication, outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and even residential treatment depending on one’s specific situation.
Is it possible to treat anxiety or depression in addition to alcohol dependence?
Certainly. Alcohol dependence can be treated with other conditions like anxiety or depression in mind.
When should I seek professional help with my alcohol problem?
Seek help when you can’t control your drinking, experience withdrawal, or alcohol starts affecting your health, relationships, work, or daily responsibilities.