21 Signs You Might Have a Drinking Problem

Ideally, we recommend you reach out to your primary care provider or UCS Healthcare to get started. When dealing with alcohol-related issues, various healthcare providers can Drug rehabilitation offer specialized support. Each type of professional brings unique expertise to address different aspects of alcohol use disorders. Loss of control over drinking is a significant sign of alcohol addiction. If you find yourself often drinking more than planned, unable to stop once you start, or feeling anxious when you can’t drink, these could be red flags. These signs suggest that alcohol might be taking a central role in your life, potentially leading to dependency.

Lifestyle Quizzes

If the individual almost stepped into the path of a car while drunk, telling them about the incident might help them realize that they are not fully aware of what happens when they drink too much. A person who raises their voice when they drink may be unmindful of it. Rather than saying, “You are mean and out of control when you drink,” a statement such as “The children and I were afraid when you raised your voice after drinking last night” may be more effective. Instead of criticizing or sounding judgmental, stick with the facts when explaining what happens when the individual drinks too much. Empathizing with an individual who drinks too much can be challenging.

• Talking to an addiction psychologist or other addiction professional can guide you through some generally recommended techniques.
• Having a one-on-one talk with someone with a drinking problem can be intimidating, but bringing too many people into the conversation can make them feel threatened.
• Even now, I hear people at social gatherings brag about how they don’t know how they got home the night before.

Am I an Alcoholic?

2019 research has shown that individuals with alcohol use disorder are 3.7 times more likely to have major depressive disorder compared to the general population. Additionally, approximately 30-40% of individuals with alcohol addiction also meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder. These statistics highlight the intricate relationship between alcohol use and mental health issues. Recognizing the signs of a drinking problem is the first step toward a healthier life. Understanding what constitutes a drinking problem and knowing if you might be struggling with alcoholism can help you take action.

Charitable Care & Financial Assistance

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. Acknowledging that you might have a drinking problem can be difficult, but it’s the first step toward recovery.

Alcohol, a do i have a drinking problem prevalent substance in many cultures, plays a significant role in various social, religious, and cultural events worldwide. For other people, a number of variables can combine to make them a candidate for addiction. This may be in an NHS inpatient unit or a medically supported residential service, depending on your situation and the assessed medical need. Try to be accurate and honest about how much you drink and any problems it may be causing you. Realising you have a problem with alcohol is the first big step to getting help. If talking to someone isn’t your thing, there is other support and help out there.

To stick to the above drinking goals, there are other moderate drinking techniques that you can employ, such as avoiding hard alcohol and sticking to beer. Beer has lower ethanol content, and the carbonation can fill you up, so it tends to take longer to drink. Switching from alcohol to nonalcoholic drinks and back can slow you down as well. Holding a drink with lime or lemon may deter others from thinking you are not drinking an alcoholic mixed drink, and they may be less likely to offer you another drink. Remember, you are more aware that you are not drinking your normal amount or that you have reduced your consumption, and others probably aren’t even aware that you made any changes.

It can wreak havoc on your health, cause you to perform poorly at work and isolate you from your friends and family. It usually takes time for the majority of people to recognize they might have an issue with alcohol, and even then, denial runs deep among problem drinkers. If they do realize they need help, the stigma of addiction keeps a lot of people from speaking with a doctor. It’s important to know that there is a difference between heavy drinking and being an alcoholic. Maybe you’re driving drunk or hooking up with people you barely know. Even if nothing terrible has happened yet, consider this kind of behavior a red flag.

Treatment Options for Alcoholism

• Alcoholics also find that once they start drinking, they are incapable of stopping.
• Throughout this article, we’ll cover key signs to look for and provide guidance on how to recognize if alcohol has become a problem for you.
• Another red flag is needing more alcohol to feel the same effects, which can point to increasing tolerance.
• It is a chronic relapsing brain disorder where an individual continues to consume alcohol despite significant substance-related problems.
• As the effects of alcohol wear off, you may have trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, or sweating.

Based on DSM-5’s symptoms, you have a mild drinking problem if you have 2 to 3 of the above symptoms. If you have 4 to 5 of them, however, your drinking problem is moderate. And if you have 6 or more of these symptoms, you’re addicted to alcohol. Frequent hangovers, sleep problems, or other health issues related to drinking shouldn’t be ignored. The COVID-19 pandemic has lingered on longer than anticipated, and throughout this time people have faced various hardships.

This means your body is more susceptible to illness and health complications from drinking. Even just drinking an excessive amount of alcohol on one given occasion, increases your risk of catching an infection. This is because the alcohol has slowed down your body’s ability to ward off any infections that may present themselves.

Reach Out to UCS Healthcare for Help With Alcohol Addiction

In many cases, denial can keep a person from realizing their alcoholic tendencies even as it ruins their life and destroys their health. Most people don’t know how to get a loved one to stop drinking, but a person who drinks too much must get help. People who binge drink or who get drunk occasionally may feel they don’t have a drinking problem.