Imagine a typical Friday evening; after a long and tiring week at work, you decide that the best thing to do would be to relax by pouring yourself a glass of wine to help you unwind. And before long, that one glass has turned into three. By Saturday morning, you wake up with every intention of cutting back on your drinking the following week. However, by Wednesday of that same week, you are already thinking about what kind of wine you want to buy next. As you read this article, you might identify with many of the situations described above.
You are not alone; approximately 29 million adults in the United States have a drinking problem (alcohol use disorder), according to the information provided by health professionals. It is important for you to be aware of the early warning signs of a drinking problem so that you can take action before you get to a point where you cannot stop yourself from drinking excessively. By knowing what constitutes a drinking problem, you will avoid a number of harmful situations that result from drinking too much or not knowing how to stop drinking before you have reached that point.
The First Sign of Trouble: Changes in Tolerance and Consumption Patterns
Your body and habits shift when alcohol takes hold. These changes in drinking habits often creep up slowly. Pay attention to patterns that feel off.
Drinking More or Longer Than Intended
The thought goes through your head “I am only going to have one tonight,” then hours later the bottle is empty. Problem drinking displays this characteristic of losing control over one’s drinking. Thus the plans you made to stop early failed because of the overpowering urge to return to behavior. You can set a limit, such as two drinks.
If you continually surpass your established limit, you may need to re-evaluate your drinking habits to determine why you are doing so. Stress or repetition of a specific behavior could be the cause of the habit of drinking excessively. Start by journaling your nightly activities to identify the pattern in your excessive alcohol consumption. Honest tracking of your excessive drinking will help you begin breaking the habit of excessive alcohol consumption.
Drinking Alone or Secretly
Hidden storage (e.g., in the garage) and drink alone (i.e., drink before other people arrive home) indicate a level of isolation; they are indicative of the fact that people use such practices to avoid being questioned by friends or family, due to a sense of shame.
Drinking in secret changes alcohol from an element of social interaction to something that one does to escape life on their own. Keeping drinking in secret only causes increased growth of the drinking problem. Ask yourself: Do you drink alone when others can’t see you? That difference between fun times spent with friends vs. drinking alone is an indication of an increasing level of concern regarding one’s drinking.
The Internal Struggle: Psychological and Emotional Indicators
Alcohol messes with your mind first. Cravings and mood swings takcone over.
Experiencing Intense Cravings or Preoccupation
Obsessing over tomorrow’s drink is your daily life. You wake up thinking about getting drunk later that day; you ignore everything else in life. When you run errands, you plan your route so that you can stop at a liquor store, etc. This obsession is like an itch that you can’t scratch. Alcohol activates the reward center of your brain.
When you have an activity outside of work (e.g., a hobby), you won’t be able to give it your full attention because you will be constantly thinking about drinking. To overcome this preoccupation, you need to identify the triggers that cause you to want to drink (like boredom/anxiety).
The Physical Toll: Recognizing Bodily Warning Signs
Your body screams for attention. Don’t brush them off.
Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms When Cutting Back
A dry day – shakes, sweats or nausea hit hard. Your body is just like a car that stalls for lack of gas. Some of the more common symptoms include:
- Trembling hands
- Fast heartbeat
- Insomnia or restlessness.
Seek a doctor fast—these can worsen to seizures. It’s proof of physical hooks.
Frequent Blackouts or Memory Loss
You may be involved in a conversation at 8:00 p.m., then after a few minutes, you suddenly aren’t talking at all. The blackout during those few minutes (or more) created a memory gap that has erased several minutes, hours, or possibly longer. Although some people “hold it together” during this time of extreme intake, others do not; therefore, if you continue to use alcohol at this level, you may experience an overload of the brain, which could lead to accidents and other associated risks.
The existence of memory gaps is abnormal. If you are experiencing memory gaps on a weekly basis, the frequency of these gaps calls for immediate intervention; excuses are not acceptable.
Setting the Benchmark: Understanding Clinical Diagnostic Criteria (e.g., DSM-5 Overview)
According to the DSM-5, a person must meet 11 different criteria in order to determine if they have Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). An example of these would be, you tried to decrease your alcohol, and, yet, you didn’t succeed. Or, you were drinking alcohol according to a set of guidelines, but, at the same time, were taking part in high-risk behaviours. If an individual has experienced two or more of the different criteria, then that indicates that person has a mild case of AUD. If an individual has experienced six or more of the criteria, then this indicates that person has a severe case of AUD.
The DSM-5 is not meant to be used for self-identification purposes; however, the DSM-5 provides a useful method to assist healthcare professionals in identifying patterns in people who have AUD. Once an individual realises that they have experience with one or more of the criteria listed above, it is recommended that they seek assistance from their healthcare professional to clarify their alcohol use history.
Immediate Action Steps: Talking to a Professional or Trusted Source
Alcoholism has 11 criteria for diagnosis published in the DSM-5. They include inability to cut down on drinking, and engaged in high-risk behaviours when drinking is occurring. A diagnosis of mild would require two or more criteria being met. A diagnosis of severe would require 6 or more criteria to be met.
You should not attempt to self-diagnose, these criteria indicate how professionals evaluate patients who have issues with alcohol abuse and it is important to seek a professional’s opinion if you believe you meet several of the DSM-5 criteria, this will assist with confirming your diagnosis.
Starting with a checkup from your primary doctor is the best way to begin the process, and they will usually have a very private and quiet way of screening for alcohol use disorder. Another option is to have an open and honest discussion with someone close to you; someone who has observed changes in you as a result of your use of alcohol. By being honest with someone who knows you well, you can open doors and receive help before anything major happens.
For many individuals, alcohol misuse is closely tied to underlying mental health conditions such as trauma or anxiety. Seeking care from a provider that specializes in PTSD treatment can be especially beneficial for those whose drinking is connected to unresolved trauma or stress-related disorders.
Understanding Treatment Options Overview (Detox, Therapy, Support Groups)
Alcoholism has 11 criteria for diagnosis published in the DSM-5. They include inability to cut down on drinking, and engaged in high-risk behaviours when drinking is occurring. A diagnosis of mild would require two or more criteria being met. A diagnosis of severe would require 6 or more criteria to be met.
You should not attempt to self-diagnose, these criteria indicate how professionals evaluate patients who have issues with alcohol abuse and it is important to seek a professional’s opinion if you believe you meet several of the DSM-5 criteria, this will assist with confirming your diagnosis.
Starting with a checkup from your primary doctor is the best way to begin the process, and they will usually have a very private and quiet way of screening for alcohol use disorder. Another option is to have an open and honest discussion with someone close to you; someone who has observed changes in you as a result of your use of alcohol. By being honest with someone who knows you well, you can open doors and receive help before anything major happens.
Another resource is to contact the national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP to receive free advice about where to get help. It is also very likely that you will be able to locate a therapist who specializes in treating patients with addiction, and by simply having the initial conversation with them, you could have the answers you need to make an informed decision regarding treatment and support.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Health Over Habit
Recognizing even a small number of the above warning signs indicates that you need to take action. Drinking behavior does not change without outside help. It’s difficult for individuals to modify their drinking habits without outside assistance or support groups.
For individuals experiencing ongoing difficulty stopping or managing alcohol use, seeking specialized addiction treatment can provide structured support, medical care, and therapy tailored to long-term recovery.
The ability to confront your drinking behavior demonstrates strength. Millions of individuals successfully complete their recovery journeys, and you can start your journey to recovery today by reaching out.
