Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a serious, life-threatening condition that impacts 29.5 million people over the age of 12 in the United States, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. It is also one of the most common diseases people think could never happen to them.
While many people drink alcohol and never develop AUD, genetics, life experiences, trauma, and peer pressure, among other factors, can contribute to the development of addiction. How do you know it’s occurring to you? Could your loved one be suffering from it?
The following are signs of alcohol addiction that indicate it’s time to reach out for help. If you or anyone you know is experiencing these symptoms, reach out to an addiction treatment specialist for the one-on-one support you need.
#1: Being Unable to Control How Much You Drink
You may think, “I could stop if I wanted to.” Yet in reality, it’s hard to say no to another drink. You may make plans to only drink a certain amount when heading out to the bar, but then you lose control and end up consuming too much.
#2: Hiding How Much or How Often You Are Consuming Alcohol
Do you do any of the following?
- Hide alcohol at work
- Lie about how many drinks you’ve had when a loved one asks
- Say you haven’t been drinking when you have been
- Forget how many drinks you consumed
- Dispose of beer cans or bottles away from home
These behaviors could mean two things. First, they indicate that you could be facing alcohol addiction because of the amount you are consuming. Second, they also indicate that, on some level, you know you’re drinking too much.
#3. Losing Time
Do you have periods of time that you don’t remember? When you have a blackout, you may not remember where you were, what you were doing, or what other people were doing during that time. While it may seem funny to say, “I drank so much I don’t remember last night…,” blackouts put you at risk–not just because they damage your health but also because they make you an easy target for people to take advantage of.
#4: Ignoring Responsibilities
You know you have a long list of things you need to do around the home, with your children, at work, and maybe even at school. The list seems endless, but you consistently put it off. Instead, you stop for a drink or visit the liquor store. You may do this without realizing it. For example, you forgot that your child’s sporting event was this weekend and instead stopped for a few drinks after work. When responsibilities become challenging, it’s often because your brain is making alcohol its top priority.
#5: Being Told That You Drink Too Much
Are your loved ones telling you that you have a drinking problem? Don’t ignore them or brush them off. They cannot always see what you are doing, but they do recognize the actual impact it is having on them and others around you. For example, they can see how drinking is impacting your health, relationships, and ability to work. That’s not always easy for you to see.
#6: Drinking to Feel Better
Alcohol consumption is all it takes to develop an AUD, but for some people, it is a self-treatment for conditions like trauma, stress, and anxiety. A drink helps calm your nerves or makes you feel better when everything else is creating stress. It’s estimated that 20 to 40% of people with AUD also have anxiety disorders, and between 30 and 60% report having post-traumatic stress disorder, according to data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
#7: Engaging in Reckless Behavior
It’s quite common for individuals with an AUD to find themselves engaging in reckless behavior like drinking while intoxicated. It’s not because you want to be reckless–it’s because you feel like you’re “fine” or “not feeling drunk.” Believing you can handle alcohol and that it doesn’t put you at risk is a key sign of alcohol addiction.
#8: Craving Alcohol
How often during the course of a day do you think about alcohol or wish you could have another drink? These are indications that your body is craving it. Craving alcohol is what causes you to put aside other responsibilities to seek out the one thing that makes you feel better.
#9: Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms
Many people experience withdrawal symptoms when they go 12 to 24 hours without a drink, but for others, symptoms could start after a few days. You may feel:
- The onset of anxiety or nervousness
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Sweaty and clammy skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Nightmares
- Trouble thinking
- Tremors
If you start to feel bad without alcohol, you may be experiencing one of the most common signs of alcohol addiction that warrants professional treatment.
#10: Drinking More Than Ever
You think you can handle your alcohol because you’re able to drink more than you used to without feeling drunk. That’s due to tolerance, a condition in which the body and brain become so used to the substance that they need more of it to get the same results. Tolerance can quickly lead to dependence and then to addiction.
Are You Experiencing These Alcohol Addiction Signs?
Seeking out an alcohol treatment center is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Recognize what’s occurring. Then, ask for an assessment to find out what your treatment options are.
