Determining If You Have a Problem with Alcohol
Alcohol is the most used substance in the country with over 85% of U.S. adults reporting that they’ve drank alcohol at some point in their lives and over half of adults saying that they’ve drank in the past month.
Looking more closely at the prevalence of heavy drinking or binge drinking specifically, studies found that over a quarter of the adult population engages in binge drinking at least once per month. This high rate and volume of drinking can often lead to negative repercussions and problems, specifically health and situational issues. For example, problems like kidney failure, heart disease, car crashes and more are all common among heavy drinkers.
It is important to note that not everyone who binge drinks is an alcoholic, but it can be a precursor to alcoholism. Being honest with yourself and looking at your drinking habits is important if you want to truly understand if you have a problem with alcohol. Before we look at your situation, let’s first better understand what alcoholism actually means.
What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a problem that can range from mild to severe, with all forms being dangerous and potentially deadly. This type of substance abuse is defined as pattern of drinking that leads to problems controlling your drinking, continuing to use when it causes problems, building up a tolerance to alcohol, withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, and more.
Oftentimes, excessive alcohol use and alcoholism can lead to social, professional, emotional, financial, or personal problems. When the person is fully lost in their addiction, they will continue to drink despite these problems weighing on their day-to-day life.
Are You an Alcoholic?
If you’ve made it this far you may have asked yourself “am I an alcoholic?” If you are worried that you may have a problem with alcohol, let’s look at a few questions you can ask yourself to get a better understanding of your situation.
There are several signs and symptoms that can indicate an alcohol use disorder. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
- Feeling cravings or urges to drink
- Giving up or reducing social activities and hobbies
- Using alcohol in unsafe situations — such as driving
- Failing major obligations at work, school, or at home
These are just a few of the common issues that can occur. Along with these problems, severe alcohol problems can lead to withdrawal issues when an individual goes too long without having a drink.
Some of the issues associated with alcohol withdrawal can include:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Sweating and clammy skin
- Headaches
- Rapid heart rate
In severe cases of withdrawal, individuals can suffer from delirium tremens, an issue that can cause problems such as:
- Fever
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Severe confusion
Alcohol withdrawal has also been shown to lead to death in some cases as well. These are just the effects of withdrawal, when you factor in the long-term health effects of regular alcohol use, the problem becomes even more grim.
Understanding how dangerous heavy alcohol use is can be eye-opening for some. This is why it is vital to determine if you have a problem and to get help if you do.
Alcoholism is a serious issue that can be near-impossible to overcome on your own. Seeking professional help and getting the proper tools and knowledge you need to fight your addiction offers you the best chance for long-term sobriety and relapse prevention.
If you believe you or a loved one is dealing with some sort of problem with alcohol, get help today. Waiting too long may prove to be a dire mistake.
