Last updated : November 11, 2024
Alcohol is a culturally acceptable (and sometimes culturally expected) way to celebrate, unwind, have fun and forget troubles.
However, because it is so acceptable, issues of dependence and abuse can sometimes develop unnoticed. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), as it is formally called when diagnosed by a medical, mental health or substance abuse professional, is not uncommon in the United States. There are signs to look for if you suspect someone you love has a problem with alcohol.
- Drinking more or longer than intended is one of the signs of alcohol abuse. For example, someone thinks they will just have one drink with friends and ends up drinking enough to get drunk.
- Another indication is if someone has expressed the desire to cut back or quit drinking and/or has tried to, but has been unsuccessful. “I want to quit drinking, but I just keep finding myself with a drink in my hand.”
- When someone is experiencing a problem with alcohol, much of their time is consumed by it. They spend much of their time drinking or getting over the effects of drinking.
- Furthermore, drinking begins to effect areas of one’s life that are normally separate from socially acceptable drinking causing family problems, problems at work or school or taking care of responsibilities. Instead of coming home after work to help with dinner and spend time with their family, someone may find themselves stopping off at the bar on the way home for a drink or two or more instead.
- Often the person is aware that drinking is interfering with these areas of their life, but continues to drink any way.
- Over time, a person may find themselves giving up activities they previously enjoyed or were interested in in order to spend more time drinking. The person is no longer going to church or golfing with friends because he is recovering from drinking the night before or has already had too much to drink that day to enjoy the activities as he once did.
- Taking increased risks more than once while drinking alcohol, such as driving, swimming, or making poor sexual choices, is still another sign that alcohol is becoming a serious problem in someone’s life.
- Drinking too much can lead to increased depression, anxiety, health issues and black outs. However, when someone has AUD they may continue to drink even though they are seeing these things in themselves.
- Tolerance builds as the body gets used to having alcohol, this means it takes more alcohol in the body to get the same effect. Instead of drinking two beers to relax after work, it now takes an entire six pack, for example.
- As tolerance builds, the body becomes dependent upon having alcohol in the system. If the person tries to stop drinking or decrease the amount they are drinking, this will lead to symptoms of withdraw. These symptoms may include anxiety, tremors, restlessness, insomnia, depression or nausea.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) requires that a person meet at least two of the above criteria in a 12 month period to be diagnosed with AUD. The disorder is then rated mild, moderate or severe based on the number of criteria met. If you suspect you or someone you love has a problem with alcohol, please seek support in your area. With support and intervention, alcohol dependence can be overcome.
