“It’s Just a Few Drinks!” — How To Know if You Are Potentially an Alcoholic

Have you ever asked yourself, “Do I drink too much?” or “How can I tell if I’m an alcoholic?” 

Maybe you asked these questions because you promised yourself that you would only have one drink this weekend, only to wake up Sunday morning with a pounding headache, a fuzzy memory, and an overwhelming feeling of shame. 

And this isn’t the first time.  

Many people struggle to recognize the line between causal drinking and alcohol dependence. Recognizing the early signs before it is too late can be hard. 

This article will explore symptoms and signs to look for when casual drinking turns into alcoholism. 

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Table of Contents

• Am I an Alcoholic?
• What Is Considered an Alcoholic?
• 8 Signs You Might Be an Alcoholic
• Clear Steps Recovery Offers a Health-Based, Intimate Approach to Alcohol Rehabilitation

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Alcoholism, known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), has a wide spectrum ranging from mild to severe. Characteristics include: 

• Compulsive Drinking: An individual gives in to an irresistible urge to consume alcohol. Even if drinking has caused negative consequences in the past, it is difficult or impossible to fight the cravings. 
• Loss of Control: The individual cannot limit or stop drinking. This may lead to binge drinking or to the inability to stop drinking even if you are knowingly causing harm. 
• Tolerance: Having to drink more alcohol to get the desired response means you are developing a tolerance. The buzz you used to feel after one drink may not happen until you have had three. 
• Withdrawal Symptoms: If an individual decides to stop drinking or reduce the amount of alcohol they consume, their body will physically react to its absence. These symptoms can include headaches, nausea and vomiting, sweaty and clammy skin, irritability, mood swings, etc.
• Neglecting Responsibilities: This happens when an individual puts important obligations to the side, such as work or family events, in favor of alcohol.
• Harming oneself or others: An individual drinks alcohol and causes physical, social, or legal harm as a result. 

Alcohol misuse causes lasting changes to the brain and can affect many areas of your life.

If a person is suffering from AUD, they will have a severe alcohol addiction. Their alcohol consumption will cause negative consequences, but they will continue to drink alcohol despite these ramifications. 

Individuals with AUD are typically preoccupied with alcohol, have problems controlling their drinking, and alcohol use puts their health or safety at risk. It often prevents individuals from fully functioning and can damage their relationships with others. 

AUD may begin as a mild disorder but can develop into a severe problem. 

#1: It Goes Beyond Socializing

An individual’s alcohol consumption may begin as a social activity without much thought behind it, but the more alcohol is consumed, the more drinking can move beyond simply socializing. 

Many people use alcohol as a way to celebrate wins or boost their self-confidence. Drinking every now and then doesn’t lead to alcoholism. 

However, if an individual engages in social drinking multiple times a week, it can lead to tolerance or dependence. 

When this shift happens, drinking alcohol becomes a need not just a social pleasure. It becomes dangerous territory for alcoholism. 

People in this situation may be in denial that their drinking is a problem. They may drink alone or with others who drink so that they are not singled out or judged for their alcohol consumption.

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#2: It Becomes a Secret

Individuals with AUD may feel a desire to hide their drinking habits to keep their loved ones unaware of how much they are consuming. 

The individual may drink in places where people they know won’t be there to observe or judge. They may lie, be deceptive, or conceal where they keep the alcohol if they feel guilty, embarrassed, or are aware that they have a problem. 

Some common reasons people may hide alcohol consumption include: 

• Shame
• Fear of judgment or disapproval
• Social pressures
• Avoiding conflict with loved ones 
• Maintaining social connections
• Avoiding intervention
• Denial 
• Stress and anxiety 
• Privacy 

Regardless of the reason for secrecy, hiding alcohol use may be a red flag and can be a symptom of AUD. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol, Clear Steps Recovery can help with rehab programs tailored to your individual needs. 

#3: It Gets in the Way of Real Life

Excessive alcohol use can negatively affect an individual’s daily life, including: 

• Work or school performance: Reduced productivity in school or the workplace, careless mistakes, increased absences or tardiness due to hangovers, and being unreliable can make it difficult to meet required responsibilities. 
• Financial problems: Purchasing alcohol frequently can be expensive. If an individual also has health issues related to alcohol, medical expenses will accumulate. If an individual gets into legal trouble, such as a DUI, their finances will be further impacted. Impulse purchases and additional costs, such as transportation and food, should also be considered. Indirectly related, if a person is missing work often, their wages may be affected. 
• Heath issues: Both physical and mental health are affected when a person consumes alcohol, especially if they have AUD. 
• Safety Risks: Alcohol impairs judgment. People who have multiple drinks are more likely to engage in risky behaviors and make poorly thought-out choices, like driving under the influence. They are also more prone to accidents and injuries when under the influence. 

10.2% of the U.S. population meets the criteria for AUD. 

Therefore, it is likely that someone you love or know may be facing the effects of AUD and may need help. 

#4: It Starts Damaging Relationships

AUD doesn’t just affect the person with the condition; it also affects the people they are close to. AUD may cause individuals to become emotionally distant from their loved ones, leading to misunderstandings and increased conflict. 

When an individual becomes emotionally distanced, their loved ones may feel neglected. Conflicts that may be minor issues can escalate into heated arguments due to emotional neglect and the increased risk of the individual being prone to irritability and anger. 

This can also lead to a communication breakdown in the relationship. 

Additionally, if the individual is hiding alcohol consumption, there may be a lack of trust due to dishonesty. There may be broken promises, lying, and manipulation, which all lead to insecurity and doubt. 

In some cases, the person with AUD may wake up and regret what they did or said, and in some cases, they may not even remember how much they hurt their loved ones. 

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#5: You Start Having Withdrawals

When alcohol is consumed regularly, an individual’s tolerance builds, making it harder to get the desired effects of alcohol. 

An individual may feel physically ill, so they drink just to feel “normal.” 

Symptoms of withdrawal, such as shakes, sleep difficulty, anxiety, depression, and migraines, may happen daily. These side effects make it difficult for the person to function. 

Often, people who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms end up resorting to drinking in the morning to combat the side effects that occur when they don’t have a drink, escalating their AUD. 

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#6: The Law Gets Involved

When a person drinks, their ability to make sound decisions is lowered. Alcohol consumption may lead to snap judgments and poor decision-making. 

An individual who puts themselves or others in dangerous or illegal situations has allowed their drinking to get out of control. Such situations may include: 

• Driving drunk
• Public urination
• Assault 

When faced with the consequences, such as spending the night in jail, people with AUD often don’t own up to their mistakes or admit that alcohol is a problem. They may continue to play the victim and deny that their drinking is out of hand. 

#7: You Want To Stop — But Can’t

If a person is an alcoholic, they have no control over their drinking. Even if they see the consequences of their actions and wish to make a change, they still can’t stop. 

The mind and the body of the individual are truly addicted to the effects of alcohol. 

An individual who is dependent on alcohol usually can’t stop drinking on their own, no matter how hard they try. 

In some cases, an arrest, blackouts, legal trouble, hitting financial rock bottom, or some other circumstance may be enough for a person to quit drinking. Typically, willpower alone is not enough. 

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#8: It Becomes Your Only Escape

Although some people may begin drinking socially, the daily stresses of life or emotionally demanding situations may lead people to drink. 

However, when drinking alcohol becomes an individual’s only form of escape to deal with stressors such as guilt, shame, anxiety, or depression, rather than just a drink to relax, that is when alcohol consumption becomes both a habit and a problem. 

Drinking only offers a temporary escape from unpleasant circumstances and negative feelings. Using alcohol as a means of escape does much more harm than good. 

If you or a loved one is facing AUD and ready to take the first step in recovery, Clear Steps Recovery has the individualized care you need to heal. 

We provide a healthy, therapeutic environment that addresses the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your recovery journey. 

You are not alone. 

Alcohol addiction is treatable, and our compassionate team of professionals will be with you along the way.

Our team, along with your desire, will help you regain your quality of life. Let us help you find the path to recovery. 

The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.