Although alcohol is one of the most addictive substances, drinking is normalized in many contexts. Whether you are drinking at home with dinner or in bars, as part of religious rites or at parties, alcohol consumption can become problematic without you realizing it. In this article, we will discuss how you can know if your drinking habit is more serious than you think.
Alcohol addiction tends to attract drama. People make bad decisions for themselves and others, accidents happen, jobs are lost, and bridges burnt. However, that doesn’t mean the path to addiction is always evident.
In fact, most people who become addicted to alcohol are not aware that they’re at risk. They know that other people are addicted, but are certain that they can avoid it. And so, they drink in moderation and sometimes, on special occasions, to excess.
Before long, they are drinking most days of the week, becoming inebriated more often than not. Still, they believe that they can stop whenever they want to. It doesn’t seem to be causing any problems yet, so why try?
In scenarios like this, the line between moderate drinking and alcohol abuse is blurry. The person may believe they have their alcohol use under control. And maybe they do. All too often, unfortunately, this is not the case.
There’s not always an easy way to differentiate between normal and problematic drinking. However, there are guidelines and risk factors that you can look out for.
What is Considered Normal Drinking?
One challenge people face in identifying whether they have a drinking problem is that they do not know what is considered normal. Indeed, ‘normal’ is a relative term and exhibits differently according to factors such as culture, age group, and environment.
That being said, there is a definition of moderate alcohol use, provided by the CDC. The CDC defines moderate use as:
- For men: 2 drinks per day
- For women: 1 drink per day
What is considered a drink? That depends on what you are drinking. The following sizes are considered standard:
- 12 oz. beer (5% alcohol volume), equivalent to half a can
- 8 oz. malt liquor (7% alcohol volume), roughly equivalent to half a 16 oz. can
- 5 oz. wine (12% alcohol), roughly equivalent to an average portion by the glass
- 1 shot or 1.5 oz. liquor or distilled spirits, such as vodka, whiskey, rum, gin, tequila, etc.
It’s important to mention that these guidelines consider the average amount of drinks consumed over the course of the week, rather than the amount you drink each day. In other words, fourteen drinks over the weekend will be considered two drinks a day if you do not drink the rest of the week.
These guidelines can give you a general idea of what it means to drink in moderation. However, the CDC clarifies that these amounts can still lead to health risks if maintained. In addition, even if you are drinking in moderation, this does not mean you do not have a problem.
The reason you are drinking and your ability to stop are more accurate signifiers that your drinking habit is more serious than you think.
Signs Your Drinking Might be a Problem
Simply calculating how much you drink can be misleading. Some people may be drinking higher volumes for a period of time but still not have a problem. Others may currently be drinking less, but are heading for trouble.
To get a sense of whether your drinking habit might be more serious than you think, look out for the following signs.
You need more alcohol to feel the same effects
Alcohol addiction is a physical illness. When you drink consistently, your body builds a tolerance to alcohol. You become dependent on the substance for certain physical needs. Over time, you need to drink more and more alcohol in order to compensate for functions your body is no longer performing.
The tell-tale sign of dependence is that you need to drink more to get drunk. At this point, it is already becoming difficult to stop drinking, as you will experience withdrawals as your body struggles to keep up.
You drink to cope with problems
Addiction is also a mental illness. Some people start drinking in order to numb or distract from difficult feelings. Others begin to replace healthy coping mechanisms with alcohol after a period of consistent drinking.
Either way, drinking to cope with anxiety, depression, stress, or other issues is a sign that there’s a risk of addiction. You may have a difficult time stopping drinking as it has become a psychological crutch.
Drinking alone is a major signifier that you’re using alcohol to cope, as it is no longer just a recreational activity.
Your friends and family have expressed concern
There can be reasons that a friend or family member is concerned that don’t really have to do with you. Maybe they have had a negative experience with a loved one who had a problem with alcohol. However, it is still a sign that you should reflect on whether your drinking is an issue, as others can often see things that we are in denial about.
This is all the more true if the concerns are being expressed by multiple friends and family members. Even if you think they are wrong, take some time to assess the role alcohol plays in your life.
You drink in secret
You might insist that you don’t have a problem with alcohol, both to others and yourself. However, if you drink in secret, this is a sign that your drinking habit is unhealthy. Whether consciously or unconsciously, you know that you are beginning to have a problem.
You’re neglecting responsibilities due to alcohol
When alcohol starts impacting your daily life, and you’re making excuses not to take care of your needs at work or at home, there is a good chance that your drinking has become a problem. Addiction turns alcohol into a priority, leading to dysfunction even when you know that your actions will have consequences.
Conclusion
The fact that you’re asking whether your drinking habit is more serious than you think is itself a sign that something is wrong. However, it is a good thing that you are taking time to reflect. You don’t need to wait for your life to fall apart or to hit rock bottom before getting help. The sooner you address the issue, the easier the process of recovery will be.
