Am I an Alcoholic?

Is your drinking hard to control? You may be wondering, “Am I an Acholic?” Millions of people struggle to control how much they drink.1 The word “alcoholic” was once used to describe someone who struggles with alcohol use. However, alcohol use disorder (AUD) now better describes this condition. By recognizing the damage that drinking alcohol is causing in your life, you may decide to make a change and choose recovery.

What Is an Alcoholic?

A person with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is someone who heavily depends on alcohol to the point where it causes them significant mental or physical health problems. They may consume alcohol excessively throughout the week or engage in binge drinking patterns, drinking several alcoholic drinks within a short time. You may not necessarily experience “rock bottom” to encounter the problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption, and your scope of drinking may be mild, moderate or severe.

The Warning Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder

By understanding the warning signs of alcohol use disorder, you can make the changes necessary to avoid physical and mental health issues and other serious consequences associated with problematic drinking patterns. These warning signs include:

• Severe cravings for alcohol (may make it hard to think of anything else)
• Irritability and mood swings
• No longer enjoying your favorite activities or hobbies
• Needing a drink first thing in the morning
• Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms (such as tremors, headaches, and vomiting) when you attempt to cut down or stop drinking
• Choosing alcohol over other responsibilities like work or school
• Being unable to stop or control the amount you drink
• Tolerance or needing to drink more to get the same effect
• Feelings of guilt and shame about your drinking patterns
• Drinking in secret
• Continuing to drink alcohol despite personal, professional or health problems that are worsened by drinking

If any of these sound familiar, you may have an alcohol use disorder. This condition can look very different from person to person, so it’s important to take an honest look at your drinking patterns to determine if it’s time for a change.

What Are the Stages of Alcoholism?

Alcohol use disorders are progressive and become difficult cycles to pull out of without the proper assistance. However, there is always hope in recovery.

• Stage 1 – In this stage, a person may begin experimenting with alcohol, testing their limits and occasionally binge drinking on the weekends.
• Stage 2– This stage is characterized by more frequent alcohol consumption. This increase may be due to stress, boredom, loneliness or simply to socialize. Blackouts may occur.
• Stage 3 – More problematic drinking patterns take shape. At this point, you may begin experiencing negative physical, social and legal impacts from heavy drinking but are still enjoying the effects too much to stop.
• Stage 4 – Alcohol dependence forms at this time, and your tolerance increases. Heavier alcohol consumption increases the damaging physical effects on your body. Withdrawal symptoms may also occur if you try to stop drinking.
• Stage 5 – Addiction occurs during this stage, and you no longer drink out of enjoyment. Your body relies on alcohol to function at this point, and your cravings become unbearable until you start drinking again. If you are at this stage, then withdrawal without medical intervention can be deadly.

Many people may start drinking socially and unintentionally slip into a pattern of problematic alcohol use. The deeper you go through these stages, the more difficult it becomes to stop drinking. The long-term risks associated with heavy drinking also increase.