Problem drinking is difficult to define because it’s different for everyone. There’s a large gap between someone who uses alcohol in social settings and someone who is addicted to alcohol. In that space between the extremes there is gray area drinking. What is the line between acceptable and unacceptable drinking? Footprints to Recovery is an alcohol abuse treatment provider that can help you understand when alcohol use is a problem in your life and help you take steps to fix it. Our treatment programs for alcohol abuse are led by a team of clinical professionals with years of experience assisting clients in the recovery process.
What Is Gray Area Drinking?
Gray area drinking is a term used to describe a pattern of alcohol consumption that falls between social drinking and an alcohol use disorder (AUD). It implies that you may not meet the criteria for addiction but still uses alcohol in a dangerous or damaging way.
Many who abuse alcohol talk about hitting rock bottom. That’s when their alcohol use causes serious problems like a DUI or ruins a relationship. In her TED Talk on the subject, Jolene Park highlighted that gray area drinking is not rock bottom, but it carries the potential to bring someone there if not addressed.
The term “gray area drinking” is not a formal medical diagnosis; it’s a concept used to describe someone’s drinking behavior. Gray area drinkers may experience negative consequences related to their drinking.
The consequences of gray area drinking include:
- Impaired judgment
- Risky behaviors
- Health issues
- Strained relationships
Gray area drinking can develop in many ways. For example, maybe you started using alcohol as a tool for stress relief. Having a drink after a day at work or school helped you relax. This kind of moderate drinking is often seen as acceptable alcohol use. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, moderate drinking refers to a pattern of alcohol consumption considered low-risk and unlikely to cause significant harm to most adults. It involves drinking alcohol in moderation and adhering to recommended guidelines to reduce the risk of negative health effects of alcohol.
The problem is, alcohol of any kind damages the body. Research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism shows that drinking over a long period or drinking a lot at one time both carry serious health risks. Alcohol hurts body systems like the:
- Brain
- Liver
- Heart
- Pancreas
- Immune system
One drink after work may seem harmless, but it carries the potential to turn into more. Issues like hangovers can impact work performance and lead to more stress. This in turn can lead to you drinking more to cope. Gray area drinking can develop into a vicious cycle of addiction and mental health issues if not dealt with.
How Is Gray Area Drinking Different from Alcoholism?
Understanding what alcoholism is can help you better understand gray area drinking. Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic and severe form of alcohol dependence. It means you are unable to control your drinking despite negative consequences when you drink.
The signs you may have alcoholism include:
- Compulsive alcohol consumption
- Strong cravings for alcohol
- Binge drinking
- Tolerance to alcohol
- Withdrawal symptoms when abstaining from alcohol
- Neglecting responsibilities like work or school
- Social isolation
Not everyone who drinks alcohol develops alcoholism. Factors like genetics, your environment, and social influences all play a role in the development of problematic drinking.
What Are the Signs of Gray Area Drinking?
There are many signs that someone is abusing alcohol, and many of the signs associated with alcoholism are also symptoms of gray area drinking. Some signs of gray area drinking include:
- Increased tolerance to alcohol
- Thinking or talking about drinking
- Using alcohol to cope with mental health issues
- An inability to reduce consumption
- Using alcohol at inappropriate times
- Risky behavior like drunk driving or unprotected sex
- Prioritizing drinking over friends and family
These signs can indicate a problematic drinking pattern, but they may not necessarily indicate an AUD. Working with a treatment center with an alcohol abuse program is the best way to identify whether your gray area drinking has gone too far. The treatment team at Footprints to Recovery can assess your history of alcohol use and help create a recovery plan that suits your needs.
Who Is at Risk for Gray Area Drinking?
Gray area drinking is a problem that doesn’t discriminate. Anyone can develop unhealthy drinking habits that threaten their overall wellness. There are a few risk factors that raise the likelihood of someone developing a problem with alcohol.
The risk factors for gray area drinking include:
- A family history of alcohol or substance abuse
- Growing up in an environment where alcohol use was normal
- Mental health issues like anxiety or depression
- Chronic medical issues
- A history of trauma
- Personality traits like impulsiveness
Gray area drinking can develop regardless of the above risk factors. If you are concerned about your drinking habits and believe you may be at risk for gray area drinking, seek guidance from a healthcare professional or a counselor specializing in addiction. Early intervention and support can help address any potential issues related to alcohol consumption and promote healthier habits.
Do I Need Treatment for Gray Area Drinking?
Alcohol is an addictive substance. Many people need the assistance of a professional treatment center when they try to quit drinking. The idea that you have to hit rock bottom before getting help is false. Getting help at the first signs of alcohol abuse offers a better chance of overcoming the problem and moving on to a brighter future.
Here’s when you should get treatment for gray area drinking:
- When drinking and hangovers cause anxiety
- When you use alcohol to get over hangovers
- When you’ve tried to stop drinking before and could not
- When drinking causes legal or relationship issues
- When you find yourself looking forward to the next time you drink
Can I Detox from Alcohol at Home?
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to get through. Detoxing at home is not a good idea, as complications may need the expertise of a medical professional.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Delirium tremens (DTs)
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Dehydration
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
Medically supervised detox makes sure you’re safe and provides appropriate support during the withdrawal process. This can be done in an inpatient setting like Footprints to Recovery. Our drug and alcohol detox clinicians make the process as safe and comfortable as possible. The goal is to ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal so you can move on to the next stages of recovery.
Alcoholism Treatment at Footprints to Recovery
Finding the right help can make all the difference in addiction recovery. Footprints to Recovery offers a full continuum of care for alcohol use disorder. Our evidence-based and holistic programs are led by licensed and experienced clinicians. We create unique recovery plans centered around our levels of care.
Our levels of care for alcohol treatment include:
- Medical detox: Getting through detox is much easier with the help of the clinical team at Footprints to Recovery. Our detox program helps you manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms at our safe and comfortable facility.
- Inpatient rehab: Residential treatment can be very helpful for people who drink. It involves spending 24/7 at our recovery center undergoing alcohol treatment. The goal is to address both alcohol abuse and the underlying causes, like trauma, anxiety disorder, or stress.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP): A PHP is another level of alcohol treatment that offers more flexibility than inpatient rehab. Clients in a PHP can live at home or in a sober living facility while attending treatment five times per week for up to six hours each visit.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP): An IOP is an even more flexible form of alcohol rehab. It involves between 9 and 15 hours of treatment per week. The rest of the time, you are free to live your life in a normal way using the skills and tools learned in rehab to maintain your sobriety.
- Outpatient rehab: Outpatient addiction treatment is another option for those who want to end problematic or heavy drinking. It occurs once or twice per week. The goal is to help you use the coping mechanisms learned earlier in recovery to aid sobriety in your future.
When drinking turns from a fun, social activity to something more problematic, it may be time to get help. Gray area drinking or problem drinking can turn into a substance use disorder if not addressed. The good news is that Footprints to Recovery is your gray area drinking resource. If you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, it may be time to get help. Contact our admissions team today to verify insurance or learn more about the risks associated with alcohol intake. Are you ready to quit drinking? Footprints to Recovery can help.
References:
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body
- https://www.ted.com/talks/jolene_park_gray_area_drinking
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
