Alcohol Abuse and Dependence
Symptoms
You might not realize that you have a drinking problem. You might not drink every day, or you might not drink large amounts when you do drink. You might go for days or weeks between drinking episodes. Many people say they are "social drinkers," because they don't drink every day. But even if you don't drink very often, it is still possible to be abusing alcohol and to be at risk for becoming addicted to it.
You might think that you can quit drinking at any time. Many people who have alcohol problems do quit for periods of days, weeks, or even months before they start drinking again. But unless you can consistently keep your drinking under control and not fall back into unhealthy patterns, you need help.
Signs of alcohol abuse
Watch for the following signs of alcohol abuse:
- You have problems at work or school such as tardiness, absenteeism, increased injuries, and decreased performance related to alcohol use.
- You drink in dangerous situations, such as before or while driving a car.
- You have blackouts. This means that after a drinking episode, when you are sober again, you cannot remember what happened while you were drinking.
- You have legal problems because of your drinking, such as being arrested for physically harming someone or driving while intoxicated.
- You get hurt or you hurt someone else when you are drinking.
- You continue to drink despite health problems that are caused or made worse by alcohol use, such as liver disease (cirrhosis).
- Your friends or family members are worried about your drinking.
Signs of alcohol dependence or addiction
Watch for the following signs of alcohol dependence or addiction:
- You crave alcohol and are not able to control your drinking, even when you want to.
- You have withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, or anxiety when you cut back or stop drinking.
- You must drink more alcohol to feel the same effects.
- In spite of the signs, you think you don't have a problem.
- Friends or family members are worried about your drinking.
- You have physical signs of alcohol dependence, such as weight loss or redness of the nose and cheeks.
- You hide your drinking or hide how much you drink.
- You are not comfortable in situations where alcohol is not served.
It is common for people who have problems with alcohol to have other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. People who abuse alcohol are more likely to also have a problem with other substances, such as tobacco or illegal drugs.
If you think you might have a drinking problem, take a short quiz to evaluate your symptoms:
Symptoms of alcohol abuse in children and teens sometimes are different from the symptoms seen in adults. For more information, see the topic Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Complications
Long-term heavy drinking damages the liver, nervous system, heart, and brain. It also contributes to high blood pressure, stomach problems, interactions between medicines and alcohol, sexual problems, osteoporosis, a brain disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and cancer. Alcohol abuse can also lead to violence, accidents, social isolation, and difficulties at work and home.
Drinking alcohol can cause unique problems for teens, older adults, pregnant women, and people with other health conditions. If you are pregnant, you should not drink any alcohol, because it increases the risk of developmental problems in the baby.
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| Author: | Alison Allen Jeannette Curtis Maureen Shea | Last Updated: November 20, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Peter Monti, PhD - Alcohol and Addiction Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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