Drinking every now and then is fairly okay as long as you keep your alcohol consumption under control. While some of us have a unique ability to not over-drink, others struggle with alcohol. This is in part because of our genetics and how our brain is wired.
But for people who are more prone to addiction, it is best to keep a strict check on how many drinks you are having daily. Here are the top eight signs indicating that you might have a drinking problem:
1. You drink more to overcome your withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal is when your body becomes physically dependent on the drink. The worst part is that if you don’t get alcohol at that instant, you may experience symptoms that are uncomfortable, such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, shaking, a fast heart rate, headache, mood swings, and even insomnia.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms means that your body is already dependent on ethanol, and it might take several therapy sessions before you get over this condition. Due to the fact that withdrawal symptoms are painful and intolerable, the first thing that you think about doing is to get more alcohol in your system.
The end result is an endless spiral of withdrawal symptoms and consumption, which is something that is difficult to get out of.
2. You spend most of your waking hours with a bottle
People who are addicted to alcohol drink A LOT every day. This becomes a problem in countries where alcohol is easily available, which means that users can actually store bottles in their homes.
If you find yourself spending most of your waking moments drinking rather than doing anything constructive, you may have a problem, and it’s important that you seek help immediately. Such a problem can destroy your entire life because alcohol takes center stage, and you don’t think much about anything else.
3. Your family and friends may start worrying
Addicts normally start avoiding their friends and family because they spend so much of their time drinking or being in a state of drunkenness. This behavior leads them to become antisocial, and hence they skip reunions and get-togethers.
If it’s been a long time since your family and friends have last seen or heard from you, they might try to reach out or wonder why you don’t see them as regularly as you once used to. Sooner or later, they will figure out that you have developed a drinking problem, and they might force you to seek therapy.
4. Your tolerance to alcohol has increased
One consequence of drinking too much is that your tolerance to alcohol increases. This means that to acquire the same effects of alcohol, you will be obliged to drink more. You will also start craving alcohol more as a result, which means that the amount you consume daily will drastically go up.
5. You have no self-control
Alcoholics cannot control their alcohol consumption, nor do they have a limit on how much they drink. This is dangerous because a lot of alcohol in the system can lead to alcohol poisoning or even death. Other common health issues associated with heavy alcohol consumption include high blood pressure, organ disease, and mental health issues such as depression, stress, and anxiety.
If you develop these conditions along with addiction, then it will be difficult for you to handle these, and it might take years before you can be on the road to recovery.
6. You lose a lot of money buying alcohol
Alcohol isn’t cheap, and with daily purchases, your costs can skyrocket. On top of that, if you don’t have a stable job or have been fired due to addiction, you will find it hard to pay for all these bottles of alcohol.
Sooner or later, you will find yourself asking for money from your relatives or friends who might or might not lend it to you. Another negative aspect of losing most of your money on alcohol is that you won’t be left with much for buying things you actually need to stay alive such as food and water, or for paying your monthly bills.
7. You are reckless more often than not
We all know about the impact that drinking has on the brain. It impairs good judgment, and it is for this reason that many activities are forbidden to partake in once a person has drunk alcohol. These activities include driving or operating any heavy machinery. But, since addicted people are more under the influence than others, they might be involved in risky activities for a longer duration, hence putting their and other people’s lives at risk.
8. You’ve tried, but no matter what you do, you can’t cut down
Alcohol addiction isn’t easy to treat, and you definitely can treat it on your own. It is for this reason that there are many rehabilitation centers focused on helping such people and getting them better.
Of course, the people around you also play an important role, not only in helping you get over your addiction but also in identifying that you have a problem and pushing you to seek help. Alcoholics need dedication and determination to overcome their drinking problem because, in their state, they can’t think straight and have a hard time quitting alcohol.
Conclusion
While getting yourself clean is a long process, and it might even take decades before you can confidently say that you are no longer an addict, it is nevertheless an important step to regain control and start leading a healthier life.
There is also the fear of getting off track and falling back into addiction because of all the temptations around you once out of rehab. But you need to remember all the progress you’ve made and the effort you have had to put in to get yourself to where you are today.
This reminder will help you avoid situations where you are most likely to encounter alcohol or impose strict limits on your daily drinking.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
