Am I An Alcoholic? Ten Tell-Tale Signs of Alcoholism
Am I an alcoholic? If you have ever asked yourself this question, you are not alone. Alcohol plays a unique role in society. It is the only psychoactive substance that is legal, prevalent, and glamorized. It can also destroy your life.
You might try and silence the voice in your head by saying that your drinking isn't that bad. You still have a job, money, friends... You aren't homeless. You're not drinking as soon as you wake up. The thing is, nobody starts off that way. Alcoholism is a cunning, insidious, and potentially lethal disease.
Alcoholism flies under the radar in part due to its loose definition. If you are frequently drinking and quantities enough to "cause considerable mental and physical damage," you're considered as dealing with alcoholism. But what does this mean?
Modern medical practitioners prefer the term "Alcohol Use Disorder'' or AUD. It defines AUD as a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. Diagnosis of alcohol use disorder can range from mild, moderate, and severe.
The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) contains a list of criteria to diagnose AUD and determine its severity. To see if your drinking has crossed over into disorder, look back on the last 12 months and ask yourself these questions:
Has your drinking (or its after-effects) prevented you from taking care of your home, family, or major responsibilities? Are you having problems at school or work?
Have you gotten into potentially risky or unsafe situations while drinking? These precarious situations could include trespassing, driving, using machinery, or practicing unsafe sex.
Are you spending an increasing amount of time engaging in activities to obtain alcohol and subsequently hiding the evidence?
Drank frequently and heavily despite knowing it worries your friends and loved ones?
Has your tolerance increased considerably? Do you find you need more alcohol than before to get drunk?
Have your hangovers progressed from annoying to debilitating? Are you shaking, sweating, or experiencing seizures?
Have you tried repeatedly to cut down or stop, but are unsuccessful?
Are you spending more time drinking than ever before? Do you have alcohol-free days every week?
Have you given up sports, activities, or hobbies that you once had to free up time to drink?
Have you had moments where you wanted to drink so badly that you could not distract yourself or think of anything else?
If you found yourself responding yes to even a few of these questions, we recommend reaching out for help. A medical professional will supplement the initial criteria with further questions and make a judgment call. It is essential to answer their questions honestly, without minimizing or exaggerating. Some find writing down their patterns, problems, or painful memories helps clarify the role that alcohol plays in their lives.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and we want to remind you that you are not alone. Millions of people worldwide have overcome alcoholism, and so can you. If anything here has resonated with you, get in touch. One of our expert team members will contact you for a 100% confidential conversation, no strings attached. Recovery is possible.
