Top Signs of Alcoholism 

While the experience of alcohol use disorder (AUD) might be different from person to person, there are a few primary indicators that someone has the condition. AUD causes a series of physical and mental side effects. It also can influence someone’s decision-making and everyday functioning. Recognizing the signs of AUD is critical for someone to get the care they need. Someone may still have the condition if they do not show every sign or experience a few. 

You Have An Increased Tolerance to Alcohol

Tolerance refers to the need for increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effect. Over time, someone with AUD may find that the same quantity of alcohol no longer produces the desired feelings of relaxation or euphoria. This adaptation can drive people to consume more, exacerbating the disorder. Someone with increased tolerance to alcohol may find they can always outdrink their friends, they spend more money on alcohol, and they no longer feel a buzz from drinking just a few drinks. 

You Want To Cut Back But Are Unsuccessful In Your Attempts

Some people with AUD recognize the need for moderation or to stop drinking altogether but fail at their attempts to do so. It’s a common cycle for someone with AUD to set limits on their drinking, such as “only one or two drinks,” but to consume much more, failing to uphold their rule. This lack of control often leads to drinking in excess and a cycle of starting again tomorrow. 

You Experience Negative Consequences From Drinking 

Someone with AUD often continues to drink even when it causes personal or professional problems. People with AUD may drink at their job or show up hungover, knowing the continued behavior could lead to job loss, yet feel unable to stop despite the consequences. Similarly, AUD can strain close relationships, causing conflict in someone’s inability to meet their obligations. These patterns show how compulsive AUD is. 

You Have Strong Cravings For Alcohol

Strong and persistent cravings for alcohol are another defining sign of AUD. These cravings can be both physical and psychological, driving people to seek out alcohol even when they’re trying to abstain. Cravings often become a dominant force in a person’s life, overshadowing other interests and responsibilities and ruling their decisions on a given day. 

You Make Plans Around Drinking

People with AUD may spend an excessive amount of time obtaining alcohol, drinking, and recovering from its effects. This preoccupation can interfere with daily routines and reduce other essential activities, such as family interactions, work, or self-care. People with AUD will also prioritize social events where there will be alcohol. A lot of thinking goes into the ability to drink. Someone may start to isolate socially or choose outings based on whether alcohol use is welcome and embraced. 

When You Stop Drinking, You Experience Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms occur when someone suddenly stops excessive and prolonged alcohol use. Symptoms may include sweating, shaking, nausea, irritability, anxiety, and, in severe cases, seizures or delirium tremens (DT). Withdrawal symptoms point to severe physical dependence. Not everyone with AUD will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking. 

Your Alcohol Use Increases Risky Situations

Due to alcohol’s euphoric effects, it can lead someone to feel secure or safe when the situation is anything but. AUD can impair someone’s judgment and cause an increase in impulsive behavior. Sometimes, people with AUD will drive, swim, or operate heavy machinery while intoxicated, leading to risky situations, medical emergencies, and death. 

You Spend A Lot of Time Recovering From Alcohol’s Impacts

People with AUD may spend substantial time recovering from hangovers, causing them to call out of work, cancel plans, or miss out on life experiences. Someone with AUD’s sense of normalcy is routed around drinking, and the absence of it can lead to feeling both physically and emotionally unwell. Someone might be more prone to hangover side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and irritability. 

You Show Signs Of Health Problems Caused by AUD

Aside from feeling lousy from alcohol and alcohol recovery, AUD can lead to many health problems, including liver disease, heart problems, digestive issues, weight gain, and a weakened immune system due to alcohol’s inflammatory side effects. Someone who has experienced prolonged AUD may start to experience health symptoms associated with these conditions. For example, liver disease can begin to cause yellow eyes and skin. Excessive alcohol intake can cause broken capillaries on the face. 

Alcohol Has Become A Coping Tool 

Turning to alcohol to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges is a common sign of AUD. While occasional drinking in social or celebratory contexts can be normal, consistently relying on alcohol to manage emotions or escape problems indicates a deeper issue.

You Have A Loss of Control Over Alcohol Use

Many with AUD find it difficult to stop drinking when they start and to stick to their set rules to cut back. This loss of control is a central feature of the disorder and often leads to feelings of shame. Even when someone sees the havoc that alcohol causes on their health, work, self, and relationships, they are unable to stop or reduce drinking. 

How Is AUD Diagnosed?

Healthcare providers may use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health (DSM), which has 11 criteria for AUD. However, to meet the diagnosis, someone only needs to meet two criteria in a 12-month period. A provider ranks the severity from mild, moderate, to severe based on the number of criteria met. You can also use simple assessments like the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to diagnose AUD. 

AUDIT consists of 10 questions assessing alcohol consumption, drinking behaviors, and alcohol-related problems. Healthcare professionals use AUDIT to evaluate the severity of alcohol use, guide further assessment, and inform treatment decisions. Whether you seek a formal diagnosis or not, you do not have to wait to get care for AUD. If you find yourself resonating with the aforementioned top symptoms of alcoholism, help is available. 

Qualify For Treatment