Drinking alcohol is an extremely common pastime for adults aged 21 and over. However, that does not mean that alcohol isn’t addictive, and it may be sometimes difficult to spot a drinking problem. Here are 7 signs that drinking may be a problem and that you or someone else should stop drinking alcohol.
1. Other People Have Told You That You Have a Drinking Problem
One of the first signs that you have a drinking problem is that others have told you that they are worried about your drinking. This could be both a full blown intervention or even just mentioning it in passing. Remember, your friends and family just care about you and want the best for you, so these comments are usually not meant to be judgemental in any way.
2. You Find Yourself “Drinking Your Feelings”
Drinking alcohol to attempt escaping your emotions is a huge red flag that you have an alcohol addiction. This is especially true if you use alcohol to reduce anxiety or deal with depression. If you find yourself doing this then it is highly encouraged that you seek counseling, therapy, or medical attention to aid mental health. This way professionals can determine if you could benefit from alcohol or drug rehab as well.
3. You Spend a Lot of Money on Alcohol
The next sign that you may be addicted to alcohol is that you find yourself spending a lot of money on it. This could be in the form of always feeling the need to be stocked up on alcohol or even going to the store every day to pick up alcoholic beverages.
4. You Have Pushed Friends and Family Away
Friends and family are very important to most people. However, many alcohol and drug addicts find themselves accidentally pushing their loved ones away because of their addiction. This does not help to improve things either unfortunately because feeling isolated can lead to mental health problems that can fuel addictions further. If you are feeling this way then it is crucial that you find the help you need and go through a drug detox.
5. You Drink Everyday
Drinking alcohol everyday is a huge warning sign when it comes to an alcohol problem. Of course, this means drinking in excess everyday. Having a glass of wine or two with dinner frequently is not necessarily the sign of a problem, but getting drunk every day is.
6. You’re Constantly Thinking About Drinking
This goes along with drinking every day. If you are always thinking about your next sip of alcohol when you are not drinking then that is a sign of an alcohol addiction. Similarly, feeling badly about missing a day of drinking is also a red flag that there is a problem.
7. You Spend a Lot of Time Drinking Alone
The final sign of an alcohol addiction is that you find yourself spending a lot of time drinking alone. This hints that you are drinking too often in general. However, it is important to remember that you can still be an alcoholic if you find yourself drinking with a group very frequently.
Conclusion
Drinking alcohol is a very normal and legal thing for adults that are of legal drinking age. However, alcohol is still a very addictive substance, and it can be sometimes difficult to recognize an alcohol addiction. Luckily, there are some signs that you can look for to pinpoint when drinking alcohol becomes a problem. These signs include others telling you or someone else that they are worried about your drinking, pushing away close friends and family, spending a lot of money on alcohol, and drinking excessively every day. In addition to this, spending a lot of time drinking alone, drinking to cope with difficult thoughts and emotions, and constantly thinking about voting are also red flags. It is crucial to remember that an alcoholic can experience all or only some of the signs mentioned on this list.
