How to Know When Alcohol is an Addiction

An occasional drink after work or on the weekends isn't a big deal – unless you can't do without it. Keep reading to learn about alcohol addiction and how to recognize the signs of a problem.

Alcohol addiction is a serious issue that happens when you can't control your drinking habits. Many people who have an alcohol addiction don't think they have a problem, but those around them may think differently.

Living with alcohol addiction is difficult for those you love and hard on your body – but recovery is possible with professional help. Knowing the signs of an alcohol addiction is the best way to know when it's time to seek treatment.

You don't have to struggle alone with alcohol addiction at the Victory Treatment Program in Knoxville, Tennessee. Stacey Maltman, FNP-BC, is an addiction specialist who provides various treatment options for multiple types of substance use disorder, including alcoholism.

Understanding alcohol addiction

An addiction is a medical condition that happens when someone uses substances or takes part in particular behaviors that are compulsive. These actions or substances often lead to difficulties at work, with family, and with your social life, and continue despite these problems.

Addiction comes in many forms, including drugs and alcohol. Alcohol addiction occurs when you abuse alcohol despite the consequences in your life and your body. Drinking typically becomes compulsive, with the inability to control how much you drink at any given time.

Your emotions typically change when you no longer have alcohol to drink, causing mood swings, anger, and withdrawal symptoms. The addiction continues despite health issues and problems with family.

Alcohol addiction is part of the alcohol use disorder but is usually at the more severe end of the spectrum. Drinking alcohol can lead to addiction because it takes away negative feelings and stimulates euphoric feelings and pleasure.

Some people begin an alcohol addiction accidentally by drinking to relieve stress. However, in between drinking, feelings of anxiety or negative emotions may worsen, causing a vicious cycle of drinking that becomes addictive and unhealthy.

Signs of alcohol addiction

Just because you have a couple of drinks over the weekend or a glass of wine throughout the week doesn't mean you're addicted to alcohol. Plenty of people have several drinks a week without having an addiction.

The problem occurs when you drink because you have to fight off withdrawal or you're unable to stop even though you want to. Recognizing the signs of alcohol addiction can save your life or help someone you love.

The signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction vary from person to person, and the severity of the problem, but they often include:

Having to drink more for the same effect
Often, drink more than you want to
Continue drinking even when it causes issues with family
I have tried to stop drinking but can't
Cut back on activities so you can drink
Want to drink so bad you can't think of anything else
Drinking gets you into dangerous situations
Drinking causes anxiety and depression, but you continue

Another significant sign of an alcohol addiction is withdrawal symptoms when you don't have alcohol in your system. The symptoms of withdrawal typically include shakiness, dysphoria, and trouble sleeping.

You may also feel nausea and restlessness and become sweaty when withdrawing. In some cases, the symptoms are severe enough to cause a seizure and other serious health issues.

Treatments for alcohol addiction

You don't have to live with an alcohol addiction simply; Stacey and her team offer various treatments to help you overcome the problem. We offer multiple therapies and supportive treatments for addiction, including:

Stacey thoroughly assesses your symptoms, overall health, and mental wellness to determine the best route of treatment for alcohol addiction. She may recommend one treatment or several together to help you overcome your addiction permanently.

To find out more about our alcohol addiction treatments, call us today at our office in Knoxville, Tennessee, or request a consultation right here on the website.