How to Tell if You Have a Drinking Problem

It is not always obvious when you are addicted to alcohol. And even if you do have an inkling that there is a problem, you may end up convincing yourself otherwise so that you can continue the behavior. If you’d truly like to know if your drinking habits have gone too far, learn more below about how to tell if you have a drinking problem.

If you or your loved one need a safe space to recover from addiction, contact Myrtle Beach Recovery to learn more about our short- and long-term recovery programs.

What is Alcoholism?

The first step in knowing if you have a drinking problem is first understanding how alcoholism, or an alcohol use disorder, is defined. Alcoholism is when your body becomes so dependent on alcohol that it requires it to function “normally” throughout day-to-day life. Drug abuse can be caused by a variety of factors, but it is a real disease that can certainly be cured.

Signs of Addiction

Below are a few of the most common signs of an addiction to alcohol:

Drinking in Secrecy

When you feel the need to hide your drinking from close friends and family, this is a big red flag that you may have a problem. Any dishonesty about how much alcohol you are consuming means that you are feeling shame and guilt towards your drinking habits.

Making Alcohol a Priority

You could be making alcohol a priority in a few different ways. Perhaps you have found yourself passing up on activities you once enjoyed to drink, drinking before starting your school/work responsibilities, or only wanting to participate in events if drinking is involved. If any of these apply to you, you may be addicted.

Continuing Despite Problems

One major sign of an alcohol use disorder is continuing to drink despite the negative consequences it is causing in your life. Alcohol can significantly impact your relationships, your health, and sometimes even your financial situation. You may also find yourself repeatedly getting into dangerous situations while drinking, such as drinking and driving, getting into physical fights, having unsafe sex, or being unaware of your surroundings.

You are likely addicted if you recognize that these kinds of problems are stemming from your drinking habits, but choosing not to—or not being able to—end the behavior.

Inability to Stop

Craving alcohol, and constantly giving in to those cravings, is another sign of addiction. You may also be unable to control the amount of alcohol you drink, which can lead you to blackout. If this becomes a pattern and you feel that you are unable to stop yourself from having drink after drink, it may be time to seek professional assistance.

Contact Myrtle Beach Recovery

We hope you better know how to tell if you have a drinking problem. If you’ve come to realize that you may be addicted, don’t hesitate to reach out to Myrtle Beach Recovery today. We offer short-term and long-term recovery programs, providing a safe place to work through the 12 Steps.

/by clickgiant