Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol dependence (formerly referred to as alcohol addiction) is a serious medical condition that affects millions of Americans. With threats to your physical health, mental health, relationships, and even livelihood, it’s important to recognize the signs of alcohol dependence early and seek professional treatment.

Scroll on to learn about alcohol dependence including signs to look out for, how it can impact your day-to-day life, and treatment options.

Alcohol dependence is a medical condition that causes physical and psychological reliance on alcohol. The official diagnosis for alcohol dependence is alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is classified as an inability to stop or control one’s drinking. It is identified by 11 symptoms and categorized as mild, moderate, or severe depending on how many symptoms an individual presents.

You may also hear the word alcohol misuse (previously called alcohol abuse) used in the context of alcohol dependence. However, it’s important to note that alcohol misuse is different from alcohol dependence.

Because alcohol is not an illicit substance, not all alcohol use is alcohol misuse. Alcohol misuse refers to any alcohol intake habits that can cause harm or damage. This can include binge drinking, blackouts, drinking at inappropriate times, or just drinking excessive amounts of alcohol on a regular basis.

Due to the nature of alcohol misuse, it’s not uncommon for it to develop into alcohol dependence. When experiencing alcohol dependence, individuals experience signs of both physical dependence and psychological dependence.

Psychological dependence occurs when you start to believe you cannot function without alcohol. Physical dependence, on the other hand, causes withdrawal symptoms when you reduce or stop your alcohol consumption.

Physical signs of alcohol dependence can sometimes be the easiest signs to identify, especially in oneself. These include increased tolerance, physical health decline, and withdrawal symptoms.

One of the early signs of alcohol dependence or alcohol misuse is an increased tolerance for alcohol. When the brain and body are exposed to alcohol continually for an extended period of time, they start to build a tolerance to its effects.

As a result, people who misuse alcohol or who have developed an AUD will need more and more alcohol to feel the same effects over time. This is very dangerous as it worsens dependence and can make you more susceptible to adverse outcomes like alcohol overdose.

Both short-term and long-term alcohol misuse can cause a myriad of negative physical health consequences. Some of these effects are acute, while others can be permanent.

Common physical effects include:

• Liver cancer
• Cirrhosis
• Stroke
• Fatigue
• Cardiomyopathy
• High blood pressure
• Pancreatitis
• Liver damage
• Heartburn
• Colorectal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Weakened immune system
• Ulcers
• Arrhythmias
• Weight loss
• Digestive cancers
• Gastritis
• Heart disease
• Fatty liver disease
• Esophagus cancer
• Alcoholic hepatitis

Physical health consequences underscore the importance of early detection as proper intervention can prevent serious conditions and prevent existing health conditions from getting worse.

Lastly, people with alcohol dependence experience withdrawal symptoms when they reduce the amount of alcohol they drink or stop drinking entirely. Mild withdrawal symptoms can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, but in people with severe alcohol dependence, withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

• Mood swings
• Fever/high body temperature
• Irritability
• Bone loss
• High blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Abnormal heart rate
• Coma
• Shakiness
• Insomnia
• Sexual problems
• Headache
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Dilated pupils
• Sweating
• Delirium tremens (DT)
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Hallucinations
• Nightmares
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Vision problems

In addition to physical signs, many people exhibit behavioral signs of alcohol dependence. It’s important to understand what kind of behavioral changes may indicate alcohol misuse so early intervention can be facilitated.

People who have alcohol dependence or are misusing alcohol will often increase their alcohol intake. This can be for many reasons, one of which is the need for more alcohol for the same effects, as mentioned previously. You may notice someone drinking more days of the week, more drinks in one sitting, or even drinking on their own frequently.

It’s common for people with alcohol dependence to start engaging in risky behaviors that they may not otherwise partake in. Alcohol can lift moods, lower inhibitions, and cause poor decision-making skills. All of these can encourage an individual to engage in behaviors that are normally out of character.

Some examples include drunk driving, using illicit drugs, having unprotected sex while intoxicated, or participating in dangerous activities like climbing tall objects. If you notice someone engaging in behaviors they would not otherwise partake in, it may indicate alcohol misuse.

Another common behavioral sign of alcohol dependence is neglecting one’s responsibilities. This can include work, school, or even familial obligations. People may fail to fulfill their responsibilities because they have been drinking or purposefully neglect their responsibilities to drink.

Psychological signs can be harder to spot in someone else, but it’s important to know psychological symptoms nonetheless.

One of the biggest signs of alcohol dependence is a mental preoccupation with alcohol. People who are struggling with alcohol misuse or dependence spend much of their time thinking about alcohol. Individuals may be preoccupied with when they’re having their next drink or even plan their day around their alcohol intake.

Cravings go hand-in-hand with mental preoccupation in regards to alcohol dependence. Cravings create a strong desire or compulsion to drink alcohol. In alcohol dependence, cravings can be so severe that it is seemingly impossible to carry on with your day without fulfilling the craving.

Cravings occur due to the way alcohol affects your brain chemistry. Essentially, alcohol increases and inhibits the effects of certain neurotransmitters in your brain. Over time, these changes can affect the way your brain functions and communicates, causing dependence.

It’s also common to see mood swings in someone struggling with alcohol dependence. These mood swings are often due to the changes in brain chemistry caused by alcohol. You may notice irritability, aggression, paranoia, anxiety, depression, or euphoria in these mood swings.

Finally, there are certain social signs and behaviors that may help identify an AUD. These include loss of interest, isolation, and conflict with loved ones.

One tell-tale sign of alcohol dependence is a loss of interest in regular hobbies or activities. People struggling with alcohol misuse or alcohol dependence may start to lose interest in the things they once loved because they are preoccupied with thoughts of drinking.

In a similar vein, it’s very common for people with alcohol dependence to start to isolate themselves. Specifically, they may withdraw from social activities or relationships to spend more time drinking. Additionally, they may isolate themselves out of shame or embarrassment about their condition.

Because of mood swings and other effects of alcohol dependence, many people start to notice more conflict with their loved ones. Isolation and responsibility neglect can place strain on friendships, familial relationships, and romantic relationships.

Alcohol dependence and alcohol misuse can impact your day-to-day life, even if you’re not actively drinking every day.

Of the more severe impacts, some people run into legal issues as a result of their drinking patterns. There are many legal consequences related to alcohol consumption including DUI (driving under the influence) for drinking and driving, getting arrested for public intoxication, nudity, or urination, and getting arrested for other risky behaviors like trespassing or breaking and entering.

Many people also start to experience financial issues in relation to their alcohol problems. Alcohol dependence can compel individuals to spend excessive amounts of money on alcohol, causing financial instability and neglect of other financial responsibilities. This can lead to debt.

As mentioned previously, alcohol dependence is also associated with neglect of school and work responsibilities. This can of course lead to poor performance in both areas. With a decline in productivity and frequent absences, some people experience job loss or expulsion.

While alcohol dependence is a serious condition on its own, it’s essential to note that there are several co-occurring disorders many people experience alongside their AUD.

Mental health disorders commonly occur alongside alcohol misuse or dependence. They can be pre-existing and may serve as the root of AUD or may instead be caused by repeated alcohol misuse. Either way, alcohol use exacerbates mental illnesses.

Common co-occurring mental health conditions include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Panic disorders

It’s also common for people with an AUD to develop a substance use disorder (SUD). This is because alcohol misuse can encourage the use of addictive drugs like cocaine, meth, prescription drugs, heroin, or opioids.

Whether you’re looking for signs in yourself or someone else, there are several great resources that can simplify the process. Early detection allows for early treatment and prevents AUDs from getting worse.

If you’re worried you may be developing alcohol dependence, you may want to explore self-assessment tools available online. These can include questionnaires, quizzes, or checklists that help identify symptoms of alcohol dependence. It’s a great idea to follow up self-assessment tools with a medical evaluation, which can provide a proper diagnosis.

When it comes to recognizing signs in someone else, it can be a bit tricky. The most important thing is to be vigilant of any physical, behavioral, or psychological changes that are associated with alcohol misuse. If you start to notice signs of alcohol dependence, you may want to consider holding an intervention for the individual and encouraging them to seek professional help.

When it comes to AUD, there are many treatment options and resources that can offer help and support during your recovery journey. Help from professionals, support groups, and evidence-based treatment programs can all be beneficial, especially when used in conjunction with each other.

There are several healthcare professionals you may encounter during your recovery journey, all of which have a purpose. When seeking a diagnosis and treatment referrals, you may want to rely on your general practitioner or family doctor. This can be a great starting point. Once you start treatment, therapists and addiction specialists can play a large role in your recovery. Both are trained to help individuals navigate specific obstacles in addiction recovery.

Before, during, and after treatment, many people choose to join local support groups as part of their recovery. These can also include 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA, Al-anon). Support groups are a fantastic resource for any SUD as they connect individuals who are struggling with similar issues. This can help people feel as though they’re not alone, provide a sense of camaraderie and support, and facilitate new friendships. Many people also feel more accountable to complete treatment when they are part of a support group.

Lastly, treatment programs are the gold-standard of alcohol dependence recovery. Rehab programs offer a multitude of treatment services that address AUD with a comprehensive approach. There are two main types of treatment programs: inpatient and outpatient. Inpatient treatment offers the highest level of care as individuals live in a rehab center for the length of their program, allowing for 24/7 care. Outpatient treatment is also very effective, but only requires individuals to travel to a treatment facility several days a week.

In a treatment program, you may encounter treatment services such as detoxification (detox) services, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), group counseling, or behavioral therapy. Depending on your needs, your care provider will help you devise a treatment plan.

Identifying the signs of alcohol dependence is incredibly important and can even save someone’s life. There are many physical, psychological, social, and behavioral symptoms that can indicate alcohol misuse. Once identified, it’s important to seek proper treatment to encourage recovery.

Have more questions about alcohol dependence treatment? Give our helpline a call today.