When Does a Person Become Addicted to Alcohol?

Abusing alcohol excessively is known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the medical community. It is characterized by a person’s inability to stop despite adverse consequences in those other areas of their lives. Dependent on the severity, alcoholism is a brain disease that can be mild, moderate, or severe. Drinking in moderation, which is described as no more than one drink daily for women and no more than two for men, is widespread. When it comes to some individual’s tolerance to alcohol, they may have to consume more of it to achieve the same effects. This heavy drinking could lead to alcoholism. Approximately 14.1 million adults and 414,000 children ages 12 to 17 in the United States are affected by alcoholism.

Symptoms of Alcoholism

Signs and symptoms of alcoholism can appear in a wide range of forms. If you or someone you value is at risk of becoming an alcoholic, you must be aware of the various stages and indicators of alcoholism.

Is Your Drinking Habit a Serious Problem?

You may have proceeded from mild to problem drinking if you exhibit the following signs and symptoms:

  • You’ve gotten into trouble with the law because of your drinking.
  • Women who drink more than four drinks a day and men who drink more than five
  • You drink in the morning and make up for the liquor you had the night before. 
  • Drinking and driving, or getting into fights.
  • Keeping your drinking habits a closely guarded secret; becoming upset or outraged when others question your consumption.
  • Being ignorant of one’s alcohol consumption
  • Memory lapses or voids
  • Cirrhosis
  • Slurred speech
  • Malnutrition
  • Hair loss
  • Dark circles around the eyes

Has My Drinking Become Out of Control?

Alcohol abuse is a common problem for many people. Alcohol addiction may be diagnosed using criteria included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). To be considered, you must answer the following questions:

  1. Do you commonly get withdrawal symptoms from alcohol?
  2. What are your thoughts that you may never be able to give off drinking?
  3. How much more do you drink now that you’ve used to it?
  4. Have you ever been ill for a lengthy period after drinking excessively?
  5. Do you continue to drink despite your health issues, feelings of depression or anxiety, or even blackouts?
  6. Is it challenging to concentrate if you have a strong urge for alcohol?
  7. Do you regularly find yourself in potentially hazardous or detrimental situations due to your alcohol consumption?
  8. Is it difficult to care for your family, work, or do well in school because of your alcohol use?
  9. Do you no longer enjoy or participate in activities that were formerly important to you?
  10. Does your drinking continue regardless of problems with your friends or family?

Mallard Lake Detox in Houston Offers the Best Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Anyone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol should get help right away. Call Mallard Lake Detox Center today to talk with one of our intake specialists.