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  1. Am I An Alcoholic?
  2. What is Alcoholism?
  3. Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism
  4. Who Is at Risk for Developing Alcohol Addiction?
  5. Binge Drinking vs. Alcoholism
  6. What Are The Long-Term Effects of Alcoholism?
  7. What Are The Different Types of Alcoholics?
  8. Finding Addiction Treatment for Alcohol
  9. Types of Treatment for Alcohol Addiction
Am I an alcoholic? This can be a difficult question to ask yourself. It can be even more difficult to answer. But acknowledging the possibility that you have a problem with alcohol, and then taking the steps you need to get that problem under control, are essential to your continued health and well-being.

Am I An Alcoholic?

The best way to determine if you have become addicted to alcohol is to be assessed by a healthcare professional who is qualified to diagnose mental and behavioral health disorders. To help you decide if you should schedule an assessment, ask yourself the following 10 questions:

 

  1. Do you regularly drink alone or in secret?
  2. Do you use alcohol to help you wake up in the morning or get to sleep at night?
  3. Do you need alcohol to feel joy or deal with stress?
  4. Do you feel compelled to drink alcohol every day or nearly every day?
  5. Do you often drink more than you meant to?
  6. Do you become angry or irritated when you can’t drink?
  7. Have you missed school, work, or another important responsibility because of your alcohol use?
  8. Have you lied to or deceived your loved ones about the amount and frequency of your alcohol use?
  9. Has your alcohol use been a source of conflicts in your personal relationships?
  10. Have you ever wondered to yourself, “Am I an alcoholic?”

 

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, the answer to the question “Am I an alcoholic?” may also be yes. But don’t forget that alcoholism is a treatable condition. When you get the right type and level of care, you can stop drinking and begin to establish a strong foothold in recovery.

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a behavioral health disorder that is characterized by compulsive alcohol use, an inability to control how much or how often you drink, and related concerns. This disorder can have a profound negative effect on virtually every part of your life.

Alcoholism is a sadly prevalent problem in the United States and in many other nations. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) has reported that an estimated 14.5 million Americans ages 12 and older meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder (which is the clinical term for alcoholism).

NIAAA data also indicates that fewer than 10% of people who have become addicted to alcohol received any form of treatment in the previous 12 months.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism

According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a person must meet at least two of the following criteria within a 12-month period to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder:

 

  1. Often using alcohol in a larger amount or for a longer period of time than intended
  2. Persistent desire or unsuccessful attempts to cut down or exert greater control over one’s alcohol use
  3. Spending a great deal of time obtaining alcohol, drinking, and/or recovering from the effects of alcohol use
  4. Strong cravings to use alcohol
  5. Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, in school, or at home as a result of alcohol use
  6. Continuing to drink despite experiencing social or interpersonal problems that were caused or worsened by one’s alcohol use
  7. Abandoning or reducing participation in important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of one’s alcohol use
  8. Regularly using alcohol in a manner that is clearly dangerous
  9. Continuing to drink even though the person knows they have incurred physical or psychological harm due to prior alcohol use
  10. Developing tolerance, which means the person needs to increase their alcohol use to experience the effects they are seeking
  11. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, which may include physical and psychological distress, when not able to drink or when trying to stop drinking

Who Is at Risk for Developing Alcohol Addiction?

No demographic group is immune to alcohol addiction. Individuals of virtually all ages, nationalities, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds can and do become addicted to alcohol. However, certain factors can increase the likelihood that a person will develop alcoholism. Common risk factors include the following:

 

  1. Family history of alcohol abuse and addiction
  2. Personal history of trauma
  3. Exposure to peer substance abuse
  4. Poor stress management skills
  5. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain other mental health concerns
  6. Genetic variations
  7. Impulsivity

Binge Drinking vs. Alcoholism

Both binge drinking and alcoholism are alcohol-related concerns that cause considerable damage. But they are not the same thing. Binge drinking can lead to alcoholism, and it can also be a symptom of alcoholism.

 

  1. Most reputable sources define binge drinking as consuming five or more drinks (for men) or four or more drinks (for women) within a short period of time – usually within about two hours. 
  2. Alcoholism, as we noted earlier on this page, is a behavioral health disorder that is characterized by a lack of control regarding how often or how much a person drinks.

 

Perhaps the best way to encapsulate the difference between binge drinking and alcoholism is this: Binge drinking is a behavior. Alcoholism is a disorder.

What Are The Long-Term Effects of Alcoholism?

Untreated alcoholism can be a source of considerable physical, emotional, and social damage. People who need, but who do not receive, effective professional care for an addiction to alcohol may be at increased risk for a wide range of negative effects, including the following:

 

  1. Damage to the liver and pancreas
  2. Heart problems
  3. High blood pressure
  4. Stroke
  5. Persistent cognitive deficiencies
  6. Increased risk for certain types of cancer
  7. Malnutrition
  8. Lost bone density
  9. Strained or ruined relationships
  10. Poor performance in school or at work
  11. Academic failure
  12. Job loss
  13. Long-term unemployment
  14. Financial difficulties
  15. Being arrested, fined, and jailed
  16. Co-occurring mental illnesses
  17. Suicidal ideation
  18. Premature death

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported the following statistics about alcohol-related diseases and deaths:

 

  1. Alcohol use contributes to more than 200 disease and injury types.
  2. Every year, alcohol abuse contributes to more than 3 million deaths throughout the world. This equates to more than 5% of the annual global death rate.
  3. Among people in the 20-39 age range, more than 13% of deaths involve alcohol.

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What Are The Different Types of Alcoholics?

As portrayed in many films and television shows, the stereotypical alcoholic is a stumbling, befuddled person (often a middle-aged man) who is perpetually – and obviously – under the influence of alcohol.

The reality of alcoholism is far more complex.

In June 2007, the NIAAA announced that a national review of people with alcohol use disorder revealed the following five subtypes:

 

  1. Young Adult: When this review was published, the NIAAA estimated that this subtype accounted for about one-third of all cases of alcoholism. These people do not have a family history of alcoholism, nor are they likely to have a co-occurring mental illness.
  2. Young Antisocial: This subtype consists of younger people who have a family history of alcoholism and who are also struggling with a co-occurring mental health disorder and/or an addiction to another substance
  3. Functional: This subtype includes adults who have families and jobs. Many of these people have a family history of alcoholism, about 25% have depression, and nearly 50% smoke. 
  4. Intermediate Familial: The adults in this subtype have higher rates of depression and bipolar disorder. Many also abuse marijuana and cocaine. 
  5. Chronic Severe: This subtype, which accounts for less than 10% of alcoholism cases, includes middle-aged individuals who began to abuse alcohol at a young age. Many have mental health concerns and criminal backgrounds.

Finding Addiction Treatment for Alcohol

Answering the question, “Am I an alcoholic?” is an important step on the path toward improved health. The next step is to find treatment.

When you are evaluating alcohol addiction treatment centers, don’t be afraid to ask questions about their programming, approach to treatment, or any other relevant matters. Getting answer to questions such as the following can be helpful:

 

  1. What levels of care does your alcohol treatment center offer?
  2. How will you determine which level or levels are right for me?
  3. Do you develop personalized treatment plans for each patient?
  4. How will you decide which types of therapy and support services I need?
  5. Do you offer family therapy or other forms of family support?
  6. How long will I need to remain in treatment?
  7. Do you provide aftercare support or discharge planning services?
  8. Does your center accept my insurance?

Types of Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Treatment for alcohol addiction can include a variety of services and may take place at multiple levels of care. Depending on several individual factors, you may benefit from spending time at one or more of the following levels:

 

  1. Detoxification
  2. Residential treatment
  3. Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
  4. Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
  5. Outpatient rehab

 

The services you receive while you are in treatment for alcohol addiction can vary from one level of care to the next. In general, care for alcoholism and co-occurring mental health concerns may include services such as the following:

 

  1. Individual therapy
  2. Group therapy
  3. Family therapy
  4. Red light therapy
  5. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
  6. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
  7. Reiki
  8. Music therapy
  9. Brainspotting therapy
  10. Nutritional education

Find an Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program Near You

Creekside Recovery Network offers customized care in multiple locations for adults who have become addicted to alcohol. Our dedicated treatment professionals tailor our comprehensive alcohol addiction services to ensure that we are meeting the unique needs of every person who heals with us. When you’re ready to begin your journey toward improved health and successful recovery, Creekside Recovery Network is here for you. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
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