Alcohol Use Disorder Symptoms: How to Recognize the Signs

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that makes people feel good by triggering the release of endorphins in the brain. People often drink in social situations and it’s a regular part of many adult’s lives. Drinking alcohol puts people at risk for developing alcohol use disorder. This risk can be increased by biological factors, such as family history; social factors, such as being in a culture where alcohol is consumed often and intensely; and psychological factors, such as co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or trauma. 

Alcohol use disorder can develop gradually, without the person even realizing it. It’s not always about how much or how often a person drinks, so knowing the signs can help you recognize early that it might be time to get support. Of course, like all medical conditions, alcohol use disorder should be diagnosed by a trained clinician, and this diagnosis is confidential medical information. 

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?

But Alcohol use disorder is a condition in which alcohol consumption has become problematic, where drinking causes distress, harm, or interferes with everyday life. If drinking continues, symptoms can become more severe over time, causing issues with your health, relationships, career, and more. 

Know the Signs

While alcohol use disorder may differ for each individual, there are some commonalities to look out for. If you're concerned about your alcohol use, you may want to ask yourself these questions.

In the past year, have you...

• Had times when you ended up drinking more, or drinking for longer, than you planned?
• Wanted, more than once, to cut down or stop drinking? Have you tried but were unable?
• Gotten into situations while drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt? This may include driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex.
• Had to drink more than you used to to get the desired effect? Or have you found that your usual number of drinks seems to affect you less?
• Continued using alcohol even though drinking made you feel depressed or anxious, was adding to another health problem, or had caused you to experience a memory blackout?
• Spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over other after effects?
• Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
• Found that drinking — or being sick from drinking — often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Or caused job or school problems?
• Stopped or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, to drink instead?
• More than once gotten arrested, been held at a police station, or had other legal problems because of your drinking?
• Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms? These may include trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, seizures, or sensing things that weren't there.

If any of these situations sound familiar, it may be time to talk to someone about your alcohol use and take steps to address any issues. There  are behavioral therapies and medications that are shown in decades of clinical research to support in cutting back and quitting alcohol and in treating alcohol use disorder. 

We're Here to Help

The caring specialists at Confidant can help evaluate your alcohol use patterns and come up with a plan to help you. We are focused on supporting you to reach your goals, whether that’s to drink less or stop drinking altogether, and can provide expert guidance if you aren’t sure the best path for you. 

Treatment for alcohol use disorder may involve FDA-approved medications such as naltrexone or disulfiram, behavioral therapy to learn new habits and strategies or to cope with past trauma, and developing a community of support. 

Your alcohol use doesn't have to define who you are. Everyday, our providers help people get their lives back on track.