10 Signs Of Drinking Too Much

A little more than 10% of people in the United States over the age of 12 experienced an alcohol use disorder in 2023, and about 18% of American adults periodically binge drink.

While occasional binge drinking may not qualify as an alcohol use disorder, it is a form of alcohol abuse. Both binge drinking and alcohol use disorders can cause serious harm over time.

These ten warning signs of alcohol abuse can help to indicate that you or a loved one should attempt to restrict your drinking or seek alcohol abuse treatment if you’re unable to do so.

1. Mood Swings And Irritability

Using alcohol causes your brain to retain a high volume of neurotransmitters like dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, glutamate, and endogenous opiates.

These neurotransmitters cause feelings of relaxation, happiness, and sociability.

Unfortunately, alcohol abuse will cause your brain to adjust to the effects of alcohol over time, reducing the level of these neurotransmitters that your brain naturally produces.

As a result, people who are dependent on alcohol will often experience the mental health effects, including symptoms of depression, irritability, and intense mood swings when they are not drinking alcohol.

2. Inability To Manage Responsibilities

Someone who is abusing alcohol may frequently find themselves inebriated at inopportune times because they are incapable of controlling their alcohol use.

It is common for people struggling with alcohol abuse to sleep through important events or forget them due to the way alcohol affects their executive functions and decision-making capabilities.

People living with an alcohol addiction may have difficulty maintaining employment, managing their finances, or fulfilling vital relationship roles due to alcohol use.

3. Weight Fluctuation

Alcoholic drinks tend to contain a lot of calories. While there are low calorie exceptions, it is very common for people who engage in alcohol abuse to gain weight.

With that said, people who abuse alcohol rectally, known as “butt-chugging” or “boofing,” or choose to “drink their calories” may actually lose weight because they aren’t eating enough.

Any noticeable change in weight alongside other signs of alcohol abuse is an indication that change needs to occur.

4. Cravings And Other Signs Of Withdrawal

Cravings can be difficult to notice in the early stages of alcohol dependence, but people who create reasons to drink several times per week or more may be developing cravings.

As a person’s dependence on alcohol increases, the cravings become harder to ignore. Daily drinking is often the norm, and they may find ways to drink during the work day or even in the morning.

Other withdrawal symptoms will develop as the substance use disorder becomes more severe.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• intense cravings
• sweating
• shakiness and tremors
• restlessness
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• agitation and irritability
• anxiety
• elevated heart rate
• headache
• insomnia

In severe cases, alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures and disorientation. These symptoms can be dangerous and even fatal.

Due to these risks, people who are going through alcohol detoxification should engage in medical detox where they can be observed and medicated by health care providers.

5. Spending An Excessive Amount On Alcohol

Alcohol abuse can be expensive. While people with budget limitations will often choose the most affordable options, alcohol can still be a major expense, especially as they develop tolerance.

On average, people who abuse alcohol spend between $500 and $1000 per month on alcohol.

With that said, someone may spend significantly less while still engaging in alcohol abuse. If a person maxes out their budget or spends money they don’t have on alcohol, that’s a sign of a disorder.

6. Repeated Arguments Over Alcohol Use

The effects of alcohol abuse are not limited to the person who is drinking. Alcohol can lead to aggressive or high-risk behavior that can cause friends and loved ones to be concerned.

If you’re having repeated arguments with friends or family members regarding alcohol use, driving under the influence, blackouts, or behaviors related to drinking, that’s an indication of an alcohol problem.

People who are unable to make the necessary changes to protect themselves, their relationships, and the people around them often require professional addiction treatment.

7. Chronic Health Issues

The side effects of alcohol abuse include a number of health problems, including liver damage, heart disease, obesity, and degenerative brain disorders.

Fatty liver, high blood pressure, and increased weight gain are often the earliest to develop. Fortunately, both conditions are reversible.

However, prolonged alcohol abuse can eventually contribute to heart disease and cirrhosis. People with severe alcohol use disorders may require a liver transplant at some point in their lives.

People who abuse alcohol are also at risk of developing early-onset dementia and other degenerative brain disorders that affect memory.

8. Driving Under The Influence (DUI) And Other Legal Issues

Driving under the influence indicates a lapse in judgment that may be related to a substance abuse disorder.

While it is possible to be pulled over the very first time you drive under the influence of alcohol, people who are charged with a DUI are likely to have driven under the influence before.

Any legal issues related to alcohol use, including disorderly conduct, assault, battery, public nuisance, or public indecency are a clear indication that a drinking problem needs to be addressed.

As a result, it is common practice for courts in the United States to assign mandatory support groups or treatment when a person is found guilty of a charge related to substance use.

9. Inability To Moderate Drinking

Many people who struggle with alcohol abuse will recognize the issues caused by their heavy drinking and attempt to self-regulate.

In cases where a person tries to moderate their drinking and repeatedly finds that they are unable to reduce their alcohol consumption or stop drinking, inpatient treatment may be necessary.

10. Finding Any Reason To Drink

Alcohol use in the United States is most often tied to social events and celebrations. In fact, a certain level of binge drinking is often accepted at these types of events.

Due to the acceptability of disordered drinking habits in these situations, a person living with alcohol abuse may create reasons to celebrate or push for social events to take place at bars, pubs, etc.

As the disorder progresses, the person’s reasoning for engaging in disordered drinking often becomes more tenuous and will be increasingly obvious to their friends, loved ones, and co-workers.

Ask For Help By Calling Bedrock Recovery Center

Alcohol abuse is a serious substance use disorder that can be just as dangerous as illicit drug abuse. Contact us at Bedrock Recovery to start your detoxification and addiction treatment program.