Alcoholism is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Many people wonder if drinking alcohol every day automatically means someone is an alcoholic. The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. There are several factors that contribute to alcoholism, and the frequency of drinking is just one potential indicator. In this article, we’ll explore the signs, symptoms, and criteria used to diagnose alcoholism, as well as risk factors and treatment options. Understanding the difference between social drinking, heavy drinking, and alcoholism can help you determine if your own drinking habits are cause for concern.
What constitutes an alcohol use disorder or alcoholism?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the criteria for an alcohol use disorder or alcoholism includes:
- Drinking more alcohol or for longer periods of time than intended
- Being unable to cut down on alcohol use despite wanting to
- Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, and recovering from alcohol
- Experiencing cravings and urges to use alcohol
- Failing to meet obligations at work, school, or home due to alcohol use
- Continuing to drink even when it causes social or interpersonal problems
- Giving up important activities in favor of drinking
- Drinking in risky situations such as while driving or operating machinery
- Continuing to drink despite alcohol-related physical or psychological problems
- Needing more alcohol to get the desired effect (tolerance)
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping alcohol use
The presence of at least two of these criteria indicates a mild alcohol use disorder. Having four or more symptoms is considered a moderate to severe alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism.
What’s the difference between social drinking, problem drinking, and alcoholism?
There are distinct differences between social or moderate drinking, problem drinking, and alcoholism:
Social drinking
- Drinking in moderation (no more than 1 drink per day for women, 2 per day for men)
- Ability to stop after 1-2 drinks
- Rarely drinking to intoxication
- Drinking in social settings without cravings or urges to drink
- No negative impacts on work, relationships, or health
Problem drinking
- Drinking more than moderation guidelines
- Occasionally drinking to intoxication
- Drinking as a coping mechanism for stress or boredom
- Sometimes drinking alone
- Experiencing some impacts on work or relationships
Alcoholism
- Drinking alone frequently
- Drinking in secret or hiding evidence of drinking
- Blacking out from drinking
- Drinking despite negative consequences
- Repeatedly unable to limit or stop drinking
- Severe impacts on work, relationships, finances, and health
- Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
As shown above, the level of alcohol intake, reasons for drinking, lack of control, and the resulting impacts determine whether someone’s drinking is within moderate levels or meets the criteria for an alcohol use disorder.
Does drinking daily make you an alcoholic?
Many people wonder if having one or two drinks per day, or only drinking daily, categorizes you as an alcoholic. Simply drinking every day does not necessarily mean someone has an alcohol use disorder. However, daily drinking can be a risk factor for developing alcoholism.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), drinking is considered heavy or high-risk when it exceeds:
- 4 drinks on any day for men
- 3 drinks on any day for women
Binge drinking, defined as 4 or more drinks within 2 hours for women and 5 or more drinks for men, also poses health risks and may indicate problem drinking behavior, especially if done frequently. If daily drinking exceeds moderation guidelines, or leads to getting drunk consistently, it can potentially lead to alcohol dependence.
Some signs that daily drinking may be cause for concern include:
- Needing to drink every day
- Drinking alone frequently
- Drinking first thing in the morning as a “pick-me-up”
- Hiding alcohol use from others
- Prioritizing drinking over other interests and responsibilities
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like tremors, sweating, nausea or anxiety when not drinking
While drinking daily does not meet the diagnostic criteria for alcoholism on its own, it can be a red flag signaling the development of an alcohol use disorder. Paying attention to your motivations for drinking and any negative effects on your life is important.
What are the risk factors for alcoholism?
Certain factors may increase someone’s risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. These include:
| Genetic | Family history of alcoholism |
|---|---|
| Environmental | Easy availability and acceptance of alcohol use in family or culture |
| Mental health | Co-occurring psychiatric disorders like depression or anxiety |
| Age and gender | Younger age of first alcohol use, being male |
| Stress and trauma | History of trauma, using alcohol to cope with stress |
| Substance use | Smoking or use of other addictive drugs |
Having one or more of these risk factors does not definitively mean someone will develop alcoholism. However, the more risk factors that are present, the higher chance there may be.
What are the stages of alcoholism?
Alcoholism tends to develop gradually, getting worse over time without treatment. It can be helpful to understand the typical stages of alcoholism:
Early stages
- Drinking to relieve stress or have fun socially
- Being able to limit alcohol intake
- Few, if any, negative consequences
Middle stages
- Drinking alone and/or hiding drinking from others
- Blacking out from drinking
- Failed attempts to cut back on alcohol use
- Relationship problems developing
- Feeling hungover or sick from drinking
Late stages
- Drinking throughout the day
- Unable to get through day without alcohol
- Significant impacts on work, finances, health, and relationships
- Legal issues arising from alcohol use
- Withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use stops
Progression through the stages can occur over months, years, or decades. The longer alcoholism goes unchecked, the harder it becomes to treat. This underscores the importance of recognizing problem drinking early.
What are the symptoms and health effects of alcoholism?
Chronic excessive drinking can take a toll both physically and mentally. Some potential effects of alcoholism include:
Short-term effects
- Impaired coordination, reflexes, judgement, and decision-making
- Slurred speech
- Mood swings like depression or aggression
- Blackouts and short-term memory loss
- Sleep disturbances
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Hangovers
Long-term effects
- Brain damage affecting cognition, motor skills, and mental health
- Liver disease like fatty liver, hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis
- Increased risk of mouth, throat, liver and breast cancers
- High blood pressure and irregular heartbeat
- Pancreatitis
- Ulcers
- Fertility issues and sexual dysfunction
- Weakened immune system
- Malnutrition
Additionally, alcoholism has significant social and emotional consequences like relationship conflict, problems at work or school, financial issues, and legal problems including DUIs. Recognizing the signs of alcoholism early is key to mitigating health effects.
What are the treatment options for alcoholism?
Breaking an alcohol addiction is very challenging, but many treatments and supports are available to help people recover. Common treatments for alcoholism include:
Detoxification
Medically-supervised detox is often needed for people with severe alcohol dependence to safely manage withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking.
Rehabilitation programs
Inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation utilizes counseling, behavioral therapies, medication management, and peer support to promote sobriety.
12-step programs
Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous use a peer mentor model and 12-step philosophy to provide ongoing recovery support.
Medications
Prescriptions like naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram can help manage cravings, reduce withdrawal symptoms, or cause a negative reaction to drinking.
Outpatient counseling
Seeing a therapist, psychologist, or addiction counselor provides professional guidance to identify triggers, develop coping strategies, and make lifestyle changes that support recovery.
Treatment is most effective when tailored to the individual’s needs. Many people benefit from using a combination of treatments. Support groups and counseling also aid in maintaining sobriety after completing treatment.
How to get help for alcoholism
Admitting you need help and seeking treatment for alcoholism can be very difficult. Try some of these tips to get started:
- Talk to your doctor honestly about your drinking and desire to quit
- Speak to a mental health professional or contact a treatment center
- Enlist support from trusted friends and family
- Research treatment options and ask questions to determine the best fit
- Look into recovery resources and supports in your community
- Join a peer support group like AA or SMART recovery
You don’t have to tackle recovery alone. Reach out for help and be patient with the process. Many resources are available to support you through quitting alcohol and achieving sobriety.
Conclusion
Drinking alcohol daily or almost daily does not automatically make someone an alcoholic. However, it can potentially lead to alcohol dependence over time. Paying attention to your drinking motivations, lack of control, and any negative results can help determine if daily drinking is problematic for you.
Being aware of the risk factors, recognizing the signs and symptoms, and understanding the potential health effects of alcoholism allows you to identify a developing drinking problem early. This makes treatment more effective. Quitting alcoholism is challenging but very possible with the right help.