I Drink Every Night. Am I an Alcoholic?

Signs of Alcohol Dependence

Your brain and body can indicate if you’re forming an alcohol dependence. The Priory Group, owner of Life Works Rehab in the United Kingdom, breaks down the signs⁵:

• Secretive or dishonest behaviors related to alcohol
• Drinking heavily in solitude
• Heavy drinking or binge drinking
• Drinking at inappropriate times such as first thing in the morning
• Avoiding contact with loved ones
• Withdrawing from responsibilities at home or work
• Continuing to drink despite the negative effects that this has had on home, work, or social life
• Losing interest in activities that were once important to you

Alcohol dependence can take a toll on the body, including serious, long-term health complications. 

The Impact of Regular Drinking

The body can become far too acquainted with alcohol, so much so that it alters the ways organs and systems function. These changes can sometimes evolve to permanency; however, early intervention decreases that risk.

Physical Health Risks

Alcohol consumption impacts vital organs in the body, including

• The Brain: Chronic drinking disrupts neurotransmitters⁶, the chemical messengers in the brain, impacting the dopaminergic, serotoninergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic neural circuits. These changes can restructure the brain⁷, impairing cognitive function, memory, learning, and concentration. Over time, alcohol consumption can even damage gray and white matter⁸, also known as shrinking brain tissue, thus impacting judgment, decision-making, and coordination.

• The Cardiovascular System: Alcohol use has complex effects on cardiovascular health. Chronic drinking is linked to hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and cardiomyopathy⁹. Alcohol raises blood pressure, weakens the heart muscle, and disrupts heart rhythm, all contributing to these diseases that can be life-threatening if not treated.

• The Liver: During normal functioning, the liver breaks down alcohol and other items we ingest into harmless byproducts. If the liver is constantly overwhelmed by excessive alcohol consumption, it can’t metabolize toxins effectively, causing liver cells to accumulate fat¹⁰. This process can progress to fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and, the most dangerous and permanent, cirrhosis¹¹. 

• The Digestive System: Alcohol irritates the stomach’s lining, causing gastritis ulcers¹², and small intestines’ lining, leading to an inability to absorb nutrients and a decrease in vital vitamins and minerals. Chronic drinking also triggers the enzymes in the pancreas to activate prematurely¹³, leading to alcoholic pancreatitis and possibly permanent damage. Importantly, heavy alcohol consumption wreaks havoc on the bacteria responsible for gut health and digestion, creating harmful imbalances. This induces digestive issues as well as negatively affects mental health—the gut microbiome is directly linked to  mood disorders¹⁴.

As mentioned earlier, alcohol is a cancer-causing agent directly associated with multiple forms of cancer¹⁵, including liver, breast, colon, mouth, throat, and more. Researchers hypothesize that multiple factors contribute to the increased risk of cancer, such as 

• The metabolization process turns alcohol to acetaldehyde (a dangerous chemical compound).
• The creation of molecules that damage proteins, lipids, and DNA through oxidation.
• The impairment to the body’s ability to break down and absorb various nutrients.
• The increase of estrogen, a sex hormone, is linked to the risk of breast cancer.

Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

Consistent and excessive alcohol consumption is strongly linked to co-occurring mental health disorders¹⁶. The bidirectional relationship between alcohol and mental health can cause complex thoughts and behaviors to untangle—meaning, alcohol use can contribute to the development of mental health disorders, and pre-existing mental health issues can lead to the use of alcohol as a form of self-medication.

While alcohol causes an initial feeling of euphoria or relaxation¹⁷, it is a central nervous system depressant¹⁸, ultimately leading to adverse changes in mood. The depressing effects lead to chemical imbalances in the brain, contributing to anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Additionally, cortisol, the stress hormone, is released each time you drink¹⁹, causing daily anxiety if you are drinking every day. 

Someone in the throes of addiction will continue to drink despite the negative effects. The compounding physical and psychological symptoms can be managed through professional treatment and the commitment to stop excessive drinking.

When to Seek Help

Knowing when to get help for drinking can be simple: Once you realize that you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, seek out help. The earlier you get professional care, the less likely you’ll need intensive treatment, have lifelong health complications, and have lasting social, emotional, and spiritual consequences. 

Recognizing Problematic Drinking

You can ask yourself questions like 

1. Would you be able to quit drinking right now?
2. Has your drinking caused tension or conflict with friends, family, or colleagues?
3. Do you miss important events or obligations because you are drinking or hungover?
4. Do you use alcohol to cope with stress, sadness, loneliness, or boredom?
5. Have friends, family, or co-workers expressed concern about your drinking?
6. Have you given up hobbies or activities you used to enjoy because you prefer to drink?
7. Are you concerned about where your health and happiness might lead to if you keep drinking at your current rate?

The answers will likely be straightforward and telling if you need medical treatment.

Resources for Assessment

Self-assessment tools, such as online quizzes, can help you gauge whether your alcohol use may be problematic and if you might benefit from professional help. These tools are not diagnostic but can give you a clearer picture of your relationship with alcohol.

Your primary care physician can provide an initial evaluation and refer you to a specialist for a more comprehensive assessment, such as a mental health professional or addiction specialist. During this session, you can ask questions such as

1. How is my current level of drinking affecting my overall health?
2. What are the signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence I am exhibiting?
3. Based on my evaluation, do you believe I have a mild, moderate, or severe alcohol use disorder?
4. What kind of treatment do you think I need?
5. How can I safely reduce or quit drinking, and what steps should I take to do so?
6. Can you refer me to any support groups or resources that might help me?

Treatment Options for Alcohol Use Disorder

As you embark on your recovery journey, you and your care team can explore treatment options to determine the best fit for your individual needs.

Detox

Many people begin their journey by going through the detox process, so you can safely rid your body of alcohol. Medical professionals will be there to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible. This can help you feel more focused and prepared to take on therapy. 

It is crucial to detox under medical supervision, as withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening. In some cases, FDA-approved medications can be prescribed, such as Naltrexone and Disulfiram²⁰, to assist the tapering process. Your clinical team can help you decide what treatments and procedures suit you.

Residential Programs

Residential rehab provides an intensive, distraction-free environment to focus on psychotherapies and learning healthy coping skills. Individuals in this stage of care live in the center and have 24/7 support. Ideally, the clinical team creates a personalized treatment plan to address the unique needs of each individual in recovery. 

You might participate in evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and holistic and alternative healing methods like yoga and massage therapy. The center may provide a blend of individual and group therapy sessions. Your loved ones can engage in family therapy so you can find common ground, improve communication skills, and work towards healthier relationships. 

Outpatient Programs

Your care team may recommend an outpatient program if your recovery does not require 24/7 support. Outpatient treatment has varying levels of care, with partial hospitalization (PHP) providing a more intensive level of care and outpatient (OP) providing the least intensive. You’ll participate in the program for a few hours a day on certain days of the week, allowing you to go to work or attend school simultaneously. You’ll likely participate in therapies similar to a residential program and build your support network as you heal with others in therapy.

Support Groups

Joining support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery provide a sense of community, understanding, and accountability in your recovery. They offer a safe space to share experiences, learn from others, and receive ongoing support.

Building a Support Network

Creating a support network with strong relationships is a foundational aspect of long-lasting recovery. Social support in recovery can reduce stress, increase self-efficacy, and motivate lasting sobriety²¹. Your relapse prevention plan can detail how you will connect with loved ones who supported you through the treatment process. You may make new friends through sober activities and groups. Try your best to plan regular get-togethers with friends and family, as avoiding isolation and bolstering these relationships can make recovery easier. 

Setting and communicating boundaries in recovery is a practice of self-love and can enhance your relationships. Without boundaries, you may say “yes” to things you don’t want to, avoid necessary conversations, and be consumed by others’ negative feelings. Prioritizing your boundaries ensures you’re aligned with what’s best for your well-being.

Preventing Relapse

Not everyone in recovery will relapse, but it can be a part of the recovery process²²—and that’s okay. Relapse prevention can help you address these obstacles and keep you on the right track.

Relapse prevention planning aims to recognize and address these warning signals before they escalate to the physical stage—drinking after a period of sobriety. It takes a cognitive behavioral approach to prevent relapse and provides appropriate skills on what to do if a relapse does occur. Relapse prevention blends education, coping strategy development, trigger identification, building support networks, and lifestyle changes.

You and your care team can begin to build your relapse prevention plan by reflecting on 3 key recovery components: 

1. Reflect on your recovery history. In treatment, what worked and what didn’t work? If you’ve relapsed before, what led to it? What were your triggers before you got treatment? Learn from mistakes of the past to make a realistic relapse prevention plan.
2. Write down personal, relationship, and employment goals to highlight situations you want to be in and people you want to be around. 
3. Identify your triggers—all the people, places, and things that could cause stress. Developing coping strategies for each trigger can empower you to live life without fear.

One of the most essential parts of a relapse prevention plan is building skills to navigate uncomfortable feelings and situations. You may practice coping techniques such as breathing exercises, regulating emotions through journaling, and saying “no” to situations that do not serve your recovery. This can help you walk into any situation with confidence. 

Attending outpatient care or talk therapy sessions can help you navigate foreign situations and continue skill-building. During individual therapy sessions, you’ll likely engage in various therapeutic methods like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). 

Creating a daily routine that promotes physical and mental health, including regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep, can bolster sustainable recovery²³. A scheduling system, such as time blocking in a calendar, can help you avoid idle time that might lead to thoughts or behaviors associated with relapse.

A day of sobriety is a day worth being celebrated! The effort to choose your health and well-being every day is a great feat, so continue to reflect and pride yourself on your hard work.

A Step in the Right Direction

If you feel like you can’t drink at a healthy pace and use alcohol to cope with uncomfortable feelings, it might be time to seek treatment. You can discover and sustain a healthy and balanced lifestyle that prioritizes your well-being. Embrace a life without alcohol. Begin your search by browsing our list of alcohol addiction treatment centers.