According to the NHS, alcohol misuse is when you drink in a ‘way that’s harmful, or when you’re dependent on alcohol’. Some people seem to be just fine even though they misuse alcohol. You may hear them called “functional” or “high-functioning” alcoholics. But those aren’t official medical terms. If you suspect that you or someone you care about has an AUD, it may be time to seek professional help.

Lifestyle Changes

Alcohol use disorder has been identified as something that happens when a person drinks so much or so often that it changes the chemical makeup of their brain. A 2019 study found that people with substance use disorder in their late adolescence years were four times more likely to develop alcohol use disorder in early adulthood. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), heavy alcohol use is defined as consuming more than four drinks a day for men or more than three drinks a day for women. Between 3 and 43 percent of alcoholics suffer from thrombocytopenia, a low level of platelets in the blood.

• Even if nothing bad has happened — yet — this is a warning sign.
• AA is a 12-step program that provides peer support and applies 12 spirituality-based principles.
• But they may put themselves or others in danger by drinking and driving, having risky sexual encounters, or blacking out, Benton says.

Physical Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Misuse

The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you need help finding a mental health specialist. To learn more about alcohol treatment options and search for quality care near you, please visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. Take our free, 5-minute “Has My Alcohol Use Become a Problem? ” self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of an AUD.

Long-Term Health Problems Associated with Chronic Heavy Drinking

Healthcare providers use the umbrella term “alcohol use disorder” to classify a wide range of problematic alcohol use, such as alcohol abuse, dependence, addiction, and severe alcohol use disorder (alcoholism). If you or a loved one is struggling with AUD, make an appointment with a primary care provider such as a medical doctor or nurse practitioner. People with severe AUD who have used alcohol long-term may experience severe withdrawal symptoms that require medical evaluation and treatment. A healthcare provider can evaluate the AUD severity and its health impacts, refer you to specialists, and determine the appropriate treatment. Although you may still hear people talking about “alcoholism” or “alcohol abuse,” the official term is alcohol use disorder (AUD). It’s a condition that ranges from mild to moderate to severe.

• Some common signs and symptoms of cirrhosis include fatigue, itchy skin, weight loss, nausea, yellow eyes and skin, abdominal pain and swelling or bruising.
• Alcohol misuse is when you drink in a way that’s harmful, or when you’re dependent on alcohol.
• Early withdrawal symptoms include headaches, anxiety, nausea, irritability and shaking.
• Unless you have religious or personal restrictions, a few drinks with friends or a glass of wine with dinner is usually not an issue.
• A common initial treatment option for someone with an alcohol addiction is an outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation program.

Alcohol dependence also means that you have developed a tolerance to drinking. As a result, you may have to drink larger quantities to get “buzzed” or drunk. This is especially true for teens who attend parties where drinking is the primary activity. You might think binge drinking is safe when you only do it occasionally, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Knowing the signs and symptoms of each stage can aid you in seeking help before your problem turns into dependence and addiction. More resources for a variety of healthcare professionals can be found in the Additional Links for Patient Care.

Support Groups and Rehabilitation Programs

If you think that you or someone you know may be drinking too much, ask your doctor about getting help – whether it’s from a therapist, psychiatrist, or other addiction specialist. Organizations such as signs of alcoholism the American Society of Addiction Medicine can guide you to help, too. The Department of Health and Social Care recommends pregnant women and women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol.

Risk factors

Behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking. Medications also can help deter drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk of a return to drinking (e.g., divorce, death of a family member). Several evidence-based treatment approaches are available for AUD.

Realizing you may have an issue is the first step toward getting better, so don’t hesitate to talk to a healthcare provider. They’ll recommend treatments and resources to help you recover from alcohol use disorder. People with severe or moderate alcohol use disorder who suddenly stop drinking could develop delirium tremens (DT). It can be life-threatening, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ causing serious medical issues like seizures and hallucinations that require immediate medical care. If you think you need help with alcohol use, talk to your doctor. They can assess whether you have a risky drinking pattern, evaluate your overall health, help create a treatment plan, and refer you to programs or other healthcare providers if necessary.