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Am I an alcoholic?

Start by noticing what alcohol is changing in your life, then consider a private conversation about support.

If this is close to what you’ve been living with, start with one conversation. You don’t have to be in crisis, and you don’t have to know what to call it. That’s our job.

Created by Tim Francis, SUD and Mental Health Content Specialist

Updated

You do not need to settle on a label today. Your concerns deserve attention, and your choices remain yours.

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Original article

If you are searching for “am I an alcoholic,” look for patterns rather than a single bad night. Concerns may include loss of control, cravings, or continued drinking despite harm. Reading about high-functioning alcohol use disorder and alcoholic hepatitis risk can add helpful context.

If you have been struggling with drinking too much lately, you may ask yourself, “this topic” This is a normal question to ask if you feel that alcohol has been interfering in key areas of your life, such as your family, finances, health, job, or just living from day-to-day.

Admitting that you have a drinking problem requires complete honesty and objectivity. You must be able to look at your life and your situation and determine if you need professional help for alcohol abuse or addiction. If you have questions about your drinking, then feel free to contact an alcohol addiction treatment center in your area. You can get the help you need to stop drinking for good. For more information about the signs of alcohol addiction, contact Women’s Recovery today at 833.754.0554.

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This topic

Alcoholism is a severe form of alcohol abuse and is characterized by your inability to manage a drinking habit. Alcoholism can range from a mild addiction to severe life-changing trauma. If you’re asking, “this topic” here are some signs to watch out for.

You Cannot Quit Drinking

Perhaps the most evident sign that you have alcoholism is that you cannot quit drinking. You may have tried several times and have even been successful for a few days. However, you keep coming back and drinking uncontrollably. If you get to the point that you cannot control your drinking, then you may be an alcoholic.

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You Exhibit Drastic Changes in Your Behavior

Like any other form of substance abuse, alcoholism can turn you into a person that nobody recognizes. You may dress differently, hang out with new people, no longer show any interest in activities, ignore your responsibilities, or engage in risky behavior. Overall, your behavior is a sign that the problem has gotten worse. 

The Cravings Get Worse Each Day

You may crave alcohol even when you are not drinking. It is something that you may obsess over throughout the day until you finally get a drink. Even when you’ve had two or three drinks, you may crave more and finally give until you are intoxicated. Cravings are a common withdrawal symptom that makes it difficult to quit drinking. 

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You Spend a Lot of Money on Alcohol

The only way to feed your addiction is to continue buying more alcohol. You may start by purchasing drinks on the weekends. Next thing you know, you are at the bars. Then you start bringing alcohol home regularly. As the addiction becomes worse, you find that you are spending hundreds of dollars so that you can keep drinking.

You Keep Drinking Regardless of the Consequences

A person who has control over their drinking will put the alcohol down if they realize that it could affect their lives. A person who doesn’t have control will keep drinking regardless of the consequences. You may lose your family, job, friends, or health before you finally hit bottom and ask for professional help.

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Getting Professional Treatment for Alcoholism

The first step in getting treatment for alcoholism is to visit an alcohol addiction treatment center and undergoing an assessment. A treatment specialist may sit down with you to discuss your drinking and ask some questions. From there, you may need to go to detox so that you can get the alcohol out of your system.

Treatment centers provide a wide range of treatments for alcoholism, including outpatient treatment, individual and group therapy, holistic care, and aftercare programs. You can get the help you need throughout each stage of your recovery.

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Get Help for Alcoholism Today at Women’s Recovery

If you’re still wondering, “this topic” discover the answer to that question at Women’s Recovery. We offer extensive treatment for all types of addictions and disorders. Contact Women’s Recovery today at 833.754.0554 to find out more about your treatment options.

Common questions

Explore articles on mental health and substance use and substance use care that sees the whole woman for related guidance. Call admissions when you want to discuss your own situation.

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01 Do I need to call myself an alcoholic to get help?

You do not need to identify with a label before seeking support. If alcohol is affecting your choices, relationships, work, health, or peace of mind, that concern is enough to explore care. A conversation can help you understand your options while leaving decisions in your hands.

02 Can I have an alcohol problem if I still manage work and family responsibilities?

Alcohol use disorder can affect women whose lives appear stable from the outside. Meeting responsibilities does not erase cravings, loss of control, health effects, or emotional strain. If keeping up appearances makes it harder to acknowledge what is happening, confidential support can offer a more honest place to begin.

03 How can I speak with a woman I love about her drinking?

Concern can be expressed without arguing over labels. Describe specific changes you have noticed, listen to her perspective, and avoid threats or shame. You cannot make her accept help, but you can remain caring, set appropriate boundaries, and learn more about supporting a woman with alcohol addiction.

04 What kinds of help are available for alcohol problems?

Treatment may involve behavioral therapies, mutual-support groups, medications, or a combination chosen for the individual. The right approach depends on the severity of the problem, personal needs, health considerations, and preferences. Effective care should address alcohol use as well as the circumstances that make lasting change difficult.

05 How can I start a conversation with Women’s Recovery?

You can contact Women’s Recovery at 833.754.0554 for a conversation about what has been happening and what support may fit. Women’s Recovery is located at 3801 E Florida Ave, Ste 650, Denver, CO 80210. You can share as much or as little as feels manageable.

Evidence behind this page

Supporting health information

Read how we select health information sources and apply the Women’s Recovery editorial policy. These references provide general education and context; they do not establish an individual diagnosis, service, or treatment recommendation.

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