Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAbout Alcohol Use DisorderSymptomsTips for Cutting BackGetting HelpNext in Your Relationship With Alcohol Guide8 Facts About Drinking Alcohol

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

About Alcohol Use Disorder

Symptoms

Tips for Cutting Back

Getting Help

Next in Your Relationship With Alcohol Guide

Many people fall into the category of “problem drinker” but what does this label mean and how can it help you understandyour relationship with alcohol?

A “problem drinker” is not an official diagnosis, but a phrase used to describe people who misuse alcohol but don’t necessarily need medical treatment, peer group support, or a spiritual awakening to stop or modify their drinking patterns.

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How It Compares to Alcohol Use Disorder

If you have analcohol use disorder(AUD), on the other hand, all the willpower and self-resolve is often not enough. Despite repeated attempts, a person with an AUD will likely not be able to curtail or quit drinking without outside help from a healthcare professional, addiction counselor, or self-help program or recovery program such asAlcoholics Anonymous(AA).

Labels aside, the biggest reason for understanding whether you are a problem drinker versus someone with a mild AUD is knowing when and how to get help. If left unchecked, alcohol misuse can have short- and long-term consequences on yourrelationships, job, finances, and overall physical and mental health.

8 Facts About Drinking Alcohol

One of the first steps in understanding your relationship with alcohol is learning how much alcohol is too much. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines the guidelines for low-risk drinking as follows:

If you’re regularly exceeding these amounts, you could be putting your health and well-being in jeopardy as well as increasing your risk of an alcohol use disorder.

Honestly answering the following question is a great first step toward figuring if you need to cut back on your drinking or seek help for a mild, moderate, or severe AUD.

Keeping a daily drinking diary, which includes how much you drink and the reasons you’re drinking, can also help you identify any problematic patterns.

Alcohol Dependence vs. Alcohol Abuse: What’s the Difference?

Ultimately, it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons of your drinking. Consider taking some time to think about how improving your relationship with drinking could have a positive impact on your life.

Would it benefit your health, relationships, or career? Would you lose weight, be more productive, or save money? Now, think about the reasons why you mightnotwant to change your drinking patterns.

If you think that you are a problem drinker, and you would sincerely like tocut back or quit drinking, the NIAAA has some tips and tools that might be helpful, including a questionnaire to help determine if you are drinking too much and a tool for setting personal goals.

Here is a sampling of some of the tips from the NIAAA on cutting back on drinking:

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Giving up alcohol without medical intervention (“going cold turkey”) can be dangerous for people who drink frequently and heavily. If your body has become chemically dependent on the substance, you should get help.

Even if you haven’t yet developed a physical dependence but have trouble cutting back or quitting alone, there is no shame in seeking medical guidance and support. There are even medications, includingNaltrexone, that can help quell your desire to drink. There are plenty of resources available to help give you tools as you work to remedy your problem drinking and develop a healthier relationship with alcohol.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Best Online Addiction Support Groups

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol Use Disorder.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Rethinking Drinking. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol Use Disorder.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Rethinking Drinking. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol Use Disorder.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Rethinking Drinking. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol Use Disorder.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Rethinking Drinking. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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