What is problematic drinking?

The term “problematic drinking” is used here to cover a wide range of alcohol use and is not meant to just be designated for “alcoholics.”

 

Answering a few questions can be a great start to examining the impact of your situation:

• • Do you ever need a drink to get you started in the morning or fall asleep at night?
  • Do you feel guilty about your drinking?
  • Do you or a family member think you need to cut back on how much you drink?
  • Are you annoyed when other people comment on or criticize your drinking habits?

 

 What constitutes a standard drink:

• • Beer: 12 ounces (355 milliliters) and about 5 percent alcohol content.
  • Hard liquor: 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) and about 40 percent alcohol content.
  • Malt liquor: 8 to 9 ounces (237 to 266 milliliters) and about 7 percent alcohol content.
  • Wine: 5 ounces (148 milliliters) and about 12 percent alcohol content.

 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identifies binge drinking to be five or more drinks in one day for men and four or more drinks in one day for women. Binge drinking is considered risky drinking, as decision making and judgment are impaired, and therefore risky behaviors may ensue. Binge drinking may reflect Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

 

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) outlines warning signs and symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder. If you are questioning whether you have problematic drinking, you are encouraged to talk to a professional who can help you recognize any symptoms and identify healthy ways to intervene. It is never too early or too late to seek help.

 

A professional can conduct a formal assessment of your symptoms to see if AUD is present. Talk with your doctor and/or mental health professional to determine the best course of action for you, and see NIAAA’s resources for more information.

 

Even if you are not consuming this many drinks, please keep reading, as problematic drinking is not solely defined by the amount of drinks consumed. Read on to identify if you may have an issue that could be addressed with the help of other alcohol resources or a peer mentor. 

 

Signs and Symptoms 

Signs are what may be observed by others. Symptoms are the things reported by a first responder. Many of the following can be signs or symptoms:

• • Not remembering conversations or commitments.
  • Making a ritual of having drinks at certain times and become annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned.
  • Becoming irritable when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol is not available.
  • Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work, or in your car.
  • Gulping drinks (i.e. ordering doubles or becoming drunk intentionally to feel good) or drinking to feel “normal.”
  • Having legal problems or issues with relationships, employment, or finances due to drinking.
  • Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring you pleasure.

 

Other Issues to Consider

As defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Fifth Edition (DSM-5) used by psychology professionals, 11 things may be present if alcohol use is a concern. They are as follows:

1. 1. Using alcohol in larger amounts (over time to feel the same effects) and/or for longer than you meant to.
   2. Wanting to cut down or stop using alcohol but having a difficult time.
   3. Spending a great deal of time acquiring, using, or recovering (having hangovers) from drinking alcohol.
   4. Experiencing cravings or urges to drink alcohol.
   5. Having difficulties at work/home or within your significant relationships due to your alcohol use.
   6. Continuing to use regardless of these difficulties.
   7. Staying away from and/or not maintaining important commitments in your social, occupational or recreational activities due to alcohol use.
   8. Having difficultly/inability with limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, even when it puts your health at risk.
   9. Continuing to use even when you are aware that a physical/psychological problem is being caused or worsened by alcohol use.
   10. Developing a tolerance to alcohol so that you need more to feel its effects.
   11. Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating, and shaking — when you don’t drink that are relieved by using alcohol.

 

Self-Help Goals

Thought Goal: 

• • “I drink because I think (insert problematic thought here)…” 
  • “I can stop or lessen my drinking by thinking… (i.e., About someone or something important to you that has been impacted, issues related to your overall wellness, changes you have wanted to make for yourself, etc.).”

 

Feeling Goal: 

• • “I drink because I feel (insert problematic feeling here)….”
  • “I can stop or lessen my drinking by feeling… (i.e. Remembering what it felt like the last time you felt good sober, the importance of your family, friends, career, upcoming events, etc.).”

 

Behavior Goal: 

• • “I drink because my behavior (insert problematic behavior here)…” 
  • “I can stop or lessen my drinking by behaving… (Remembering when you first were on the job…all the excitement and motivation, remembering when you were first in your marriage/relationship, thinking of ways to engage parts of your life by being present and available, etc.).”

 

These goals are only examples. Use them as a guide, not an absolute. You know if there is a problem; let now be the time to fix it.

 

Reaching out for help is never a sign of weakness, but rather one of strength. It may be annoying or frustrating to think about what to do and how to approach it, but it can be done. There are other first responders who understand where you’ve been. If you cannot reach or maintain all of these goals on your own, get connected with a peer support mentor. 

 

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