The shift from alcohol use to alcohol abuse can be a subtle one. The reality is that many people struggle with their alcohol intake. The first step to addressing potential alcoholism is to know and notice the symptoms.
The signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction, also known as 'alcoholism' or 'alcohol use disorder', can vary from person-to-person.
Join our expert psychiatrist, Priory's Dr Renju Joseph, as he discusses the key signs and symptoms of alcoholism - informed by years of experience treating people with addiction issues.
Alcohol abuse can cause physical changes to your body. These include:
For many of us, our behaviour changes after drinking alcohol. However, if you're suffering from alcoholism, these patterns of behaviour will affect everyday life. These include:
Alcohol has a profound impact on our brain chemistry, which in turn, significantly influences emotions. Common emotional signs of dependence include:
Some symptoms will be more difficult to spot than others. Factors like the amount of alcohol you're drinking and the frequency of your alcohol consumption will play a role in whether you develop a dependency on the substance.
There’s a difference between heavy drinking and alcohol dependence. Understanding this difference may be helpful if you’re concerned about your drinking or someone else’s drinking.
Heavy drinking refers to alcohol consumption patterns that exceed the recommended limits outlined by government guidelines. This often includes binge drinking and frequent excessive drinking.
An example of a heavy drinker could be a university student who binges on weekends. While they exceed the six-unit limit and might feel hungover or tired afterwards, they don’t feel the need to drink during the week or rely on alcohol to function.
Examples of heavy drinking include:
Binge drinking is defined as drinking more than six units of alcohol in one session (for example, two large glasses of wine or two to three pints of beer). This often occurs during social settings like nights out or celebrations, where the focus is on consuming alcohol quickly and in large amounts.
Heavy drinking involves consistently drinking more than 14 units per week, especially without spacing it over several days or having alcohol-free days.
This includes regularly drinking at gatherings, where alcohol consumption exceeds guidelines over time, even if it’s not every day.
While heavy drinking poses risks to physical and mental health, it doesn’t automatically mean someone is alcohol-dependent. Dependence involves specific behavioural, emotional and physical signs that go beyond the amount consumed.
A person who drinks heavily may still have control over their drinking habits, prioritise responsibilities and not feel a compulsion to drink.
Imagine a professional who starts their day with alcohol to avoid withdrawal symptoms like shaking or anxiety.
This is a clear example of alcohol dependence and what is sometimes referred to as 'functioning alcoholism'. This refers to a dependency where someone maintains responsibilities (for example, holding down a job) while relying on alcohol to get through the day.
Examples of alcohol dependence include:
If you’re struggling to regulate your drinking habits, such as setting limits but consistently drinking more than intended, you may have developed an alcohol dependence.
Responsibilities like work, family or health are neglected in favour of drinking. An example might be missing your child’s school event because you’re recovering from a night of drinking.
You may have a strong, internal drive to drink, even when you’re aware of its harmful effects. For example, drinking before work despite knowing it could result in disciplinary action or harm your productivity.
If you need support to reflect on your drinking habits, Priory’s self-assessment alcohol test can help. This is a brief, straightforward checklist where you can check your behaviours against common alcoholism symptoms.
If you’re concerned about your drinking, or that of someone else, help and support is available.
Speak to your GP: For initial advice, make an appointment with your doctor who will be able to talk through your concerns and signpost you to get the help you need
Call a helpline: Services like Drinkline offer compassionate support to people who are concerned about their drinking
Get in touch with Priory: If you’re looking for private addiction support, we can help
Across an extensive network of hospital sites and clinics, Priory offers effective, evidence-based treatment for addiction that starts your recovery. Our world class team of consultant psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and other medical professionals deliver the very best treatment to people struggling with addiction.
