Being dependent on alcohol is more of a common occurrence than you may think, and there are sure-fire ways to tell if you or someone you know is reliant on the substance.
Some people may get dependant to the point that it can dictate their life and affect their personal relationships.
And according to the NHS, 'alcohol dependency is the leading risk factor for early mortality, ill health and disability among 15 to 49 year olds in England'.
But how can we determine if and when someone becomes dependent on booze?
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Well, according to the Health Service Executive website, the Irish equivalent of the NHS, here are nine signs of alcohol dependence:
Not being able to function without it
Going through your daily routine with alcohol on the brain is not a good thing, and you may find yourself drinking fairly often just to cope with everyday activities.
You could be drinking:
- Frequently
- First thing in the morning
- Every morning
- Every day
You may stop for a few weeks or months, but upon starting again, you lose control and can't stop - which is a key sign of a dependent user.
Drinking is crucial in your life
If a pint has become the one thing driving you on, with that drink on the weekend being the main thing you look forward to, it may be one of the most important things in your life, which is a problem.
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It may be different if you are looking to the event itself instead of the drink, as some people may engage in harmful alcohol use in these situations, such as binge drinking on a night out.
While also harmful, this does not signal dependence.
Continuing to drink despite knowing its negative effects
You may be aware of how alcohol physically and psychologically impacts you, but it may not be enough to stop you.
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Or even worse, a loved one or family member has told you that your consumption is affecting your relationship with them, yet you plough on - disregarding the red flags like this signals dependence.
Finding it hard to stop once you start
If you find trouble in controlling how much you drink, or the times when you want to have a drink, then it's quite an obvious sign.
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Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to you acting out of character and doing things you may regret the next morning, such as:
- Doing embarrassing things
- Becoming aggressive
- Taking unnecessary risks
Finding it hard to stop when you want to
The majority of people know when to call it a night, and often do before taking it too far, but if you can't, even when you feel like you should, there may be a problem.
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It's where the line between social drinking and heavy drinking is drawn, and it is something worth rectifying if you fall into the latter category.
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Not being able to plan how much you'll drink
If you are suffering from alcohol dependence, you might spend a lot of time planning your next drinking session, what you might drink, and who you might drink with.
You may even feel anxious or unwell until you sip on a cold one.
But once you get there, you can't stick to the plan, and end up consuming more than you thought or planned for.
Drinking more and more alcohol
Especially if your intake is already high, drinking more alcohol each time to feel that much more can be a major issue, and delving deeper into the addiction will leave you physically and psychologically dependent.
You could be left shaking, sweating, nauseous or with insomnia in the days following heavy drinking as just a few physical repercussions.
Craving alcohol or having withdrawal symptoms
It is incredibly hard for someone to stop drinking when they're dependent, as the body will begin to crave the stuff in its absence.
In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, you can be left sweating, feeling anxious, or at its most extreme, suffer seizures.
You may also be left feeling permanently anxious if you don't face the world with some alcohol, as it becomes more of a coping mechanism.
Not being drunk after drinking a lot
The final tell-tale sign is something that can often be misunderstood as having a higher tolerance, but the reality is if you have consumed the same as your mates and feel nowhere near as drunk or tipsy as they do, your frequent consumption of alcohol may have made you dependent.
If you feel irritable, upset or any physical withdrawal symptoms without a drink, it may be an obvious sign that your body requires alcohol to function, to the point where you may be left feeling nothing after a few pints.
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.
Topics: Alcohol, Health, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Food And Drink
Joshua Nair