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How to identify and treat at-risk drinking
Moderate drinking can be part of a healthy lifestyle, but at-risk drinking habits can be dangerous to your health.
Getting Care Oscar Health Insurance
4 min read
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Drinking is a common part of social life for many people. So, the question is: When does it become a problem? Moderate drinking mixed with healthy habits is often okay, but if you overdo it or develop a dependency, drinking can become pretty dangerous to your health. Let’s talk about the signs of at-risk drinking and what you can do to get help if you need it.
But first, what does moderate drinking even mean?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (opens in new tab), moderate drinking is considered one drink a day for women, two a day for men. (BTW, a standard drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5-7 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or a 1.5 ounce shot of spirits.) Unhealthy drinking or alcohol abuse is drinking too often or too much at a time.
And what’s alcohol dependence?
Alcohol dependence, also known as alcoholism, is a physical or mental addiction to alcohol. It's a chronic disease with risk factors that may include a family history of alcohol abuse, early-age alcohol use, usage of other substances, depression, among other things. While it's possible to have a problem with alcohol without being physically or mentally addicted to it, it's important to recognize the signs of a drinking problem before it gets out of control.
So, what are some of the signs of at-risk drinking?
Not being able to control how much you drink, cut back, or quit.
Spending a lot of time drinking/recovering and discontinuing other activities you used to enjoy.
Continuing to drink, even though it’s harmful to you and your relationships.
Physically hurting someone or yourself while drinking.
Getting into legal problems while drinking.
Not knowing what you did or said while you were drinking (“blacking out”).
Making excuses for your drinking or making efforts to hide your drinking.
Friends or family are worried about your drinking.
How do you get diagnosed?
You don't have to get diagnosed with an alcohol problem to work on reducing the amount that you drink. But if you are experiencing any of the signs above, it's important to assess your risk for alcohol abuse or alcoholism. You can take the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (opens in new tab) (AUDIT) to assess your alcohol habits. As you take it, you’ll see that a score of 8 or higher indicates that an alcohol disorder is likely.
If you're concerned about your drinking, it's important to talk to your primary care provider or a mental health expert. Diagnosis with alcohol problems sometimes comes with a diagnosis of other mental health issues (called a dual diagnosis). It's usually recommended to treat these concerns together.
How do you get treated?
There are many different ways to get treatment and support for alcohol abuse. You can:
Work with a counselor to reduce your drinking to a moderate level.
Go to a treatment center or hospital (Usually for more severe or physical addiction).
After treatment, the next goal is to stay sober. This process generally starts with addressing the parts of your life that may have fueled the motivation to drink in the first place. There are plenty of clinical therapists out there who specialize in this area and can help you work through the process.
Alcohol and its health risks
When drinking becomes a problem, it can end up putting a lot of strain on your relationships and career. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can also be pretty damaging to your overall health.
Alcohol affects nearly every body system. It especially takes a toll on your liver, nervous system, heart, and brain. Beyond that, it puts you at risk for high blood pressure, osteoporosis, stroke, cirrhosis, and certain types of cancers.
While drinking should always be done carefully and moderately, it’s important to be extra cautious if you:
Take medications that interact with alcohol.
Plan to drive or operate machinery.
Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Have a medical condition that is aggravated by alcohol.
If you’re worried about a friend or family member
We encourage you to help your loved one find treatment. You can play a part in their recovery and support them as they get treated. Just remember to be patient in their process. Focusing on the things they’re doing well will go far. And don’t forget to take extra care of yourself through their recovery!
