If you’re worried that you might have alcohol use disorder, don’t try to quit cold turkey on your own. It’s uncommon to notice early symptoms of the condition because it usually has none. Still, they have some information on early signs ― as well as how to tell if you may be drinking too often, or in a problematic way. If you or someone you know has any of the above symptoms, seeking medical care urgently is essential. At this stage, brain activity can slow down so much that your memory and ability to stay awake are severely impaired. You may experience a complete loss of memory, confusion, difficulty staying awake, or the inability to wake up.

Another complication is alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which may occur after you stop drinking and can cause symptoms such as nausea, shaking, and sweating. It can also lead to serious symptoms like seizures, fever, or hallucinations, and can be a medical emergency. Generally, however, the difference between alcohol misuse and AUD lies in looking at how a person drinks in the short term, as opposed to over a prolonged period of time. Alcohol misuse refers to single episodes during which you might drink excessively. When this occurs repeatedly over time, and when it begins to impact your health and your life, alcohol misuse can become AUD.

Or a doctor could prescribe drugs to assist with other emotions common in recovery. Regardless of how the addiction looks, someone typically has an alcohol addiction if they heavily rely on drinking and can’t stay sober for an extended period of time. The severity of the disease, how often someone drinks, and the alcohol they consume varies from person to person. Some people drink heavily all day, while others binge drink and then stay sober for a while. Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is a disease that affects people of all walks of life. Experts have tried to pinpoint factors like genetics, sex, race, or socioeconomics that may predispose someone to alcohol addiction.

Feel like you should be drinking less? Start here

Alcoholism has been known by a variety of terms, including alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. When healthcare providers screen for AUD, they look at drinking behavior patterns within Drug addiction substance use disorder Diagnosis and treatment the last year to determine a diagnosis. They use 11 criteria established by the DSM-5 to assess alcohol use severity. Health professionals sometimes prescribe medications to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. Other medications can help you quit drinking by suppressing alcohol cravings or making you feel sick when alcohol enters your body.

1. Needing a drink first thing in the morning — or even in the middle of the night — to stave off nausea or stop the shakes are signs of dependence and withdrawal.
2. Alcohol use disorder can cause serious and lasting damage to your liver.
3. While alcoholism is a complex disease and diagnosing it isn’t an exact science, several signs and symptoms can indicate when your drinking has crossed the line into addiction.
4. About five percent of the patients who experience DT’s die from metabolic or cardiovascular complications, trauma, or infections (Victor and Adams 1953; Cutshall 1964).
5. People with this condition can’t stop drinking, even if their alcohol use upends their lives and the lives of those around them.
6. Elevated levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) can also indicate excessive alcohol consumption.

In 2021, 29.5 million Americans aged 12 or older met the diagnostic criteria for an AUD. Alcoholics often have defective red blood cells that die prematurely, which can cause a lower-than-normal red blood cell count. Gastrointestinal bleeding, a symptom some alcoholics experience, can also cause anemia, as can iron deficiency. Heavy drinking in and of itself doesn’t make someone an alcoholic. In fact, an estimated 40 million adults in America drink too much, and most — 90 percent — are not alcoholics. Maybe you’ve been concerned enough that you’ve already thought about or actually tried to cut down on your drinking — and it didn’t happen.

Impact on your health

Typical alcohol withdrawal symptoms include sweating, shaking, nausea, anxiety and insomnia. In severe cases, a person may develop delirium tremens, a potentially life-threatening condition that causes hallucinations, confusion, seizures and psychosis. Consequently, these agents should be used only in combination with benzodiazepines. In general, the use of beta-blockers for treating withdrawal should be considered primarily for patients with coexisting coronary artery disease. Antipsychotic medications such as haloperidol can treat hallucinations and agitation that are unresponsive to adequate doses of benzodiazepines.

Symptoms of alcohol use disorder

The most common symptoms include tremor, craving for alcohol, insomnia, vivid dreams, anxiety, hypervigilance,2 agitation, irritability, loss of appetite (i.e., anorexia), nausea, vomiting, headache, and sweating. Even without treatment, most of these manifestations will usually resolve several hours to several days after their appearance. Healthcare providers define AUD as a brain disorder that affects your ability to regulate or stop drinking alcohol despite adverse impacts on your mental and physical health and professional or personal life. Alcohol addiction may involve several different treatment methods. It’s important that each person get involved in a recovery program that will support long-term sobriety.

The medications with the best efficacy and safety are the benzodiazepines. Like alcohol, these agents enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA on the brain. Because of their similar effects, benzodiazepines and alcohol are cross-tolerant—in other words, a person who is tolerant to alcohol also is tolerant to benzodiazepines. Based on the patient’s score on the CIWA–Ar, the physician determines the appropriate treatment (see table).

As much shame as symptoms may trigger, drinking problems are an understandable human predicament. The best strategy is to be frank in response to a doctor’s questions. In addition to getting professional treatment and support, there are things that you can do to help feel better and improve your chances of recovery. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

If AUD is not treated, it can increase your risk for serious health problems. After completing treatment for AUD, it’s possible to have a risk of relapse. It’s important to recognize warning signs and seek help if you’re concerned about having a relapse.

Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person. Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that happens when toxic levels of alcohol cause areas of the brain that control essential functions to shut down.