Table of Contents
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace expert medical or mental health advice. Alcohol use requires a clinical assessment by a licensed clinician. So, always reach out to a board-certified physician or mental health specialist for diagnosis and treatment. For more urgent/emergency needs, call 9-1-1 in the U.S., or your local emergency number.
Alcohol consumption has been normalized in the modern world to such an extent that it becomes confusing to know how much alcohol is really too much. Most of us may feel that we know when we are drinking too much, but this is not always the case. In this article, we will explain the signs of whether you are drinking too much and when you might need structured care.
How Much Alcohol Is Too Much Alcohol?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that moderate drinking for men is 2 or fewer drinks per day, and for women, it is 1 drink per day. Meanwhile, binge or heavy drinking is defined as:
– Binge Drinking: 5 or more drinks at a time for men and 4 or more drinks at a time for women
– Heavy Drinking: 15 or more drinks per week for men and 8 or more drinks per week for women.
Please note – in the U.S., a standard drink is any drink that contains 14 grams, or about 0.6 fluid ounces, of “pure” ethanol. For instance, 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
You Do Not Have To Wait To Reach Out
What Are the Signs Your Drinking May Be Becoming Problematic?
The signs that your drinking is becoming problematic can be easy to overlook; being aware of them is crucial to identifying them early:
- Drinking more often than you originally planned
- Difficulty cutting back, even when you intend to
- Using alcohol as a way to unwind or cope after a long day
- Thinking about alcohol more frequently throughout the day – how and when you are going to get your next drink
- Denying or justifying why it is okay to drink more than before
- Comparing your drinking to others to reassure yourself that “It is not really that bad.”
- Needing more alcohol to experience the desired effects, which indicates greater tolerance for alcohol.
- Feeling slightly uneasy about your drinking, but unable to tell why.
You do not have to experience all of these, and none of them necessarily define a problem on their own. However, they can point to a shift in your drinking patterns.
But even noticing a few can indicate a shift.
I Am Still Functioning – So Is It Really a Problem?
Even if you have questioned your shift with alcohol, there is a common concern that may come to your mind. You are able to function in your daily life, maintain your relationships and responsibilities, so it is easy to think that alcohol is not a concern yet. But this is what is known as high-functioning alcoholism.
Here is the conundrum – feeling okay and being in control, are they the same thing?
You may go out there and perform well in your daily life, but it is how you feel within you – mentally and emotionally – that indicates there may be something deeper.
Functioning can sometimes mask what is really becoming difficult underneath it all.
When Does Drinking Start Affecting Your Daily Life?
Over time, some people begin to notice patterns like stronger urges, difficulty cutting back, or prioritizing drinking more than they used to. These shifts do not always feel over-the-top, but they can signal that something is changing.
Some signs that drinking may affect your daily life, as mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR):
- Intensive cravings and urges to drink alcohol
- Prioritizing alcohol over other things in life, such as career and family
- Spending a lot of time obtaining, drinking, and recovering from alcohol use
- Trying to cut back on alcohol, but have not been successful
- Continuing to use alcohol despite its ill effects on your physical and mental health
- Developing a tolerance for alcohol, which refers to needing larger quantities of alcohol to experience the desired effects
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms like delirium tremens) upon abruptly reducing or stopping alcohol use.
What Can Benefit You Before Things Escalate?
You do not need to wait for a crisis or breakdown for alcohol to impact your life. Noticing the early warning signs that alcohol is becoming problematic or that it is already beginning to hinder your day-to-day life is when you will benefit most by seeking structured care.
Structured care does not mean having to step away from your life and become isolated in a residential or hospital setting. You can also receive structured care in outpatient settings through intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs:
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): An IOP runs for 3-5 hours per day for 3 days per week. IOP offers more flexible outpatient care with scheduling that can be built around your life.
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): A PHP runs for 6-8 hours per day for 5 days per week. It offers a more structured daytime programming for severe drinking concerns.
Both IOPs and PHPs offer:
– Individual and group therapy
– Psychiatric consultations and medication management (if required)
– Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, etc
– Coping and life skills training
– Whole person healing for healthy living practices, such as exercise, breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, etc
– Access to peer meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and SMART Recovery
– Relapse prevention planning
– Aftercare planning with ongoing therapy, ongoing medication, relapse prevention, peer meetings, lifestyle modifications, etc.
IOPs and PHPs are personalized to your specific recovery needs and goals so that your healing journey is relevant to you.
You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone
If you have been questioning your drinking, even slightly, you have already taken a strong step forward. But you do not need to have everything figured out or wait for your drinking to get worse to explore recovery options.
Sometimes, just having a conversation can help you understand what is going on – and what a way forward might look like.
Get Clarity On What Your Next Step Can Look Like
You do not have to have everything figured out before you reach out. Skyline Recovery Center’s licensed and trained clinicians are always here for you to sit down with you in safe and confidential settings to listen to your needs and goals and recommend the right level of care and a personalized treatment plan for you.
Table of Contents
Related Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am drinking too much?
If you are drinking more frequently and in larger quantities than you intended, then it may be an indicator that your relationship with alcohol is changing.
Can you have a problem with alcohol and still function?
Many people can maintain responsibilities while still experiencing difficulty managing their drinking.
What are the early signs of problem drinking?
Thinking about alcohol more often, using alcohol to cope, and struggling to cut back are early indicators of problematic drinking patterns.
Do I need treatment if I am not drinking heavily?
You can explore additional support in the form of structure and accountability before patterns become more difficult to manage.
What kind of support is available?
Your options can include therapy, peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and outpatient programs that fit into everyday life.
Sheldon Cohen is a licensed family and marriage therapist and the Clinical Director at Skyline Recovery Center. He believes in blending clinical expertise with a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of therapists. From adolescent IOPs to adult behavioral health care, he believes in personal growth – whether it is found in making meaningful connections, building strong clinicians, or even in staying grounded in your personal interests.
Latest Articles
