Should I Stop Drinking Alcohol? Knowing the Signs of Addiction

God has blessed us with an abundance of gifts, and every gift that God gives us is good and intended for our good. However, even good things can be used in ways that undermine our well-being. Using God’s gifts in the world requires wisdom, and that wisdom applies whether we’re talking about money, sex, or alcohol.

Alcohol can be used in ways that damage the individual, their relationships, and other lives around them. When a person has issues with their consumption of alcohol, this is often referred to as Alcohol Use Disorder and means that it is time to stop drinking.

Understanding alcohol addiction or Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcohol use disorder names a pattern of behaviors and use of alcohol in which an individual struggles to control his or her drinking and is preoccupied with alcohol and its use even when it has caused serious problems in his or her life.

These problems may include loss of work, breakdown in relationships, injuring others, and poor health. People with AUD will often also find themselves drinking more to obtain the same buzz or effect, and if they decrease or stop drinking altogether, they will find themselves experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Struggles with alcohol are all too common, unfortunately. According to the American Addiction Centers, “In 2021, 29.5 million Americans aged 12 or older met the diagnostic criteria for an AUD. Only 1.4 million of them, however, received alcohol use treatment of any kind.”

When a person has an alcohol addiction, he or she has a medical condition wherein he or she can no longer control his or her use of alcohol even though it has many negative consequences. Despite these many negative consequences, individuals with alcohol addiction won’t seek treatment, with one reason for that being fear of being judged by others. Several stigmatizing labels in our vernacular reinforce that fear. Some of the labels that may stigmatize include alcoholism and alcohol abuse.

Unhealthy use of alcohol can be mild or severe, but it includes heavy and binge drinking, which is when a female has at least four drinks within two hours, or a male has five drinks within two hours. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has defined one standard drink as any of the following:

• 8 to 9 ounces (237 to 266 milliliters) of malt liquor (around 7% alcohol)
• 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of regular beer (around 5% alcohol)
• 5 ounces (44 milliliters) of hard liquor or distilled spirits (around 40% alcohol)
• 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine (around 12% alcohol)

Signs that you should stop drinking

While limited use of wine may “gladden the heart” (Psalm 104:14-15, NIV), alcohol has its dangers, about which Scripture warns us (Proverbs 23:20-21; 23:29-35; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16-25).

Alcohol affects how our brains work, and in turn, that affects how we feel and behave. These effects, especially with excessive consumption, are often damaging to relationships and work. Prolonged and excessive use of alcohol can have many negative consequences on one’s health.

Being intoxicated doesn’t necessarily mean that a person has an alcohol problem, but recurrent intoxication may point to alcohol misuse or addiction. Some of the signs of alcohol addiction or AUD include the following:

• Continued consumption of alcohol even though it’s causing problems with your health, work, or relationships.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, nightmares, shaking, hallucinations, and seizures when you stop drinking or drinking to avoid experiencing these symptoms.
• Developing a tolerance to alcohol, leading to greater consumption required to feel its effect.
• Inability to limit your consumption of alcohol. This will often include the desire to reduce the amount you drink and making unsuccessful attempts to do so.
• Spending a lot of time obtaining alcohol, consuming alcohol, or recovering from alcohol use.
• Giving up or diminishing your social and work activities and hobbies to use alcohol.
• Experiencing a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol.
• Failing to fulfill your obligations at work, school, or home because of repeated alcohol use.
• Use of alcohol in unsafe situations, such as while driving or swimming.
• Blackouts and not having memory of recent events.

Treatment for alcohol addiction

Alcohol affects the brain and many bodily organs, including the stomach and liver. The good news is that there are treatments available for individuals with AUD or alcohol addiction.

These can help people stop drinking, helping them to restore control over their own lives. If you or a loved one struggles with using alcohol, help is available. Talk with your doctor or a licensed therapist to walk through your treatment options.

Treatment will likely include a medically managed detox to remove alcohol from their system in a supervised and safe environment. Detox is one part of the process; one may also need to take medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram to curb the desire to drink and avoid a relapse.

Additionally, methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) help to cultivate a changed mindset and healthier behaviors that can bring positive changes to avoid drinking and misuse of alcohol. Sometimes, therapy can take place in a group, and support groups provide peer support which may be invaluable for recovery.

You don’t have to walk alone – if you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol, please reach out to a therapist to discuss your treatment options and ask any questions you may have about the treatment process.