Alcohol Abuse & Risky Drinking

Alcohol Abuse & Risky Drinking

Alcohol affects people in different ways. Some people can drink moderately without any issues. However drinking alcohol too much or too often, or being unable to control alcohol consumption, can be a sign of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependency.
The terms ‘abuse’ and ‘dependency’ are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are marked differences. People who abuse alcohol drink too much on occasion and their drinking habits often result in risky behaviour and poor judgment but they have some ability to set limits on their drinking. People who are dependent will display other symptoms such as increased tolerance and withdrawal symptoms when they don’t drink.

Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse:

People who abuse alcohol may deny a problem or they may downplay their drinking or lie about the amount of alcohol they consume but there are ways to spot an issue.
  • Neglecting your responsibilities, for example, performing poorly at work or dodging commitments because you’re hungover.
  • Drinking when it could be physically dangerous, such as drinking and driving, operating machinery while intoxicated, or mixing alcohol with prescription medication.
  • Experiencing legal problems because of your drinking. 
  • Continuing to drink even though your alcohol use is causing problems with family and friends. 
  • Drinking to relax or relieve stress.

If alcohol abuse has reached dependence level some things to watch out for are:

  • Increased tolerance.
  • Withdrawal symptoms.
  • Wanting to quit but being unsuccessful.
  • Alcohol has stopped you doing things you previously enjoyed.
  • Alcohol takes up a lot of your time and energy.
  • You drink even though you know it is causing problems.
If you are worried you are drinking too much – check your drinking with our Alcohol Test and see what support is available should you need it.

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