3 Signs of Alcohol Addiction

What's alcohol addiction look like? Sometimes it is obvious, but most of the time it’s well hidden. Signs of alcohol addiction can vary, but the affect it has on a relationship, families, and the life of the addict are unmistakable.

Here's a glimpse into part of a counseling session I had this week with a couple struggling with alcohol addiction in their relationship.

I think you're an alcoholic."

Sue told Tom. He just stared at the wall as she talked.

I don't want to be married to an alcoholic or have my son raised by one."

After Tom's DUI arrest and night in jail last month he stopped drinking, for 4 days. Then, after he and Sue came to Guy Stuff for alcohol treatment, with our help and support he stopped drinking for 3 weeks. But over the holidays, and being around his family, he started drinking again. Tom told me he only had a couple of drinks each day at his parent's house, but Sue said the sizes of his drinks are like 3 drinks to a normal person.

We talked about alcohol addiction and why it's so hard for Tom to consider that he has one. He said that being an alcoholic to him means that he can't drink. "I just like to have a drink," he said.

Drinking alcohol has become a social norm. Offering a beer or glass of wine to a guest has become more common than offering water or coffee. Unfortunately, many people often feel pressured to drink in order to fit in or not to offend. And for those that struggle with alcoholism the strength to resist the urge to drink, especially when everyone around you appears to be, can be too much. For Tom being around his family and their drinking during the holidays was enough to undo the work he had done in the previous 3 weeks.

Although signs of alcoholism can vary, there are some commonalities. Below are 3 of the most common signs of alcohol addiction:

Rationalizing. Can you hear it in Tom's statements? "It’s JUST a couple,” "I just like it." And it can be even easier to rationalize during common times of celebration, like the holidays, birthdays, or weddings.
Denial. Despite spending a night in jail, facing the loss of thousands of dollars in attorney fees and court fines, the potential loss of his license and risk to his job, increased car insurance premiums, the list goes on, Tom denies the reality of his life and simplifies his drinking down to, "I just like to have a drink." Addicts will often deny they have a problem. They believe they can quit any time they want to – they just don’t want to. The sad truth is that an addict isn’t likely to quit – at least not for long – until it’s his or her decision. Unfortunately, this usually means hitting bottom and losing much of what should be important to them before they will see the need to change.
Dependence. Tom needs to drink. He doesn't know how to manage his stress, uncomfortable feelings, or the thoughts that overwhelm him. So he disconnects from all of it with alcohol. Many people use alcohol as a means to de-stress, relax, or take the edge off the problems that are plaguing them. You can see alcohol represented as cure-all nearly everywhere. TV, movies and media would have us believe that a beer after a long day, wine after the kids are asleep, or a shot if things are really bad, will soothe us. And it does – temporarily. The opposite is actually the true in the long term. Alcohol is a depressant and rather than making things better, it will make them worse.

Alcohol addiction is a common problem among men, and women as well. Drinking has become the very opposite of being taboo – it's almost expected in many situations. A popular TV show I watched the other day actually depicted an employee turning down a beer from his boss, to which the boss replied, "take it – consider it job security."

The problem is that the line between a little and too much is difficult to see. And once it’s crossed things can quickly spiral downward. Many people don’t even think to look for the line, or perhaps they’re incapable of seeing one. These people, like Tom, end up addicted and at risk of destroying their lives.

Drinking is often hard to see as a real problem until something happens like a DUI arrest. If you think you or someone you love may be showing the signs alcohol addiction, look into alcohol treatment like Tom and Sue did before you've got a problem you can't ignore any more, or before the damage can no longer be undone.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published January 29, 2011 and has been updated with new information for accuracy and comprehensiveness.