DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A few mild symptoms— which you might not see as trouble signs —can signal the start of a drinking problem. It helps to know the signs so you can make a change early. If heavy drinking continues, then over time, the number and severity of symptoms can grow and add up to an "alcohol use disorder." Doctors diagnose an alcohol use disorder when a patient's drinking causes distress or harm.
See if you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself. And don't worry —even if you have symptoms, you can take steps to reduce your risks.
In the past year, have you:
- Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended?
- More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn't?
- More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex)?
- Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?
- Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?
- Spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over other after effects?
- Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
- Found that drinking—or being sick from drinking—often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?
- Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink?
- More than once gotten arrested, been held at a police station, or had other legal problems because of your drinking?
- Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, or a seizure? Or sensed things that were not there?
Did you use alcohol to relieve these effects?
The questions listed above are based on symptoms for an alcohol use disorders in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. The DSM is the most commonly used system in the United States for diagnosing mental health disorders.
This article is adapted from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, What are the symptoms of an alcohol use
disorder?
It is not meant as a substitute for professional help.
If you or someone you know needs help, please seek support from the ADAPT clinic, located on the third floor of the Main Clinic (696-5380).