Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol addiction and dependence affects millions of people across the United States. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) “approximately 17 million adults ages 18 and older have an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 1 in 10 children live in a home with a parent who has a drinking problem.” Only a small percentage of the people diagnosed with AUD ever seek treatment. Despite ample research that suggests that treatment for alcohol addiction is beneficial, most people avoid rehab or other forms of help.
In some cases, a person may not realize that they have AUD or an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. It is essential that if you believe that you have a problem with alcohol or another substance you seek professional help. There are a number of treatment options available. If you are unsure whether you have AUD or dependence on alcohol, ask yourself if during the past year you have wanted to cut down or stop drinking but couldn’t. Also, have you experienced cravings or urges for alcohol, spent a lot of time drinking or ended up drinking more or longer than intended? If you answer yes to these or any other of the NIAAA’s drinking assessment questions, you need to be professionally evaluated.
It may help to understand how much you are drinking and how often. You can also determine whether you are at-risk for AUD or if your drinking pattern is causing harm to both yourself and your family. While these questionnaires are not definitive, they may help you to decide that now is the time to seek treatment. There are options available, no matter your income or level of dependence.