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The line between moderate, social drinking and regular alcohol consumption that leads to a drinking problem can easily become blurred.
With alcohol being so socially acceptable and widely consumed, it’s easy to convince yourself that you’re drinking within reasonable limits.
But is that really the case?
Today, we’ll explore how drinking can progress from moderate consumption to a serious dependence, starting with some potential early warning signs that there might be a problem on the horizon.
Do I Have a Drinking Problem?
While social drinking doesn’t typically carry any stigma, if you’ve been drinking as a way to cope or to avoid feeling bad, you may already be on dangerous ground.
You might be in the early stages of a drinking problem if you:
- Feel ashamed or guilty about your drinking
- Drink to relax or improve your mood
- Hide or lie about your drinking habits
- Frequently drink more than you planned
- Experience blackouts or memory loss while drinking
Before we delve into the distinctions between social drinking, alcohol dependence, and full-blown alcohol use disorder, what is considered a safe level of alcohol consumption?
What Is Considered a Safe Level of Drinking?
According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate drinking is defined as up to one standard drink per day for women and up to one standard drink per day for men.
Here’s what qualifies as a standard drink:
- 12oz of beer (5% alcohol content)
- 8oz of malt liquor (7% alcohol content)
- 5oz of wine (12% alcohol content)
- 5oz of spirits (40% alcohol content)
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of alcohol consumption that raises blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. For most people, this occurs when men consume 5 or more standard drinks or women consume 4 or more standard drinks within a 2-hour period.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) classifies heavy alcohol use as binge drinking on 5 or more days in a month.
NIAAA provides the following guidelines for low-risk drinking habits that minimize the risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD):
- For men: no more than 4 drinks in a single day and no more than 14 drinks per week
- For women: no more than 3 drinks in a single day and no more than 7 drinks per week
To stay within safe limits, it’s important to keep both your daily intake and weekly total within these recommended guidelines.
It’s worth noting that while binge drinking doesn’t necessarily indicate an alcohol problem, it does increase the likelihood of developing AUD.
If you realize that your drinking habits exceed these recommended parameters, or if you reassess your consumption based on what constitutes a standard drink, you may begin to wonder if you’re drinking more than you should.
Let’s explore some common signs that may indicate various levels of problem drinking. Be honest with yourself as you consider whether you exhibit any of these symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Problem Drinking and Alcohol Abuse
Before reaching the stage of alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder (formerly known as alcoholism), alcohol abuse may become evident when drinking leads to self-destructive or dangerous behaviors, either to yourself or others.
Unlike full-blown dependence, alcohol abuse can allow for some control and the ability to limit drinking.
So, what are the signs of alcohol abuse?
5 Common Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
If you’re abusing alcohol, you may not yet be physically dependent, but honestly consider whether any of the following signs and symptoms of problematic drinking apply to you:
1. Neglecting responsibilities
When drinking begins to interfere with your personal or professional life, it could indicate a potential problem. This might involve failing exams, poor job performance, neglecting your family, or skipping regular commitments due to hangovers. These are all signs that drinking may be having a destructive impact on your life.
2. Drinking in risky situations
If you find yourself driving under the influence, using machinery at work while impaired, or engaging in other dangerous activities after drinking, it’s time to seriously evaluate your relationship with alcohol.
3. Legal issues related to drinking
Legal problems such as DUI charges or incidents involving violence often arise from excessive alcohol use. These issues are significant warning signs that should not be ignored.
4. Strained relationships due to drinking
Frequent arguments or conflicts with partners and friends because of alcohol use can signal the need for immediate attention. Addressing the issue now may help prevent progression to alcohol dependence, where recovery becomes more challenging.
5. Using alcohol as a coping mechanism
If you’ve started drinking as a way to relax, de-stress, or manage emotions, this can be an early indication of a developing problem.
While these signs do not guarantee that you will become dependent on alcohol, they do suggest that your drinking habits may be heading toward a dangerous level.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
With alcohol use disorder (AUD), the signs of alcohol abuse are present, but there’s a key addition: physical dependence.
If you feel the need for alcohol to function normally or experience a strong physical urge to drink, it indicates dependence.
2 Major Red Flags Associated with AUD
Tolerance
- Do you need to consume more alcohol to achieve the same effect?
- Are you able to drink significantly more than others without feeling as intoxicated?
These are clear indicators that you are developing a tolerance to alcohol, which results from excessive drinking. Staying within the moderate drinking guidelines can help prevent tolerance from forming.
Withdrawal
Have you ever woken up and felt the need to take a quick drink to steady the shakes?
When you’ve been drinking heavily, your body can become accustomed to alcohol, leading to withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. If you find yourself drinking to relieve these symptoms, it’s a clear sign that it’s time to take action.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms Include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shaking
- Sweating
In more severe cases, withdrawal may also involve:
- Confusion
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
If you believe you may be dependent on alcohol and are considering addressing it, quitting suddenly without consulting a healthcare professional can be dangerous. Depending on the severity of your dependence, a medical detox might be necessary. We’ll explore this in more detail below.
Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder According to DSM-5
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) redefines how alcohol-related disorders are categorized compared to the previous edition.
In DSM-IV, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence were classified separately, as outlined earlier.
However, DSM-5 combines alcohol abuse and dependence into a single condition known as alcohol use disorder (AUD).
11 symptoms of alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5
- You regularly consume more alcohol than intended or drink for longer than planned.
- You have made unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control your drinking.
- You spend a lot of time drinking and recovering from its effects.
- You experience cravings for alcohol.
- Your alcohol use affects your social and professional responsibilities.
- You continue to drink despite negative impacts on social interactions and relationships.
- You skip social, work, or recreational activities because of your drinking.
- You drink in risky situations, such as while driving or operating machinery.
- You continue drinking even when you know you have a problem (physical or psychological) that is caused or worsened by alcohol.
- Your tolerance increases, meaning you need more alcohol to achieve the same effect, or you experience reduced effects when drinking the same amount.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms, and in some cases, may use alcohol or other substances to alleviate these symptoms.
Based on these criteria, AUD can be classified as:
- Mild: 2-3 symptoms
- Moderate: 4-5 symptoms
- Severe: 6 or more symptoms
If you identify with several of these symptoms and are considering seeking treatment, how can you gain a clearer initial understanding before speaking with a healthcare professional?
Several self-assessment tools are available, which we will review before discussing how to begin recovery from alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol Use Disorder: Self-Assessment Tests
If you’re wondering whether you might be experiencing AUD, you can try some straightforward self-assessment tests.
AUDIT
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was developed by the World Health Organization. A score of 8 or higher on this test suggests that your drinking habits may be harmful or hazardous.
CAGE
The CAGE questionnaire is a simple yet effective four-question assessment:
- C: Have you ever felt the need to cut down on your drinking?
- A: Do you get annoyed when others criticize your drinking habits?
- G: Do you ever feel guilty about your drinking?
- E: Do you use an eye-opener (drink first thing in the morning) to steady your nerves or to prepare for a special occasion?
If you answer “yes” to two or more questions, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional for a more comprehensive evaluation.
MAST
The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) is a self-scored questionnaire specifically designed to identify alcohol dependency. Versions of this test range from 10 to 20 questions, helping determine the presence and severity of a drinking problem. It is often considered one of the most reliable self-assessment tools available.
Note: While self-assessment tests can be informative, they should not be used as a definitive diagnosis. However, they can indicate whether your current drinking patterns might put you at risk for AUD.
Treatment
If what you’ve learned so far has raised some concerns, there’s positive news…
Recovery from alcohol use disorder is challenging but entirely possible with dedication and ongoing effort.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about 30% of people show no further symptoms one year after completing residential rehab. Many others are able to significantly reduce their alcohol consumption and encounter fewer alcohol-related issues following treatment.
So, how can you figure out which type of treatment would best suit your situation?

What to Do Next
If you’re concerned about your own drinking habits or those of a loved one, finding a drug and alcohol rehab center near you can help you take the first steps toward getting back on track.
For those without a long-standing alcohol dependency or a high risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, an intensive outpatient program might be suitable. However, if the situation is more serious, starting with a detox followed by residential treatment may be the most effective approach.
Feel free to call Sunrise Recovery at +1(877)978-6747 and we’ll be happy to discuss your concerns and guide you toward the right solution.