Are You an Alcoholic if You Don’t Drink Every Day?

A person does not have to drink every day to develop problems with alcohol. Alcoholism is not defined by how often you drink but is more about the reasons you drink. A person who does not stop drinking, even when they face negative consequences, can have problems with alcohol.

When a person drinks beyond his or her limit, they can experience vomiting, blackouts, overdose, or death. Not having the ability to control how much is consumed can be very harmful to a person’s physical and mental health. Excessive drinking can cause brain damage and can impair a person’s memory. When a person drinks more than they should, he or she puts themselves at risk for serious health issues.

Excessive drinking can lead to alcoholism. When alcohol is consumed, the brain’s neurotransmitters release high amounts of dopamine, which give the person a pleasurable feeling. Over time, an individual must drink more and more of the alcohol to achieve the same euphoric effects. The brain becomes controlled by the alcohol and affects a person’s speech, vision, motor skills, critical thinking, judgment, and decisions. A person who is intoxicated can act on impulse and not think about consequences of his or her actions.

A person who blacks out drinks so much that he or she does not remember a portion of the time they were drunk. Regular blackouts are a major sign of alcoholism. The person cannot control his or her compulsion to drink and cannot limit their intake. When a person drinks too much alcohol and blacks out, his or her brain’s memory function is interrupted causing the person to not remember anything during that time.

If you do not drink every day, you can still have a problem drinking and develop alcoholism. Many factors contribute to a person having an alcohol addiction such as genetics, environment, mental health, and history of alcohol abuse.

If you or a loved one live has an alcohol addiction, get help from a licensed professional. Treatment is available and can be tailored to individual’s needs. There is hope for recovery, and no one should feel they need to fight addiction alone.

Enlightened Solutions offers a clinical, holistic and 12-step approach to the road to recovery.  If you’re struggling with addiction and/or mental illness, our program is specialized in dual-diagnosis treatments. Don’t hesitate and call today: 844-234-LIVE.