Introduction If you’re concerned that you may have a problem with alcohol, it’s important to be able to recognize the signs of alcohol dependence. It’s also important to be aware of the effects of alcohol abuse and what happens when someone drinks too much. Alcohol abuse can lead to serious health problems. It can include fatal car accidents, liver disease and heart failure. Binge drinking is associated with many symptoms. They include blackouts, memory loss, nausea and vomiting. Am I struggling with Alcoholism? Binge drinking is defined according to gender. When Men exceed more than 4 drinks in one day it is binge drinking. However, when Women exceed more than 3 drinks in one day it is binge drinking. If you’ve had a blackout and are concerned about your drinking, contact a professional for help. Adam B. Johnson, LPC can help you to decide what actions to take. If you are already seeing a therapist, it is important to share your experiences at your next session. Alcoholism is a serious problem that can lead to other health issues. Don’t wait to schedule a free consultation . The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that alcohol dependence symptoms include: lackouts: These happen when a person drinks too much too quickly. Blackouts make is hard to remember what happened. Sometimes you can only remember bits and pieces. Alcohol poisoning can happen during blackout periods. Nausea and vomiting: Signs of physical damage from the effects of too much alcohol over time. Changes in sleeping patterns: This can lead to insomnia among other things. Dependence on alcohol can cause changes in a person’s behavior. They may stop talking and spending time with others. They may become more angry and quick tempered. They might make impulsive decisions or take unsafe risks. Setting limits for how much you will drink and being unable to stick those limits. Needing more alcohol to feel the same way when one first started drinking. It can also mean feeling less of an effect when drinking the same amount when first started drinking. These are all signs of alcohol addiction. It doesn’t mean that you will suffer from alcoholism for the rest of your life. If you suspect that you have an alcohol problem, check out the symptom checker at the bottom of this page. Alcohol can have a sedative like effect. It slows down your brain’s ability to think and process emotions. Am I struggling with Alcoholism? We all know that alcohol can have a sedative like effect. It slows down your brain’s ability to think and process emotions. That’s one of the reasons why people drink in the first place: it’s a way of escaping or calming yourself down. But does that mean you’re an alcoholic if you feel this way? Not necessarily. It could be a symptom of anxiety or depression, which are both common among young people and adults. If you struggle with these conditions and regularly drink alcohol, it’s worth it to talk to a therapist. They can help in finding healthier ways of managing them. Alcohol can make you feel more depressed or anxious by impacting the levels of serotonin in your brain. Am I struggling with Alcoholism? Alcohol can make you feel more depressed or anxious by impacting the levels of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which means it carries messages between brain cells. It’s involved in regulating mood, sleep, sexual function and appetite—and it may be responsible for your cravings for alcohol. In fact, studies have shown that people who lack serotonin are twice as likely to drink heavily than those who don’t. To understand how alcohol causes depression and anxiety symptoms, it’s important to understand how the brain works. When we consume alcohol it travels through our bloodstream until it reaches every part of our body including our brains! Once there, alcohol has two different effects on us: short term intoxication (drunk feelings) followed by long term withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia or anxiety symptoms.” It’s not unusual for a person who is dealing with alcohol addiction to engage in cycles of binge drinking and sobriety. Am I struggling with Alcoholism? Binge drinking is defined as consuming 4 or more drinks for men and 3 or more drinks for women in one sitting. This type of alcohol consumption is the most common form of alcohol abuse in the United States. It accounts for approximately 70% of excessive drinking instances. Binge drinking can lead to alcohol dependence, which involves being unable to control your consumption and continuing to drink despite knowing it will cause harm. It also increases your risk for developing other serious health issues and diseases, including liver damage and heart disease. If you find yourself binge drinking more than once per month, you might have an issue with alcohol dependence. If this pattern continues for a prolonged period of time without any desire to change on your part—or if you have begun experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking—then it’s likely that addiction has taken hold. It’s important to be aware of the signs of alcohol dependence. Am I struggling with Alcoholism? If you are concerned that you may be suffering from alcoholism, it’s important to be aware of the signs of alcohol dependence. While not everyone who drinks alcohol will become addicted, it’s important to know what can lead to dependence and how dependency can be managed with treatment. The difference between alcoholism and social drinking is vast, but even if you don’t feel like your drinking habits are out of control, understanding the differences between abuse and dependence can help prevent future problems from developing or getting worse. Take the brief symptom checker to decide for yourself if it’s time to see a therapist. Conclusion If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol dependence, please get in touch with Adam B. Johnson, LPC to schedule a free consultation. We can thoroughly assess your needs and ensure that you are treated with compassion and empathy. Here are some other great resources to consider: Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/ National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.aa.org Al-Anon Family Groups: https://www.al-anon.org