October Newsletter “Alcohol Problems”

Q: My wife is worried about my alcohol use. How can I tell if I have a problem with alcohol?

It would be nice if we could give you a test and tell you if you are going to become an alcoholic. Unfortunately, there is no test. If you are at risk for becoming addicted to alcohol, you will become addicted if you drink enough.

The good news is that studies have helped to find things that put you at risk for becoming addicted. One of the biggest risks is having a family member (parents, brothers or sisters, grandparents, aunts or uncles, or cousins) who has a problem with alcohol. One study found that children had a four-times greater risk for addiction after adoption if they had an alcoholic parent. This was true even when their adoptive parents did not have problems with alcohol.

The best way to avoid problems with alcohol is to stop drinking any alcohol. If you choose to drink, keep in mind that it takes time to develop an addiction. It may take five to ten years of occasional drinking before you develop an addictive pattern. However, you may develop an addictive pattern in two years if a member of your family has a problem with alcohol.

One common pattern of problem drinking is binge drinking. Binge drinking is where you drink more than four drinks in a day, even if you only drink one or two days per week. Most people think alcohol addiction means that you drink every day. You can also be addicted to alcohol when you drink once a week.

If you have a problem with alcohol, or if you have been told you have a problem, get help as soon as possible. One early sign of a problem is when a spouse, family member or friend is concerned about your drinking. You can go to Alcoholics Anonymous to find help. You can also see a therapist who is trained to treat addictions. Alcohol does not have to be a problem in your life if you face it.