Signs of Problem Drinking
Signs of Problem Drinking
Problematic drinking differs from binge drinking in that it exhibits patterned behaviors related to alcohol use. This is not to say that binge drinking may be a sign of problematic drinking, but that an individual scenario of binge drinking is not enough to qualify the behavior as problematic.
Some signs that someone’s drinking is becoming problematic include:
- Risk of bodily harm (e.g. drinking and driving, swimming while intoxicated)
- Negatively impacting personal relationships
- Lawful consequences of actions and behaviors while drinking
- Loss of control over alcohol (e.g. not being able to maintain limits)
- Increased tolerance to the effects of alcohol
Concerned about yourself or a friend? Use this quick screening tool.
Sources:
- Rethinking Drinking: http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov
- Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/295/17/2100.full.pdf