I Drink Every Night, Am I an Alcoholic?

When Is Drinking Every Night A Problem?

Drinking nightly can become problematic when someone experiences the repetitive compulsion to drink. They feel uncomfortable or irritable if they don’t have their routine drink. Or, they may find themselves justifying why they should drink even if it’s causing problems in their relationships, physical health, or emotional well-being. At this point, someone may be developing an alcohol addiction.¹

How Much Alcohol Is Too Much for a Daily Drink?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that men drink no more than two drinks per day and women drink no more than one drink per day. They also advise that drinking less is better than drinking more. Heavy drinking is defined as consuming 5+ drinks a day or 15 more in a week for men and 4+ drinks a day or 8 more per week for women.²

What Is The Difference Between Dependence & Addiction?

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, it’s important to understand the key differences between dependence and addiction. Dependence refers to the physical reliance on alcohol that leads to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Addiction refers to the behavioral changes someone experiences in response to their drinking patterns. Both dependence and addiction often go hand-in-hand when it comes to alcohol use disorder.

Warning Signs Your Nightly Drink Might Be Heading Towards Alcoholism

In many cases, alcoholism is progressive, and symptoms can worsen slowly over time. Stressful life circumstances or problems with other forms of substance abuse may exacerbate one’s drinking habits. Keep in mind that it’s typical for individuals or their loved ones to rationalize, outright deny drinking habits, or ignore the facts about alcohol use – this is a common feature of all addictions.

Common signs that alcoholism is developing include:

• Withdrawing from social activities to drink alone
• Feeling uncomfortable going certain periods of time without drinking
• Continuously drinking more than originally expected
• Missing school or work due to hangovers
• Other people expressing concerns about alcohol habits
• Making reckless decisions when under the influence (i.e. driving)
• Googling “how to sober up fast“

Side Effects Of Drinking Every Night

Drinking in moderation may be safe, but it’s not advised for people younger than 21, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those who suffer from certain medical conditions. In addition, alcohol may affect over-the-counter and prescription medications.³ Side effects become more pronounced the more someone drinks. Short-term health risks include risky behaviors, injuries, and poor impulse control.

The long-term implications of chronic drinking can be serious. Excessive alcohol use can lead to alcohol use disorder, and it can exacerbate preexisting mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It can also weaken the immune system and increase the risk of developing cardiovascular issues and certain types of cancer.³

Some common side effects of drinking every night include:

• Poor judgment
• Drowsiness
• Relationship problems
• Poor time management
• Low self-esteem
• Social withdrawal
• Sleep problems
• Memory loss
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Loss of coordination
• Gastrointestinal distress

Reasons Not To Drink Every Night

Many people find that cutting back or stopping drinking helps them feel better physically and emotionally. The first few weeks may be challenging, but sticking with it can evoke a sense of empowerment, positive momentum, and help you experience the eventual benefits of quitting alcohol. People often feel more productive and present in their daily lives, and they enjoy waking up without a hangover or feeling sick.

How Do I Stop Drinking Every Night?

If you want to know how to stop drinking alcohol every night, the first step is making a genuine commitment to change. Identify why you want to stop and write your reasons down. Put your list in an accessible place. It’s important to acknowledge that change can be hard, and setbacks are common. But the more you dedicate yourself to your path, the more likely you are to achieve success.

Remove Alcohol From Your Home

It’s no secret that alcohol is easily and widely accessible. However, having it available at home can make it that much harder to resist temptation when it arises. As a preliminary step, get rid of all the alcohol or give it to a trustworthy friend. If a craving hits, you have to work a bit harder to manage it, which can give you more time to pause before acting.

If you live with someone who drinks, ask if they’d be willing to support you in this decision to remove alcohol. If they want to continue drinking, ask if they’d at least be willing to move their alcohol to a more inaccessible place like a separate mini fridge or cabinet that’s entirely theirs.

Change Your Routine

It’s important to consider how you will spend your time at night without drinking. Many people find that they pair alcohol with certain activities like watching TV or socializing with their partner. Try to think about contingency plans for yourself- now is also a good time to consider adding any new hobbies or self-care activities into your nightly routine.

Build Accountability

Accountability may be an essential component in reducing or eliminating your drinking. Supportive friends and family can offer you encouragement and validation when you’re having a hard time. You might also want to consider joining a community like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or another support group for additional companionship. A therapist can also provide you with meaningful support and coping skills.

Set Healthy Distractions

Cravings are normal in the early stages of change or recovery.⁴ You may experience strong urges to drink, and those urges can feel consuming and highly distressing. They can also be difficult to endure if you don’t have much experience sitting with them fully. When cravings or discomfort arise, you may need to lean on healthy distractions until the difficult moment passes.

It may be helpful to write down a list of distractions you can refer to when you’re struggling. While this may not “fix” the craving, engaging in distraction can buy you time, which can allow the craving to pass without you giving into it.

Some common examples of healthy distractions include:

• Exercise
• Cooking
• Journaling
• Cleaning
• Writing down your gratitude
• Doing something kind for someone else
• Taking a nap
• Walking
• Listening to music

Don’t Give Up (Even Despite Setbacks)

It’s well-known that relapse can be a part of any recovery cycle, and it’s important to learn from slips or mistakes rather than quit altogether. Changing any habit is hard, and if you struggle with an addiction, you will probably note that progress isn’t always linear. That said, persistence can pay off. The more you believe in yourself and your journey, the more likely you are to succeed.

When To Get Professional Support For Daily Drinking

Alcohol abuse can be difficult to manage on your own, and you may benefit from seeking professional support to help you if you’re struggling with daily drinking. It’s important to work with a therapist specializing in substance use disorders. You can get started with your search using our online therapist directory or via an online therapy platform. You may also want to try sobriety apps like the Sunnyside App to build healthier drinking habits or the Reframe App to cut back on alcohol.

Addiction treatment can be multifaceted, and therapy is just one component of support. Many people also benefit from implementing lifestyle changes and adjusting how they cope with stress. If you’re experiencing co-occurring issues or want to discuss addiction medication options, consider meeting with a psychiatrist. There are numerous in-person and online psychiatrist options available.

In My Experience

Alcohol abuse can be frustrating, difficult, and sometimes shameful. You may feel embarrassed by your nightly drinking, or you might struggle with knowing how to change your behavior. Regardless of your specific circumstances, it’s important to remember that change is always possible. Having the right treatment and mindset can make a significant difference in improving how you feel.