The heightened awareness of alcohol or drug addiction decreases the stigmatization of a substance use disorder (SUD). Celebrities and other high-profile people are speaking out and telling their stories, encouraging others to seek help for their substance addiction, too. However, with increased awareness also comes increased scrutiny.
Before concluding a loved one's drinking habit is harmful, remember that not everyone has an addiction. At any stage in life, one can increase, decrease, or stop alcohol consumption. When increasing alcohol use, an individual may be reacting to specific events in their life. If they can recognize their drinking patterns and reduce or stop their alcohol intake altogether, they may not have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Many people who drink fall into various points on the alcohol use spectrum.
Do I Have a Drinking Problem?
Whether an individual thinks they have a drinking problem or seeks guidance from a substance addiction treatment center, they are actively taking the first steps to learn about the alcohol use spectrum.
Alcohol Use Spectrum
Everyone has a different reaction to alcohol. Some people can drink without experiencing significant side effects, while others experience personality changes and emotional outbursts when drinking. However, an AUD looks different for everyone.
When envisioning a person struggling with alcoholism as someone in dirty clothes with poor hygiene living on the street, an individual may believe that they are not at risk of alcohol addiction. This could not be further from the truth. Anyone—no matter their age, economic status, or gender—can have an AUD. The alcohol use spectrum helps people identify their level of alcohol use.
As with most levels on a spectrum, each point represents a different type. For ease in understanding and gauging one's classification, it is important to break down the five types from lowest risk to the highest risk.
First Level: Experimental use of alcohol is the first level in the alcohol use spectrum. Many people who try alcohol for the first time are in their teens and are curious to find out what it tastes like. Some may decide they do not care for more, while others may overindulge. The result of consuming too much, vomiting, or having a hangover is enough to prevent further use for some. Then, others may try alcohol and feel like they discovered a new friend. Unfortunately, this group of people is at risk of developing an addiction. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes that the potential for addiction occurs when chemicals flood the brain and a light turns on. Sadly, once the light is on, turning it off becomes challenging.
Second Level: Occasional alcohol users may only drink in social situations, such as parties, dinner events, or with friends. This category can control their alcohol consumption to social outings.
Third Level: Situational alcohol use means a person's drinking habits begin to change based on their surroundings and emotional state. For example, if they normally drink on special occasions but make exceptions to include other events that may be uncomfortable, it is important to take note of these patterns.
Fourth Level: Situational drinking can shift to binge drinking. For example, This can include attending a party with the intention of taking the edge off by getting buzzed. However, individuals may binge drink, feel sick, and decide never to drink that heavily again. If so, they probably do not have an AUD. On the other hand, those who binge drink, get sick, and habitually choose to do it again may have one. Binge drinking is not limited to those who overconsume alcohol at certain events. For example, an individual may have a time of stress or emotional upheaval throughout their life and turn to alcohol to help them balance their feelings. However, those who recognize an unhealthy drinking pattern and take the necessary steps to decrease or stop their drinking are at low risk for AUD.
Fifth Level: Those who reach the fifth level of the spectrum are either abusing or dependent on alcohol. At this stage, alcohol becomes the forefront of a person's life, damaging personal and work relationships. Chronic alcohol use is also a cause of risky behavior that worsens AUD.
The Next Steps
Identifying whether or not one connects with any of these levels is important. If any connections were made, the next step is making the conscious effort and decision to quit drinking. If choosing to seek help at a medically supervised detoxification center, it is possible to uncover the root of one's drinking and learn new coping skills to tackle negative feelings in the future.
The alcohol use spectrum describes the differences between levels of drinking. You can gauge your drinking habits and assess if you're at risk of becoming alcohol dependent using the alcohol use spectrum. Not everyone who drinks has an alcohol use disorder, but there may be times in your life when you will move from one level to another based on circumstances. People who can regulate their drinking or don't care to drink at all are at low risk of developing an AUD. However, if you increase your alcohol intake and no longer feel you have control over your actions, your odds of an AUD increase. Monte Cristo Recovery is a medically supervised detoxification treatment center. When you're ready to face your AUD head-on, we are here to guide you through the detox process. Once you complete detox, we will help you continue your substance addiction recovery journey. Call us today for information at (714) 824-9896.