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6 Warning Signs You’re Developing Alcohol Dependency—Don’t Ignore These

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Unhealthy drinking habits can be a lethal enemy, threatening both your health and daily life. If you’ve noticed yourself drinking more often or in larger quantities lately, or if you’re experiencing frequent memory blackouts after nights out, it’s a sign that you might be developing a dependency on alcohol. Here are 6 key signs that you might be developing alcohol dependence.

Image for article illustration. / buritora-shutterstock.com
Image for article illustration. / buritora-shutterstock.com

Drinking More and More Frequently

Alcohol is a tricky substance that can condition your brain. As casual drinking becomes routine, your brain starts to crave it, remembering the pleasure and reinforcing the dependency.

If you find yourself losing control even in the comfort of your own home, with drinks multiplying and happy hours becoming more frequent, it’s a warning sign. Habitual drinking raises your tolerance and numbs your sensitivity to alcohol’s effects.

Drinking Until You Black Out

The “blackout” phenomenon is more than just a result of over-drinking. It occurs when alcohol paralyzes brain cells, especially those responsible for memory, like the hippocampus. During a blackout, the brain cannot store information. More concerning is the fact that repeated blackouts can lead to brain damage, which can cause permanent cognitive decline. If you’ve experienced more than two blackouts in six months, it’s a sign that your brain is in danger.

Loss of Emotional Control

Ever turn into a completely different person after a few drinks? That’s your cerebral cortex on alcohol. Alcohol weakens the part of your brain responsible for reason and impulse control while simultaneously unleashing your emotional and instinctual side.

This can lead to explosive emotional reactions and violent behavior. The frontal lobe, responsible for emotional and impulse control, is especially vulnerable to alcohol damage. If you can’t control your emotions or become violent when drinking, it could be a sign of brain damage.

Unwarranted Confidence

After drinking, some people overestimate their abilities, such as drunk driving, even though they know it’s dangerous. The brain reacts sensitively to small amounts of alcohol but becomes less responsive to larger quantities, which can create a false sense of security. Previous instances where alcohol didn’t lead to accidents may also reinforce this unwarranted confidence. A hallmark of alcohol addiction is denial of reality.

Drinking While Hungover

Turning to alcohol to relieve a hangover is a significant sign of alcohol dependence. “Hair of the dog” (drinking more alcohol to ease the effects of a hangover) only numbs the brain with more alcohol, masking the symptoms but not truly curing the hangover. If your brain’s gotten used to alcohol, it may experience anxiety and withdrawal symptoms without it. This can lead to a vicious cycle where one inevitably turns to alcohol again. Once you hit this point, willpower alone probably won’t cut it. Professional help and treatment are needed.

Drinking in Secret

If you find yourself hiding bottles or lying about your drinking to avoid concerned looks or lectures from friends and family, that’s a classic sign of alcohol dependence. When you can’t control your drinking but feel the need to make excuses or cover it up, it becomes even harder to face the problem head-on.

Being honest about your drinking habits and seeking help is the first step toward quitting.

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