This week on the Alcohol Minimalist podcast, I’m revisiting one of the most-downloaded episodes from the archives: a conversation about Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), physical dependence, and why labels aren’t always the most useful place to start.
If you’ve ever wondered, Do I have a drinking problem? Am I drinking too much? Am I addicted? this episode will help you look at those questions with more clarity and less drama.
Alcohol Use Disorder isn’t determined simply by how much you drink. It exists on a spectrum from mild to severe and is based on how alcohol is affecting your behavior, health, relationships, and ability to control your drinking.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How Alcohol Use Disorder is defined
- Why comparing your drinking to someone else’s isn’t helpful
- The difference between alcohol misuse, AUD, and physical dependence
- Why withdrawal symptoms require medical guidance
- How labels can sometimes keep us from honestly evaluating our drinking
- Why the better question may be: Is alcohol creating results I actually want in my life?
An important safety note
If you regularly experience withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, nausea, racing heart, or seizures when alcohol wears off, seek professional medical guidance before abruptly stopping drinking. Alcohol withdrawal can be serious.
You don’t need to wait for alcohol to become a severe problem before deciding to change.
Pay attention to the data. Look honestly at the results alcohol is creating. Then decide what one small change could move you toward a more peaceful relationship with alcohol.
Low risk drinking guidelines from the NIAAA:
Healthy men under 65:
No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per week.
Healthy women (all ages) and healthy men 65 and older:
No more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 drinks per week.
One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. So remember that a mixed drink or full glass of wine are probably more than one drink.
Abstinence from alcohol
Abstinence from alcohol is the best choice for people who take medication(s) that interact with alcohol, have health conditions that could be exacerbated by alcohol (e.g. liver disease), are pregnant or may become pregnant or have had a problem with alcohol or another substance in the past.
Benefits of “low-risk” drinking
Following these guidelines reduces the risk of health problems such as cancer, liver disease, reduced immunity, ulcers, sleep problems, complications of existing conditions, and more. It also reduces the risk of depression, social problems, and difficulties at school or work.
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