When drinking becomes a concern: Recognizing the signs and finding help
Enjoying a glass of wine with dinner or a beer with friends is common for adults of legal drinking age. But sometimes, the line between social drinking and problematic alcohol use can blur. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 28.9 million people ages 12 and older had an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in 2023. Recognizing the signs can make a difference in getting appropriate help.
Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
AUD is a medical condition where a person can’t stop drinking, even when it harms their health, puts their safety at risk or damages their personal relationships. Some people may refer to AUD as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction. Many misconceptions exist about AUD, but the nature of this disorder goes beyond personal willpower.
"AUD isn't about lacking willpower or moral character," says Dr. Mike Franz, executive medical director of behavioral health for Regence. "It's a brain disorder that can range from mild to severe. Alcohol can change how the brain functions over time, making it harder to stop drinking and increasing vulnerability to relapse. The good news is that with the right support and treatment, people recover successfully every day."
Anyone can develop AUD regardless of age, gender or background. The risk increases depending on how much, how often and how quickly someone drinks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption. But if someone does drink alcohol, the recommendation is no more than two standard drinks per day for men and one standard drink per day for women. A standard drink equals:
- 12 ounces of regular beer with 5% alcohol
- 5 ounces of wine with 12% alcohol
- 1.5-ounces of liquor or distilled spirits with 40% alcohol
Signs that it may be time to get help
Health care providers diagnose AUD using specific criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Having two to three symptoms may suggest mild AUD, with more symptoms indicating greater severity. Warning signs include:
- Frequently drinking more, or longer than planned
- Trying to cut back or control drinking, but unable to stop
- Spending a lot of time drinking or feeling sick afterward
- Wanting a drink so badly it’s hard to think of anything else
- Finding that drinking interferes with home, family, job or school responsibilities
- Continuing to drink even when it causes problems with family or friends
- Giving up activities that were once important to drink instead
- Taking risks while drinking (like driving, swimming or unsafe sexual behavior)
- Continuing to drink even when it causes depression, anxiety or health problems
- Needing more alcohol than before to feel its effects
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (trouble sleeping, shakiness, nausea, sweating, restlessness) when stopping drinking
Help is available through Eleanor Health
For those who recognize these signs in themselves or loved ones, help is available. Eleanor Health specializes in treating adults with alcohol, opioid and other substance use disorders through a personalized, compassionate approach.
Eleanor Health helps by:
- Offering virtual and in-office visits that work with patients' schedules.
- Treating the whole person, addressing not just dependence but also underlying mental and physical health issues.
- Creating treatment plans based on individual preferences, even if abstinence isn't the immediate goal.
- Providing judgment-free care, recognizing that relapse can be part of recovery.
To learn more about Eleanor Health’s treatment options, visit eleanorhealth.com or call 877-759-5017. In most cases, they can schedule same-day or next-day appointments. Some services may be covered at no cost depending on your health plan.
We’re here to help
If you or your loved one needs emotional support or mental health care, we can help you find the behavioral health care option that fits your needs. Most of our health plans offer virtual mental health treatment options from providers such as AbleTo Therapy+, Charlie Health, Doctor on Demand, Headway, MDLive, Talkspace and more. No referral is needed – you can visit the provider website and fill out their intake form for an appointment.
In addition to the broad range of traditional and virtual mental health providers, most Regence members have access to specialized behavioral health care for those seeking help for eating disorders (Equip) and obsessive-compulsive disorders (nOCD).
If your employer has an employee assistance program (EAP), your use of the program is confidential and at low or no cost.
We encourage you to visit these providers’ websites or call our customer service team at the number listed on your member ID card to verify which virtual care and traditional behavioral health options are available through your health plan.
