Signs and Risk Factors

Signs of risky alcohol use

When drinking casually with friends, we may not look for or recognize signs of alcohol use disorder. Alcohol consumption is so common that addiction and unhealthy use can be difficult to identify, especially in ourselves. While most people who drink alcohol do not develop an alcohol use disorder, any cravings, consequences, or loss of control over alcohol use is a concerning sign.

Drinking may be a problem if you …

• Drink to forget something in your life or past.
• Seek out alcohol when you’re feeling down or worried.
• Can’t sleep or wake up without a drink.
• Cope with emotions by drinking.
• Have a hard time managing stress without alcohol.
• Engage in “binge drinking,” having five or more drinks on a single occasion.
• Have trouble maintaining relationships, hobbies, or activities because of your drinking habits.
• Consistently go over limits on drinking that you set for yourself.
• Find yourself in dangerous situations or experiencing thoughts of suicide because of drinking.

Using alcohol as a tool to manage emotions or moods can seem like a good way to cope. But over time, drinking can affect the rest of your life, including your:

• Relationships
• Career
• Finances
• Physical health
• Mental health

And since our bodies are wired to seek pleasure and relief, you may find it hard to cut down on your own.

If you’re concerned about your drinking habits or you’d like to know more, a confidential self-assessment can help you figure out whether you could benefit from treatment and support.

Knowing the risk factors

Many of us drink alcohol on a regular basis, but some of us are more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder than others. If we’re aware of our risk factors, we can take steps to reduce the likelihood of developing an addiction.

Risk factors you need to know:

• Genetics: If someone in your family has an alcohol use disorder, you may be more likely to develop one, too.
• Age of initial alcohol use: If you started drinking when you were very young, you may have a higher risk of developing an alcohol use disorder.
• Mental health disorder: Individuals with anxiety, mood, and other psychiatric illnesses have higher rates of substance use disorders. Combined, substance misuse and mental health disorders can increase risk for suicide. Learn how to recognize the warning signs and save a life.

Situational factors you can control:

• Friends: When you’re surrounded by people who regularly drink heavily, it can be hard not to join in.
• Environment: Some areas of the country have higher rates of alcohol consumption than others, creating a culture of heavy drinking that can increase the risk for alcohol misuse.

Hear stories that you can relate to.

Signs of risky drug use

People use prescription or recreational drugs for a variety of reasons: out of curiosity, to relax or socialize, or because a family member or loved one also uses drugs. However, when drug use interferes with your daily life, there may be a problem. If you notice that your use, or a family member’s or friend’s use, gets in the way of sleep, relationships, work, or fulfilling responsibilities — or if it’s significantly affecting your mood — then it may be time to reach out for support. If you’re ready, taking that first step can get you on a path to recovery.

Have you noticed that you …

• Use drugs to forget something in your life or past?
• Find yourself longing for the drug or feeling strong urges?
• Experience symptoms of withdrawal — like muscle pain, nausea, or anxiety — when you don’t use?
• Act unlike yourself to get access to the drug?
• Have a hard time managing stress without using?
• Have trouble maintaining relationships, hobbies, or activities because of your drug habits?
• Consistently go over limits you set for yourself?
• Have found yourself in dangerous situations or experiencing thoughts of suicide because of your use?

Many people use drugs to cope with tough situations, and they can provide temporary relief. However, over time, using drugs can affect your work, your finances, your relationships, and your physical health — and the problem can be difficult to control on your own.

If you’re concerned about your drug use, or that of someone you care about, and you’d like more information, Mayo Clinic provides a detailed breakdown of signs and symptoms of drug use by type of substance.

Knowing the risk factors

Many people have participated in recreational drug use at some point in their lives, but some of us are more likely than others to develop a substance use disorder. Some risk factors may be beyond your control, but knowing the factors that can contribute to substance use problems can empower you to take steps toward reducing your likelihood of developing an addiction.

Risk factors you need to know:

• Gender: Studies show that people of different genders use drugs in different ways. Women may develop an addiction earlier in their drug use than men, even if they start out at lower levels of drug use than men.
• Genetics: If you know that someone in your family has a substance use disorder, you may be more likely to develop one, too.
• Method of use: Injecting or smoking drugs like cocaine, opiates, heroin, or opioid painkillers can increase the risk of developing an addiction.

Situational factors you can control:

• Friends: When you spend a lot of time with people who regularly use drugs, you tend to use drugs as well.
• Environment: Some areas of the country have higher rates of drug use than others do, creating a culture of drug use that can increase the risk for substance addiction.

Content reviewed by Jasleen Salwan, M.D., MPH, FASAM, August 2023.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)