Is It Normal to Think About Drinking Every Day?

Drinking occasionally is normal, but for some people, occasional drinking can turn into daily drinking. But what if you don’t drink every day, but you think about it every day? This can be a sign that you may have developed a psychological dependence on alcohol, or even an alcohol addiction, also known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

The Alcohol Addiction Cycle

Chronic alcohol use causes changes in the brain that lead to dependence. Alcohol causes the reward of pleasurable feelings or stress relief, and the brain comes to expect alcohol in order to produce these feelings. Over time, it becomes difficult to feel pleasure or to relieve stress without alcohol. This leads to the alcohol addiction cycle, which has three stages.

1. Intoxication: You’re rewarded for drinking with feelings like euphoria, relaxation, and inhibition.
2. Withdrawal: The pleasure disappears, and you may feel depressed or anxious. Physical symptoms may also occur such as shaking and sweating.
3. Anticipation: You start thinking about drinking and looking forward to the next time that you can drink.

You can enter the addiction cycle at any stage. If you find yourself constantly thinking about drinking, you are in the anticipation stage.

Signs That Your Drinking May Be a Problem

Thinking about drinking on a daily basis is only one of the signs that your drinking may be a problem. Other signs include:

• Negative consequences of drinking, such as arguing with loved ones about your drinking, feeling guilty about drinking, or more significant consequences like a DUI charge.
• Not remembering what you did while drinking (blacking out).
• Embarrassment over how much you drink.
• Anxiety that there may not be enough alcohol at the place where you will be drinking.
• Lying about your drinking or hiding it.
• Drinking more than you intended.
• Drinking to medicate certain feelings such as anxiety.
• Failing to meet responsibilities because you’re drinking.
• Wanting to cut down on alcohol use but not being able to.
• Having withdrawal symptoms when you’re not drinking.

Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal occurs when you have developed a physical dependence on alcohol. It’s important to understand that alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, so if you decide to stop drinking, it’s best to go through withdrawal in a medically supervised detox setting.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety or nervousness
• Irritability
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Increased heart rate
• Elevated blood pressure
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Mood swings
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Delirium tremens (DTs), which may include:
  • Severe confusion
  • Agitation
  • Fever
  • Heavy sweating

Severe symptoms such as DTs can be life threatening, so it’s important to know the signs.

Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder

In addition to the signs discussed, another way to know if you have a problem is to evaluate yourself based on the clinical definition of alcohol use disorder, which specifies 11 criteria that indicate that an alcohol use disorder is present.

1. Drinking more than intended or for longer than intended
2. Wanting to reduce or stop alcohol use but not being able to
3. Spending excessive amounts of time drinking or recovering from drinking
4. Feeling cravings for alcohol
5. Failing to live up to responsibilities due to alcohol use
6. Having relationship problems because of alcohol use
7. Giving up activities that you enjoy in order to drink instead
8. Engaging in risky behaviors like driving while drinking or under the influence
9. Continuing to drink in spite of negative consequences like health issues
10. Needing more alcohol to get the same effects
11. Having withdrawal symptoms when you are not drinking

Having two to three of these symptoms indicates a mild AUD, four to five is considered moderate, while six or more is severe. Even a mild AUD requires treatment, but your level will determine the intensity of the treatment that you need.

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

If, after doing some serious self-evaluation, you determine that you have an alcohol use disorder, you should know what treatment is available.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment for AUD can be a short-term detox program that lasts seven to ten days, or it can be a full program that lasts 30 to 90 days. The purpose of a detox program is to manage your withdrawal symptoms in a medically supervised setting to keep you safe and as comfortable as possible. It should not be a standalone treatment, and should be followed by some other form of inpatient or outpatient treatment.

A 30 to 90 day inpatient treatment program includes a period of detox, but also includes intensive therapy, both individually and in groups. You may also be treated for any co-occurring disorders that you may have, such as anxiety and depression. Medication may be part of the treatment.

Inpatient rehab is not for everyone. It’s generally for more severe AUDs, although it can be helpful for any level of addiction. For severe AUDs, it’s also generally followed by outpatient treatment of some kind.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) allows you to live at home while attending treatment for four to six hours per day, usually five days a week. The program may last anywhere from four weeks to ten weeks. The treatment consists of therapy similar to that of inpatient treatment, both in groups and individually. A PHP can still include medication for withdrawal and for co-occurring disorders.

More often than not, a PHP program is a transitional step that occurs after inpatient treatment, although it can be an alternative to inpatient treatment.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) consists of two to three hours of therapy several days a week for eight to twelve weeks. Often, sessions are held in the evenings so that you can still go to work or attend school. Treatment, again, involves individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy.

IOPs can be standalone treatments, or they can be attended after inpatient treatment, PHPs, or both.

Support Groups

Some people with AUDs don’t go to rehab at all but instead attend support group meetings through a program like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). While this may be effective for some people, it’s not a standalone for those who need medically supervised detox or who have a severe addiction. It can, however, complement other forms of treatment for everyone.

In Closing

If you’re thinking about drinking every day, it could be a warning sign that you have a problem with alcohol. Be honest with yourself and do some self-evaluation. Remember that alcohol addiction is treatable, and you can live a healthy life in recovery. Bridges of Hope is here to help with several treatment options. We are committed to providing individualized, compassionate, and comprehensive care. Reach out today to learn more.