Drinking Alone: When Is It a Problem?

Many people drink socially when they go out with friends, attend an event, or go to a dinner party. Some also will have a glass of wine with dinner at home alone. You may have heard that drinking alone is a sign of having a problem with alcohol, but is it? If you drink alone, it’s important to recognize the signs that it may have become a problem.

Is Drinking Alone Normal?

The short answer is that drinking alone is not necessarily a problem. Many people enjoy a cocktail or a beer when they get home at the end of a long day, or a nightcap when they go to bed. Some people like to have a drink alone in a bar for the atmosphere. Those things are not abnormal, so if you are someone who has a drink alone in those situations, that in and of itself does not indicate that you have a problem with alcohol.

However, in some cases, drinking alone can be an indicator of an alcohol addiction if drinking becomes excessive or if you are drinking alone to cope with life.

Knowing When Drinking Has Become an Addiction

Recognizing that your drinking has become an addiction requires understanding how alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is defined.

Alcohol use disorder is formally defined in the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This definition has 11 criteria that determine whether an AUD 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.

Any level requires treatment, but your level will indicate the intensity of the treatment that you need. A therapist or an addiction specialist can do a thorough assessment and create an individualized treatment plan for you.

Consider the Consequences of Your Drinking

To determine if your drinking is a problem, you can also consider whether you have had consequences from your drinking. Common consequences might include:

• Legal consequences such as a DUI on your way home from a bar.
• Making poor decisions or acting impulsively while drinking. These poor decisions may be anything from getting into an argument with a stranger, to cheating on your partner.
• Relationship problems due to arguments about your drinking alone.
• Job difficulties or the loss of a job.
• Health consequences such as gastrointestinal problems or high blood pressure.
• Missing out on activities due to drinking or hangovers.

The bottom line is that if drinking, whether alone or not, is negatively disrupting your life, you may have a problem that requires treatment.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options

If you come to the realization that your drinking has become a problem, quitting on your own may be very difficult. Withdrawal from alcohol can also be dangerous. Getting treatment is the best way to start a journey of recovery from alcohol addiction. You have several treatment options.

Inpatient Treatment

A 30 to 90 day inpatient treatment program includes a period of detox during which you’ll be medically supervised as you withdraw from alcohol, and intensive therapy, both individually and in groups.

Group therapy makes up the majority of your time in treatment, giving you the opportunity to learn about the nature of addiction and to interact with peers. You’ll likely form mutually supportive relationships with some of these peers, which is important to your recovery.

The type of therapy most commonly used in AUD treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches you to recognize your irrational or negative thoughts and to challenge them and change them to more reality based, positive thoughts. It also teaches healthy coping skills and strategies to avoid relapse.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is an outpatient program that 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 and consists of individual and group therapy.

A PHP program is often 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 three to five days a week for eight to twelve weeks. Often, sessions are held at convenient times, such as in the evenings, so that you can still go to work.

An IOP can be a standalone treatment, or it can be attended after inpatient treatment, a PHP, or both.

Support Groups

Some people with alcohol addiction don’t attend treatment at all but instead choose to attend support group meetings through a program like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). While this may be effective for some people, it’s not recommended as a standalone option for those who need medically supervised detox, or who have a moderate to severe AUD. Support groups can, however, be an effective part of long-term recovery.

Comprehensive Treatment

The most effective treatment plan for severe alcohol addiction is a comprehensive treatment program that consists of an inpatient program, followed by a PHP, and an IOP. Research shows that recovery success rates increase the longer the treatment program. After the program, you can receive continuing support from individual therapy and/or support groups. Recovery from alcohol addiction, or any addiction, is a lifelong process that requires continuous dedication and diligence.

In Closing

Drinking alone is not always a problem, but it’s important to recognize when it has become a problem that needs treatment. At Bridges of Hope, we offer several treatment options that can put you on a path to healthier life. We are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate care. Give us a call today to learn more.