Having a beer or a glass of wine by yourself, in front of the TV isn’t alarming. For many people, it is a usual way to unwind after a long week. But for others, drinking alone is a sign of something bigger. Alcohol addiction is a disease that flourishes in isolation and can rapidly take hold if drinking is your way to cope with uncomfortable emotions or mental trauma.
Is drinking alone a sign of being alcoholic?
Drinking alone does not make a person an alcoholic. However, combined with other warning signs, drinking alone or in secrecy could indicate alcoholism. These warning signs include –
- Temporary black-outs
- Short-term memory loss
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Inability to quit drinking
- Making excuses to continue or hide drinking
- Drinking takes priority over your job or relationships
- Increasing alcohol tolerance
- Participating in risky behaviors
- Feelings of withdrawal
Any combination of these symptoms in addition to drinking alone may indicate that your drinking is turning into alcohol addiction.
There could be several reasons for a person drinking alone, such as –
- Depression
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Loneliness
- Sleep problems
- Anger
Many people drink to avoid or numb such as mental health issues. Without proper treatment, a drinking issue can quickly turn into alcoholism.
Is drinking alone dangerous?
Drinking alone results in a number of dangerous consequences. It can put drinkers in unsafe situations since alcohol consumption affects a person’s ability to reason and make decisions. Without anyone around to prevent the person from risky behavior, the person may engage in drunk driving and sexually aggressive or violent behaviors. These actions put the person as well as those around him, in danger.
Drinking alone does not make you an alcoholic, but it could. If your solo drinking sessions have become more common lately, seek help.
