According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly 30,000 Americans have struggled with alcohol abuse disorder in the last year. For many, AUD can lead to a long-term addiction to alcohol.
You or someone you may know may be exhibiting early signs of alcohol dependence. How long does it take to become addicted to alcohol? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are signs and risk factors that can increase awareness.
Read on to learn about alcohol addiction signs, risk factors for alcoholism, and more.
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What Are the Early Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction?
We live in a society that normalizes alcohol use, particularly in social settings. This can make it difficult to distinguish between “casual” drinking and alcohol dependence. Early signs of alcohol addiction or abuse include:
- Inability to limit alcohol intake
- Regular urges to drink alcohol
- Significant dedication (of time and/or money) to drinking alcohol and recovering from drinking
- Prioritization of drinking over other obligations or interests
- Continued drinking regardless of consequences
Not all of these symptoms must be present to diagnose alcohol addiction. As soon as someone seems to have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, it’s worth investigating the cause.
How Long Does It Take to Become Addicted to Alcohol?
Some people can drink for years before developing an addiction to alcohol. Others may start showing signs of alcohol abuse within weeks of their first drink. The Mayo Clinic sites potential risk factors such as:
- Genetics and family history of addiction
- Steady drinking over time
- Beginning to drink at an early age
- Suffering from trauma or mental health disorders
These risk factors don’t inherently speed up the average alcohol abuse timeline. Instead, they increase the probability that a person could develop an alcohol abuse problem at some point in their lives. Keep in mind that even people who don’t check any of these boxes can still develop an alcohol addiction.
What Treatment Options Are Available for AUD and Alcoholism?
For the sake of your health, safety, and relationships, it’s important to cut alcohol out of your life if you’ve developed an addiction. Depending on the severity of the dependency, you may benefit from monitored detoxing. View alcohol rehab options to explore what that might look like for you.
Even after completing rehab, many people benefit from working with a therapist or joining a support group. Having both professional and peer support can make it easier to cope with triggers and avoid relapsing. Plus, it can give individuals an outlet outside of personal relationships to talk about the difficulty of living with addiction.
You Don’t Have to Recover Alone
Thousands of Americans struggle with alcohol use disorder every year. How long does it take to become addicted to alcohol? The answer can vary from person to person, but the solution is almost always to cut alcohol out completely, and you don’t have to recover alone.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle starts with education and awareness. We’re always delivering the latest news and research, so take a look at our health section for more tips, tricks, and knowledge.
