Drunk vs. alcoholic: 7 signs it’s time to quit drinking

While the terms drunk vs. alcoholic might seem like synonyms, there are distinctions, although neither term refers to a healthy state of being.

How do you know when it’s time to quit drinking? When a few too many beverages leave a blank space where your memory should be, there’s a definite cause for concern. It’s no fun to be left with no memories of your night out, and it’s no fun to be left with the harmful long-term side effects of abusing alcohol over time.

For those residents of the Centennial State impacted by excessive drinking and the adverse consequences, an alcohol addiction program in Colorado offers the best chance of sobriety and recovery.

Suppose you often find yourself experiencing memory loss after drinking or facing social or legal consequences of your actions while impaired. In that case, that should be a strong indicator as to when to stop drinking alcohol. Call 833.754.0554 to speak with someone from Women’s Recovery about signs it’s time to quit drinking, what to expect when you quit drinking, and our alcohol addiction treatment program in Colorado.

Before we dive into how to recognize when it’s time to stop drinking, let’s first clarify the difference between being an alcoholic and being drunk. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they actually have different meanings.

An alcoholic is someone who has a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. This means that they cannot function normally without consuming alcohol and may experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to quit. On the other hand, being drunk refers to a state of intoxication caused by consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. While someone who is drunk may also have an addiction to alcohol, not all individuals who are addicted to alcohol are constantly drunk.

Now that we understand the difference between alcoholic vs. drunk, let’s explore when it’s time to stop drinking alcohol. Aside from experiencing memory loss after drinking, there are other signs that indicate it may be time to quit. These can include:

• Feeling guilty or ashamed about your drinking habits
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home due to alcohol consumption
• Drinking in risky situations, such as while driving or operating machinery
• Needing to drink more and more to feel the effects of alcohol
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit drinking

If you recognize any of these signs in your own life, it may be time to consider seeking help for your alcohol addiction.

The most obvious indicator that your drinking has become problematic is memory loss after drinking alcohol. It shouldn’t be surprising that a large chunk of time missing from your memory can cause intense feelings of anxiety over what you did or said during this time.

Your personality, demeanor, and decision-making skills can all change drastically under the influence of alcohol. Embarrassing blackout behaviors can have a lasting negative effect on your interpersonal relationships. It’s challenging to make amends for your blackout-drunk actions when it’s impossible to remember what you did. It also makes you less likely to be invited to future social gatherings.

If you’ve consumed enough alcohol to trigger a blackout and are on your own, you aren’t capable of looking after yourself. When you black out, your ability to make crucial decisions is impaired. This includes your capacity to consent to sex. Being assaulted is never your fault. However, being in a blacked-out state can make it much more challenging to escape unwanted and potentially dangerous situations.

Excessive drinking might not be the only thing contributing to your memory loss. Some drugs can cause blackouts when taken on their own. This risk is even higher when alcohol is involved. Combining alcohol with benzodiazepines or opioids carries an exceptionally high risk of blackout. All three substances are depressants, so the opioids and the benzos are enhanced by alcohol, which increases the risk of overdose. You could even suffer respiratory failure and die.

Binge drinking in a short time can cause mild or even severe alcohol poisoning. When you consider the numerous other health impacts that alcohol has on the body, it goes without saying that alcohol abuse is one of the most detrimental substances to a woman’s health.

A blackout is a sign you should cut back on drinking. Multiple blackouts mean you need help. Whether it’s being unable to perform the same quality of work thanks to a raging hangover or you can’t keep up with your day-to-day obligations at home because of a late night out, if your daily life is suffering because of your drinking, it may be time to cut back on your alcohol consumption.

When you consider the numerous other health impacts that alcohol has on the body, it goes without saying that alcohol abuse is one of the most detrimental substances to a woman’s health.

Don’t wait until the most intense withdrawal symptoms begin to get help. Withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tremors or shakes

These symptoms can be dangerous and life-threatening. For example, delirium tremens (DTs), which happens in 5% of all withdrawal cases, can quickly become fatal.

Knowing when to stop drinking can be hard to gauge when you are the one drinking, especially if you do not see the distinction between an alcoholic vs. drunk. Either way, your consciousness is altered and your judgment impaired. Furthermore, you may also have developed a substance use disorder, in which case, it is no longer a case of having a few too many. Comments on your behavior from friends and family, or worse, the legal consequences of your drinking, should be strong indicators that you require an alcohol addiction program in Colorado.

Comments on your behavior from friends and family, or worse, the legal consequences of your drinking, should be strong indicators that you require an alcohol addiction program in Colorado.

Instead of suffering blackouts from excessive alcohol consumption and enduring social and legal consequences from drinking, contact Women’s Recovery today online or at 833.754.0554 to get on the path to sobriety as soon as possible.