Heavy drinking can have a serious impact on your physical and mental health, but recognizing when it becomes an issue isn’t always easy. How much is too much? At what point should you consider getting help? Whether you’re concerned for yourself or a loved one, understanding the signs and risks of heavy drinking can empower you to take action.
At Woodland Recovery Center in Southaven, Mississippi, we provide personalized alcohol addiction treatment that meets you where you are. Through proven therapies, supportive environments, and compassionate care, we can help you heal and find lasting recovery.
What is considered heavy drinking?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines heavy drinking as engaging in binge drinking on at least five days in the past month. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%. The NIAAA also defines low-risk drinking as no more than three drinks per day and seven per week for women, and four per day and 14 per week for men. Anything above this range may put your health at risk.
Recognizing the signs of heavy drinking
Patterns of heavy alcohol use often reveal themselves through behavioral, physical, and emotional indicators.
Behavioral indicators
Someone who is drinking heavily may start neglecting obligations, whether it’s at work, school, or home. This can include missing deadlines, avoiding responsibility, or showing up late consistently. Social withdrawal is another red flag—replacing time with friends or family with solitary drinking sessions. Risky behaviors, like drinking and driving or mismanaging money on alcohol, are also common signs that the relationship with alcohol has become problematic.
Physical symptoms
Heavy drinking can take a toll on the body, and the physical signs are often a clear indicator. Symptoms like frequent hangovers, tremors, sweating, or nausea may signal alcohol dependency. Dramatic fluctuations in weight, either gaining or losing, can occur due to poor nutrition or changes in appetite linked to drinking. Additionally, a reddened, puffy facial appearance may develop, as well as visible veins or broken capillaries on the skin.
Emotional and mental health struggles
Heavy drinking doesn’t just affect the body—it can have a profound impact on emotional well-being. Those struggling with alcohol abuse might display increased irritability, mood swings, or even episodes of depression and anxiety. Over time, they may rely on alcohol to cope with stress or emotional pain, creating a cycle of dependency that becomes harder to break.
Health risks associated with heavy drinking
Excessive drinking can lead to numerous negative consequences for both men and women. While under the influence, you might encounter:
- Memory impairment: You may forget where you are or what you did while drinking
- Loss of coordination: Alcohol can affect your ability to coordinate your movements. You may stumble, fall, or hurt yourself while drinking
- Slurred speech: Alcohol can make it difficult to speak clearly
- Vision problems: Alcohol can cause blurred or double vision
- Poor judgment: Alcohol can impair your judgment, leading you to make risky decisions
- Aggressive or violent behavior: Alcohol can make you more likely to become aggressive or violent
- Alcohol poisoning: Drinking too much alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, a potentially life-threatening condition
These side effects are dangerous, especially when combined. Impaired judgment can lead to risky behaviors, such as driving when it’s unsafe to do so. Slower reflexes and poor coordination significantly increase the risk of car accidents.
Long-term health consequences of heavy drinking
Drinking heavily on a regular basis can also lead to long-term consequences that affect both your physical and mental health. Long-term physical effects of heavy drinking include:
- Alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Anemia
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Higher risk of cancer
- Nerve damage
- Brain damage
- Increased risk of dementia
In addition to these physical effects, long-term alcohol use can lead to addiction or an alcohol use disorder (AUD). When you become addicted to alcohol, nearly every aspect of your life will suffer as a result, from your physical health to your interpersonal relationships. Alcohol use can also lead to depression and other mental health concerns.
The progression from heavy drinking to alcohol use disorder
Figuring out how many drinks per week signal a concern isn’t always straightforward. While drinking above a certain threshold is considered heavy drinking, this alone doesn’t necessarily mean someone has an AUD.
Heavy drinking refers to a high volume of alcohol consumed over time, while alcohol use disorder is a medical condition that ranges from mild to severe. AUD is characterized by a strong urge to drink, difficulty controlling alcohol intake, and continued use despite harmful consequences.
Alcohol use disorder can develop gradually through patterns of increasing consumption, or it can be triggered more suddenly by stress, trauma, or major life changes. Many people with AUD also develop a physical dependence on alcohol, meaning their body has adapted to its presence. When they try to stop drinking, withdrawal symptoms may occur, making it even harder to quit.
If untreated, AUD can lead to serious health issues such as liver disease, heart conditions, and certain cancers. It can also cause significant social and personal problems, including strained relationships, financial trouble, and legal challenges.
What’s important to remember is that alcohol use disorder is treatable. Recovery starts with recognizing the issue and reaching out for professional help.
Why should you seek professional alcohol addiction treatment for heavy drinking?
If heavy drinking is affecting your health, relationships, or ability to function, it may be time to seek help. Professional addiction treatment programs can provide the structure, tools, and medical care needed to begin recovery safely.
Benefits of professional treatment include:
- Safe medical detox at an alcohol detox center
- Access to therapy, medication, and peer support
- Strategies for relapse prevention and healthy coping
- Treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions
- Guidance through each stage of recovery
Attempting to quit alcohol alone can be dangerous for those with dependence. A medically supervised program provides safety and comfort, especially during early recovery.
Alcohol addiction treatment services at Woodland Recovery Center in Mississippi
Our treatment centers in Southaven, MS, provide comprehensive care for alcohol use disorder through both inpatient and outpatient programs. We offer a full continuum of services designed to support recovery, including:
- Medically supervised alcohol detox
- Residential treatment and partial hospitalization programs
- Individual and group therapy sessions
- Trauma-informed care tailored to your needs
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for effective support
- Holistic therapies like mindfulness practices and fitness programs
- Life skills development to aid long-term success
- Ongoing aftercare to provide sustained recovery
After treatment, clients can seamlessly transition into our structured sober living program, where they can continue developing healthy habits and fostering independence within a safe and supportive environment. Our dedicated team works closely with you, offering the resources and guidance to support your healing journey.
Call Woodland Recovery Center and get the care that you need for alcohol misuse
If you’re worried about your drinking—or someone else’s—it’s okay to ask for help. We provide personalized, compassionate care through a range of addiction treatment programs, including inpatient, detox, outpatient, and aftercare services. The sooner you reach out for help, the sooner you can start moving toward healing and a better life. Call Woodland Recovery at 662.222.2989 or use our online contact form today to learn more about how we treat alcohol use disorder.
