How do I know if I'm an alcoholic?

There are a few distinct symptoms that are telling signs of alcoholism. First, take a close look at your drinking habits. How often do you drink, and when you do drink, how much do you consume at a time? Do you find yourself craving alcohol when you aren't drinking? Do you pour yourself a drink first thing in the morning before you can do anything else? Do you forget about other responsibilities in favor of drinking? These could all be telltale signs of alcoholism.

Another sign that your alcoholic is if you find that you experience blackouts, mood swings, or temporary memory loss after drinking. If you drink alone in secret or find that you're hiding your drinking from family members, this may be a sign that you have a problem with alcohol. You may isolate yourself from family or loved ones and neglect important personal duties.


Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.



Monarch does not employ any provider and is not responsible for the conduct of any provider listed on our site. All information in member profiles, and messages are created from data provided by the providers and not generated or verified by Monarch. As a user, you need to perform your own diligence to ensure the provider you choose is appropriate for your needs and complies with applicable laws and licensure requirements. Monarch is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.

Monarch assumes no responsibility, and shall not be liable, for the quality or any other aspect of the services a provider may provide to you, nor will Monarch be liable for any act, omission or wrongdoing committed or allegedly committed by any provider.

Articles and information and assessments posted on Monarch are for informational purposes only, and it is not intended to diagnose or treat any health conditions. Treatment and diagnosis should be performed by an appropriate health care provider.

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, DO NOT USE MONARCH. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, OR THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE OR HARMING YOURSELF OR OTHERS, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EMERGENCY NUMBER.