How Long Does It Take to Get Addicted to Alcohol?

Alcohol is one of the most frequently abused drugs in the world, and alcoholism is one of the most common types of addiction. But when does drinking cross the line from a choice to a compulsion? How long does it take to get addicted to alcohol? 

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How Long Does It Take to Get Addicted to Alcohol?

There’s no standard answer to the question of how long does it take to get addicted to alcohol. 

Some people develop alcohol use disorder (which is the clinical term for alcoholism) within a month or two, while others may drink for several months or even years before they become addicted. In still other cases, people drink for decades without ever becoming dependent on the drug.

Factors that can influence how long it takes to become addicted to alcohol include:

• How much you drink: Your risk of developing alcoholism is greater if you engage in binge drinking (which is generally classified as five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women in a short period of time) and other types of excessive alcohol use.
• How often you drink: Alcohol addiction can occur more quickly if you’re drinking just about every day – especially if you are drinking heavily on a regular basis.
• Personal history of addiction: If you have previously become dependent on prescription pills or other addictive substances, you may develop alcoholism more rapidly than someone who has never struggled with chemical dependency.
• Certain inherited traits: Having a history of addiction in your family, or inheriting certain personality traits or genetic variations from your parents, can also place you at elevated risk of alcohol addiction. 

What Are the Signs of Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction can affect different people in different ways, but common signs of this condition include:

• Having persistent, powerful urges to drink
• Often drinking more, or for a longer period of time, than you intended
• Feeling like you need to drink to relax, manage stress, celebrate successes, or cope with setbacks
• Drinking in circumstances that are particularly hazardous, such as drinking and driving or combining alcohol with other drugs
• Continuing to drink even after incurring physical, psychological, or social harm as a result of prior alcohol use
• Failing to fulfill responsibilities at home, in school, or at work as a result of your drinking
• Reducing or ending your participation in important social or work-related activities due to your drinking
• Needing to drink more than you used to in order to experience alcohol’s effects
• Developing withdrawal symptoms when you try to end or curtail your alcohol use 
• Lying to or otherwise deceiving loved ones about how much or how often you drink
• Wanting to quit drinking, but being unable to do so

If you have been experiencing any symptoms like these, you should consult with your doctor or schedule an assessment with a reputable addiction treatment provider near you. Understanding the scope of the problem you’re dealing with can be an essential step toward finding the solutions that are right for you.

Dangers of Alcohol Addiction

It is difficult to encompass the full scale of harm that untreated alcohol addiction can cause. In addition to inflicting physical and psychological damage, alcoholism can also undermine a person’s efforts to make progress in school, get and keep a job, and otherwise enjoy a full, satisfying life.

The physical and psychological dangers of alcohol abuse and alcoholism include increased risk of:

• Injuries due to actions undertaken while intoxicated
• Onset or worsening of various mental illnesses
• Poor memory and other cognitive impairments
• Heart disease
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Diminished immune system
• Respiratory distress
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Weakening of the muscles
• Liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Several types of cancer
• Stroke

From a social and behavioral perspective, alcohol addiction can contribute to:

• Interpersonal conflicts and ruined relationships
• Aggression, violence, and other problematic behaviors
• Job loss and long-term unemployment
• Financial difficulties
• Being arrested, fined, and jailed
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Homelessness
• Self-harm and suicide

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) excessive alcohol use is a factor in about 178,000 deaths every year in the U.S. This makes problematic drinking the nation’s leading cause of preventable death.

How Many People Are Addicted to Alcohol?

Every year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors a survey to gather data about substance abuse, addictions, mental illnesses, treatment, and related issues throughout the United States. 

The 2023 version of this research effort, which is known as the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), found the following about alcohol addiction:

• About 28.1 million adults and above met the criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. This encompasses about 10.9% of people in the U.S. ages 18 and above.
• Among adults, alcohol addiction is more common among men (16.6 million, or 13.2%) than among women (11.5 million, or 8.7%).
• About 757,000 adolescents (or 2.9% of U.S. residents ages 12-17) are addicted to alcohol.
• Among adolescents, alcoholism is more common among girls (487,000, or 3.8%), than among boys (270,000, or 2.0%).

From a global perspective, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that alcohol addiction affects about 400 million people ages 15 and above, or about 7% of the population in this age range. 

Can Alcohol Addiction Be Cured?

Most reputable experts define alcoholism as a chronic, progressive disease: 

• In this context, “chronic” indicates that the disorder cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be managed. 
• “Progressive” means that if a person doesn’t get the right type of help, their addiction to alcohol is likely to worsen over time.

It’s important to understand that the lack of a cure doesn’t mean people who are addicted to alcohol are doomed to drink themselves to death. As noted above, alcohol use disorder is a treatable condition. 

With effective treatment and a concerted effort on their part, someone who has this condition can regain control of their behaviors and life a healthier life in recovery, free from the dangers and constraints of compulsive alcohol use.

Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Atlanta

If you or someone that you care about has been struggling with compulsive alcohol use, please know that help is available and a healthier future is possible. 

Valor Behavioral Health provides personalized, compassionate outpatient treatment for adults and adolescents who are addicted to alcohol and other drugs. We also offer dual diagnosis programming to patients who have anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring mental health concerns.

To learn more about our programs and services, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.