If Drinking Frequency Increases and Attempts to Quit Fail Repeatedly, It Meets the Criteria for Alcohol Dependence

Simply having a habit of drinking alcohol frequently does not mean everyone has alcohol dependence. According to a video from Hallym University Medical Center, to be diagnosed with alcohol dependence, three elements must all be met: an increase in the amount and frequency of drinking, the occurrence of damage to health and social relationships, and repeated failure despite attempting to quit drinking on one's own.

From Pleasure to Habit, Early Signs of Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence has characteristic changes that appear from the early stages. Professor Lee Sang-gyu explains in the video that while one initially seeks alcohol for pleasure, once the problem begins, they start drinking habitually even in situations that are not enjoyable. Additionally, changes in sleep patterns due to drinking are also a sign to watch out for. If lifestyle changes such as being unable to sleep properly or, conversely, sleeping during the day appear, there is a possibility they are early symptoms of alcohol dependence.

A pattern that requires particular attention is the increase in 'drinking alone.' If socializing and drinking with people around you feels bothersome, or if you feel dissatisfied because you cannot drink enough when with others, a pattern of drinking alone may emerge. The video mentioned this change as one of the ways addiction becomes chronic and more dangerous. However, drinking alone in a form of 'responsible drinking,' where one controls themselves and enjoys it, is not a special problem.

Repeated Failure to Quit, Why Professional Treatment is Necessary

If efforts to stop drinking fail repeatedly and this causes damage to daily life, it is advisable to seek professional help. The reason it is difficult to dismiss this simply as a matter of willpower is that alcohol dependence possesses the nature of a 'disease' that is hard to resolve on one's own. The term 'dependence' itself implies that it is difficult to control through one's own strength alone.

There are various ways to receive help. If you visit a local Integrated Addiction Management Support Center or a Mental Health Welfare Center, you can undergo a screening test to see what level your drinking problem is at. If the test results or symptoms are serious, it is recommended to visit a psychiatrist for medical treatment. In hospitals, problems can be solved together through various sobriety and abstinence treatment programs, such as medication therapy, counseling therapy, and group therapy.