What is Gray Area Drinking?

Alcohol is embedded into American society, so much so that nearly 80% of people aged 12 or older have consumed alcohol at least once in their lifetime.[1] While having some alcohol on occasion can be a way to have a little harmless fun, it’s easy to allow your drinking habits to spin out of control.

While terms like alcohol use disorder and alcoholism are characterized by someone suffering from an addiction, there are phrases used to describe people who are somewhere between casual drinkers and full-blown substance abusers. One of these terms is “gray area drinking”.

Being aware of what gray area drinking is and how it can lead to alcoholism can help you determine whether it’s time to seek professional help.

Understanding the Term “Gray Area Drinking”

Gray area drinking is an unofficial term that people use to describe themselves when they aren’t casual drinkers or someone suffering from alcoholism. Typically, gray-area drinkers consume alcohol regularly but not to the point that they are addicted to the substance. Oftentimes, these individuals drink in social settings to improve their mood, relax with a glass of wine every day after work, and seem to have their drinking under control.

While gray area drinkers do not experience the dependency and withdrawals associated with alcoholism, they often use alcohol to cope with everyday life, stress, and their emotions. Because of this, people who engage in this type of drinking are very close to developing an alcohol use disorder.

Signs You are a Gray Area Drinker

If you are a gray-area drinker, people likely see you as a normal person enjoying some alcohol. While your outside appearances are kept up, you could have internal struggles associated with your alcohol consumption.

The most common signs of gray area drinking include:

• Worrying about how others perceive your drinking habits
• Being concerned that your drinking is problematic
• Using alcohol to be more comfortable in social settings
• Drinking alcohol to cope with the stress of life
• Swearing off alcohol only to begin drinking again in a few days
• Placing restrictions on your drinking only to break them
• Engaging in binge drinking
• Dealing with hangovers or regrets after a night of drinking
• Not being able to control how much you drink or drinking more often than you intend to

While some of these signs overlap with alcoholism, gray area drinkers do not experience the physical dependency that is common among individuals with alcohol use disorder. Because of this, you might feel like you do not have a problematic relationship with alcohol. However, gray-area drinking can quickly turn into full-blown alcoholism.

Ways to Prevent Yourself From Developing Alcoholism

If you are a gray area drinker, you might be wondering what you can do to prevent yourself from developing an alcohol use disorder. Taking steps to ensure your drinking does not become problematic is extremely important to your physical and mental health.

Some tips to prevent gray area drinking from becoming alcoholism include:

• Journaling to understand your relationship with alcohol and why you are using it to cope with life
• Creating a pros and cons list about drinking alcohol to determine if it’s still right for you
• Engaging in new and fun hobbies that do not include alcohol
• Hanging out with sober friends who will encourage you to drink less
• Try being sober for a while and compare it to your life with alcohol to see which one is better for you
• Consider attending therapy to help you cope with stress and social situations instead of drinking

If you are relying on the effects of alcohol to help you relax in social situations, it’s best to get to the bottom of why. While alcohol can enhance fun times, it should never be used as a crutch. Journaling or working with a therapist is a great way to get to the root of your problems and learn healthier coping mechanisms.

How to Tell When You’ve Developed a Problem With Alcohol

If you are worried about your drinking, it’s important to be aware of the signs of alcoholism. Knowing what alcohol use disorder looks like can help you determine whether it’s time to attend an alcohol rehab program.

The signs of alcohol use disorder include:[2]

• Drinking more or for longer than you intended to
• Wanting to cut back or stop drinking altogether but being unable to
• Spending a lot of time drinking, being sick from drinking, or getting over other aftereffects
• Experiencing strong urges or cravings to drink alcohol
• Failing to meet responsibilities at home, school, or work because of your alcohol use
• Continuing to drink despite facing interpersonal issues
• Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities to drink more often
• Engaging in risky behavior while you drink
• Continuing to drink despite experiencing physical or mental health issues as a direct result
• Needing more alcohol than previously to experience the desired effect
• Experiencing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal when you cannot drink

When you struggle with alcoholism you must seek help from a professional addiction treatment center. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening in some cases, making medical treatment vital to your safety.

Finding Help for Alcohol Use Disorder

If you or a loved one are addicted to alcohol, it’s time to seek help. Alcohol rehab programs can provide you with the tools and support you need to maintain long-term sobriety. After you complete addiction treatment, you can transfer into a sober living program like New You to receive the support you need during your transition back into daily life.

To learn more about how we can help you maintain sobriety from alcohol, contact New You Sober Living today.

References:

1. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol Use in the United States, Retrieved September 2023 From https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics
2. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder, Retrieved September 2023 From https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder