Ready to Talk About What You’re Noticing?
Call (888) 628-6202 to speak with our admissions team about your drinking and your options, or verify your insurance to see what your plan may cover.
If you are asking yourself whether you might have a drinking problem, that question is already telling you something. Most people who search for this do not land here by accident. Something they noticed, a conversation that went sideways, a morning that felt harder than it should have, a promise to cut back that did not hold, brought them to the question in the first place.
This page will not tell you whether you are an alcoholic. That word does not have a clinical definition anymore. What it can do is explain what alcohol use disorder actually is, how clinicians assess it, and what the signs tend to look like in real life, so you can look at your own situation with more clarity than you had before you started reading.
Alcohol use disorder, or AUD, is the clinical term for what people used to call alcoholism. It is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, the reference clinicians use to diagnose mental health and substance use conditions. AUD is a medical condition, not a moral failure or a character flaw. It develops through changes in the brain’s reward and stress systems that happen gradually, usually over years, not through a single bad decision.
AUD exists on a spectrum. Clinicians describe it as mild, moderate, or severe depending on how many diagnostic criteria a person meets, which means the term covers a much wider range of experience than the cultural image of “an alcoholic” suggests. Someone with mild AUD might hold a steady job, maintain relationships, and still meet the clinical definition. Many people with AUD do not look like what they expect an alcoholic to look like, which is part of why the condition so often goes unrecognized, even by the person living with it.
If you want to understand what treatment for this looks like once a problem is identified, our page on alcohol addiction treatment in Indiana covers that in detail. This page stays focused on recognizing the signs.
Clinicians do not diagnose AUD based on how much someone drinks or how often. They look at 11 specific criteria from the DSM-5, assessed over a 12-month period. Meeting two or three of these criteria indicates mild AUD. Four or five indicates moderate AUD. Six or more indicates severe AUD.
Below, each criterion is framed as a question you can honestly ask yourself. You do not need a clinician in the room to start noticing where you stand. You do need a clinician to receive an actual diagnosis.
The first two criteria describe what it looks like when drinking stops following your own intentions.
Do you often drink more, or for longer, than you planned to? Maybe you intended to have two drinks and had five. Maybe “just at the party” turned into drinking again once you got home.
Have you tried to cut back or stop, more than once, and found that you could not stick to it? This is different from simply not wanting to cut back. It is wanting to, trying to, and finding that the follow-through was not there, even when you meant it at the time.
The next two criteria describe how much space drinking starts to take up in your thinking and your time.
Do you spend a significant amount of time getting alcohol, drinking it, or recovering from its effects, time that used to go toward other things? This can be less obvious than it sounds. It might look like planning your schedule around when you can drink, or needing a chunk of the next day to feel normal again.
Do you experience a strong urge or craving to drink, one that is hard to ignore once it shows up? Cravings are a physiological response, not a willpower test. Their presence is a sign the brain has adapted to alcohol in a specific way.
Criteria five through seven describe what happens when drinking starts costing you something, and you keep drinking anyway.
Has your drinking caused you to fail to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home? This might be missed deadlines, calling in sick, or simply not being present with your family the way you used to be.
Have you continued drinking even though it was causing problems in your relationships, with a partner, family member, or close friend, and the drinking kept happening anyway? Notice this criterion is not about whether problems exist. It is about continuing despite them.
Have you given up or cut back on activities that used to matter to you, hobbies, social events, time with people you care about, because of drinking? When alcohol starts replacing the things that used to bring you satisfaction, that is a significant shift worth paying attention to.
Criteria eight and nine describe drinking that continues even as the risks become clear.
Have you repeatedly used alcohol in situations where it was physically dangerous to do so, driving, operating machinery, or other situations where being impaired put you or someone else at risk?
Have you kept drinking even after realizing it was making a physical or psychological problem worse? This could be a health condition your doctor has flagged, or a mental health symptom you already know gets worse when you drink, and the drinking continues regardless.
The final two criteria describe changes in the body itself.
Have you noticed that you need more alcohol than you used to in order to feel the same effect, or that the amount you used to drink no longer does much of anything? This is tolerance, and it reflects the body adapting to regular alcohol exposure.
Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms, shakiness, sweating, nausea, anxiety, trouble sleeping, when you cut back or stopped drinking? Or have you had a drink specifically to avoid or relieve those symptoms?
This last one matters enough to say plainly. For some people, alcohol withdrawal can be medically serious, not just uncomfortable. If you have ever experienced significant shaking, confusion, or any symptom that felt frightening or severe when you stopped drinking, that is a sign your body has developed a level of physical dependence that should be managed with medical support rather than on your own. We cover what that process can look like in our pages on alcohol withdrawal symptoms and delirium tremens.
Not everyone who drinks heavily has alcohol use disorder, and the distinction is not about a specific number of drinks. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines heavy drinking and binge drinking using thresholds, generally more than three drinks a day or seven a week for women, and more than four drinks a day or fourteen a week for men, with binge drinking describing a pattern that brings blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 percent or higher in about two hours.
Those definitions describe patterns, not diagnoses. A person can drink heavily by these definitions and not meet the criteria for AUD. A person can also drink what looks like a moderate amount and still meet several of the 11 criteria above, if the impact and loss of control are there. What separates heavy drinking from AUD is not primarily the quantity. It is whether drinking has started to override your intentions, cause consequences you keep absorbing, and continue despite the cost. Quantity matters, but it is the pattern of control, or the loss of it, that clinicians are actually assessing.
If you have read through the criteria above and found yourself minimizing, comparing yourself to someone who “has it worse,” or thinking of reasons why your situation is different, that reaction is common, and it does not mean you are in denial in some unusual way. It means you are human, and recognizing a problem in yourself is genuinely harder than recognizing it in someone else.
Part of what makes this difficult is that AUD does not require your life to be visibly falling apart. You can meet several criteria and still show up to work, maintain your home, and seem fine to everyone around you. That high-functioning appearance can make the internal experience feel contradictory: you know something is off, but the outside evidence does not match what you associate with “having a problem.”
It is also common to feel ambivalent even after recognizing the signs. Wanting to drink less and wanting to keep drinking can both be true at the same time. That tension is not a sign you are not serious about change. It is a normal part of what this condition does to the way a person relates to alcohol.
Recognizing yourself in this page is not a small thing, and it is not the easy part either. If several of these criteria sound familiar, that recognition is worth taking seriously, and it is also worth knowing that acting on it does not require you to have everything figured out first.
Reaching out can start small. A phone call to ask questions. A conversation with someone who understands the clinical picture and can help you think through what you are noticing. No part of that first conversation commits you to anything beyond itself. What level of care would actually fit your situation is something a clinical assessment determines, not something you need to decide alone before you ever pick up the phone.
If you’re beginning to consider treatment, understanding your options can help you feel more confident about what comes next. Learn more about alcohol addiction treatment in Indiana and the support available throughout recovery. If you’ve also noticed signs of physical dependence, explore how medically supervised alcohol detox can help you manage withdrawal with appropriate medical care.
Ready to Talk About What You’re Noticing?
Call (888) 628-6202 to speak with our admissions team about your drinking and your options, or verify your insurance to see what your plan may cover.
Yes. The DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder are based on patterns of control, consequences, and dependence, not on how many days a week someone drinks. Someone who drinks only on weekends can still meet several criteria if that drinking involves loss of control, ongoing consequences, or physical dependence.
They describe overlapping territory, but alcohol use disorder is the current clinical term, defined by specific DSM-5 criteria and assessed on a spectrum from mild to severe. “Alcoholic” is an older, informal term without a clinical definition, and it tends to carry a narrower, more severe image than what AUD actually covers.
Some people with mild AUD do reduce or stop drinking without formal treatment, particularly when they recognize the problem early and have strong support in place. For moderate to severe AUD, the physical and psychological patterns involved typically require more structured support to change safely and sustainably. A clinical assessment is the most reliable way to understand which situation applies.
Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild, such as anxiety and trouble sleeping, to medically serious, including seizures and a condition called delirium tremens. The severity depends on factors like how much and how long someone has been drinking. Because withdrawal can be dangerous for some people, medical supervision is recommended for anyone who has developed physical dependence and plans to stop drinking.
Tim Grzeskiewicz was raised in the Washington, DC Metro area and completed High School in Fairfax County Virginia before entering the United States Marine Corps where he achieved the rank of Seargent before being honorably discharged. Tim has worked several careers over the years, with his move into mental health and addictions being his final transition, which he refers to as his “move from success to significance”. Tim completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University, graduating with honors and attending Huntington University for graduate school. Tim’s passion for the addictions population comes from his own experience with substance use issues and is currently a sober man in recovery with over 27 years of sobriety. Tim’s hope is to lead others in love and service to the sick and suffering.
With over 25 years of experience in healthcare and more than a decade dedicated to nursing practice, Mandy brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and compassion to her role as Director of Nursing at Ladoga Recovery. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University Northwest and has built a career spanning diverse clinical settings, developing expertise in patient-centered care, clinical operations, and team development.
Mandy’s dedication to the field of addiction recovery is not only professional but also deeply personal. Having walked alongside loved ones in the throes of addiction, she understands firsthand the challenges, heartache, and hope that come with the journey of recovery. This perspective drives her passion to ensure that every patient is treated with dignity, empathy, and respect.
Specializing in substance use treatment and recovery support, Mandy is committed to fostering an environment where patients receive safe, evidence-based care during one of the most critical times in their lives. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration, staff education, and adherence to best-practice protocols to ensure the highest quality of care.
Passionate about guiding both patients and staff toward growth and resilience, Mandy continues to be an advocate for recovery-focused healthcare that not only supports healing but also transforms lives.
Ethan brings over six years of hands-on-experience in the substance abuse and mental health field, where he has built a career rooted in passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping other transform their live. Starting from an entry-level role and working his way up through the ranks, he’s gained a strong understanding of the challenges individuals face in recovery – both clinically and personally.
His journey in the SUD field has been fueled by a genuine passion for supporting individuals as they confront addiction and mental health struggles. He takes pride in meeting people where they are, creating a safe and supportive environment, and helping them recognize their own potential. Whether through patient facing positions or leadership roles, he has strived to show every individual that recovery is not only possible but within reach.
Throughout his career, he’s been recognized for his ability to lead with integrity, build trust, and foster growth – not only in the clients he’s served but also in the team’s he’s worked with as well. Ethan believes in leading by example, staying grounded in empathy, and always advocating for those who may not yet have the strength to advocate for themselves. Helping other discover their own path to recovery is more than a job to him, it’s a calling. Every step forward that he witnesses in someone else’s life journey reaffirms why he does this work and will be committed to this mission for years to come.
Cristina Monnett is an HR professional with over 12 years of experience supporting teams in manufacturing and healthcare. She partners closely with operations leaders in fast-paced, highly regulated environments to strengthen employee relations, ensure compliance, and implement practical, real-world people strategies. Cristina is passionate about creating workplaces where employees feel supported and organizations run smoothly.
Shane Austin is a dedicated behavioral health professional, bringing a wealth of experience in the field of substance use disorder treatment. As a lifelong resident of Indiana and an alumnus of the Indiana University, Shane embodies a profound sense of empathy and understanding, deeply rooted in his own transformative four-year journey of recovery. This personal experience fuels his passion and relentless commitment to inspiring individuals to embrace the treatment that leads to lasting sobriety and fulfilling lives. By connecting those in need with essential resources, Shane skillfully utilizes his knowledge and personal narrative to illuminate the path to recovery for others, empowering them to embark on their own successful journeys.
Dr. William Cooke is the Medical Director of Ladoga Recovery Center, an inpatient facility dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. With over two decades of experience in addiction medicine, Dr. Cooke leads the clinical team at Ladoga Recovery Center with a focus on evidence-based practices and patient-centered care.
As a board-certified expert in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, Dr. Cooke brings a holistic approach to treatment, integrating medical, psychological, and social support to address the complex needs of individuals on their journey to recovery. Under his leadership, Ladoga Recovery Center emphasizes a “whole-person” philosophy, ensuring that each patient receives tailored treatment plans that foster long-term recovery and overall well-being.
Dr. Cooke is also a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), reflecting his commitment to advancing the field of addiction medicine through continuous learning, advocacy, and collaboration. At Ladoga Recovery Center, he is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and effective environment where patients can begin their path to healing.
As Executive Director of Ladoga Recovery Center, Brian Foster brings nearly a decade of experience in behavioral health, specializing in substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health treatment. With a diverse background spanning from inpatient detox and residential care, sober living, outpatient treatment, and both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, Brian is dedicated to creating comprehensive, holistic treatment programs. Holding a Business degree from Indiana University and graduate degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, Brian combines a strong foundation in business with a personal commitment to recovery, using his own experience to inspire and support others on their journeys. This broad background enables Brian to approach leadership with a well-rounded perspective on the complex needs of individuals in Recovery.
As a person in long-term Recovery, Brian is proud to lead a team that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of those struggling with addiction and helping them rebuild relationships with their loved ones. Living in Fishers, IN, with a supportive wife and two wonderful daughters, family is the heart of Brian’s life, bringing a deep commitment to building a community where individuals can find hope, healing, and a path forward.