If you’ve ever struggled with controlling your drinking or find yourself returning to drinking without knowing why, you may be struggling with a booze-addicted brain. Here are seven signs that may indicate this, according to a psychologist who specialises in addiction.
Most people who drink alcohol do so in moderation. However, for some, alcohol becomes more than just a pleasure and can quickly become addictive.
“Over time, alcohol is no longer consumed for pleasure, but to avoid discomfort, relieve anxiety, or simply to feel ‘normal,’ explains Arnold M. Washton, an American psychologist specialising in addiction, in an article published on June 10, 2025, on the Psychology Today website. This change reflects a transition from choice-driven alcohol consumption to compulsive drinking.”
Here are seven signs, he says, that your brain is addicted to alcohol:
You’re unable to reduce or stop your consumption
One of the hallmarks of an addicted brain is a loss of control. If you’ve repeatedly tried to cut down or stop drinking without ever succeeding, it’s a neurobiological problem. “People with mental dependence often have persistent thoughts about alcohol (it takes up too much space in their head) and irresistible cravings, and they overestimate their ability to control their drinking,” says Arnold M. Washton.
He continues, “Ask yourself if you’ve promised yourself you’d stop only to break that promise, if you drink more often or for longer than intended, or if you feel like something else takes over when you start drinking. If the answer is yes, this could indicate that your brain’s reward and decision-making systems are no longer functioning in a healthy and balanced way.”
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You continue to drink despite negative consequences
Another warning sign is continuing to consume alcohol despite the problems it causes: health issues, relationship tensions, decreased professional performance, emotional distress, damaged self-esteem, etc.
“People without dependence tend to self-correct when consequences worsen,” adds the psychologist. “But if your alcohol consumption persists despite clear evidence of harm, your brain may be prioritising short-term relief over long-term well-being.”
You think about alcohol more than you want to
If you often look forward to your next drink, plan your schedule around drinking occasions, or worry about not being able to have a good time without alcohol, it may be a sign of addiction.
“Over time, healthy sources of pleasure — like social connections, hobbies, or exercise —can become less satisfying, while alcohol seems to offer a more immediate and reliable escape,” Arnold M. Washton adds. “This imbalance can make drinking feel ‘necessary,’ even if one doesn’t wish to become dependent.”
You need more alcohol to get the same effect
As tolerance — which reflects changes in the brain’s response to alcohol — sets in, you may need increasing amounts to feel the same effect as with two drinks. “This not only increases the risk of physical harm but also fuels an escalating cycle: increased alcohol consumption leads to greater brain adaptation, which leads to drinking even more,” explains the psychologist.
“Over time, your brain becomes less sensitive to natural rewards and more dependent on alcohol to feel pleasure or calm,” he adds.
You experience withdrawal symptoms when you don’t drink
Most heavy drinkers don’t experience clear withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking. However, if you experience physical or emotional discomfort when you try to quit drinking (anxiety, restlessness, sweating, tremors, nausea), your brain may have become dependent on alcohol.
“This doesn’t necessarily mean you’re an ‘alcoholic’ in the stereotypical sense, but it does indicate a significant physiological adaptation to regular use,” says Arnold M. Washton. “Withdrawal symptoms are the most obvious signs that brain chemistry has been altered by alcohol and now requires it to function normally.”
Drinking has become a coping mechanism
Many addicts turn to alcohol not for celebration, but for comfort, and rely on alcohol to manage stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions. “This emotional dependence often begins subtly — drinking after a hard day or to ‘unwind’— but can quickly become entrenched,” the psychologist confirms.
“If alcohol seems like your only reliable coping mechanism, your brain may be using it as a shortcut to emotional relief. This type of psychological dependence makes it hard to imagine a life without alcohol, and even harder to quit.”
You hide or minimise your alcohol consumption
If you minimise or completely hide your drinking, it’s a sign that a part of you knows something is wrong. “Hiding your drinking, drinking in secret, or feeling ashamed about your drinking are often signs of internal conflict,” says Arnold M. Washton.
“This ‘shared consciousness’ — knowing that drinking is a problem but feeling powerless to stop — is common among people with addiction,” he continues. “It reflects a disconnect between intentions and behaviors, often due to deeper neurological patterns.”
This article was originally by published LR Media for marieclaire.fr on the Marie Claire France website.
