Can I Be An Alcoholic If I Only Drink On The Weekend?
By Jessica Sherer | 7 Sources
What Is A Weekend Alcoholic?
Yes, you can be an alcoholic even if you only drink on the weekends.
Many people wrongly assume that limiting alcohol consumption strictly to the weekends means that they are in control of their drinking habits and keeping them in check. However, if you abstain from alcohol during the week only to “let loose” on the weekends, it could be a sign of a bigger drinking problem, with studies increasingly showing that partaking in heavy or binge drinking on the weekends can be just as damaging to one’s health and habit forming as daily alcohol use.
The APA Dictionary of Psychology defines a “weekend alcoholic” as a person who consumes large amounts of alcohol almost exclusively on the weekends. With habits similar to high-functioning alcoholics, these individuals avoid alcohol during the week while successfully maintaining their jobs and personal lives but then allow themselves to indulge (often excessively) when the weekend rolls around.
While this pattern may seem less dangerous or even normal, it can often be a sign of a deeper issue surrounding alcohol use. A 2022 study from the Journal of Preventive Medicine found that episodes of binge drinking (even when limited to the weekends) significantly raised the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD) over time.
Due to this risk, it’s essential to examine your motivations behind weekend drinking and what it can reveal about your relationship with alcohol.
Motivations Behind Weekend Drinking
It’s important to note that the desire and motivation to drink on the weekends are often different than they are for weekday drinking. Weekend drinking is often fueled by feelings of justification and celebration, which can make it feel like a reward. A study from the Prevention Science Journal found that weekend drinking is influenced by what they deemed “positive alcohol expectancies”, which include stress reduction, pleasurable feelings, and increased sociability. In contrast, weekday drinking is connected to “negative alcohol expectancies” like tension reduction, which can make it feel like a coping method for those who rely on alcohol in this way.
Common motivations for weekend drinking include:
- Celebrations, like birthdays, weddings, and holidays
- Social events, like parties and going to bars
- Relief from weekday responsibilities (not having to work the next day, more time to relax)
While not inherently harmful, these motivations can lead to binge drinking patterns, especially when the mind starts associating alcohol use with feelings of relaxation and escape.
Weekend Drinking Often Means Binge Drinking
Weekend-only drinkers frequently consume more than the recommended amount of alcohol in one sitting. This behavior is defined as binge drinking, which the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines as 5+ drinks for a male and 4+ drinks for a female over 2 hours.
A study out of the University of Texas found that people who drink moderately during the week but binge on the weekends are more likely to experience memory problems, injuries, and alcohol dependency symptoms. Additionally, a study in the Chronobiology International Journal noted that the circadian disruption caused by weekend binge drinking is linked to increased alcohol consumption in young adults. This is particularly troubling, as the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that of full-time college students ages 18-22, 27.9% engaged in binge drinking during the past month.
The negative effects of binge drinking can be severe and extensive, and the habit of weekend binge drinking can be a sign of a larger problem of alcohol misuse.
Signs Of Alcohol Abuse
While you might not drink every day, weekend binge drinking can signify a pattern of alcohol misuse. Common warning signs of alcohol abuse include:
- Experiencing regular hangovers or blackouts from binge drinking
- Inability to stop drinking even when there is a desire to do so
- Using alcohol as a coping mechanism
- Feeling guilt or shame about drinking habits
- Increasing tolerance, where you need to drink more to feel the same effects
While these signs do not guarantee that an AUD is present, if you are experiencing any of these signs, it might be time to examine your relationship with alcohol.
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Get Help For Problematic Drinking
Recognizing a drinking problem is the first step toward making a positive change. Whether you identify as a weekend alcoholic or are starting to notice troubling drinking habits, help is available. Many alcohol addiction treatment options exist, including alcohol detox programs and inpatient rehab, to support your recovery. Contact a treatment provider to learn more about your treatment options and start your journey toward sobriety today.
