Hard seltzers have become increasingly popular alcoholic beverages, especially for those who prefer a lighter alternative to traditional cocktails or beer. However, like any alcoholic drink, there is a risk for overconsumption, dependence, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) when drinking hard seltzers.
What Are Hard Seltzers?
Hard seltzers are a popular, low-calorie alcoholic drink that combines alcohol, carbonated soda water, and flavorings. Like beer, the alcohol in hard seltzers derives from malted barley or fermented cane sugar. Most alcoholic seltzers have an alcohol by volume (ABV) content of around 4% to 6%. The ease of drinking hard seltzers can result in drinking too much without realizing it until it’s too late. The combination of alcohol and carbonation can cause faster alcohol absorption in the bloodstream, which can intensify hangovers.
Overconsumption of hard seltzers or any alcoholic beverage, especially in a short period, can cause unpleasant hangovers. At the same time, hard seltzers have a lower alcohol content, but drinkers can still experience hangover symptoms such as nausea, headache, fatigue, and anxiety.
8 Signs You’re Addicted to Hard Seltzers
Social drinking and binge drinking have become widespread issues among teenagers, young adults, and older individuals. With increased emotional, physical, and economic stress in the US, many individuals are developing drug and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Statistics show that 224.3 million people above the age of 12 have drunk alcohol at some point, and 16.4 million reported heavy alcohol use within the last month.
Identifying the signs that you have an alcohol problem is critical for addressing the issue and receiving the necessary treatment. If you regularly drink hard seltzers, here are eight signs that you might have an alcohol addiction.
1. You Crave Hard Seltzers Throughout the Day
One of the first signs of addiction, specifically hard seltzer addiction, is experiencing persistent cravings for the substance. People who find themselves thinking about alcohol or drugs during the day could be a sign of an addiction. Drinking hard seltzers frequently can result in alcohol cravings where users can’t wait to get home and have a drink, which could indicate alcohol use disorder (AUD).
2. You Drink More than Intended
If you start drinking only to have one or two hard seltzers and end up drinking much more than intended, you may have lost control. This lack of self-control when drinking alcohol is indicative of alcohol dependence, another common sign of addiction. Whether it’s from peer pressure or the inability to drink without getting intoxicated, this overconsumption is a warning sign of alcoholism.
3. Your Social Life Revolves Around Drinking
Another warning sign of addiction to hard seltzers is when your social life revolves around drinking alcohol. If most of your social events or gatherings with friends are heavily centered around drinking, it’s time to consider this toxic relationship with alcohol. While hard seltzers may not seem as intensive as hard liquor, they can still lead to the development of an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
4. It’s Affecting Your Responsibilities
When drinking hard seltzers starts to interfere with your daily responsibilities, it’s time to reevaluate your drinking habits. If alcohol use is affecting your work responsibilities and you find yourself missing deadlines, showing up late, or going to work hungover, it’s a problem.
Are you neglecting your abilities, such as self-care, hygiene, and chores? These are also common signs of a substance use disorder (SUD). Another example could be failing to meet obligations, missing social events, or avoiding certain friends and family members who might point out your drinking problem.
5. You Hide Your Drinking
When you begin to hide the amount of hard seltzers you drink or lie about it to close family and friends, this secrecy is a sign of a hard seltzer addiction. Many individuals with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) are secretive about their addiction because they’re either ashamed or don’t want to change their ways. Alcoholics are often aware that they have a problem with drinking but prefer to avoid confrontation.
6. You Experience Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you haven’t been drinking hard seltzers as often is a strong indicator of AUD. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, excessive sweating, nausea, tremors, or irritability when stopping or reducing alcohol consumption.
When abusing alcoholic beverages like hard seltzers, the body develops a physical and psychological dependence on the substance. This dependence is what leads to the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal when decreasing alcohol intake.
7. You Drink to Cope with Emotions
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, loneliness, or depression is a dangerous cycle. Drinking hard seltzers to cope with emotional distress rather than managing these emotions healthily and constructively can represent an addiction. Alcohol is a depressant, which means that while it may provide temporary relief from these emotions, it can exacerbate them as it wears off.
8. You’ve Tried to Cut Back but Can’t
People with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) are often incapable of ridding themselves of alcohol without professional treatment. If you’ve made attempts to stop or cut back on drinking hard seltzers but find yourself failing each time, this is a warning sign of alcohol addiction. Chronic alcohol abuse with hard seltzers often leads to the development of a strong dependence, requiring alcohol detox and rehab.
Alcohol Detox and Rehab in Stuart, FL
If you recognize any of these signs within your drinking habits, Coastal is here to help. Hard seltzer addiction, like any form of alcohol addiction, takes a significant toll on your physical health and mental well-being. Seeking addiction treatment at a professional alcohol detox facility in Stuart, FL, can provide the necessary support to recover. At Coastal Detox, our South Florida drug and alcohol detox center, we administer holistic treatments for comprehensive healing from addiction.
Contact Coastal for 24/7 alcohol detox.
References:
- WebMD, 2022. The Facts About Hard Seltzer.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2024. Alcohol Use in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2021. The Cycle of Alcohol Addiction.
- GoodRx Health, 2021. What Is the Best Hard Seltzer in Terms of Alcohol Content and Health?
- Cleveland Clinic, 2024. Alcohol Withdrawal.