Are You Drinking Too Much? How To Get Your Drinking Under Control!
Most of us enjoy having a drink now and then, over dinner or while on a night out with friends. The odd cocktail or two isn’t going to kill you, but drinking glass after glass of alcohol just might. There’s a fine line between drinking in moderation and having an alcohol problem, and sometimes it can be hard to know which side of the line you are on.
When it comes to alcohol, it can be difficult to judge your own drinking habits. If you feel like you are drinking too much, the chances are that you probably are. Many of us make the mistake of thinking that unless we spend the day swigging alcohol, we can’t be addicted.
However, that isn’t the case. Alcohol addiction can sneak up on us in ways we would never expect. It can be hard to know if you’re drinking too much, and if you are how you can get your drinking under control.
To help you assess whether you are drinking too much here are some questions to ask yourself. As well as some ideas for reducing your alcohol consumption.
How often do you drink?
The first thing that you need to ask yourself is how often do you drink. If the answer is every day, then the chances are that you have a problem. Even, if it’s only a couple of times a week, that doesn’t mean that you’re in the clear.
When it comes to alcohol addiction, it’s not just about how often you drink, but about how much you drink. If every weekend you get so drunk that you can’t stand up straight, this could indicate that you have a problem with alcohol.
Has anyone ever told you they are worrying about your drinking?
The next thing to think about is whether anyone has ever expressed concern over the amount that you are drinking. This could be a friend, relative or coworker. It doesn’t matter who, but if someone has told you they are worried about your drinking, this could point towards a you having a problem.
Do you struggle to stop drinking once you start?
Enjoying a couple of cocktails is one thing, but not being able to stop is completely another. If you find that once you start drinking you struggle to stop, you may be addicted. It’s all well and good having a laugh with your friends, but if you are drinking more than everyone else, consider the fact that you may have a problem.
If you do struggle to stop drinking once you start, it’s important that you understand how serious it is. Don’t ignore the problem, take some time to digest it, and then think about getting help. Getting some professional assistance is the best way that you can beat your drinking problem and go on to make a full recovery.
Look at your options
Once you have admitted that you have a problem, the next step is to consider your options. If you think that cutting back is the answer, start off by trying that. Don’t drink at home or alone, and on nights out, set yourself a limit of four drinks. If you can stick to these rules, you shouldn’t have any more problems.
However, if you find cutting back to difficult, you may need to look at your other options. If you don’t think that you can beat your drinking problem alone, get some professional help. You can book yourself in to see a therapist, or if you are really struggling, you can get yourself a space at a rehabilitation center. Going to rehab might sound daunting, but if it’s what it takes to beat your addiction, it’s worth it.
Be strong
Dealing with alcohol addiction is never easy, but it’s important that you stay strong. Don’t give into your cravings, make every effort to stick to cutting back or being alcohol-free. It might be hard at first, but over time, it will get easier.
The most important thing you can do if you are worried about your drinking is take some time to assess the situation. If you think that you have a drinking problem, the chances are that you do. Don’t ignore your addiction, as it will only get worse.
