4 Signs It’s Time to Take Back Your Life From Alcohol

Are there days you just wait for your next glass of alcohol? You don’t just choose to drink, you need a glass to get by. Something to numb the anxiety or stress coursing through your body? A way to relieve the tension of going home and dealing with a relationships that’s on the rocks. Does it seems like alcohol is the solution and the problem to every situation. Almost like it controls your life?

My friend, it’s time to take back your life from alcohol.

Perhaps what started as one or two beers a week turned into a daily crutch. Something you need to survive. You didn’t mean for it to happen. Maybe work has been stressful. Drinking relaxes you. It make you feel confident. You don’t see any negative side effects! But the people around you are concerned.

Your partner, a parent, a close friend, maybe your boss, is asking about your alcohol consumption. They wonder if you have a problem. You can’t accept what they say. After all, everyone enjoys a drink every now and then. All your friends drink. And if you drink a bit more now and then, it doesn’t hurt anyone.

I understand that you don’t want to be told that you have an alcohol problem. It feels like you are a child again, being told that you have done something wrong. It can feel embarrassing, humiliating and possibly frightening, especially if you had an alcoholic parent.

So I simply want to ask you a few questions that can help you make up your own mind. Be aware that if you do have an alcohol problem, you won’t want to admit it. You will feel really defensive as I ask you to take an honest look at how you are doing.

1. How many times a week do you drink alcohol?

The recommended limit for low risk drinking is 2 standard drinks a day including 1 alcohol free day a week. Can you stop at 2 drinks? Perhaps you could test yourself over the next couple of weeks and keep a diary of how much you drink.

2. How much do you drink in any single episode?

You may drink just on one or two nights a week. How much do you drink on those occasions? The recommended limit when drinking on those occasions is 4 standard drinks. 

Binge drinking to the point of intoxication as a regular occurrence is a risk to your health. Are you frequently intoxicated? Over the next fortnight, keep a count of how often you drink to intoxication.

3. Has the issue of alcohol caused conflict in your relationship? 

•  Your partner nags you about your drinking.

•  You frequently fight about your drinking to the point that you avoid coming home.

•  You are more irritable, distrustful or aggressive.

4. Are you noticing that your behaviour is frequently out of character?

• Are try acting inappropriately?

• Making poor decisions?

• Telling lies?

• Driving under the influence of alcohol?
  
  How did you do answer those questions?  If you could identify yourself in these four points, it’s time to take your life back.

  Start by telling a friend you need help. You don’t have to be ashamed. And you don’t have to do this alone.

  A great place to start is Alcoholics Anonymous, who offer more information, and online and in person meet ups.

  Then, visit your doctor/GP and ask for support – they can refer you to specialists or counsellors. In Australia, this can include a a Mental Health plan which will subsidise the cost of sessions.

Watersedge Counselling is not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous.