Are you ever concerned about
your drinking? Drinking alcohol is so accepted and even encouraged in modern
society, which means that many people have a problem with alcohol but may not
realize it. It can be hard to define exactly when it becomes a problem, but if
you have concerns over your drinking, then it is essential that you reflect and
consider taking action. It can be easy to abuse alcohol, and this can lead to
all kinds of problems in terms of your health, happiness, lifestyle, and
relationships, and this is why it is so important to identify issues before
they become significant problems.
What The
Experts Say
The National Institute of
Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAAA) define low-risk alcohol use as up to two drinks daily for healthy men and one
drink daily for healthy women - significantly exceeding these is deemed to be
“heavy” drinking. It is, of course, more complex than this as it depends on
whether you are binge drinking or using alcohol as a crutch or form of
medication.
Warning
Signs
The best way to determine
whether or not you have a problem with drinking is to be aware of the warning
signs to look out for. There are many of these, but the main ones are:
·
Suffering from
withdrawal symptoms
·
Making drinking
a priority
·
Being unable to
socialize without alcohol
·
Cravings
·
Losing interest
in other activities
·
Feelings of
guilt in relation to drinking and drinking in secrecy
·
Inability to
control the amount of alcohol consumed
·
Mood swings
Speaking
To Loved Ones & Health Professionals
If you are worried about your
drinking, then it is important that you reach out to your loved ones. Many
people fear to do this because they worry about being shamed or the impact it
will have on their relationships, but loved ones will always want to help and
will be vital in overcoming an addiction.
If you are concerned, it is
also worth speaking to a health professional who will be able to listen and
provide their expert opinion. Alcoholism is a profoundly complex issue, so it
can be helpful to speak to a professional who will know when consumption
becomes a problem and how you should proceed. There are, for example, expert alcohol detox treatment centers which provide a safe and healthy environment to
help you recover from the addiction and move on with your life in the best
possible way.
Taking
Action
It can be daunting and scary
to seek professional help concerning alcoholism, but it is essential to
remember that it is remarkably common, and the first step is often the hardest.
You will want to spend some time looking at suitable alcohol detox treatment
programs which can help you to remove alcohol for your life and build towards a
happier, healthier lifestyle.
Lifestyle
Changes
Leading on from this, you
will need to make lifestyle changes moving forward if you want to continue to lead a life without alcohol. This might involve:
·
Removing
alcohol from the home
·
Avoiding
particular social situations
·
Avoiding
particular people
·
Trying new
hobbies and activities
·
Giving back to
the community
If you worry about your
drinking, then there is a good chance that you have a negative relationship
with alcohol. It can be hard to tell in a time where drinking is so common and
accepted but being aware of when it becomes a problem is important and should
help you to get help.
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