How often do you drink? If you drink excessively or feel as if you don't know when to stop drinking, then you may be headed for an alcohol abuse situation. It's important to recognize the signs of over-drinking so you can take one of the following steps: 1. quit drinking on your own or 2. seek treatment to assist you with your problem. We encourage you to read further to educate yourself on the symptoms of alcohol abuse and the ways in which you can reverse such a habit.
Do You Abuse Alcohol?
There's a chance you could be abusing alcohol and just don't know it. In order to determine whether or not you abuse alcohol, you need to understand and look for the signs. Take a look at the following symptoms that could indicate a case of over-drinking:
- You frequently neglect your school, work, or personal responsibilities due to drinking
- You have to drink in order to feel comfortable or stress-free
- You constantly lie to hide your drinking lifestyle from friends and members of your family
- You regularly reach a "black out" stage while drinking
- You put yourself or others in danger when you drink (i.e. you drink and drive or become violent)
Controlling Alcohol Abuse
If you feel as if you're abusing alcohol, then it's time to stop – now! Whether you seek professional assistance or attempt to handle the condition on your own, it's important to control your alcohol abuse. Consider these helpful tips:
- Try to avoid any and all social drinking situations
- Create distractions to keep yourself from drinking (i.e. work, develop a hobby, or find a fun activity that doesn't involve alcohol)
- Consider the impact your alcohol consumption has on your friends and family members
- Contemplate the different reasons as to why you drink
- Think about how drinking an excessive amount of alcohol makes you feel in the morning
Should You Stop Drinking Alcohol?
If you have a need to get drunk every time you consume alcohol, then you most likely have a drinking problem. If you can't seem to quit drinking on your own, then you need to seek assistance through rehab, alcohol awareness classes, or a professional therapist. You have the ability to enact change in your life; if you have a drinking problem, the first step on the path to rehabilitation is recognizing this condition and deciding to do something about it.
