It’s not a big deal to have a glass of wine with dinner or enjoy a few drinks with friends on a nice summer day. The problems start when your drinking begins to affect your daily life and relationships.
Most drinking problems start small. You might only deal with the occasional hangover, nothing a day in bed with some Gatorade can’t fix. But over time, you might start needing a drink every day to calm down, constantly dealing with the consequences of drinking.
You might also notice you’re letting responsibilities slide because you’d rather have a few drinks. So, when should you consider your drinking a problem rather than just an occasional way to unwind?
Here are a few signs that your drinking might be getting out of hand:
– If it used to take 4-6 drinks to feel a buzz, but now it takes more, that’s a sign your body is getting used to the alcohol, and you need more to feel the same effects.
– When a six-pack becomes just the starting point, it’s definitely a red flag.
– People who drink healthily generally have a positive experience. They can say they had a good time after a few drinks. But if alcohol makes you feel depressed or anxious, yet you still feel compelled to drink more, you’re probably drinking out of habit rather than for fun.
– Being hungover on a Sunday isn’t a big deal if you can relax all day. But if hangovers are making you late for work or miss important events like your kid’s soccer game, that’s a sign of unhealthy behavior.
– Good alcohol treatment includes managing the negative effects of drinking, ideally by drinking less or not at all.
When your nights of drinking lead to poor choices the next day or more, it’s a sign that drinking is more of a problem than a way to unwind. When your drinking starts affecting what’s socially acceptable, it’s time to seriously look at your habits.
The sooner you recognize these issues, the easier it is to make changes. Unfortunately, many wait until they hit rock bottom. Staying aware of your habits can help you avoid a lot of personal strife.