Do You Have A Drinking Problem?

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Many people go out and drink at bars, sporting events, restaurants, and parties.  In fact, drinking is so much a part of our culture that alcohol is a “given” at many social functions.  Due to the fact that so many people in our society drink, it is obvious that some of these individuals would exhibit drinking problems and engage in excessive drinking.

If you drink quite frequently it makes sense to ask yourself if you have a drinking problem.  But how would you know if your drinking is a problem?  Can you simply assume that frequent or excessive drinking automatically means that a person is a problem drinker?

Drinking Problems Affect Most Areas of Your Life

The easiest way to see if you have a drinking problem is to honestly ask yourself if drinking causes a problem in any aspect of your life.

For instance, does you drinking cause you to call off “sick” when in fact you have a painful hangover?  Has your drinking resulted in a DUI?  Has your job performance declined due to excessive drinking?  Is drinking costing you so much money that you cannot pay for other important things in your life?

Does your drinking lead to alcohol-related arguments with your spouse or with your boyfriend or girlfriend?  Does your drinking take quality time away from your family?  Has your drinking led to an alcohol-related accident at work?

Do you have any health problems that are triggered by your drinking?  Examples include hangovers, feeling lethargic, ulcers, stomach problems, or headaches.  Does drinking adversely affect your mood?  For instance, do you feel more depressed the more you drink?  Have you been at fault in an alcohol-related vehicle accident?  When you go out to have a "few" drinks, do you find that you usually engage in excessive drinking rather than drinking in moderation?

Obviously, the above list could be easily expanded based on your particular circumstances.  The key point to remember, however, is that if your drinking behavior negatively affects ANY aspect of your life, you have a drinking problem and you are a "problem drinker."

What To Do About Your Drinking Problems

Having drinking problems does not necessarily mean that a person is an alcoholic.  It does mean, however, that the person engages in abusive drinking.

The significant thing to remember about drinking problems, however, is that getting an alcohol evaluation is always an intelligent course of action to take.

Stated differently, some people have the mistaken belief that alcoholics are the only problem drinkers who need professional treatment.  For a number of reasons, this viewpoint is totally incorrect.  Everyone who is an alcohol abuser needs to get proper rehab and counseling if for no other reason so that their drinking problem does not escalate into alcohol dependency.

Here’s another critical point about drinking problems that is not commonly discussed.  One of the defining characteristics of alcoholism is the elaborate system of denial that alcoholics and problem drinkers develop.  Their level of denial is so firmly entrenched that many alcoholics claim with conviction that they don’t have a drinking problem and that they are in total control of their drinking behavior.

If you engage in irresponsible, hazardous, and excessive drinking, why not get treatment for your problem drinking before you get to the point where your reasoning ability and your logical skills are not seriously impaired by your denial system?  In other words, why let your alcohol abuse continue and risk becoming an alcoholic?

Do You Have A Drinking Problem?  Conclusion

Drinking Problems. Has your drinking led to divorce or a serious relationship problem?  Does your drinking negatively affect your finances, your job performance, or your health?  Has your drinking led to legal problems such as a DUI arrest?  Has your drinking led to alcohol-related health problems such as ulcers or hangovers?  Do you frequently engage in excessive drinking when you go out or do you drink responsibly?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, chances are good that you have a drinking problem and that you are a "problem drinker."   And if you have a drinking problem, the best way to address this problem is to make an appointment with your doctor or healthcare practitioner so that he or she can evaluate your drinking situation and recommend a treatment protocol that is appropriate for your particular drinking circumstances.

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