For many people, drinking alcohol can enhance a social event or add something special to a good meal. The majority of people are able to drink casually and socially without ever developing any sort of problem. Alcohol is an accepted part of our society and can be fun and harmless when it is used responsibly and controlled.
But what happens when our social or casual drinking becomes something more and how do we recognize it? Here are a few warning signs:
• Planning or thinking ahead about drinking
• Skipping events or activities because they may not have alcohol or to stay
home and drink
• Drinking more than we want or should, even if just a little
When we spend time thinking about that drink waiting for us at the end of the day this may develop into something more than merely a treat after a tough day. When we choose to stay home or to skip events because they do not serve alcohol we are choosing drinking over life. And a very common experience is that extra drink or two even when we know we’d feel better if we stopped where we were. That extra drink or two does not make you an alcoholic and neither do any of these other situations.
However, having the power to make better choices might make us feel better, both physically and mentally. If you’ve ever wrestled with that extra drink and sometimes wake up with a little hang-over from it you may want to re-evaluate your habits. There might be some very rewarding things you could be missing in life if you just skipped drinking or at least those extra ones. If you want to get a little more control, here are a few tips:
• Count your drinks and leave the empties in plain view so you can be more conscious of how much you drink. Making your drinking a conscious rather than an unconscious act can help you gain control.
• Decide on a limited number of drinks before you drink and stick to it.
• Limit your drinking to two to three days a week or less. Choose days where there is something going on like a party or dinner rather than drinking alone or while doing nothing.
• Spread out drinking days by at least a day between. Try to avoid drinking two days in a row, even on weekends.
You don’t have to be an alcoholic to want to drink less or have greater control. If you have trouble controlling drinking, speak to a professional who can guide you. Here’s to your health!
Scott Spackey is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Life-Counselor and California Registered Addiction Specialist who works with all ages, children to adults, in the SCV.
For more information, please call 661-299-1966, visit www.LIFE-MIND.com or email Scott@Life-Mind.com .