Signs That Your Social Drinking Has Gone Too Far
The following is a Guest Post by Per Wickstrom. His bio follows.
Grabbing a drink at happy hour after work or going out for a night on the town on the weekend are common ways to spend time outside of work. When done in moderation, alcohol can be a way to take the edge off a long workweek, celebrate a special occasion, and even be a fun libation at your weekly game night. There comes a point, however, when social drinking evolves into a problem, and you should know what to keep an eye out for. Here are a few warning signs that your social drinking has taken a bad turn:
Once you start drinking, you can’t stop.
We’ve all had the nights when we planned on only having a drink or two and somehow ended up out until midnight, or 3 a.m. or even dawn. If it only happens every once in a great while, it’s not a true indicator. However if every attempt to have a low key night ends with you throwing back countless drinks and staying out until the bars close, you probably have a bigger problem on your hands than just a daily morning hangover.
You tend to lose control while you’re drinking.
Alcohol frees our inhibitions, but not always in the best ways. If you’ve started behaving erratically, even dangerously — like trying to drive home impaired — when you drink, the situation may be escalating. If you find yourself constantly humiliated at facing last night’s audience or mortified at hearing stories the next morning, you might be developing a drinking problem.
You blackout on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, most of us have had at least one night where we partied past our limits and end up unable to recall the entire evening. That said, nights you cause so much alcohol damage to your body that you can’t even remember doing it isn’t something that should happen regularly. If you’re constantly waking up uncertain of how you got home, where your night ended, or who you saw, you might have cause for concern.
Drinking has caused negative consequences in your life.
When my addiction got out of control, I stopped being able to even hold down a job. You may be fighting with your spouse over how much you drink (by the way, that’s another warning sign), falling behind in school, having trouble at work, or having trouble maintaining friendships outside of those connected to your drinking.
If it hasn’t caused any big problems yet, consider whether or not it’s changed your values and priorities. Are you still doing relatively okay at work when you used to push for excellence? Do you sacrifice time with your family to drink? Your behavior says everything about your priorities, so take note if it’s changed lately.
You drink for the wrong reasons.
Alcohol can be a great icebreaker at parties, but it shouldn’t be used as a crutch in hard times. If you find that you’re drinking to help cope with a problem or worry, consider finding a better way to spend your energy. Meditate or try evening yoga to alleviate the day’s stresses. If you find that alcohol is still beckoning to you each day, it’s time to pause and reflect.
Social drinking can be a great way to network and unwind after a busy day, so use it wisely. Keep an eye out for these warning signs and if you think you might have a problem, seek professional help immediately.
Per Wickstrom is CEO of Best Drug Rehabilitation, which he founded after a decades-long battle with drug addiction. It is one of the largest holistic rehabilitation centers in the country and Per hopes to help as many as possible find the same life-affirming success that he has. Catch up with Per on Facebook and Twitter.
Images:
Main via Pixabay Party Girls banoootah_qtr Couple fighting Erin Nekervis
