Recognising the Signs
Listen to your Family and Friends
If those who care about you are voicing concern about your drinking, keeping you away from bars or parties, in an attempt to keep you away from drinking, it’s time to listen and take action.
Self-medicating
Think about when you drink and why you choose to do so. Is it related to emotions? Do you drink to feel better when you’re down? Do you drink to avoid feeling negative emotions? If so, you are self-medicating. This means that you are drinking based on your emotions and that is never a healthy behaviour. Drinking emotionally can lead to addiction and dependence.
Your Health
If alcohol in any way interferes with your health, it is interfering with your life. Of course, you may not be able to tell yet what affects your drinking is having on your health. Many of the more serious consequences of drinking don’t show up until later in life. But, there are the immediate effects as well. If you are regularly waking up with a hangover then alcohol is affecting your well-being.
Your Relationships
When your drinking affects your relationships with others, it is interfering with your life. This could include neglecting your children, spouse, friends, or other family members so that you can drink. If you are not meeting your responsibilities when it comes to your friends and family because of drinking it is interfering with your life.