Stop Drinking Alcohol:
How to Know When it's Time
Drinking alcohol doesn't have to be a problem as long as you drink sensibly.
But are you?
Okay, perhaps you're not an alcoholic, but are you willing to even consider that you may have a drinking problem? If you're open to the possibility, then read on. You may get some valuable insight on your situation.
First, let's take a look at your drinking patterns.
Do you drink alone?
Do you feel you need a drink at a certain time each day, for example after work or before going to sleep?
Do you have a particular friend or set of friends or a particular ambience that you prefer when you drink?
When you've had a couple of drinks, do you have a difficult time stopping?
Do you want to continue drinking even after those with you say they've had enough?
Do you find yourself sneaking drinks?
Is a good part of your day alcohol-related - i.e. you're either in the process of obtaining a drink, thinking of having a drink or actually having one, or getting over the effects of your last alcohol binge?
Do you sometimes stay drunk for days at a time?
Do you feel uneasy when you're in a social situation and alcohol is not a part of the picture?
Has drinking caused you to fail to do something that was normally expected of you?
Is your drinking causing you financial difficulty?
When you're upset for any reason, do you respond by having a drink?
Do you often get into arguments or fights while drinking?
Have you been arrested for drunk conduct or drunk driving?
Has anyone been injured due to your drinking?
Have your friends or family commented about how your personality changes when you drink?
Has anyone suggested you quit drinking or at least cut down?
When family or friends voice their concern about your drinking, do you get irritated?
Have you broken relations with any family members or friends because they've pestered you about your drinking?
Do you ever have trouble remembering what you may have done while under the influence of alcohol?
When you've sobered up, do you often regret things you may have said or done while under the influence?
Do you suffer from frequent hangovers?
Do you find yourself needing a drink the day after a drinking binge just to get yourself going?
Do you find yourself having regrets after drinking? Have you promised yourself to stop or cut down but been unable to keep your promise to yourself?
The answers that you supply that will give you an indication of where you're at. If you've answered honestly and found that your answer to at least four of the questions asked was in the affirmative, then you may already have a drinking problem or are on your way to developing one. A yes to five or more of these questions suggests that alcohol abuse is becoming a pattern in your life.
Examine yourself honestly. Perhaps you just need to decrease your drinking to safer levels. Then again, your situation may be such that you require more drastic measures. Whatever the case, there's help available . You only need to decide to take it.