Thirteen signs of trouble
Many people, in fact the majority, use alcohol in a safe and nonharmful way.
In moderation, it can provide a relaxing and mellowing mood.
Alcohol is a mind-altering substance, technically a depressant. It depresses the central nervous system functioning, slowing a person’s response time. Alcohol’s impact on the brain affects the frontal cortex first, and that means it disturbs reasoning and judgment.
Used in excessive amounts, alcohol can depress the autonomic functions of the brain, like breathing and heart rate. A person can stop breathing or the heart can stop. Hence, it can be life-threatening.
It can also be dangerous for a heavy drinker to stop drinking suddenly. It would be wise for such a person to do so only under the care of a doctor. The percentage of people who use alcohol harmfully is about 10 per cent.
The signs of trouble are as follows:
1.If a person continues to use despite recurring social and interpersonal problems. (For example, a family member is talking to you about your alcohol use over and over, difficulty maintaining friends who are not drinking buddies, fights with wife or husband or partner, trouble with the law while drinking.)
2. If a person gives up or reduces activities because of alcohol. (Perhaps you don’t engage in recreation unless alcohol is involved, or no longer do the things you used to do.)
3. If a person uses in hazardous situations. (Driving a car, using equipment like a power saw, driving a motorboat, four wheeler or snowmobile are typical examples.)
4. If a person continues to use in spite of physical or psychological problems, likely made worse by alcohol. (Frequent signs may be liver damage, diabetic issues, a doctor’s recommendation to quit or cut down, difficulty controlling emotions, drinking to deal with depression or anxiety, drinking to deal with stress, drinking to make life’s problems go away.)
5. If a person is not fulfilling obligations at work, school or home. (Missing family events due to drinking, poor work performance or late for or missing work due to drinking or recovering from drinking and going to work under the influence are signs family members and co-workers notice)
6. Strong desire to drink, or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control drinking.
7. Needing to drink more to get the same effect.
8. Experiencing withdrawal when you stop drinking (anxiety, restlessness, poor sleep, shakiness).
9. Strong desire to use alcohol.
10. Lots of time and energy spent getting alcohol, drinking and recovering from using.
11. Drinking larger amounts than intended, or over a longer period than intended.
12. If alcohol is a large part of your weekend and you don’t drink through the week it may still be a significant problem. (Perhaps most of all for your family.)
13. Binge drinking is cause for concern, even if it is a few times in the year.
We are often not the best judges of our own situations. Even though it takes guts, it might be worth asking someone who knows you well if they see a problem. And remember, if someone who cares for you has spoken of their concerns about your drinking, that is a sign of a problem.
Asking a friend, who is vested in being a drinking buddy, advise about your drinking will not get you a true reading of your alcohol use. In fact, if all of your friends are drinkers and you spend your social time drinking with them, that is something to think about in itself.
It is usually difficult to admit you have a problem. Drinking can become such a big part of a person’s life that to give it up, or reduce drinking, means making lifestyle changes and sometimes losing drinking buddies and friends.
This can be scary and overwhelming. That is why having support from your family, family doctor and support groups is a good idea.
The good news is that a person can overcome alcohol troubles, and that help is available. A person could contact Mental Health and Addiction Services toll free at 1-855-273-1770, a family doctor, local AA or recovery groups or go online and check out those resources.