I’ve decided to share this article, in the hopes it might spark something for someone reading. I’m 12 years of being completely alcohol-free. And free is the keyword in that sentence. I was in a terrible state with alcohol and cannot imagine ever going anywhere near alcohol again, for me it’s been an incredible journey.
What is problem drinking and how do we identify it?
Here’s the thing I want to discuss today, how do we define problem drinking? What makes it a problem and beyond “social norms”? I think it’s easy to get a bit caught up with the idea of problem drinking and alcoholism. This often starts with comparison and benchmarking statements, such as:
- Do I drink too much?
- I don’t drink as much as them
- I never drink spirits
All these types of comparative questions and statements don’t take into account the different ways drinking can be problematic for some. I believe problem drinking comes in many forms.
- You have three drinks and lose your phone.
- You have two drinks and text someone something you wish you hadn’t.
- You don’t turn into a nice person on the slightest sniff of alcohol.
I categorise all of that as problem drinking. Just as problematic in many ways as the type of drinking I was doing, which was a little bit beyond that. Problem drinking is any situation in which you lose some semblance of control.
Create your own benchmark
You might think you have a drinking problem, and if you think you have, you probably have. It’s important not to look to others to establish a benchmark of what is and isn’t a problem. But think about your benchmark, alcohol awareness is about asking yourself:
- Have you had enough?
- Do you feel it’s no longer serving you?
- Where is it taking you?
Is it affecting your health?
Here’s what you’ve got to gain
Control
Control over yourself, your impact, your actions. It’s a huge thing.
Autonomy
You are no longer dancing to somebody and something else’s tune. That’s also a massive one, and incredibly freeing. And finally…
Opportunity
Opportunities come to you when you’re in a good place to receive them.
I think a lot of us think I’m not an alcoholic. Therefore, those things don’t apply to me, but you might find if you think about it deeply, maybe they do. Even if you are an occasional drinker, but you don’t like where it takes you. Going alcohol-free can be a game changer.
I have had an incredible journey since I became sober, and I could not have done that without sobriety. So, give some thought to what I’ve said there’s a lot of opportunity out there that we can make the most of when we’re clear-headed and open.
If you are in a situation where you are questioning if alcohol is really serving you, I give you strength, get yourself out of it. Take one small action today.
Fitness Tips Article first published in SE22 November 2024.