9 Signs Your Drinking Has Become A Problem
Denial is a crazy thing when it comes to alcohol problems. I should know, I spent a decade of my adult life stuck in it.
People would put a concerned arm around me and tell me that I should cut back on the drinking. I would snap at them like a coiled python that had just been poked with a stick.
I can stop anytime I damn well like I would claim. The worried family member would apologize for upsetting me and slink off to lick their wounds.
How dare they attack the only little pleasure I had in my life, I thought.
A little pleasure that was slowly killing me
So how do you know if you’re an alcoholic? The problem with alcohol is absolutely everybody uses it. There is a huge ‘safety in numbers’ thing going on plus the social proof of many people we love and respect also drinking.
For example, one of my all-time favorite philosophers Alan Watts passed away far too early because alcohol got a hold of him.
Here is a deeply profound and present individual who preached that everything we need is already inside us. The point of life is to just ‘be’.
If I had discovered Alan Watts back when I was a drinker, I would have almost certainly used his drinking to justify my own. If it’s good enough for the great Alan Watts, it’s good enough for me.
Attractively packaged poison
I am probably most famous for the phrase Attractively Packaged Poison, which comes from my first book Alcohol Lied To Me.
It really does sum up what we are doing.
Alcohol is none of the things it claims to be. It has never been your friend and will always have only one mission… to kill you.
Am I being melodramatic, it’s possible, my wife tells me I am prone to that sort of silliness. However, tell that to the 3.3 million people who died because of alcohol last year (source).
Do you use any of these excuses?
So how do you know if you are in denial or not?
I have put together my 5 most commonly quoted myths and misconceptions that drinkers roll out to defend their habits.
If you have used any of these justifications in the past, see it as a concerned arm around the shoulder from someone who cares about you.
Misconception 1: ‘I can quit drinking whenever I want to’.
Truth: Perhaps some people can; but not if they are addicted to alcohol – the drug won’t let them. In either case, it’s merely a subterfuge to keep drinking alcohol.
The reality is, they do not really want to quit. It’s just another way to pretend they are in control, despite all the apparent harm it does.
Convincing us that our drinking is still something we have a conscious decision over is another powerful illusion of the Evil Clown which is alcohol.
Misconception 2: My drinking is my problem. I’m the person it harms, so nobody can tell me to quit.
Truth: It’s correct nobody can force someone else to quit drinking. However, drinkers are hoodwinking themselves if they believe that alcohol consumption damages nobody else but themselves.
Alcohol addiction affects everybody in the family, particularly those they love the most.
Misconception 3: I can’t be an alcoholic because I don’t drink every day or want to drink in the mornings etc.
Truth: Alcohol addiction is NEVER characterized by what you drink, when, or how much you consume. It’s the damage that your drinking is causing that identifies an issue. It does not matter if you only drink at the weekend, after work or every day.
I never missed a single day of work because of my drinking. I never felt the urge to drink in the morning, and I could easily get through the entire day without sneaking off to the restroom for a swig from a hidden vodka bottle. All of this I saw as proof that my drinking was normal.
However, every evening, the first thing I would do, having returned home from work, was open the first bottle of wine. It was expensive French Bordeaux because that meant I wasn’t an alcoholic. I was a wine connoisseur!
Misconception 4: I have a good job, I don’t have any DUI’s, therefore, I can’t be an alcoholic
Truth: You do not need to be destitute and drink from a brown paper bag to be an alcoholic. We have several billionaires and multimillionaires on our stop drinking program. Holding down a job or avoiding trouble with the police is not a sign that your drinking is healthy!
The stereotypical alcoholic portrayed by Hollywood represents less than 5% of the addiction picture. The vast majority of people are functioning, hard-working, good people who use alcohol ‘to cope with life’. They believe that alcohol helps them with stress.
Because this drug is a master illusionist.
Alcohol creates stress rather than removing it. A clever trick right?
Misconception 5: I don’t smoke or do ‘real’ drugs.
Truth: Alcohol is a drug that has been so roundly accepted into society that we don’t even like to call it a drug. Some people get very upset at such a label for their liquid friend! Problem drinking is equally as harmful as any street drug problem. Alcoholism damages the body and mind.
Continued heavy drinking can do serious harm to your well-being, your income, and your relationships.
Problem drinkers undergo uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal when they quit drinking, much like drug addicts do when they stop using. Plus, new evidence suggests that regular drinking is just as bad for you as cigarette smoking.
Do not assume that you are choosing the lesser of two evils.
About Us
Stop Drinking Expert is a blog dedicated to helping people quit drinking and live sober lives. We offer evidence-based information and advice on alcohol addiction, from understanding the problem to developing a quit plan to staying sober in the long term.
Our blog is written by Craig Beck, a certified alcohol and drug counselor who has helped over 250,000 people get sober. Craig is the author of the bestselling book Alcohol Lied to Me and a frequent speaker on alcohol addiction.
Why trust us?
We are committed to providing our readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information on alcohol addiction. We base our articles on the latest scientific research and the experiences of real people who have struggled with alcohol abuse.
We also believe everyone deserves access to high-quality addiction treatment, regardless of their income or insurance status. That’s why we offer a free quit drinking webinar every day. This webinar is a great way to learn more about alcohol addiction and get started on your recovery journey.
What you can expect from our blog
On our blog, you will find articles on a wide range of topics related to alcohol addiction, including:
- Understanding alcohol addiction
- Developing a quit plan
- Staying sober in the long term
- Coping with cravings and triggers
- Dealing with relapse
We also offer personal stories from people who have overcome alcohol addiction. These stories can be inspiring and motivating for those who are struggling with addiction themselves.
Our mission
Our mission is to help people quit drinking and live sober lives. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the benefits of a sober life, such as improved health, relationships, and productivity.
We are here to help
If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, you are not alone. We are here to help you on your journey to recovery. Please visit our website to learn more about our blog and the free quit drinking webinar we offer daily.
Why quit drinking?
There are many reasons to quit drinking. Alcohol can hurt your health, relationships, and career. It can also lead to financial problems and legal troubles.
If you are considering quitting drinking, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Improved health: Alcohol can damage your liver, heart, brain, and other organs. Quitting drinking can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of chronic diseases.
- Better relationships: Alcohol can interfere with your relationships with loved ones. Quitting drinking can help you to improve your communication and build stronger relationships.
- Increased productivity: Alcohol can impair your judgment and make it difficult to focus on tasks. Quitting drinking can help you to be more productive at work and school.
- Financial savings: Alcohol can be expensive. Quitting drinking can save you a significant amount of money each year.
- Reduced legal risks: Alcohol can impair driving and judgment, leading to legal troubles. Quitting drinking can reduce your risk of getting a DUI or other alcohol-related offenses.
How to quit drinking
Quitting drinking can be challenging, but it is possible. Many different resources are available to help you on your journey to recovery.
If you are serious about quitting drinking, here are a few things you can do:
- Talk to your doctor: Your doctor can help you to develop a personalized quit plan and support you.
- Join a support group: Support groups can provide a safe and supportive environment to share your experiences and learn from others trying to quit drinking.
- Join today’s free quit drinking webinar: We have helped thousands of people over the years, each journey to sobriety started with the webinar.
- Use evidence-based methods: Several evidence-based methods exist for quitting drinking, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Staying sober in the long term
Once you have quit drinking, taking steps to stay sober in the long term is important. Here are a few tips:
- Identify your triggers: What are the things that make you want to drink? Once you know your triggers, you can develop strategies for avoiding them or healthily coping.
- Build a sober support system: Surround yourself with people who support your sobriety. This could include friends, family members, or others in recovery.
- Engage in healthy activities: Find healthy activities that you enjoy doing. This could include exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.
- Seek professional help if needed: If you are struggling to stay sober, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide you with support and guidance.
