For many people, quitting drinking revolves around hitting that proverbial “rock bottom.” Individuals then seek recovery through peer-support groups or in-person treatment centers. Or that is how many people used to think about recovery from alcohol addiction. But today, you don’t have to risk that rock bottom and/or label yourself as an “alcoholic” to re-evaluate if your relationship with alcohol is having an unwanted impact on your life.
With the recent popularization of 30-day challenges — think Dry January or Sober October — people are recognizing there can be benefits to cutting out alcohol for awhile. But if it isn’t one of these “special” months, you may not know where to begin assessing your alcohol relationship. However, just as you might think to yourself, “maybe I should get more exercise this week,” you can think, “maybe I should check myself before ordering this drink.” It’s a start!
And, it can be helpful to think about the effects of alcohol on the major areas your life. These include:
mental well-being
physical well-being
relationships
work and daily routines
Then determine whether alcohol is having a negative impact on your physical health, relationships, work, school, or mental health. And consider what happens during and after your drinking:
Are you getting into more arguments with friends and family when drinking?
Is your hangover keeping you from enjoying a sunny day outside?
Is how much you drank the night before impacting your productivity at work or at school?
If the answer to any of these things is “yes,” it may be time to talk about getting help.