Are you finding yourself having one too many drinks, and don’t know where to draw the line?
Is your drinking affecting your mood, and your family around you?
Alcohol is a large part of the Australian culture; we drink to celebrate, relax, to have a great time with friends, or to help deal with life’s stressors. Whilst many can enjoy a drink or two and know when to stop, for some it’s too easy for drinking to take over our lives. As a result, problematic drinking habits and alcohol dependence develops.
The most commonly treated drug in Australia is alcohol. There is a large availability for evidence-based treatment for those who have become reliant on alcohol on a daily bases, but despite this, relapse rates are quite high in Australila (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).
Many of us are unsure whether we’re crossing the line with our alccohol intake. When is one too many enough to change your behaviour, and make you reliant on having that extra drink? How is it affecting those around you, and the ability for you to focus on priorities such as work an family? Take our checklist to determine if alcohol is taking over your life.
CHECKLIST TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE BECOME ALCOHOL DEPENDENT
IF YOU’VE CHECKED MORE THAN HALF OF THE ABOVE, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
- Approach someone close to you for support, i.e. loved one, GP, friend. Don’t feel that you need to go through this challenge alone
- Calculate the amount of money you spend on alcohol each week, and really see the impact it’s having on your financially
- Write down some reasons why you think you are drinking. How does it make you feel? How are you feeling when you want a drink?
Once you have tried these tips, engaging with an expert Psychologist allows you to develop a complete understanding of what’s happening and why you are behaving the way you are. A psychologist will work together with you creating a strategy to eliminate the stress alcohol dependence may be causing you.
We believe wise minds make wise decisions, so let us help you. Contact us today.
