Am I Drinking Too Much?

This is not medical advice. See your qualified clinician.

   Maybe it was because you cannot remember what happened last night.

   Maybe it was because your boyfriend told you he’d leave if you didn’t quit.

   Or maybe it was because you cannot remember a day when you did NOT drink.

   Something made you uneasy. Maybe it’s the first time you’ve wondered if you could have a problem.

   I regularly ask clients if their issues with alcohol cause problems at their work, in their relationships, or with their health. 

This question brings clarity about:

1. What is the person’s top priority

2. What the person values

3. The damage being done to those priorities and values.

   It’s easy to dismiss an alcohol use disorder when you don’t want to notice the negative impact it is having at work, at school, on your health, on your kids, or in your relationship.

   So, to answer the question: Am I drinking too much? You must examine your health, relationships, work, and education. Has alcohol put what you hold most dear into jeopardy? 

   It’s human nature to avoid getting vulnerable enough to answer that question. Sometimes an online questionnaire can help. Try this one. It is confidential, objective, and short. 

    The beauty of recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder is that it is built on support and confidentiality. More than 11 million women over age 18 have Alcohol Use Disorder. Your therapist can help you gain back control over your life, and there are support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery to walk the journey with you.

   If you have thoughts of suicide or plan to harm yourself, contact the Suicide Hotline (988) or go to your closest emergency room