It’s Friday afternoon, and you just finished a long workweek. You’ve worked hard! It’s time to put your feet up, turn on the TV, and…have a drink. Right?
Many of our Friday afternoons look like this. A drink or two on a Friday afternoon is relatively harmless, statistically speaking. But, what if your Friday afternoons turn into Thursday and Friday afternoons? Perhaps the stress at work is really getting to you this month, and now your twice a week routine becomes an every afternoon routine. Soon enough, your one or two drinks each afternoon becomes three or four drinks each afternoon. We have a problem!
Many citizens do not know that alcohol is the number one most misused substance in the State of Indiana and in the USA. Hendricks County, in particular, has a high rate of adults who self-report excessive drinking (>18%). If you take into consideration those who are not comfortable self-reporting on health assessments, this rate is likely much higher.
How do you know your drinking is becoming a problem?
- The first question to ask yourself is, “why do I drink?”. Most adults drink for one of two reasons: to relieve stress or because it’s socially expected. Unfortunately, neither of these reasons are the healthiest. Using alcohol as a primary means to “wind down” from stressful feelings can lead you to problematic and addictive patterns. Using alcohol simply because you’re in a social setting where everyone else is drinking can also lead you to problems.
- The second question to ask yourself is, “how much do I drink per day?”. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), heavy alcohol use is defined as having 4 normal portioned drinks per day for men and 3 normal portioned drinks per day for women. How do you compare? Typically, the more you drink at each sitting, the more you become able to drink before inebriation – the result of a brain and body response called “tolerance”. If you are drinking at the higher end of these levels, you may have a problem.
- The third question to ask yourself is, “how many days per week do I drink?”. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration defines heavy drinking as bingeing (3-4+ drinks per sitting) five or more days per month. On average, most Americans consume 1.35 alcoholic beverages per day, which is about a beer and a half or a large glass of wine each day, for example. Heavy drinking is also defined by NIAAA as 14+ drinks per week for men and 7+ drinks per week for women. Again, how do you compare? Do you have a problem?
If you find yourself surprised by how relatable these numbers are, we want to encourage you that you are not alone! And, there is help available for you. The most research-supported way to reduce/quit alcohol use and recover from addiction is through cognitive-behavioral therapy and counseling in both group and individual settings. In these sessions, you can learn new coping skills to manage your stress, and you can connect with others who know how you feel. There’s no shame in asking for help!
