After all, many people like to let loose and relax with a drink in hand.
But at what point does this casual, happy-go-lucky drinking drift toward something a little unhealthy?
Overall, social drinking is typically considered low-risk, as long as youre imbibing in moderation.
It can be hard to know whether you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
People dont realize theyre running into a problem with drinking until they cross the line into compulsive behavior.
People close to you are concerned about your drinking.
Youre starting to worry about your drinking habits, too.
Do questions likeAm I drinking too much?or When was the last time I went without drinking?
If so, its really important to think about your answers.
If you respond with, Yes, probably or I cant remember, that’s a major red flag.
You turn to alcohol to cope with tough emotions.
Alcohol is a drug and, as a drug, it has allure, Dr. Kelly explains.
Drugs have immediate and potent predictable effects and few things in life are immediate, potent, and predictable.
Youre using it as an escape hatch, and thats a warning sign, Dr. Specker says.
She adds that she often sees people drinking to self-treatdepressionor anxiety, which ultimately backfires.
You often end up drinking more than you expected to.
You had an extra drink or two and you stayed out longer than plannedthats not necessarily concerning.
Youre constantly thinking about your next drink.
People start to plan their day around drinking.
Youve put yourself or others in danger.
Its no secret that alcohol impacts your reaction time and decision-making skills.
The most obvious example (and for good reason) is drinking and driving.
They can connect you with a specialist who is well-versed in alcohol use disorder, Dr. Specker says.
Yes,youcan be the friend who expresses concerns about a loved ones drinking.
In fact, you shouldnt just ignore these behaviors if you notice them in someone, Dr. Specker says.
Try something like: I care about you and notice that you might be drinking more than before.
How do you feel about your drinking?
If you need some support, Id love to be here for you.
Reaching out for helpwhether its for yourself or someone you really care aboutcan be really overwhelming and even scary.
But taking action as soon as you’re able to is critical.
