Warning signs may be our best opportunity to change our lifestyle before things become serious.
When it comes to alcohol it can be hard to tell when we’ve crossed the line because our drinking habits may have intensified gradually over time. Assessments such as the AUDIT or CAGE can help demonstrate our risk through a scoring system, but the average person isn’t likely to seek out these questionnaires without good reason. How then can we predict if drinking is going to end up being a problem for us? Chances are you may already have an inkling, maybe a family member has made a comment or you feel a certain way before or after you drink.
Fortunately, treatment for alcohol misuse does not have to wait until a person hits “rock bottom” or has been confronted with every possible consequence. Speaking to a counselor can help build insight into the risks associated with drinking and to gain a better understanding of triggers that lead to excessive alcohol use. Even more importantly, therapy can teach alternative coping strategies that can help a person to respond better to tricky emotions, even when they don’t necessarily lead to picking up a drink.
The wake of the pandemic has demonstrated that a person’s personal or family history of alcohol use does not necessarily dictate their relationship with it in the present. Whether you have never had concerns about your drinking until recently or have been quietly putting off “cutting back” for longer than you’d like, the above article can help provide a fresh perspective and offer some insight into potential warning signs.
Original post: https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/5180897001
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