Get a grip on problem drinking
Let's look at these reasons and go through them one by one.
I drink because it makes me relax
If you ticked often for this reason you must ask yourself how often you need drink in order to relax. You must ask yourself this question because its too easy to come to use drink as you use tranquilisers- and alcohol is at least as harmful if you come to depend on it in the same way. Remember that being anxious causes you to have shallow, quick breaths. This over breathing can cause you to have nasty signs such as muscle aches, churning stomach and dizziness. Try deeper, slower breathing. Try to think of other ways to relax such as lying back and listening to music. Physical exercise such as running, swimming or walking are also great ways of relaxing. They not only help you relax but also make you feel better in yourself as a whole.
I drink because it's refreshing
Alcohol is a depressant drug. This means that it dulls the workings of the brain. Depressant drugs make you lose some of your inhibitions and also lower your efficiency at tasks such as driving and many skills you perform at work. You should remember that one or two units may seem like a stimulant in the short term as it makes you feel more alert. Once you drink more than this, the alcohol begins to have a depressing effect.
I drink because it makes me feel good
If you begin to need drink in order to feel good, you have problems. Try and think of other things that used to make you feel good and build on them.
I drink because of pressure from friends and workmates
If your friends, relatives or workmates are heavy drinkers, the chances are they will try to make you a heavy drinker too.
I drink because it's polite to do so on certain occasions
If the people you drink with give you a hard time if you say that you don't want a drink then you should ask yourself whether you should bother meeting them for a drink.
I drink because I enjoy the taste
A good reason for drinking. But heavy drinking is out because drink dull your brains ability to taste.
I drink because it makes me feel at ease with other people
This is true for many drinkers, because alcohol is like an oil which makes the conversation flow a little more smoothly. If you begin to find it hard to enjoy company without alcohol, then it is a dangerous reason. This is especially true if you need drink in order to talk to someone of the opposite sex.
I drink because people I know drink
Remember that you have the choice about how much you drink. Round buying makes this hard as you are more likely because rounds make sure that everyone in the company drinks at the same rate of the heaviest drinker.
I drink in order to celebrate
Another good reason for drinking, as long as you do not find cause for celebration several times each week!
I drink to forget my worries
If you answered often for this reason, then you have a potential problem with your drinking. Now and again many drinkers get drunk in order to get rid of tension and have a blow out. But if you begin to drink often for this reason, you will make your worries and problems worse because drink is likely to make you feel more depressed and anxious in the long term.
I drink because it gives me confidence
If you begin to need drink for confidence in every day affairs then beware! If you feel shy, awkward or uncomfortable in company you may find that you need to boost your confidence in other ways, such as joining a club or taking up a new hobby where you meet new friends.
I drink when I feel angry
If you answered often to this reason for drinking, you must ask yourself why you are drinking rather than trying to change whatever it is that is making you feel angry. Perhaps you will say that you cannot change what makes you angry. But if that is the case, then drinking may well become a problem for you because you will need it a lot of the time to feel better.
I drink to be sociable
You don't actually need drink to be sociable. Yes it might make you seem more sociable initially but after a few drinks this wears off. The more you practice being sociable the better you will get at it.
I drink because there is nothing else to
If you ticked often for this reason then take care. Because if drinking is the main way of occupying your free time, when you suddenly have a lot of spare time on your hands for some reason, your drinking will probably increase. Try to think of other ways of relieving boredom such as sport, reading or DIY.
