Some Common Goals to set Together:
- Feeling like you need alcohol to relax
- Getting drunk without intention
- Using humour to cope with the alcohol dependence
- Always being late for obligations and leaving events early
- Being passed over for promotions at work
- Being arrested for a DUI
- Being secretive about alcohol use
Heavy alcohol use can cause liver damage, cardiovascular disease, depression, increased symptoms of PTSD and even cancer. It can also cause accidents and increase the likelihood of domestic violence. However, completely abstaining from alcohol consumption is not right for everyone. For many, social relationships are strengthened over drinks and abstaining may cause poor social relationships which may contribute to poorer health overall! So it’s okay to drink a little bit. You can consume 1-2 drinks per day (low-risk level) which has been shown to have the best outcomes. How do you know if you have a drinking problem? Take the assessment below:
- Do you use alcohol more than you mean to?
- Have you felt that you wanted to or needed to cut down on your drinking?
- Do you sometimes have 6 or more drinks on one occasion?
If you answered “yes” to at least one of these questions, you should consider seeking treatment with a professional.