Admitting There's a Problem: When Do You Need to Stop Drinking?
Did you know that there are 3 million deaths annually from alcohol misuse? Many people enjoy a few drinks from time to time, but some people struggle to know when to stop and develop a dangerous drinking problem that could ruin their life and the lives of those around them.
Drinking is so ingrained in society that it can be hard to tell whether or not you have a problem and need to stop drinking. If you think you have a problem - or a loved one makes a comment - you should know that it is possible to lead a happier, healthier and more fulfiling life without alcohol.
Here are the main signs that it is time to stop drinking.
You Frequently Exceed the Recommended Limit
The first clear sign that you have an alcohol problem is if you frequently exceed the recommended weekly limit. The dietary guidelines state that low-risk drinking includes no more than 14 drinks a week for men and 7 for women.
You Worry About Your Drinking
Another clear sign that you should stop drinking is that you worry about your drinking. If you are worried, it is clear that deep down, you know that you have a negative relationship with alcohol that is causing damage in more ways than one.
Alcohol remorse can be common after a heavy night, but if this is something that you frequently experience, then you may want to reexamine your relationship with alcohol and seek help.
You Conceal Your Drinking
Many people that have a problem with alcohol will attempt to conceal their drinking. This could include hiding bottles around the house, lying about what you have been doing, or drinking when alone.
People often conceal their drinking because they know that it has become a problem and want to hide it from their loved ones.
Alcohol Affects Your Daily Life
Another clear sign that it is time to stop drinking is if alcohol affects your daily life. Many people that have a problem with drinking reach a breaking point, which could involve driving while drunk, their work performance suffering as a result of drinking, or an argument with a loved one while intoxicated.
If you find that your drinking is starting to affect the other areas of your life, this is a clear sign that you should stop drinking.
Seeking Help
These are the main signs that you should stop drinking, but it is not quite as easy as getting rid of all the alcohol in your house. Many people have a complex relationship with alcohol and may even have developed a dependence.
This is why many turn to the Alcoholics Anonymous community. This is a community with people all experiencing the same problem and at every stage. Having support and guidance from experts can make all the difference and help you to achieve sobriety milestones.
AA chips and AA tokens can be incredibly useful on the journey and help to keep you motivated on those difficult days. You can purchase all kinds of sobriety medallions and sobriety chips that will help you with your journey and hold you accountable.
Stop Drinking Today for a Happier Life
This post should help to determine if you need to stop drinking and embark on a journey of sobriety. It is not easy to stop drinking, but it is easier with support from the AA community and with sobriety chips.
Get in touch today to learn more about how AA chips could help with this journey.