Check Your Drinking

How can you tell when your alcohol consumption is crossing from casual to excessive?

There may be signs that suggest it’s time to stop drinking.

Alcohol can be misleading, and we often hold misconceptions about what a drinking issue truly looks like. However, alcohol-related problems can manifest in various ways.

To start, ask yourself if alcohol has negatively impacted your life in any manner. Next, consider whether drinking is becoming your sole source of enjoyment.

This page offers a self-assessment to help you make informed choices about abstaining, whether for a short time or indefinitely, as well as guidance for moderating your intake.

Social Life

1. My partner has voiced worries regarding my consumption habits.
2. I have altered my social circle to associate with individuals who engage in similar behaviours.
3. Occasionally, my friends have referred to me as a “heavy drinker.”
4. I have had disagreements with them concerning my usage.
5. There have been instances where I acted towards my friends while intoxicated that I later felt remorseful about.
6. I have arranged outings with friends but ended up not attending because a more appealing chance to drink arose.
7. I have been dishonest with friends and others regarding my alcohol consumption.
8. My drinking has caused me to upset or lose friends.
9. Some of my friends have distanced themselves from me since I increased my drinking.
10. If I had to choose between spending time with my sober friends or my drinking companions, I would prefer the latter.
11. I have put my friends at risk due to my drinking behaviour (such as driving under the influence or taking reckless actions).
12. Being intoxicated helps me feel less self-conscious.

Education

1. I’m known for enjoying parties.
2. I have either come close to or been caught while impaired.
3. I have missed or skipped lectures due to drinking or recovering from a hangover.
4. My academic performance is not meeting my expectations.
5. My enthusiasm for schoolwork has been decreasing.
6. I miss classes more frequently now that I’ve been drinking.
7. I find it harder to focus in class since I began drinking more often.
8. The university has requested that I undergo an assessment for alcohol dependence.

Work

1. I’m known at work for enjoying the party lifestyle.
2. I have come close or been found under the influence of alcohol at work.
3. I have been late or accidently skipped a day of work due to drinking.
4. I have taken days off due to hangovers
5. My work performance has been poor
6. My enthusiasm for the job is lacking due to my drinking
7. Colleagues have made comments that I seem “hungover”

Family

1. My parents have inquired if there’s something affecting my mood.
2. They have questioned whether I am using substances or consuming too much alcohol.
3. My parents have discovered my alcohol stash.
4. They have stayed up late to observe my behaviour when I return home.
5. The trust I once had with my parents has shifted.
6. My siblings have shown worry or noticed changes in my demeanour.
7. I struggle to communicate with my family now that I’ve been drinking excessively.
8. I tend to skip family gatherings because I wish to get intoxicated or have been inebriated during them.
9. I increasingly distance myself from my family.
10. I have deceived my family about my alcohol consumption.

Financial

1. Often, I find myself short on cash due to my excessive spending on alcohol.
2. I have outstanding debts related to my drinking habits.
3. I have resorted to theft to fund my alcohol consumption.
4. I have delayed purchasing essential items to allocate funds for drinking.
5. I have engaged in gambling to acquire additional money for alcohol.
6. A significant portion of my finances is directed towards alcohol, or I have started to increase my spending on it.
7. I have committed acts I regret in order to obtain money for drinking.

Legal

1. I have engaged in reckless or unwise behaviour that could lead to my arrest while intoxicated.
2. I have been involved in altercations and have nearly faced arrest due to my intoxication.
3. I have received monetary penalties from the legal system for my consumption of alcohol.
4. I have encountered legal issues connected to my alcohol consumption.

Personal

1. I have engaged in actions I regret while intoxicated.
2. I have abandoned activities, sports, hobbies, or other enjoyable events I once participated in.
3. I have experienced blackouts or lapses in memory while consuming alcohol.
4. My recollection isn’t as sharp as it used to be before I started drinking.
5. I often feel anxious and sometimes preoccupied with thoughts about alcohol.
6. When I’m not drinking, I find myself thinking about and anticipating my next drink.
7. I seem less interested in things that used to matter to me.
8. My aspirations have shifted since I began drinking, and it’s challenging to establish new ones.
9. I have caused myself physical harm while intoxicated (injuries from unidentified sources).
10. I struggle to communicate with friends or others when I am sober.
11. I have engaged in actions while intoxicated that I later reflected on and found very alarming.
12. I have experienced alcohol poisoning and lost consciousness.
13. I have needed medical attention due to injuries sustained while intoxicated.
14. Since I began drinking, I have experienced thoughts of self-harm.
15. I have seriously contemplated taking my own life.
16. I have attempted to reduce my consumption before
17. I am concerned about its impact on my health
18. In the past, I made unsuccessful efforts to stop and now doubt my ability to achieve it.
19. I have engaged in actions I regret just to obtain alcohol.
20. I noticed that I tend to form connections more frequently while intoxicated.
21. Additionally, since drinking consistently, I have noticed an increase in my weight.

Withdrawal Symptoms

How to cut down drinking alcohol

The best way of cutting down on alcohol depends on your relationship with alcohol. We all experience it differently, but there are some common problems.

People decide to cut down on drinking for lots of reasons, but the main ones are:

• Doctor’s advice
• Suggestions from friends or family
• Feeling low after drinking too much
• Concern over drinking too regularly
• Health

Take a look at the following guide to quit or cut down drinking alcohol.