Alcohol Freedom Blog

Problem drinkers and alcoholics all share one particular attribute and it is not something that should make them proud. The more they drink, the less they are in control of their faculties. On the face of it, this may not sound too serious and even sound obvious but a closer look reveals more.The inebriation aside, will you be able to remember what you say and do to those you meet? Where is the drinking taking place? Many problem drinkers specifically aren’t aware of the amount they are consuming at various social gatherings and so may not notice their behavior issues as others around them do. Simple observations by others in attendance can alert them to the fact you are drinking too much.

What if you are at an office party or attending a business sponsored function where alcohol is present? Acceptable drinking habits may not mean drinking like “normal” which in the case of an excessive drinker is usually too much. Many careers have been ruined because of the attention drawn by drinking excessively at business training seminars, office parties and business dinners for clients etc. You may think you are in control but others will notice a problem may exist based on your actions.

The early stages of alcohol abuse are unique because of the lack of denial at this stage. You aren’t drinking to the point where those around you feel it is necessary to say something to you about it; however, they may have been alerted, are now aware, and will make a note for future evaluation. This is a critical time for the problem drinker.

Many will make the personal decision to start cutting back on their drinking IF they are aware of the problem themselves; many are not and wake up to regret it. Have you ever opened your eyes the next morning and the first thing you think of is you may have done something foolish the night before? You begin to obsess about it as the day drags on especially if you have a partner who is concerned enough to remind you of your inelegant actions.

As red flags go, this kind of day after reckoning can go a long way in assisting you to make some positive changes before things get out of hand. This behavior will get away from you eventually and you may not be in a position to control your situation. By the time someone confronts you about a potential drinking problem you may be in alcohol’s grip pretty firmly where the denials now begin. This is why if you can recognize a problem exists on your own, you may be able to salvage some self-respect and dignity.

Modifying your drinking behavior at this early stage may be an option for you. Quite a few problem drinkers at this stage will consult with professionals and try to put the genie back in the bottle as it were. Programs exist that are specifically designed to adjust your drinking habits and perhaps even employ some anti-craving medication to assist with the process. These programs have proven successful for many people, especially those who are prepared mentally and emotionally for the task. It’s also helpful if they have not yet acquired a strong physical dependence on alcohol.

Having the emotional apparatus and maturity to identify that a drinking problem exists and then the required motivation to do something about it are essential to an early stage alcohol abuser.
Let’s look at some of those motivational factors that will inspire someone to seek early drinking modification or abstinence:

• If you have career aspirations and are on the fast track to the executive suite, you may want to nip the drinking problem in the bud. It won’t be long before red flags spoil any chance you may have had for promotion.

   

• If you are succeeding with your own business, making all the right calls and working hard to grow and achieve your dream of entrepreneurial success, recognition of a drinking problem is vital. You are in control of your own destiny, so allowing alcohol to enter the equation deceptively is not an option.

   

• If you are raising a family, then a drinking problem can quickly get out of hand. Special attention must be paid early on for a personal intervention into your drinking habits for safety as well as dependability reasons. Your family unit needs you. The responsibility you chose of having a family should far outweigh your desire for excessive alcohol consumption. Choosing family over alcohol is easier in early stage drinking, as the addiction gets worse alcohol will take precedence.

You may have noticed that these motivational factors are the same reason why many people start to drink excessively in the first place. Life is stressful. Family pressures and managing relationships, climbing the corporate ladder and establishing your employment, searching for security all make a drink at the end of the day seem like a good idea. Ask yourself — if you are abusing this custom, is it becoming a required habit?

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