If you’re worried that you may drink too much, though, you probably do. But whether you have a true drinking problem still may be unclear. Consider some of the following signs that you may have a drinking problem when trying to determine how much is too much for you and whether you may need help controlling your drinking.
- Your binge drinking episodes begin sneaking up on you: While you might have previously planned the nights when you would participate in heavy drinking, such as a night out with friends, a fraternity party in college or a concert, you might now find yourself engaging in binge drinking without having intended to do so. For example, you may stop in at happy hour after work with the intention of having a drink or two, but five drinks later find you are suddenly being driven home by a coworker. This is a warning sign of a developing or existing drinking problem. Loss of control or failure to monitor your alcohol intake is dangerous and damaging.
- Your memory fails you: Blackouts are a temporary side effect of heavy drinking. Alcohol affects the brain messenger called glutamate, which handles memory. For this type of memory loss to occur, you must consume several drinks too many, and if this type of memory loss becomes more frequent, you need to take a hard look at your drinking habits. You may have a drinking problem.
- You sometimes ignore responsibilities or beloved activities: When drinking begins to take priority over doing the things you love or taking care of your personal responsibilities, you face a potential problem. Missing your favorite yoga class due to a hangover or failing to get the kids to school on time may be red flags that it’s time to get a handle on your alcohol intake.
- You’ve been told by friends or family that they’re worried about you. If someone in your life notices your drinking habits and has expressed concern, this is a potentially big red flag. Concerned co-workers, friends or family members may address the subject with you, and you might brush it off, but consider this: If they take notice of your drinking, there must be a reason.
- You’ve tried switching types of alcohol: Many drinkers will attempt to switch from hard alcohol to beer or beer to wine, or any other similar combination in an attempt to control their level of intoxication. Rarely does this tactic work, and if you’ve tried this approach with failed results, you may have a drinking problem that needs attention.'