Do you drink? If you do, then you’re not alone. According to the July, 2010 Gallup poll, drinking is a social activity in which 67% of Americans participate. Most of those people are capable of having an occasional alcoholic beverage with no adverse affects to their lives. However, for approximately six (6) percent of drinkers, alcohol has moved from party beverage to problem area.
When do you know that you’ve crossed that line from co-called “social drinking” to having a problem? There is a simple questionnaire that clinical professionals use to assess the probability that a person has a dependency on alcohol. The CAGE questionnaire is commonly used to determine the risk of alcohol-related problems:
C—Have you ever felt that you should Cut down on your drinking?
A—Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
G—Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
E—Have you ever had an Eye opener…a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get over a hangover?
If you answer, “Yes” to one or more questions, the odds are that your drinking has become a problem.
Now what? The first step is to share your results with your spouse, if you’re married. If you have a problem, there is a good chance that your spouse already knows, but addressing the issue head-on is the crucial first step, according to substance abuse experts. Your spouse can be a partner in your recovery—you don’t have to face your addiction alone. If you struggle with the appeal of alcohol, here are 10 Tips to Overcome Temptations.
Now that you’ve admitted you have a problem, seek help from a trusted counselor, pastor, therapist or support group. There is no shame in seeking help. The only shameful thing would be to continue to deny your problem and put your family, your health and your job at risk.
Related Resource:
10 Tips to Overcome Temptations
