Are you concerned that you, or someone you care for, may be experiencing problems with alcohol? The checklist below describes some of the symptoms of alcohol misuse. One or more of the following may indicate a problem that requires attention.

• 'One drink' often ends up as more than one
• Your drinking has increased in frequency or quantity
• You drink or think about drinking at inappropriate times
• You drink most days and are aware of its absence on days you don't drink
• You like to know where your next drink is coming from
• You avoid situations where no alcohol is present
• You manipulate or avoid situations or people to ensure access to alcohol, or to keep drinking
• You drink quickly or are frustrated at the slow pace that others drink at
• You drink before event to get a 'head start', sneak drinks or choose to keep the party going by drinking after it
• You hide, withhold or minimise your drinking from others
• You prioritise drinking above people or activities that were previously important to you
• You see time alone as windows of opportunity to drink
• Your life is less manageable as a result of your drinking - work, loss of productivity, family tensions, legal problems etc
• You make promises to yourself or others you don't fulfil
• Previous attempts at controlling or cutting down have only worked provisionally
• Others have told you they think you have a problem
• You know you have a problem but are reluctant to stop

If any of the above behaviours apply to you and you would like to discuss this further or book an appointment, please call 0845 474 4609.

 

Whilst we live within a society where alcohol is widely used and occasionally abused, the vast majority of people can maintain their drinking at moderate levels. On the occasions when they 'go over the top' they can easily return to the levels they were drinking at previously.

However for some people the frequency or quantity continues to increase.  They may find that their drinking becomes ritualised (ie bottle of wine most evenings), whilst creating reasons to convince themselves there isn't really a problem. Over time they may choose to spend time around others who can keep up with them, or if they drink alone may find they tend to do so on most days, and are aware of the absence of alcohol on the days they don't drink.

 

As a consequence of others close them expressing concern or disapproval, they may hide, deny or minimise their drinking before eventually reluctantly accept there is a problem. They make promises to themselves or others that they don't follow through with, as attempts to stop, cut down or control only work provisionally, and their drinking continues to increrase.

For binge drinkers the presentation may be slightly different-they are able to maintain control, sometimes for extended periods of time, but this is inevitably followed by bouts of excessive drinking in which once the binge has began, it becomes very difficult to stop.

 

 

The point at which people chose to seek help can vary enormously. For some it may be in response to a nagging sense of things getting a little out of hand or an awareness that attempts at moderating their drinking aren't working, whilst for others the situation can get seriously out of hand - with the consequence their drinking starts to impact on their relationships, work, health, motivation and moods.

 

In either case the common element is the inability to return to moderated or controlled drinking, and sustain this, or to stop completely.

 

At Central Clinic we understand that in these cases willpower is not enough and support may be needed. With our expertise and experience working with people with alcohol problems we have the tools to help you recover.