Posts Tagged 'drinking problem'
C.A.G.E – a short test for alcohol problems.
Published May 28, 2012 Addictions 1 CommentTags: alcohol abuse, alcohol problem, alcoholic, alcoholics, alcoholism, booze, C.A.G.E. alcohol test, drinking, drinking problem, drunk, substance abuse, substance use
E – Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning, and eye opener, to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?
Out with the old?
Published December 31, 2010 Addictions , Relationships Leave a CommentTags: alcohol problem, betraying a lover, betraying a partner, drinking problem, drinking too much, new year drinking, new year regrets, new year resolutions
Every year I see several new clients just before – or after – the New Year holiday. Usually there is a complex mixture of hope and regret in the initial meetings.
Several years ago a young woman came in for her first session several days after the parties were all over, and revealed her betrayal of her lover by enticing him into a menage a trois then pointedly rejecting only him when things
progressed to nakedness. She’d completed the act with her lover’s friend while taunting her partner, revelling in hurting him. Later she realized how very hateful it had been and now wanted to talk about her unforgivable behavior.
Similarly a male client requested an appointment before the New Year’s Eve celebration, wanting help in avoiding the repetition of his indiscrete behavior at an office party the year before. He had drunkenly danced as if at a night club, seriously damaging his promotional opportunities.
In both cases, the over-use of alcohol had been a prominent feature the loss of judgement. Both clients wanted to talk about how to change their behavior in these kinds of circumstances so that they could maintain their self-control and be more cognizant of their behavior as well as their impact on others.
First we needed to do a thorough assessment of each client’s alcohol abuse, and to develop and try some strategies for abstinence (for her) and harm reduction (for him). Then with 
each client I began to address the memories, hopes, fears, and intentions that emerged in our many conversations. More than a year later each client felt more aware of and in control of their impulses. The young woman even thought she might be ready to apologize to her former lover for her betrayal.
If you or someone you love is in need of support and encouragement to make meaningful personal changes, it could be that a few simple New Year’s resolutions won’t go far enough. Consider contacting a therapist, and engaging in the process of achieving meaningful and lasting change that could help you to build and maintain relationships in both your personal and your professional life.
And may you have a happier new year, all through the year, in 2011.
Poor Me!
Published July 13, 2010 Addictions Leave a CommentTags: alcohol problem, alcoholic, alcoholics, alcoholism, drinking problem, making changes, recovery, recovery from alcoholism
Poor me.
POUR ME!
Alcohol addiction, if you are struggling for sobriety, is a formidable adversary. Something that will make your battle more difficult is to have an attitude of entitlement. Yes, you may have experienced some serious losses due to your drinking, and you deserve empathy and warm wishes as you confront your painful and even damaging behavior. It is not helpful to your recovery however, or to your rebuilding of relationships, if you keep the perspective of having been “deprived” of your rightful
privileges and possessions. In fact, if you have lost people dear to you and possessions you worked hard for, it may be more helpful to accept that you traded them away in return for “that feeling.” The loss of meaning and positive self-regard, through neglect, distraction and deceit is painful to accept. Only through acceptance of our own frailty can we hope to re-build a whole and wholesome self. All else is simply a flight into health; and short-lived at that.
Recovery can be an arduous process if properly done. Try not to run before you can walk.
If you want to fly, take the time to grow wings.
Yes. You can.
Do you have a drinking problem? Use this quick test to find out.
Published February 8, 2010 Addictions Leave a CommentTags: alcohol problem, alcoholic, depression and drinking, drinking, drinking alone, drinking problem, problem drinking, test for alcoholism
This post is being republished due to recent conversations I’ve had both in and outside of my office. 
Do you drink alcohol? If so, do you manage it easily and safely, or do you have a drinking problem? Social drinking (no more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women) is widely practiced and accepted, and according to some researchers even may reduce the risk of coronary disease. A “drink” should be considered as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces (one shot) of liquor. Many people however have a problem with alcohol that threatens their health, relationships and employment, and may endanger or distress other people. Counting drinks on a daily basis may not give you a clear understanding of the impact of alcohol in your life or on others around you, so along with counting drinks a broader view is necessary. Some signs of problems drinking include: Becoming moody or argumentative after drinking; Drinking more for the same effect; Drinking alone; Drinking to cope with issues such as loneliness, or discontent with ones partner or job; Drinking to ward off depression or anxiety; Mishandling daily affairs or relationships; Forgetting events that occur while drinking; Discovering that former friends are staying away from you because of your drinking.
The Alcohol Use Disorders Indentification Test (AUDIT) was developed by the World Health Organiztion of provide a simple screening tool. It can be used by anyone to help decide if you or someone you know might need a more thorough assessment for problem drinking.
To take the AUDIT just answer each question with the honest number of 1, 2, 3 or 4 (**questions #9 and #10 can be scored only with a zero, a two or a four). Remember, not being honest with yourself as you answer the questions may be a sign that you have a drinking problem you are afraid to face.
1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol? 0 (never)/1 (monthly or less)/2 (two to three times per month)/3 (two to three times per week)/ 4 (four or more times per week)
2. How many drinks do you have on a typical day when you are drinking? 0 (none)/ 1 (one or two)/ 2 (three or four)/ 3 (five or six)/ 4 (seven to nine) ** Score 5 points if your response is ten or more drinks on a typical day.
3.How often do you have more than three drinks (women) or more than five drinks (men) on one occasion. 0 (never)/ 1 (less than monthly)/ 2 (monthly)/ 3 (weekly)/ 4 (daily or almost daily)
4. How often during the last year have you found that you were unable to stop drinking once you had started? 0 (never)/ 1 (less than monthly)/ 2 (monthly)/ 3 (weekly)/ 4 (daily or almost daily)
5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was expected from you [not going to work or school, ignoring relationship, medical or legal expectations] because of drinking? 0 (never)/ 1 (less than monthly)/ 2 (monthly)/ 3 (weekly)/ 4 (daily or almost daily)
6. How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session? 0 (never)/ 1 (less than monthly)/ 2 (monthly)/ 3 (weekly)/ 4 (daily or almost daily)
7. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse [for your behavior or for drinking itself) after drinking? 0 (never)/ 1 (less than monthly)/ 2 (monthly)/ 3 (weekly)/ 4 (daily or almost daily)
8. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking? 0 (never)/ 1 (less than monthly)/ 2 (monthly)/ 3 (weekly)/ 4 (daily or almost daily)
9. Have you or someone else been injured [intentional or not, self-inflicted or from another] as a result of your drinking [and/or while drinking]? 0 (never)/ (no score of “1″ -skip to score two)/2 (yes, but not in the last year)/ (no score of “3″- skip to score 4)/ 4 (yes, during the last year)
10. Has a relative, doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down? 0 (never)/ (no score of “1″ -skip to score two)/2 (yes, but not in the last year)/ (no score of “3″- skip to score 4)/ 4 (yes, during the last year)
Add up the numbers for the ten questions to get your score. A score of 8 or more indicates possible problem drinking and the need for a more thorough assessment. If your score indicates the need for an assessment, you should consult a qualified health provider to discuss your drinking and the possible treatments that are available to you. If your total score is less than eight but more than four, it would be advisable to consider how you are using alcohol, and ask someone close to you if they believe you are a problem drinker. If your score is less than four, you are probably using alcohol responsibly, and can simply be mindful of any changes in your use or in the results of your drinking.
