Recognising problematic alcohol use

 

RECOGNISING THE SIGNS

Is your drinking becoming a problem?

 

Recognising and accepting the signs of problematic alcohol use can be the first step towards making positive changes. Some common signs include:

 

• Increased tolerance: needing more alcohol to get the same effect as before.

• Binge drinking: regular episodes of heavy drinking where you feel unable to control how much you drink, followed by time spent recovering.

• Cravings and withdrawal: a strong urge to drink, and symptoms such as sweating, shaking or poor sleep when you try to cut down or stop.

• Neglecting responsibilities: drinking taking priority over work, relationships, health or time with your children.

• Risky behaviour: drinking in situations where it is dangerous, such as before driving or operating machinery.

• Denial or rationalisation: making excuses for drinking, or playing down its impact on your life.

 

 

UNHELPFUL BELIEFS

Common thoughts that can keep drinking going

 

• “I can’t have fun without alcohol.”

• “Drinking helps me relax and cope with stress.”

• “I’m not an alcoholic; I just enjoy drinking.”

• “I can stop whenever I want to.”

• “I know people who drink a lot more than me.”

 

 

THE IMPACT

How problematic drinking can affect your life

 

The effects of problematic drinking can be far-reaching, and are not always obvious at first. They can include:

 

 

1. Physical health

 

Over time, heavy drinking can contribute to liver damage, heart disease, a weakened immune system, weight gain and vitamin B deficiency, leaving you feeling tired and unwell. Falls, injuries and the risk of being assaulted also become more likely.

 

 

2. Relationships

 

Secretive drinking can damage trust with family, friends and partners, and broken promises to cut down can lead to arguments, distance and isolation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Work and money

 

Working with a hangover can affect your performance and put your job at risk, and spending on alcohol can add to financial stress.

 

 

4. Legal problems

 

Drink-driving and other risky behaviour while drinking can lead to fines, driving bans or imprisonment, and court cases may be reported publicly.

 

 

5. Mental health

 

Problematic drinking often goes hand in hand with anxiety or low mood. Alcohol may seem to help at first, but over time it tends to make these feelings worse.

 

 

6. Quality of life

 

The cycle of drinking and struggling to cut down can crowd out hobbies, goals and enjoyment, and everyday tasks can start to feel like more effort than they should.

 

 

WHAT COULD CHANGE

Life with less alcohol

 

Everyone’s experience is different, but people who change their drinking often describe benefits such as:

 

• better sleep and more energy

• improved physical and mental health

• more trust and connection in their relationships

• better focus at work and more control over money

• more time and energy for hobbies and personal goals

 

 

HOW WE CAN HELP

Our approach

 

John Wilkinson has worked in drug, alcohol and mental health services for 27 years. Our outpatient programmes combine one-to-one talking therapy with John and Rapid Transformational Therapy® (RTT®) with Dr Shyra Raj, and aim to address the emotional drivers behind your drinking as well as the habit itself.

 

• Talking therapy: one-to-one sessions tailored to your needs, looking at patterns, triggers and coping strategies, spaced weekly or fortnightly to suit you.

• RTT® hypnotherapy: sessions with Dr Shyra Raj, with personalised hypnosis recordings to listen to between sessions. RTT® combines elements of hypnotherapy, CBT, NLP and psychotherapy.

 

We offer four levels of treatment, so you can choose the support that fits where you are. You can find full details on our treatment programmes and RTT® pages.

 

 

YOUR NEXT STEP

Start with a free, confidential conversation

 

Book a complimentary 30-minute consultation, or email John at john@cheshiresobrietyclinic.co.uk with any questions about your circumstances.

 

Cheshire Sobriety Clinic is not a crisis service and does not provide medically managed detox. If you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous, so please speak to your GP or NHS 111 before cutting down. In an emergency, call 999.