Alcohol is a fundamental part of socialization. Movies illustrate that the bar is the main place to meet a significant other and celebrations are typically saturated with fancy drinks.
It is difficult to measure how much drinking is too much drinking because it is normalized in society and because it is specific to each person.
Three Steps to Measure How Much Drinking Is Too Much Drinking
The first way to measure how much is too much is to first measure how we feel about ourselves. Do we feel good about ourselves and the decisions that we are making? Are we feeling embarrassed about decisions or behaviors induced by alcohol?
The second aspect of our lives to measure is manageability. Has drinking negatively impacted any areas of our lives? Have we had any negative consequences at work due to drinking? Has drinking been the hot topic in any recent argument with our significant other or close family members? Have we chose not to do something that we would have regularly enjoyed doing due to being hungover or wanting to drink instead?
The third aspect to measure is withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms aren’t always being violently ill. Withdrawal symptoms can be as simple as experiencing irritability and anxiousness when not drinking. Are you able to sit still and watch a movie without thinking about alcohol? Do you feel uncomfortable in your own skin when not drinking alcohol?
Physical symptoms that comes as a result of withdrawal are: Anxiety, Trembling Hands, Nausea/Vomiting, Insomnia, Headache, Sweating, Hallucinations, Delusions, Fever and High Blood Pressure.
It is important to note that our bodies are genetically made up differently and drinking alcohol will have different effects on different people based on their sex, size, race, etc. For example, a three hundred pound man might be able to drink more than a one hundred pound woman without any negative consequences based on their size/sex differences.
This is a generic measurement for anyone curious about their own drinking and not meant to be used as a way of judging ourselves or others. For anyone wanting to gain more clarity on their own drinking patterns, take an alcohol assessment here.
If you are someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, please contact an addictions therapist. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism and is experiencing withdrawal symptoms, please reach out to the nearest medical facility.
Are you curious if your drinking patterns are becoming an addiction?
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