Are You Drinking Too Much? 6 Signs You Might Be Overdoing It (And What to Do)

Drinking can be fun and a way to unwind with your friends or loved ones. But for some, it can become a habit that is hard to get rid of. The worst part is that some people may not realize they are addicted to alcohol or are on the path to addiction. If you or someone you know is finding it a tad bit difficult to cut back, here are some important signs that you can check on and explore healthy mechanisms to cope. 

6 Signs You Might Be Drinking Too Much 

You Drink More Than You Planned To

If you tend to drink more than you might have planned to drink or drink for longer periods at a party or home, this might be a sign. This clearly shows a difficulty in controlling your alcohol intake. 

You Face Withdrawal Symptoms

You tend to feel anxious, have mood swings, have an increased heart rate, nausea, shaking, or sweating, or have troubled sleep every time you decide to give up alcohol. This shows your body’s reaction to the absence of alcohol, hinting at dependency on alcohol. 

You Make Rules And Break Them

You make strict rules about your drinking, only to break them. The cycle continues as you create new rules, which you inevitably break again. This reflects a pattern of internal conflict where you do recognise the need to curb drinking, but just cannot resist it. 

Also Read: 10 Crazy Alcohol Laws Around the World You Won’t Believe Exist

You Develop A Habit Of Binge Drinking

You begin drinking, or let's say binge drinking, on weekends, every weekend. Binge drinking or heavy drinking at the end of the day affects your health, and at the same time, is a sign of marching towards drinking too much. 

You Experience Memory Blackouts

One clear sign of excessive drinking is experiencing complete or partial blackouts, which means forgetting events that occurred while or after drinking. This phenomenon is known as an alcohol-induced blackout, during which your brain temporarily loses the ability to retain information or form new memories.

You Continue Drinking Despite Problems

Continuing to drink despite its negative effects on your life is a sign that should not be overlooked. You may notice that it is clearly impacting your social and personal life, yet you find yourself unable to stop.

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What To Do?

Track Your Intake

As they say, “God helps those who help themselves”, so make sure you too help yourself by tracking the intake and monitoring the reason behind the same. It can help you find a solution for it. 

Trigger Elements

Some people look at drinking as an escape from their personal or professional problems, which leads to drinking more than just to unwind. Detect the root causes and start working on solving them, which in turn might reduce your drinking intake. 

Confide In A Friend

You can talk to your trustworthy friend and express your feelings about drinking alcohol, and let them know of the above signs. He/she can help in monitoring your intake and come up with ideas to help you. 

Seek Professional Help

If you do not trust any of your friends or do not wish to let them know, you can always seek help from therapy, support groups, or counselors. There are specific professional institutions that help people get rid of drinking too much, and you can thoroughly trust them. 

Summing Up

Drinking to unwind, in moderation, won’t cause you problems, but drinking too much can! So, if it's not you, check on your friends if they need help!