What is your relationship with alcohol?

That’s a question that we ask everyone that calls us looking for help after a DUI arrest. We understand this is a question that you might not ever consider for yourself if you’re not facing DUI charges.  Which is why we think it’s an important one to ask – because it’s an indicator of other things that might be going on in your world. After all, nobody gets arrested for a DUI when things are going well in their life.

Does this mean that most of our clients are addicted to alcohol (or other drugs)? No. In fact most aren’t, and they do have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol or another substance. And whether it’s a long-standing relationship or a more recent one, we still recommend that many of our clients attend AA meetings or other support groups. Not because they are on their way to becoming an addict, but because it helps them get perspective that alcohol is causing them to have negative effects on other areas of their life that are important to them – whether family relationships, health & fitness, their job, education, etc.

It’s important to note that we commend our clients for their willingness to have such a deep level of conversation with us. Confronting your relationship with alcohol requires honesty and courage about how it impacts your life. It also requires compassion and a readiness to ask for help if you uncover any underlying issues.

How to find out

So where do you start if you‘re questioning your relationship with alcohol? To begin, Verywellmind offers a quiz that has been medically verified by an addiction and preventative medicine specialist. Designed as a quick, at-home assessment, a quiz can help you evaluate if drinking is getting in the way of your happiness or other aspects of your life.

Steps to take

If you want to modify your drinking habits without stopping completely, and you don’t want to sacrifice your social life to do it, the good news is that you have options. For example, when you’re out for an evening and people offer you drinks, try a few simple phrases, like, “I’m driving,” “No, thanks, I just finished one,” and “I’ve had my limit for tonight.” This can help you avoid giving in to the pressure to drink when you’re trying to cut back. Or, simply talk with your friends about your decision and ask for support. You might be surprised by their reaction.

If you would prefer to quit drinking altogether, it might be in your best interests to ditch old routines and old social circles. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun. There are plenty of options to help you develop new habits and make new friends, like adopting a new exercise program or joining a support group. Nowadays there are many non-alcohol focused events happening every weekend, offering in-person connection and fun that is alcohol free.   

Ready for a change

Taking an honest look at your relationship with alcohol is not easy, but it can be very necessary. And if you determine that you do have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and want to take a deeper look to see what’s really going on in your life, we have the perfect program for you. Window of Clarity can help you get more out of life than what you’ve recently experienced and help you create new habits that will ultimately lead you to a better life.