How do you redefine your relationship with alcohol?

We all feel like we know our ourselves better than anyone else. But what if we don’t? It’s easy to ignore or excuse certain behaviors that are part of a greater issue. Alcohol abuse can hit close to home, and we often miss some warning signs before it’s too late. It’s important to recognize these warning signs when they arise; acting on them quickly can prevent the problem from becoming worse, or even fatal. You owe it to your family, your household, and yourself to be aware of these warning signs. The best way to do this is to redefine your relationship with alcohol. Here’s some tips to get started.

Identify habits that are part of the alcohol abuse. Many struggling with alcohol abuse are ‘social drinkers’. This type of drinking is incorporated heavily into social gatherings – be it house parties, bars, Drinking games are a common part of parties, which can lead to regularly getting drunk or even blacking out. Even events such as fishing often include a cooler of beers or something harder. The way friend groups meet up can be a problem as well; groups who predominantly meet at bars mean alcohol is heavily associated with ‘having fun’. If their stress releases all involve drinking, they could have a problem.

Build sober activities together. Find sober activities to do together. A common issue with those struggling with alcohol is the social component; much of the activities they do for enjoyment include drinking. By finding things you can do together that don’t involve drinking, you can help develop a healthy and sober lifestyle. Some good activities are hiking, walking, or taking community education classes together. These are inexpensive and are good for physical and mental fitness. If there’s an activity they often do while drinking, try to find an alternative that can be done without alcohol. For example, if they often play drinking games, try to find card or board games they can play without drinking. Critically, you need to find what works for the both of you to replace their unhealthy behaviors.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, contact RecoverUs Centers by calling 1-618-519-9444 or emailing start@recoveruscenters.com for assistance.