Should I Be Concerned with My Drinking? Steps Towards Awareness.
The legal age to drink and purchase alcoholic beverages in most States in the United States is 21. Many young adults are excited to engage in this rite of passage into "adulthood" with little to no guidance on the risk factors associated with alcohol consumption. While alcoholic beverages come with a warning label, the current label is very vague, and the messaging is directed toward pregnant women and discouraging the use of motor vehicles or heavy machinery while consuming alcohol. However, what is missing is education and the prevention of substance misuse. If you were to ask a clinician in the mental health and substance use treatment profession about alcohol use, the understanding of the risks associated with alcohol use would be far more comprehensive and truly provide the definition of drinking responsibly. This post aims to provide information that consumers may want to be mindful of or may have asked themselves, which is, when does drinking become problematic?
Cultural Considerations
Before we discuss possible warning signs indicating that you may want to change your drinking habits, we must first consider the cultural and social context of alcohol use. The consumption of alcohol varies across gender, race, ethnicity, community, and setting. Alcohol consumption is more prevalent among males than females and across races; problematic alcohol consumption is more prevalent among White consumers compared to African American, Latinx, and Asian consumers (Sudhinaraset et al., 2016). However, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the percentage of male college students drinking alcohol was 51% compared to 53% of female college students (2021).
Social norms also influence alcohol consumption and can provide a sense of belonging and a shared experience which can account for a trend in alcohol consumption in the workforce during employer-sponsored events (Moan & Halkjelsvik, 2020). Considerations should also be taken for immigrants whose legal drinking age may differ from the United States. While exploring the consequences of underage drinking is noteworthy, today's discussion focuses on identifying the signs of problematic drinking among consumers of age in the United States.
Signs Your Drinking May Be an Issue
If you are concerned with your alcohol consumption, below are some signs that may assist you in preventing alcohol use issues from escalating:
You have a persistent desire to reduce or control alcohol use.
You believe you need alcohol to fall asleep.
You need a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session.
You have a craving, strong desire, or persistent urge to use alcohol.
Cessation of or reduction of alcohol causes symptoms such as sweating, increased heart rate, insomnia, hand tremors, nausea, vomiting, or anxiety.
You cannot remember what happened the night before because of your drinking.
A family member or friend has expressed concern about your alcohol consumption.
Screening for Alcohol Use Disorder
If you made it to this point and want to make changes to your drinking behavior of alcohol, there are clinicians who can provide you with a comprehensive screening and offer information and resources to help you with your goals. When screening for alcohol use disorder, your medical or mental health provider will ask you questions to understand your drinking habits. Some questions to expect are how often you have a drink containing alcohol, how many drinks you consume in a typical day, how drinking alcohol has impacted your functioning and the negative consequences you have experienced because of alcohol.
The clinician will also want to understand your attempts to reduce or stop alcohol consumption. Your responses are scored, which provides the clinician with a baseline of the level of risk associated with alcohol consumption, and based on that information; the clinician will be better able to use appropriate interventions based on your responses. A possible intervention would be a referral for specialized substance use and addiction treatment. You can also take an anonymous and confidential online mental health screening found on the Mental Health of America website at https://mhascreening.org.
Treatment Therapies
There are a variety of evidence-based treatment options available for alcohol use disorder. You and your mental health professional will work on a treatment plan that fits your goals. Types of therapies for alcohol use disorder include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Aaron T. Beck founded CBT for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. This approach aims to identify the causal relationship between distorted thoughts and emotions for mental health issues.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – DBT was initially developed to treat individuals with active suicidal ideation and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors such as cutting. However, DBT is effective in treating many mental health disorders. DBT treatment teaches individuals a plethora of coping skills to prevent unwanted behaviors.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) – The goal of motivational interviewing in treating substance use disorder is to increase the individual's desire to change. Some individuals and their families may deny their alcohol use, and the stigma of substance use and addiction can reinforce this denial and avoidance of treatment.
12-Step Facilitation – This form of therapy includes 12-step help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Self-help groups are a cost-effective way to provide the necessary support for an individual with a substance use disorder during treatment and post-treatment (Krider, 2020).
Medication – Psychopharmacological treatment may also be needed for more complex substance abuse issues.
Final Thoughts
If you or someone you know wants an objective, non-judgmental, and comprehensive opinion of your alcohol use, I highly encourage you to seek a mental health professional. If you are not yet ready to seek professional assistance, then take a moment to evaluate your relationship with and reason for alcohol use. By becoming aware of your behaviors, you can create a plan that meets your needs and regain control of your emotions and behaviors to prevent them from becoming more severe. I pray you found this post helpful, and if you know someone who would benefit from this information, please share it with them. If you want to learn more about mental health topics, contact me at connect@humanfreely.com.
Insight Corner
How old were you when you first consumed alcohol?
How would your life be different if you were better able to manage your alcohol consumption?
What have your loved ones said about your alcohol consumption?
***Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or dial 911 if you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency.
References
Krider, E. (2020). Recovery and support groups [Unpublished manuscript]. Grand Canyon University.
Moan, I. S., & Halkjelsvik, T. (2020). Work-related alcohol use and harm to others. Substance Use & Misuse, 55(14), 2305–2313. DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2020.1801744
SAMHSA. (2021). Fact sheet: Facts on college student drinking [PDF]. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep21-03-10-006.pdf
Sudhinaraset, M., Wigglesworth, C., & Takeuchi, D.T. (2016). Social and cultural contexts of alcohol use: Influences in a social-ecological framework. Alcohol Research, 38(1):35–45. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4872611/.
About the Author
Erica Krider, MA, is a dedicated mental health professional and the Founder & CEO of Human Freely® LLC. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South University, West Palm Beach, FL, Erica is on her way to becoming a fully licensed counselor in Florida. She is also a Board Member for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org). Passionate about faith, family, and fostering resilience, she empowers communities with hope and healing. Erica also hosts the popular podcast, Mental Health Insight with Erica Krider, where she shares valuable mental health resources and insights. Explore more about her work and find helpful resources at www.humanfreely.com.
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