Can you really blame it on the alcohol?
If you or a loved one are interested in seeking help for excessive alcohol use, you've come to the right place!
Excessive alcohol consumption refers to drinking more than what is considered low-risk or moderate by health guidelines. It can be broken down into a few categories and stopped with appropriate abuse counseling services like those found at New Horizons Counseling in Hawaii. Let’s explore each category and where you or your loved one may relate:
1. Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. Typically, high amounts of alcohol are consumed within a short period of time in a single occasion. Men are considered binge drinkers if they consume 5 drinks or more on a single occasion within 2 hours and women if they consume 4 drinks or more.
2. Heavy Drinking
Heavy drinking is defined as consistent consumption over time that exceeds recommended weekly limits of more than 14 drinks per week for men and more than 7 drinks per week for women.
3. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Alcohol Use Disorder, AUD, is a medically-recognized condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse consequences. Signs of AUD include strong cravings for alcohol, developed tolerance that requires an increased
drink quantity to feel the effects, withdrawal symptoms when not drinking and continued use despite problems in work, relationships, or health. Excessive alcohol use is linked to numerous short- and long-term health risks, including liver disease, certain cancers, mental health disorders, and increased risk of accidents and injuries.
From time to time, I get calls from people who want an assessment to see whether or not they are an alcoholic. Some types of formal substance abuse assessments can be very costly and take several hours. I tell them that we can do the assessment right now, right here, on the phone, free of charge! This makes them happy, and so we begin:
Me: “Okay, are you ready?”
Caller: “Yes.”
Me: “Here is the first question: Do you drink?”
Caller: “Yes.”
Me: “Does your drinking cause you problems?”
Caller: “Yes.”
Me: “Okay, our assessment is over. You are a problem drinker. Let’s get started.”
There is often a chuckle on the other end of the line because they get my point. I tell them that I don’t care about labels. It doesn’t matter to me if you are labeled or "diagnosed" an alcoholic. What matters, is if the behavior or substance is causing you problems or pain. If it is, then you are not getting what you really want and need: peace of mind, happiness, joy, meaningful relationships, and good health. If your addiction is keeping you from any or all of these qualities, it's time to get some help!
If you're considering help for yourself or someone else and you reside in Hawaii, contact New Horizons Counseling today to find out more about our non-12-step, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) abuse counseling programs that can help you live a better tomorrow.
