There is a fine line between drinking while having a good time and drinking to the point of excess. When you reach the point of excess, you lose control over your drinking, allowing the alcohol to control you. So how do you know when you have reached this point and need to get help? Here are some of the warning signs that you may have an addiction to alcohol:
You Engage in Binge Drinking Several Times a Week
Binge drinking is commonly defined as more than four drinks in a single sitting for men, more than three for women. Although this behavior is quite common, and many people do it every once in a while, it could raise a red flag if you are drinking to this level multiple times every week. It is all about the larger pattern in play here. Track your drinking for a few weeks to see just how much you are really drinking.
You Experience Gaps in Your Memory after Drinking
Blacking out is one of the most common signs that you are drinking too much. This does not mean that you simply forgot a few minor details of a long conversation; rather, this refers to occasions when you can’t remember how you got home from the bar or don’t remember cooking that pot of macaroni and cheese that is still sitting out in your kitchen the next morning. Serious gaps like this are clear signals that you drank too much for your body and brain to handle. http://www.my12stepstore.com/Diary-Of-An-Alcoholic-Housewife-Alcoholics-Anonymous.html
You Prioritize Drinking over Other Activities in Your Life
If you find yourself frequently calling in sick to work because you are too hung-over from the night before or avoiding other responsibilities in your life, it could be a sign that alcohol is playing a bigger role in your life than you realized. If you need to take the occasional day off, it might not be a big deal, but it could become a problem if this is an ongoing issue. Your superiors at work are likely to take notice, and it could potentially harm your career. http://www.my12stepstore.com/Undrunk-A-Skeptics-Guide-To-AA-Alcoholics-Anonymous.html
While none of these factors on their own prove that you have a drinking problem, a combination of multiple factors makes a strong case in that direction. When you are ready to begin the road to recovery, you can find everything you need at My 12 Step Store.