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| wholelife action area> getting to know myself better my working life personal relationships health - mind and body leisure, social and 'me time' mindercises |
learn about your relationship with alcohol
Most
of us have experienced that lovely light-headed sensation shortly after
having an alcoholic drink, particularly on an empty stomach. It feels
good and our defences are lowered. We speak more freely and like the sound
of our own voices. Those of us who are normally shy may feel able to come
out of our shells. Those of us who are normally extrovert and confident
may go over the top and try to play the star role in an inappropriate
manner.
Nevertheless a moderate amount of alcohol
undeniably makes us feel good. The research
pundits are also keen to tell us that drinking a glass of wine a day seems
to be good for your health. The whisky drinkers among my readers probably
know all about the anti-blood clotting properties attributed to their
favourite tipple!
Unfortunately something as initially pleasurable and easily attainable
as alcohol, has a downside. Yes, alcohol is
dangerous. I'm not just talking about the tragedy
associated with chronic alcoholism and cirrhosis of the liver. Rather
I would like you to focus on the amount of true time that an alcoholic
daze deprives you of. All this is quite apart from that awful hangover,
your pounding headache, your disturbed sleep, your smelly breath, your
poisoned cells and the inability to concentrate at work 'the morning after
the night before'.
If you choose to drink alcohol, and the vast majority of us do, then be
aware of that choice and look at it closely. See
if you can choose to drink sensible amounts
on a sustained basis. If your drinking has already got out of hand, then
may be you can re-examine your drinking habits and choose to make changes.
I say 'may be' because, as with all physically addictive substances, there
will probably be a tough period of withdrawal when you may need additional
medical and emotional support. However strong your will is to succeed
on Day 1 be aware that you are susceptible
to the physical temptation of alcohol for a very long time.
Your GP will advise you and there are many helpful organisations offering
support both for yourself and for your relatives.
For the purposes of the WholeLife Action Area let us assume that you are
not out of control with alcohol but feel that an appraisal of the situation
could be helpful. Select the 'appropriate to you' questions below and
answer them honestly while you are stone cold sober!
- Do
I feel 'good' when I have a drink?
- Do
I feel 'bad' when I drink too much?
- Do
I recognise that drinking in moderation is a pleasurable experience?
- Do
I accept that when I drink, I am putting a toxic substance into my body?
- Do
I have at least one drink most days?
- Am
I drinking too much for my body type and weight?
- Do
I tend to drink alcohol on an empty stomach?
- Do
I use an alcoholic drink as a way of relaxing after a hard day?
- Do
I recognise that most drinks are high in non-nutritious calories?
- Do
I recognise that sometimes I drink non-nutritious calories at the expense
of nutritious food?
- Do
I accept that I may have a physical addiction to alcohol?
- Do
I accept the fact that breaking a physical addiction requires commitment?
- What
methods have I already tried to give up or cut down on drinking alcohol?
- What
are my particular drinking cues ---on my own, in the pub, with a meal
etc?
- Can
I change my drinking cues while I am physically withdrawing from alcohol?
- Can
I visualise myself as a moderate controlled drinker?
- Can
I visualise myself as a non-drinker?
- Do
I feel good about my potential to change my drinking habits?
- Do
I choose to drink only sensible amounts of alcohol?
- Do I choose to be a non-drinker?