Am I Drinking or Using Too Much?

It has been a rough few years with COVID. A lot of us have probably sought solace from the isolation and monotony that comes with it by perhaps engaging in a little more alcohol or other drug use than we did prior to COVID.

You may even be concerned you’re dancing around with problematic use and finding it hard to return to more recreational imbibing. Let me normalize that for you, most people who use alcohol or other drugs do this- they transition from recreational use to problematic use. The great news is that most also transition back to recreational use, and sometimes it helps to see someone to get support in making this transition.

Exploring your relationship with your drug of choice (yes, alcohol is a drug) is always a good idea, and you asking for help shouldn’t mean you need to give it up entirely in order to talk about it.

Yes, some people’s use is so problematic that giving up all use (abstinence) is the right path for them, but even so, it should happen when they choose the path.

The number one reason why people who are concerned about their use do not seek help is that they do not want to give us their use entirely, and that’s the real problem- that so many programs require abstinence in order for you to engage in therapy.

It is important to seek help if you are concerned about your use, and it is also important that your therapist respects YOUR pace and goals in the process.