Do I have a drinking problem?....a DRINKING PROBLEM?
It is often the way we ask ourselves this question that keeps us from finding the answer. What is a "DRINKING PROBLEM," anyway?
For me, getting the right answer involved a series of simple questions:
"Is drinking affecting my job in any ways I am unhappy with?"
"Is drinking affecting my relationship with my family in ways I'm not completely satisfied with?"
"Is drinking in any way adversely affecting my health?"
"Is drinking in any way causing me unhappiness?"
When I had to answer yes to these questions, it became easier to accept that, perhaps, alcohol was causing me some problems.
But, do I have a "Drinking Problem?" Well, all I can say is at the time I didn't know whose criteria to use, and I wasn't sure I cared if I fit someone else's definition anyway.
I just came to feel that my use of alcohol was causing me some problems, and I needed to stop.
And I did.