As we head into peak drinking season, looking again at the reasons why people drink too much can help us stay in control as it increases our motivation to drink less.
We’ve listed some of the reasons why people drink too much below
- I can sleep better
- I feel less physical pain
- It gives me a reason to go out with my friends
- I feel less anxious
- Drinking helps me to have fun and socialise
- Drinking helps me deal with problems
- I am less bored
- Drinking makes me more of a fun person
- I feel less emotional pain
- My drinking helps give me energy and keeps me going
- I am more sure of myself when I am drinking
- People seem to like me better when I am drinking
- I feel calmer
- It is very easy to buy
- I feel less sad
- Drinking helps me to loosen up and express myself
- I like myself better when I am drinking
- I can relax more easily
- Without alcohol my life would be dull and boring
- I am less troubled by shaking or feeling sick
- It gives me a nice warm feeling
- Not drinking at a social gathering would make me feel too different
- It is very cheap to buy in supermarkets
- I am more creative
Don’t worry if you’ve ticked all the reasons
Don’t worry if you feel you’re ticking all the reasons. Valerie ticked yes to nearly every box in the list and she still managed to get her drinking under control.
There may also be other reasons not listed above why people drink too much so list these reasons as well.
Take action
Looking at your pros, think about how you can get these benefits of drinking in a less harmful way.
For example, if you think life is boring without alcohol, could you take up a new activity that interests and excites you? Skydiving maybe!
If drinking helps you sleep, there are other ways to get a good night’s sleep without the downsides of alcohol.
If dealing with feelings make you drink more, you might find talking to someone useful and we’ve some suggestions here.
People drinking too much can help themselves
Understanding the reasons you drink too much, is a big step forward in reducing your drinking to low risk levels. So try listing your reasons for drinking as this will help you to take action to manage your drinking. In our next post we’ll look at the cons of drinking too much.
