OAK LEAVES FAMILY SERVICE
COLUMN - APRIL, 1999
Lately I feel as if my life is one mad roller
coaster ride. Between work and home responsibilities I feel so stressed
out. Any suggestions for getting my life back on a calmer track?
If you're aware that your mind is putting up red flags, you probably should
take heed. You're right to be concerned about developing a drinking habit
since a predisposition to alcoholism runs in families. While this doesn't
mean that you will become an alcoholic if you drink, it does mean that you
should carefully monitor your drinking patterns.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, if
you would like to learn more about alcoholism, check out these resources:
- Alcoholics Anonymous -- 312/346-1475
- Alanon (families and friends of alcoholics) – 708/848-2707
- Alateen (teens in alcoholic families) – 708/848-2707
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Alcohol is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the United States.
While it is used responsibly by most, millions of Americans do end up abusing
alcohol.
About 43 percent of U.S. adults – 76 million people – have been exposed
to alcoholism in the family. They either grew up with or married an alcoholic
or a problem drinker, or had a blood relative who was an alcoholic or problem
drinker. And alcohol's toll on the health of America is great – it contributes
to 100,000 deaths annually, making it the third leading cause of preventable
mortality in the U.S.
How can you tell if you or someone you care about has a drinking problem?
"Perhaps the biggest indication that drinking has become a problem is when
a person continues to drink despite the fact it's having negative effects
on his or her life," says Beverly Allen, LCPC, substance abuse treatment
counselor at Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park & River Forest.
"Many of us postpone accepting or even deny that drinking is becoming a
problem for us or for those close to us. Continuing to drink when it is
causing problems in our life is a clear indication that we can't control
our drinking."
Here's a few questions that can help a person determine whether or not they
might have an alcohol problem.
- Are you uneasy about your drinking patterns? Are you concerned about
why you drink, how much, and/ or how you feel when you drink?
- Do you sometimes feel you need alcohol to have a good time?
- Has anyone ever talked to you about your drinking behavior?
- Do you find you're better able to socialize with people when you've
had a few drinks?
- Have you ever had a drink or two before going to work, class or an
appointment to boost your courage?
- Do you do things when you've been drinking that you wouldn't do if
your were sober?
- Do you turn to alcohol to make you feel better when things go wrong
at work, school or in your relationships?
- Do you make a point of always having alcohol available in your home?
- Do you sometimes forget things that happen while you were drinking?
Be alert that alcohol could be a problem for you if you answered yes to
any of these questions. The chances that you may have a drinking problem
are increased with the more yes answers you give. It may be that you are
using alcohol to deal with stressful situations in your life. "Using alcohol
as a coping mechanism may set you up for a destructive pattern of alcohol
abuse when you are faced with additional life stresses," says Allen. "There
are many constructive ways to cope with stress. It's important that you
seek them out rather than using alcohol as your primary stress reliever."
If you do suspect that you have a drinking problem, seek help. Remember,
alcoholism is a disease, not a character flaw, and as a disease it is treatable.
Located at 120 S. Marion, Oak Park, Family Service & Mental Health Center
of Oak Park & River Forest is a not-for-profit social service and mental
health agency that provides counseling, psychiatric and prevention/education
programs to men, women, youth and families. To learn more about our programs
or to make an appointment, contact us at (708) 383-7500.
