Approaching someone you love with your concerns about their drinking behaviors is never easy, but avoiding the problem may only make matters worse in the long run. Alcoholism is a type of substance abuse, which altogether account for 47,000 deaths in Canada every year. When you care about your loved ones and want to see them get better, confronting them about their alcohol abuse patterns may be the first step to recovery.
Here are some telltale signs of alcohol abuse that should set off red flags:
- Lying about drinking. People often recognize when they are drinking more than is socially acceptable, and may try to hide it by either drinking in secret or lying to others about how much they’ve had. Sneaking around may signal a serious problem lurking in the shadows.
- Drinking at work. Substance abuse in the workplace statistics suggest that it may be more common than you think. But there’s a difference between being able to enjoy a single beer with lunch and keeping a thermos of alcohol desk-side. Other substance abuse in the workplace statistics show that drinking patterns can make it hard to hold down a job, unsurprisingly.
- Increased tolerance. Perhaps the two of you used to enjoy a night out every now and then. But now, your loved one may be able to drink more without effects — or may be drinking so much as to black out regularly. These are problematic behaviors that could put a strain on your relationship, as well as the person’s health.
- Drinking to feel better. Yes, many of us like to have a drink after a hard day at work. But if the only way a person can relax is through alcohol, they need to find better coping mechanisms. It’s better to spot these behaviors before they turn into real types of substance abuse.
If you’re still concerned about how to best approach your loved one about their drinking patterns or behaviors, call a hotline or speak with an addictions counselor. They may help you in setting up an intervention or assist you with different strategies of approach. The important thing is to get help before it’s too late. Read this website for more information.