It is possible for people who drink alcohol to underestimate the amount of alcohol they drink. Surveys find that people may think they drink up to 40% less alcohol than they do. Sadly, similar surveys show that people who consistently over-drink understand the dangers of overconsuming alcohol.
Ironically, these same individuals do not see themselves as heavy drinkers and have not identified that they have a problem. Many see themselves as moderate drinkers and therefore do not feel that they need to reduce the amount they drink.
If a person underestimates their alcohol consumption, they could be putting their health at risk. Alcohol addiction is a severe disease. It is not usually developed overnight. However, recovery can be long and challenging once it has taken hold. For individuals who have already created the disease of addiction, the first step to recovery is understanding that they have a problem.
Recognize the Danger of Underestimating Alcohol Consumption
People can be motivated to change dangerous habits if they understand their practices are unsafe. This will hopefully encourage them to take steps to avoid bad habits.
Some awareness campaigns have asked participants to record their daily alcohol consumption for two weeks to help people understand the dangers of underestimating their alcohol consumption. The diaries showed that participants were drinking a massive serving of wine every day. People were surprised to realize that they were consuming 40% more than they had imagined they were drinking.
Once a person understands the appropriate levels of alcohol consumption for their gender, age, and other factors and once they see their drinking habits, they can have a better view of whether they are drinking above the limits. They can then start to take steps to get their drinking under control.
Understanding the Health Risks of Excessive Alcohol Consumption
It is recommended that women limit their alcohol consumption to between two and three drinks a day and men to between three and four drinks a day. Anything more than that puts a person at risk for liver disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and other undesirable conditions.
Many people think their drinking is within the safety range when they are actually in the danger zone. People who were made aware of their drinking and decided to lower their alcohol consumption saw improvements in their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. People must comprehend the varied lifestyle and health benefits of reducing alcohol consumption. They are more inclined to seek treatment if needed when they do this.
Steps to Lower Alcohol Consumption
Some people have found that replacing alcoholic beverages with mineral water or soft drinks or changing the alcohol balance of their drinks helps them lower their alcohol intake. Some people who had the habit of having a drink or two at home before going out with friends got rid of the at-home glass to lower their alcohol consumption.
Reducing alcohol consumption can be difficult. When you remove anything from your diet or schedule, you feel like you are losing something. However, the positive benefits of lowering alcohol intake outweigh any potential losses.
How Reducing Alcohol Consumption Can Benefit You
Reducing the amount of alcohol you consume offers many positive benefits. These include:
• Spending less money
• Losing weight
• Getting more sleep
• Having more energy
People who unintentionally drink more than they realize are depriving themselves of benefits in life. For some people, their alcohol consumption has reached the point where they will need rehabilitation treatment. The only option may be to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages entirely. For other individuals, it may be enough to monitor and reduce their alcohol intake. Whatever the case, a person can only benefit by taking steps to ensure that their alcohol consumption is moderate.
Do you feel like you could benefit from help controlling your alcohol consumption? If so, it is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Realizing that you could benefit from therapy is the first step in taking control of your life. We want to help you. Contact us today at 833-610-1174.