I once heard an astounding statistic: 10% of the people who drink alcoholic beverages in this country are responsible for consuming 70% of the alcohol.
That means that most people can have a drink or two without consequences. But for a significant minority of folks, alcohol consumption is a real problem.
Alcohol use disorders span a continuum that includes binge drinking and drinking too much in one sitting, to alcohol dependence or alcoholism where one's body has become physically dependent on alcohol.
Since an alcohol use disorder can be devastating physically, financially and emotionally, it is a good idea to take an inventory of your own drinking from time to time.
Here are four questions you should ask yourself:
- Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Have you felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
- Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to calm your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
If you can answer yes to two or more of these questions, chances are you have an alcohol use disorder, and you should seek medical help to cut down or quit drinking altogether.
Alcohol use disorder is a disease like hypertension and diabetes. And like hypertension and diabetes, your primary care provider can be your ally as you seek to live your best life.
This is Butch Odom for Church Health.