Tuesday 13 February 2018

5 Signs That You're Drinking Too Much



In the final months of my long and turbulent love affair with wine, I would often end up asking Google or Siri if I had a drink problem.

Usually, one of those online questionnaires would pop up asking questions like do you drink first thing in the morning? Have you lost a job because of your drinking? Do you drink alone?

I'd answer 'yes' to some (of course I drink alone sometimes. Doesn't everyone? Anyhow, I'm not really on my own - the dog is here, and the kids are asleep upstairs...), but there were an awful lot I could answer 'no' to, which would convince me that I didn't really have a problem. 

Yay! Crack open the vino to celebrate!

However, alcohol addiction is not black and white. It's far more nuanced and complex than that. Like any addiction, it's progressive, it's fifty shades of grey (but not in a kinky way).

Alcohol can have a hugely negative impact on your life way before you get to the vodka-on-the-cornflakes stage. And the sooner you realise that it is a problem, the easier it is to address before you really do reach rock bottom.

So, based on my experience, and on the hundreds of e-mails I've had from readers over the years, here are the five signs that I wish I'd been told to look out for:

1. Is Alcohol Affecting Your Mental and Physical Health?

Alcohol has a huge impact on our mental and physical health, particularly as we get older.

It's not just the obvious things, like the hangovers, it's far more insidious than that.

If you have a problem with anxiety, you may well think that the booze helps you to relax. Well actually, it's the booze that's causing the anxiety. 

Alcohol affects our dopamine levels. When you have a drink you get a boost of dopamine which, admittedly, helps you to chill out, but the next day you'll get a corresponding domaine crash, which makes you feel hugely anxious.

And, over time, the brain reduces the levels of dopamine it produces to compensate for the alcohol you're drinking, making you feel generally depressed.

Sound familiar?

You may also find that you're getting worse and worse at sleeping. You get to sleep okay, but then wake up at around 3am tossing and turning for ages. That's the booze.

Muffin top? Nope, it's a wine belly. A bottle of wine contains around 650 calories.

Those are just some of the obvious ways in which booze is impacting on your health, but there are longer term and more dangerous ones too, like the fact that alcohol hugely increases your chance of getting seven different types of cancer.

2. You Keep Making (and Breaking) Rules

I did this for years before I finally quit drinking.

I did Dry January (but started a few days late and finished a week early).

I did 'not drinking during the week', but then decided that the weekend started on Thursday and ended on Monday. I did 'not drinking at home' and started going out an awful lot.

I tried alternating alcoholic drinks with water, which worked okay until I got slightly drunk, then I totally forgot about that rule. I tried only drinking weak beer, but after several of those I'd lose all willpower and order a vodka.

The constantly making and breaking of rules is exhausting and hugely damaging to your self esteem, and it's a really good sign that booze is no longer your friend.

3. You Keep Thinking About Alcohol

I know that there was a time, back in my dim and distant past, when I didn't think about alcohol at all, except when I was actually drinking it. But it started taking up more and more space in my head.

If you find yourself constantly thinking about if you're going to drink, when you're going to drink and how much you're going to drink, then it's starting to be an issue.

You might find that you've started to think really weird stuff (if so, don't worry, you are really not alone!)

Many of us, for example, started to worry about whether the supermarket cashiers were judging us and would rotate the shops we bought booze from. Or we'd worry about our neighbours checking out our bulging recycling bags.

You might also find that you've started to Google 'am I an alcoholic?' and that you're avidly reading articles titled things like 'Signs that you're drinking too much.' Just saying...

4. Your Memory is Playing Up

Alcohol is really toxic to our brains and our memories.

You might joke with your friends about how you can't remember the details of the party the night before, but actually, those memory blackouts are a really bad sign. You've overloaded your brain with so many toxins that it's stopped being able to make memories.

Maybe you've never experienced a full scale memory blackout (some people are more prone to them than others), but you may well have found that although you spent five hours at a party you can only really recall enough of it to fit into about an hour. And it takes you a while in the morning to remember how you got home and where you put your handbag and your phone.

That's called a 'brown out'. It's the precursor to a blackout, where your memory sort of flicks on and off like a malfunctioning lightbulb.

If any of this sounds familiar then you're drinking too much,

5. You're an All-or-Nothing Person

One thing I've learned is that some people are just more prone to addiction than others, and if you're one of these people then you really need to be careful around any form of drug (or even sugar, gambling and internet shopping!)

I call this tribe the 'all-or-nothing' people, and we are brilliant. We throw ourselves into everything - love, friendship, hobbies, you name it. We are hopeless at moderating all of that good stuff. But, sadly, we're also hopeless at moderating booze.

If you were totally unable to be a 'social smoker' and ended up with a packet a day habit, if you can't eat one crisp in a bowl and leave the others, if you've never seen the point in having only one small glass of wine, then it's likely that you and booze are not a good mix.

If you've read all of that and are now thinking OMG I HAVE A DRINK PROBLEM! WHAT DO I DO? then do not panic.

You might find that you're easily able to cut down, but if not (see point 2 above) then do ditch the drink! Go alcohol free! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

That anxiety, sleeplessness, wine belly, increased cancer risk - gone. The lack of self esteem as you keep making and breaking rules - no longer. All that time wasted thinking about drinking - no more. You'll have more energy, more money and a better life, and you'll be able to remember all of it!

If you're still not convinced then read the diary of the ups and down of my first year sober. Here's a link to my Amazon page. You can read the first few chapters for free using the 'Look Inside' feature.

Love to you all!

SM x


62 comments:

  1. It’s funny how alcohol is the one area of my life where attempting moderation never worked.
    It is a nothing. All was just too hard.

    The rest of the time I try to find the middle ground, it’s so hard! I am a go hard or go home type. Lol
    learning to relax is my path now. Lol. That’s where the joy is.

    Anne

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    1. I am exactly the same Anne! If I exercise or has to be everyday, if I eat chocolate I eat the lot!!!!!! But I suppose it’s who we are, and hey at least it makes us passionate about things, who wants to be wishy washy!!!!! 😉xxxxx

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  2. Once again you're got you have hit the nail on the head.
    I can identify with most of these signs, in particular the one about " brownouts" as opposed to the blackouts. I can remember waking up after a night out and pretending to remember everything when in actual fact I had little recollection of what had really happened. Oh, the shame the guilt the tears and the broken promises to my extremely tolerant husband.
    I have been alcohol free for 36 days now and I love the freedom of it.
    Still nervous though....
    Has anyone tried the " beer" Krombacher alcohol free. It's exactly like the real thing, but better. It's getting me through all my social outings so far.

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    1. Haven't tried Krombacher. My AF tipple was 0% Bitburger.

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  3. Before I'd have said yes to all of your "5 signs that you're drinking too much". My sleep, weight and energy levels are now all on track but thanks to my all or nothing personality my alcohol addiction has been replaced with a sugar addiction. I am working on ditching it too - its very hard.

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    1. Oh god yes!!! Im fighting sugar addiction too!

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    2. I also hit the chocolate ... So the weight loss did not occur, also I found curling up with a book more comforting and easy to do than a brisk walk ... However, nearly 18 months alcohol free now ... I am exercising more and eating less chocolate ... So hips are slowly smoothing out :-) The freedom, happiness, shiney hair (even white hair can shine!!) thinner face, energy just keep improving. Keep going .. Whatever works for you to beat the wine witch is the best road to travel xx. Happy Valentines Day lovely free people xx

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  4. All of the five signs above I did over and over again. It's was so true for me. I'm now 44 days in. Still sticking with it and strong. I miss drinking a lot but I know I have to keep going. There is no going back this time. My hair has come back to life and looks amazing. I get comments all the time on how great I'm looking and the weight I've lost. I don't actually feel like I've lost any but I must have as lots of people have commented. I'm still quite anxious but this comes and goes as opposed to constant. All in all I'm proud that I've found the courage to stop and that's what keeps me going the most. All the best of luck to everyone. Jacqueline x

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  5. Yes to all of those, quit 27 months ago and its the best thing I have ever done in my life! Great book btw, I enjoyed reading it x

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  6. Hi all, I'm 31 days af and feel so good about my decision.
    I particularly identify with SMs comments about anxiety. The day after id been drinking I always felt anxious and slightly paranoid? I would find it hard to meet peoples eyes and I would struggle to have conversations!
    I'm not sure I realised the link at the time.
    All that has disappeared now ��
    I truly feel more confident every day oh and my stomach is flatter!
    Praise be !!!
    Lets all keep going forever !!!

    Love to all

    Sarah b

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  7. Hi all can I join in 🙏 4 days in 4 me got to 20 last week and didn’t handle a situation right , learning, I’m happy healthier than I’ve been in a long time , I’m on the other sober mummy site for newbies ,think I need to see people writing it just helps me see all the strong women xx happy valentines lovelies, 💗💙

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    1. Hey what is the newbie sober mummy site? I've joined Soberistas and been writing a blog - http://poppinsgoessober.blogspot.co.uk I'm reading everything I can find and it is definitely helping!

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  8. Yes I ticked all of those boxes!!! I think when you spend so much time thinking about drinking, once you stop it just immediately frees up so much head space! I was constantly planning my weekends round a hangover, thinking up drinking rules, trying to remember what I have said/ done, trying to remember what I drank, and basically from the minute you stop all that disappears and leaves you with a lot more headspace. I now spend all that extra time thinking and planning positive things and creating a live I love with no feelings of regret and most importantly remembering all of it!! Sending lots of love to you all this valentines!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Xxxx

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  9. Lovely 😊 hello❤️ Ang75 day 5 morning 💚🌈 ✅

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    1. Hi loobylou, day 5 is amazing!!!!! 👍🏻😊xxxx

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    2. Day 4 for me. So far I love waking with a clear head.

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  10. Lovely to hear such positive stories! Hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and remembered to love yourself!!! ❤️❤️❤️

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  11. Checking in day 6 ❤️🌈🙏✅

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  12. Day 16 and the wine witch is particularly feisty (and it's only 10.30 am). Drinking a 0% beer already and considering watching tv instead of going chores to take my mind off it. Whatever works, right?

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    1. Yes, whatever works! I suggest downloading an audio book, sticking your headphones on and going out for a walk! You’re doing great! 😘😘😘

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    2. May I recommend the Sober Diaries audio book! Of course brilliantly written but also perfectly read. And I got it free on an audible trial!

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  13. I'm on day 25, and experienced so much of what you've written in this post. Stumbled on your book on my day 7 and it is wonderful. Thanks for sharing your experiences!!

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    1. So pleased you found me, and huge congrats on 25 days! Whoop whoop!

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  14. Totally relate! I've spent years making deals with myself. I spoke properly to OH last night about it and saying out loud some of these things, like how I think about alcohol all the time and even plan whether I'll watch another episode (because there needs to be enough wine to last), scared myself a bit. I'm wholly committed to a booze free life and you're a pretty big contributor in getting me to jump so thank you clare.

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    1. Yep I second that Kate, 51years of age this year and day 6 today got to day 20 last week and let a situation get the better if me, what did I achieve after 2 bottles nothing at all except a hangover the next day and not being able to enjoy myself like the feelings I had for the last 20 days of sober so yep gone for good you witch 🤞 myself and my bestie (alcohol free for 6 years) have just enjoyed a glass of no alcohol free wine , very nice and also great losing those super pounds from the booze as well , good luck Vinomore you are strong 💪 night night from New Zealand 🇳🇿 sending love 💙🧡💚

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    2. Huge congrats to you, Kate, and Looby Lou! Don't beat yourself up about the 2 bottles - just dust yourself off and start again, a little older and a lot wiser! huge hugs xxx

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  15. Hello! I’ve never done anything like this before (joined any online conversations or blogs) but I read your book Clare and it was like I was reading about myself! I’m 45, married with children and have joyfully partaken in many stimulants over the years from youth but settled rather comfortably for regular alcohol use as it’s legal and socially acceptable and indeed positively encouraged amongst my social surroundings. I have worried for a few years now that my relationship with alcohol was not in my control even though I didn’t drink on ‘school nights’ (mostly) but come the weekend I would easily get through 3-4 bottles of wine plus the odd G&T and lager here and there then spend the first half of the week tired, miserable, guilty and resentful whilst troughing my way through endless carbs! I did Dry January this year and that’s when I read the book. You’ve made me see that it is possible to live a life without booze even when I know I’m going to be surrounded by it (my husband loves a drink or 3 and so do most of my friends) and I know it’s going to be tough at times but I feel if I can have the support of other like minded ladies, I think I may just be able to do it! So have been ‘dry’ since 2nd January but then had a ‘blip’ on valentines night after a bottle of wine AND bubbles, woke up yesterday full of hangover and disappointment in myself and ended up cancelling a lunch date with an old friend which added to my guilt and self loathing and that’s when I looked up this blog and made the decision to join as your comments are so lovely, supportive and encouraging. Many apologies for my wittering on so, obviously needed to pour it all out! Having to start from day 1 all over again but never mind - I guess the trick is to not stop trying and take each day as it comes. Good luck to all out there on the same journey ��

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    1. Hello, heh your so right if I could count all the endless cancellation dates from me (lies if if little white ones) though being tired hungover,yep guilt, so heh ⭐️ Day 1 and day 6 awesomeness hear from you soon 👍🏻

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    2. So glad you found me, anonymous! Don't worry about valentine's night - just see it as part of the learning process - I bet you thought you could just have one, right? Next time you'll know that it doesn't work like that, and it's just not worth all the recriminations the next day! One of the best things about quitting is learning to like yourself again. Huge love to you! xxx

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    3. I can't tell you how many false starts I had and I did 5 dry January's! (I have now been AF for over two years).So don't worry about the blip. Hopefully its purpose was to reinforce how much better you feel when not drinking. And I can't emphasise enough that moderation doesn't work for most of us. Clare has written about the subject here a lot. It helped me when I felt like I could just one. Good luck you are going to feel amazing.

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  16. I am 17 months sober - and have saved so much wine money that I am walking the Portuguese Camino in April. 22 days to contemplate how fabulous being wine free has been - although I will be on major guard from all the porto and wine flowing over there. :) L

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    1. Oh wow, I'd love to do that! And you'll appreciate it so much more being fit, energetic and sober! Yay!

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  17. Hello SM-- I am 6 days sober and am so grateful to have found your blog. Just bought the audio version of the book and am so enjoying it! Thank god for my random google search resulting in finding you and this greater community of sober blogging. I love your positive perspective, humor and desire to embrace a new life without booze! The thought of joining AA, aside from the major focus religion...filled me with dread. Reading your blog inspires me to look at the whole thing differently. Thank you so much! Meg

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    1. So glad you found me Meg, and huge congrats on 6 days! xxx

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  18. I read your book in two days. I am not a mommy but I hope to be in the near future, being that I am almost 37! My entire life has revolved around alcohol. Holidays, birthdays, sporting events, graduations, baptisms, funerals...ALL involved alcohol. Most memories of good times involve alcohol, well, what I can remember because I have blacked out many times. It is time for a change and I am so scared that I won't fit in anymore and be able to be as strong as you in not drinking at events. My willpower is slim to none. But your book gives me hope. Tonight I am drinking some tea but reallllly feeling that wine witch. I have a half a bottle of Pinot Noir that I need to dump out but it's calling out to me not to let it go to waste. Just finish it and then start over. Damn you wine witch! I will not succumb to your temptation. Thank you SM for being an inspiration to me and helping me through this. I am on day 8 and plan to keep pushing forward. :)

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    1. Huge congrats anonymous! Chuck out that vino!!! You'll be a fabulous mum without with booze - I wish I'd quit before I had my first. xxx

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    2. Thank you Clare!! Your response gave me even more motivation!! So glad I came across your book. Keep being your awesome self and thanks for opening your life to all of us!

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  19. Brilliant list, Clare! #3 about the amount of headspace it starts gradually taking is a huge one, IMO. I would add to your wise words that other warning signs are that you always make sure you have a supply of your poison of choice read in case of a snowstorm or a “very bad day.” Also that when you are with people and drinking you attempt to hide how much you have had by quickly drinking it down and then refilling and hiding empty containers. But headspace is the big one. When? How much? Where? etc... It’s amazing how free and happy we can be once we let it all go! Nearly 3 years and still awake with joy!

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    1. Totally agree with your additions, peace runner! I'm at nearly three years too! Sober sisters xxx

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  20. Yep I did lots of hiding refilling putting in a mug , i feel happy yipee day 7 ✅

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  21. Day 10 sober and the wine witch is nagging. Have tried Becks Blue and it seems to be helping with my cravings. Family and friends have mixed opinions about me drinking this- some are supportive whereas others say I am tricking my brain and it won't help long-term. Any thoughts, comments or advice would be really appreciated.

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    1. Do NOT allow family or other naysayers to bring you down or undermine your efforts. A pox on them! Find your support - so MUCH support - here! Hope you have notched snother day....good on you! Northwoman

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    2. Thank you so much. Knowing there is support is so helpful and yes, have notched another day!

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    3. I could not have done the first year (especially the whole cancer thing) without Becks Blue. It is NOT addictive, and when you no longer need it as a prop you will gradually stop drinking it. I only have about 3 a week now - it used to be up to 6 a day! Actually, I think it's far more dangerous to replace booze with sugar, which IS addictive! Go girl!

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    4. Thank you. That has made me feel so much stronger. Day 12 now! Yeah!

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  22. I’ve had my last drink just now - fingers crossed ���� I can stay on the path

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    1. You can do it! The trick is to be excited rather than scared! huge hugs xxx

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  23. Good luck Winebelly you can do it! I start my odyssey tomorrow xx

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    1. Thanks Elaine & best of luck to you x

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  24. Hi Clare, I just wanted to say thank you so much for your book! I started reading it yesterday, I haven't even finished it yet but I know it's going to help me make changes. I completely identify with feeling like a 'normal' drinker, even though I'm fully aware that it's not good for me. My last glass of wine is tonight, and I've started my own blog to document my progress. Thank you for the inspiration, it's the first time I've read about drinking to excess and thought 'this is me!' xx

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    1. YAY! Well done you! Please post us your blog address so we can find you x

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    2. 15th night feel fabulous 🦋🙏 goodnight all good luck

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  25. Hi, your book is really helping me.
    Day 5 for me & feel ready for a change although I’m not expecting it to be easy!

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  26. I am 52 years old with two grown up children, one of which is getting married soon.
    I can absolutely relate to everything you have written here and I'm currently reading your book which is brilliant!
    I am currently on day 55 AF and I feel amazing - and I'm determined to stay that way.
    I've drank since I was about 16 years old and apart from when I was pregnant I've never really stopped.
    The number of times I've shown myself and my family up is too many to even think about, nevermind remember (always partial to a blackout and a severe case of the 'Oh Nos')
    But no more, all that is in the past and I am traversing those obstacles to 'my field of bunnies'.������
    And on my son's wedding day I will enjoy and remember every second!! And I will feel super proud of myself - I can see it already!!!
    Thanks for the inspiration!!

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    1. Great Anon I’m on day 16 , got to 22 17days ago and drank 2 bottles wine because of a stressful situation didn’t help at all , derrr 🌸⭐️ Don’t want to struggling tonight a bit bored tired irritated 😤 will watch tv go to sleep early night night from New Zealand 🇳🇿 😊

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  28. Ah. I see that I can post anonymously. So I have a question for SoberMommy (or anyone else who wants to comment!). I read your book and loved it! Very clever and funny :). So I can relate with a lot of what you wrote. And in the article above I can relate to having tried to make a bunch of rules, but that’s about it. I don’t think I drink nearly as much as you did or as much as many of the women in the above comments (and absolutely no judgment on that- glad everyone is here to discuss these issues). The only real negative consequence I have is that drinking wine is making it impossible to lose weight. And obviously it’s a problem if I can’t stick with rules I make to limit my drinking. One of my biggest problems is that I’m married and childless in a major city and working in a high powered profession...so there is alcohol everywhere all the time. And I’m an introvert and am kind of scared to hang out with people sober. Short of not going out I can’t avoid it. And if I have one drink it easily turns to 2 or 3 (or on some occasions more). So I’m thinking of giving it up for awhile to see how I feel, but does that mean I have to give it up forever? (Cause I really don’t want to). In your book you use the pickle analogy- you may have once been a cucumber but then you pickled and you can’t turn a pickle back into a cucumber. So like what if I’m like not fully pickled yet...?

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    1. Hi, my experience of working in the city was that alcohol was, as you say, everywhere. Sadly as I have now reached my 50's I find it even more accessible than 30 years ago. I would drink every single day sometimes at lunch, then in the evening from 5 till 8 and then home and possibly stop en route at our local. I was, I realise now, always under the influence. I wanted to stop but did not really understand the consequences of not stopping. I would say to you that if you are already aware of the fact you are drinking too much - and you are if wine is making you gain / impossible to lose weight - then you need to stop. There are no half measures (pardon the analogy) with alcohol. It will control you. You do not need to be fully pickled to stop. It is daunting to meet people sober in social settings - but you do actually do it everyday - at work, travelling etc. All those people accept you at face value and enjoy your company. Can you imagine how they would response if you came to work tipsy or the looks you would get on the tube if you were inebriated? So go and socialise, embrace the fear - because it will only be once that it is scary and enjoy people as a sober woman / man. In the book there is a chapter about socialising and I think you, would relate - I know I did. I hope this helps.

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  29. Hi all I am on day 4 of this journey. Having experienced all the symptoms of memory loss and drinking everyday for years - then stopping to "be good" I would think about drinking and friends and relatives would encourage "just one - one won't hurt" and I would feel vindicated because someone else had said it was alright - therefore I couldn't have a problem could I? Avoiding responsibility for my actions seems only to occur around alcohol and it has clearly become my nemesis. We do in our family have a history of alcoholism but I, was, stupidly arrogant enough to think I could deal with it as long as I was aware of this fact. Wrong. The insidious nature of the drug is such that the best times are tied up with it - love affairs, great nights out, etc. but as I have continued down the road of life my 'best times' have become less and less and the behaviours I have exhibited have become worse - sometimes in front of my children which has me running for cover in shame. So I am here this time for the long haul.

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  30. Ten Days in and loving my new found sobriety. I am more focused, more organised and feel healthy.

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