It’s Only Alcohol

“It’s only alcohol.” A common enough statement — and a dangerous one. Alcohol is socially acceptable. Alcohol is not an illegal drug. So what if you have a few drinks… it’s not like you’re popping pills or shooting up heroin.
“So what?” you say. We’ll tell you. If you’re not a problem drinker, a drink or two really is no big deal. But if you are a problem drinker, “one or two” is going to lead to three or four… or more.  Are you a problem drinker?
Do you have trouble stopping at one or two?
Does alcohol get in the way of your functioning effectively at home or at work?
Do you drive while under the influence?
If you answered “Yes” to even one of these questions, most probably you have a problem with alcohol. And if you do, you need to get a handle on it.
The first thing to do is face up to the fact that you have issues with alcohol.
“But I still go to work every day.” “But I still look neat and clean.” “But I don’t make a fool of myself at parties… lampshades on the head and all that stuff.” “I still pay my bills, earn a living.” “I’m not drinking myself out of house and home.”
All well and good… it means you’ve kept some control over your problem. But it doesn’t mean you don’t have a problem.
“I can stop whenever I want to.”
Then why don’t you?
“I don’t want to. I like to drink. And I’m not hurting anyone.”
Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong. You could be hurting yourself… in more ways than you realize. But let’s focus for now on the physical aspect. Alcohol abuse messes up your liver. You can’t see the damage. You can’t feel the damage. You think you’re fine. But you’re not. You’re hurting yourself. And one day, if you keep it up, it’s very likely to catch up to you.
There are other ways you are hurting yourself, as well. Physically, emotionally, socially.
“It’s only alcohol.”
It’s time to stop.