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FIVE COMMON MYTHS ABOUT ALCOHOLSM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE
MYTH #1: I CAN DEFINITELY STOP DRINKING ANYTIME I WANT TO.
Perhaps you can – but if you are reading this because your drinking has landed you in trouble, then perhaps not. Regardless, this statement is just an excuse to keep drinking. The reality is, you probably don’t want to stop. Telling yourself that you can quit whenever you want to makes you feel in control, despite all the evidence to the contrary and despite the damage it’s causing.
MYTH #2: MY DRINKING IS MY BUSINESS. I’M THE ONE AFFECTED AND NOBODY SHOULD TELL ME TO STOP.
It is very true that the decision to quit drinking must come from you. However, you are kidding yourself if you think that your drinking doesn’t affect anyone else. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse affects everyone around you—especially the people closest to you. Your problem has become their problem.
MYTH #3: I’M NOT A DAILY DRINKER, SO I’M NOT AN ALCOHOLIC – OR – I ONLY DRINK WINE OR BEER, NOT THE HARD STUFF, SO I’M NOT AN ALCOHOLIC.
Alcoholism has nothing to do with what you drink, when you drink it, or even how much you drink. The EFFECTS of your drinking are what matters. If your drinking is causing problems for you physically, emotionally – if your home or work life are suffering, if you feel powerless over the effects your drinking causes, whether you’re a daily drinker or not, whether you skull hard alcohol or stick to beer and wine, you need to take a hard look at the reality of alcohol in your life.
MYTH #4: I STILL HAVE A JOB AND I CAN MANAGE – I’M OKAY, SO I CAN’T BE AN ALCOHOLIC.
You don’t have lose everything to recognize that you are an alcoholic. Many alcoholics are able to manage other areas of their lives, such as work, school, supporting a family, etc. These are typically high-functioning alcoholics and the reality is that they, too, have lost the ability to control their drinking. Eventually, the effects of drinking will catch up with an alcoholic, one way or another.
MYTH #5: DRINKING IS NOT REALLY AN ADDICTION THE WAY THAT DRUG ADDICTION IS.
Let’s be clear about this – alcohol is a drug, and it is just as dangerous as drug addiction. Alcohol addiction, or dependence, causes devastating changes in the body and brain. Over a period of time, alcohol abuse can seriously effect on your health, career and relationships. Plus, alcoholics do suffer physical withdrawal when they stop drinking, just like drug users do when they quit; if they were not dependent, there would be no withdrawal symptoms.
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