At
some point in their lives some people find out that partying is fun.
Hanging
out with friends having a few drinks, shots, bowls, hits, etc., is a way for
some people to let off steam.
Where
is the line of fun and dysfunctional?
1. Persistence
You’re
spending more time engaging in your habit over a longer period of time than you
wanted to. Nobody wants to be the “old burn out” at the party.
2. Can’t cut back
You’ve
tried to cut back, but you end up right where you were yesterday or last week.
This also applies to, “If I drink one beer I’m fine. If I drink two beers, the
flood gates are open.
3. Obsession
You’re
spending a lot of time thinking about, talking about, getting ready to or
recovering from parties. You own several T-shirts with alcohol advertising or
pot leaves on them. You know the alcohol "rep girls" by first name.
You’re the one who people call to find out where the party is on most days of
the week. You have a Web page dedicated to all your party pictures.(more after the cut)
4. Cravings
If
you crave something, meaning you’ve got to have it or somebody is going to feel
your wrath, there is likely an unhealthy addiction to it.
5. Neglecting obligations
If
you are missing work or school, having poor performance, or people are telling
you that you are slacking, you might be staring down an addiction.
6. Relationship difficulties
You’ve
lost a relationship because of something you did while you were drunk or high.
Your family and friends are telling you they don’t like your habit and it’s
messing with your relationships.
7. Spending all your time with your
habit
If
you are spending less time at work/school or have cut back on other fun things
you used to do because they just aren’t as fun as partying, you’re in the
danger zone.
8. Ignoring your physical safety
You
are in situations where you could be compromising your health, and yes,
drinking and driving counts. Blacking out also counts. There is also a strong
argument for, “if it’s illegal, it will compromise your safety.” Anyone who has
ever spent the night in jail can attest that jail is physically uncomfortable.
9. It’s made you sick and you still
need it
Your
health is in danger by participating in the activity and you keep going anyway.
“Puke and rally,” is not healthy. All joking aside, this is a very serious
situation if your use has gotten to this point. If you have had a seizure or
“fished out” see a doctor.
10. Tolerance
You
need more to get you that feeling you crave or you use the same amount as you
always have and it doesn’t seem to affect you the same way anymore. If you can
“hold your liquor” really well, your body is adapting to the alcohol. It’s
protecting you from yourself.
11. Withdrawal
You
feel sick when you don’t have it or you take something else to avoid feeling
sick then you may have a problem. If you get the shakes, feel bugs crawling on
you, get the sweats, have flu-like symptoms, that is withdrawal. If your
withdrawal symptoms are from alcohol or benzos (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin,
Valium, Restoril or any pill with a name then ends with -am), don’t try to
detox yourself or go “cold turkey." This can be life threatening. See a doctor.
If
any of these describe your situation and you are worried about your drinking or
using, get in touch with a licensed counselor. Most schools have a counseling
center available for enrolled students and will help you get your drinking
under control before it’s too late.
No comments:
Post a Comment