When Drinking Feels Less Like a Choice
You stopped by the liquor store again. At dinner, you poured yourself a second glass. Alcohol is how you unwind after a stressful day.
If that scenario feels familiar, Alcohol Awareness Month is a good time to take stock of your drinking habits.
“Ask yourself: Do I want the drink, or do I need it?” said Stacey Marowitz, Director of Substance Use Services at NewBridge Services. “Can you skip the drink with dinner and be OK, or do thoughts of drinking consume you?”
According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 27.9 million people age 12 and older had a past year alcohol use disorder. The risk is especially high for individuals who begin drinking before age 15: they are four times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder later in life than those who wait until age 20 or older.
Even people who do not have an alcohol use disorder may find that they are drinking more than they want to, especially during times of stress, Marowitz said. If you are concerned about your drinking, Marowitz recommends making little changes:
- Skip alcohol one day a week or have one fewer drink each day
- Notice what situations, emotions or routines make you want to drink
- Try another way to cope, such as exercise, a walk, calling a friend or taking a few minutes to breathe and reset
“Even a small change can help you take back a sense of control,” Marowitz said.
NewBridge offers additional advice and information on types of treatment here. If you continue to struggle, reach out to NewBridge for help managing the urge to drink by calling (973) 316-9333 or emailing Services@NewBridge.org.
“People do not have to wait until things are at their worst to ask for help,” Marowitz said. “The earlier someone reaches out, the easier it can be to make a change.”
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