Recognizing The Subtle Whispers of Addiction

Monumental change is typically born from something simple– an inkling, an urge, or a feeling that something is not quite right and needs our attention. Paying attention to these feelings can lead to the courage to take that step toward something that can truly be transformational. I certainly found this to be true over 12 years ago when a faint little whisper told me that my drinking was getting in the way of my life. 

So I wanted to dedicate this episode to those of you who have heard this whisper of addition yourself. This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m talking about how to recognize the subtle whispers of addiction.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Sharing a personal story that I wrote in reflection on the turning point in my life that started my courtship with alcohol. 
• How I ended up with an alcohol addiction even after knowing the signs.
• What the subtle signs of addiction might look like for you (after all, recognizing the signs of addiction is the first step to overcoming it). 

Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if your drinking is problematic: 

1. Have I tried unsuccessfully to give up drinking in the past?
2. Do I find myself longing for alcohol to take the edge off?
3. Has alcohol caused loss of memory or behavior I’m not proud of?
4. Do I ever crave alcohol?
5. Has alcohol affected my relationship with family, friends or loved ones?
6. Do I hide my drinking from others?
7. Do I long for mornings without hangovers?
8. Is there a history of alcoholism in my family?
9. Do I wonder what life would be like for me without alcohol?
10. Do I feel that alcohol has a hold on me?

If you find yourself answering yes to a few of these questions it may be a sign to think more closely about your drinking habits. It all starts with awareness and honesty and if you think you have an issue, here are a few of the many communities that can help:

The most direct path to transformation is accepting our vulnerabilities and making the difficult changes necessary to push us forward and be the best that we can be. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

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RESOURCES:

She Recovers Foundation

Recovery 2.0

SAMHSA's National Helpline

The Sober Leap  - Practical Wisdom to Create an Amazing Life Beyond Addiction 
by Noelle Van Vlierbergen