Women and Alcohol Problems in San Diego North County?

Are women who drink wine with their friends in Del Mar, Encinitas, Carmel Valley and La Jolla, alcoholics?

Women who have a few social drinks now and then, are probably not alcoholics. Some, however, may be on their way to developing an addiction to alcohol.I get calls every day from women who think they might have an alcohol problem, and women who know they have a drinking problem and are asking for help.

When I was struggling to understand my drinking behavior over 25 years ago , I felt guilty and confused. I thought I should be able to control the effects of my drinking. Betty Ford and Elizabeth Taylor, two very famous women in our country, could not control the amount they drank either. These women identified a pattern of drinking behavior that was predictable, and distinguished them from light social drinkers. Knowing that they could face their problem with alcohol gave me courage to face mine.Read over the following list of predictable behaviors for alcohol dependency and see if you can identify with any of the following. If so, you are not alone.

___Buying liquor at more than one location to keep the quantity secret.

___Hiding bottles or cans of alcohol or secretly disposing of them.

___Advance planning to reward yourself with heavy drinking.

___Memory loss after drinking too much.

___Feeling sick and hung over after drinking.

___Feeling afraid you made a fool of yourself the night before.

___Drinking alcohol before leaving the house for party or event

___Drinking to feel wittier, more relaxed, or less anxious.

___Uncertain about going to events where there will not be alcohol.

___Entertaining or creating situations so you can drink alcohol.

___Avoiding discussions, literature or TV programs on alcoholism.

___Carrying liquor in your purse, car or at the office.

___Becoming defensive when someone questions you about drinking.

___Are angry that other people are trying to control you and your drinking.

___Drinking while angry, upset, depressed, or under stress.

___Driving after you have been drinking alcohol, feeling certain you can drive.

___Switching types of alcohol to prevent becoming too intoxicated.

___Drinking at work or at your activities with your children.

___Other people show concern about how much you drink.

___Breaking promises to others because of drinking.

___Feeling crazy or overwhelmed but knowing why.

___Feeling guilt and remorse for behavior while drinking.

___Being unable to predict how many drinks will be consumed in one sitting.

___Drinking more than planned or faster than other people do.

___Feeling like it is impossible or difficult to stop drinking without help.

If you can relate to some of the above questions, talk to someone who understands what you are going through and get the help you need. You do not need to suffer any longer.Call Lasting Recovery toll free: 800-808-6373, or in San Diego County, 858-453-4315.

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS