Understanding Alcohol Consumption: Perspectives and Realities
Written on
Chapter 1: The Discrepancy Between Perception and Reality
The contrast between how others perceive your drinking and the internal struggles you face can be stark.
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem to have a drinking issue.”
“I doubt you need to worry about it.”
These were the phrases I encountered while attempting to reduce my alcohol intake. Whenever I voiced my concerns, expressing, “I drink too much. I need to stop,” I was met with those familiar reassurances. I sought acknowledgment for my struggles, but no one seemed to recognize the urgency of my situation.
What I longed for was someone to affirm, “Perhaps it’s time for a break from drinking.” Sadly, no one ever did.
Section 1.1: What They Observed
People often perceived me as a mother enjoying a night out, laughing and sipping drinks. They saw someone who could manage her alcohol and maintain composure throughout the evening.
Subsection 1.1.1: What They Overlooked
Yet, they failed to notice the hangovers that haunted my mornings—the persistent headaches that clouded my mind and rendered me ineffective. They didn’t witness the hours I squandered obsessing over drinking rather than engaging in productive thoughts.
They were blind to my fatigue, dragging through each day like a ghost, waiting for the next opportunity to drink. They couldn’t hear the internal dialogue urging me to pour a drink at any hour. They didn’t see me concealing a wine bottle, hoping to quiet that incessant voice.
They overlooked the times I excused myself from my children’s requests, claiming illness. They didn’t realize that my late-night television marathons were only distractions to prolong my drinking, depriving me of rest. They missed the toll that alcohol was taking on my body as I numbed my pain with poison.
The cycle persisted.
Section 1.2: Your Perspective Is Paramount
If you suspect that your drinking is problematic, or even if you simply wish to stop, YOUR VIEW IS THE ONLY ONE THAT COUNTS.
The opinions of your partner, friends, family, or even a bartender hold no weight when it comes to your well-being.
Their views are reflections of their own experiences, not yours.
You Are Your Own Validation
I often felt exasperated by people’s inability to grasp why I needed to quit drinking. Their unwillingness to confront their own habits led them to dismiss my concerns. Their opinions were not about me; they were self-serving.
If you recognize a need for change, that acknowledgment is all the validation you require. Only you can understand your thoughts and feelings, especially in solitude.
You have the power to choose your path.
I am a life and recovery coach dedicated to assisting individuals struggling with alcohol to break free from their detrimental habits and explore the next chapter of their lives. If you’re interested in learning more about the Layers of Recovery Support I provide, including complimentary Sober Support Emails, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or visit SarahSandidge.com.
XO, Sarah