How much is too much? 07/06/12
How much is too much? Whether it’s drugs, alcohol or any other substance use it doesn’t have to be excessive to be too much. If something is causing you a problem in your life it is too much. If it is causing a problem in someone else’s life it is too much.
If you have crossed the line from use to abuse or gone further into dependency, you will know yourself that you have lost control but you may not yet be at the stage of wanting to admit it to yourself or others.
As an alcoholic, I drank excessively and stupidly for 20 years. I knew very early on that I had a problem but like many I believed that giving up would be easy. I was drinking as a form of self medication to help me numb out the past and give me a buzz to get through the day so my assumption was that the future would provide the solution to my depression and despair. I was wrong.
The more I drunk, the more I needed. The more I drunk, the more it impacted on me physically and mentally. The more I drunk, the more chaos I created for myself and others. The more I drunk, the more I denied my alcoholism.
By the end, one drink was too many and my daily dose of one litre of vodka, one litre of wine and several cans of beer were not enough.
However, life doesn’t have to reach a crisis point! Assess the impact your use of drink, (drugs, food, sex or whatever it is that you use frequently), is having on your health, work, finances, relationship, family life.
Then ask yourself “How much is too much?”
Be honest when you do!
bluetufty
After a 20 year battle with the booze I am now proud to be 13 years sober. Living life as I was meant to be and hoping to inspire others. Freelance writer originally from London now living in N.Ireland.
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8 Responses to this article
That is a good question; how much is too much? Maybe it is a very persoal thing, but I think it is too much if you know for yourself that you cannot go without. It is so awesom eot meet you on the other side Carolyn!!
Thanks for your comment Olga ~ if you can’t do without it then it probably is too much!
I think you’re right – if it’s causing a problem, it’s too much. It might not be a problem every day or all the time, but that doesn’t matter. I sometimes think there are so many “buts” to the “Do I have a problem?” question that it allows people to be in denial longer. The “buts” like, “but I can stop if I want” or “But at least I’m not as bad as him” or “but I don’t do it every day”.
I believe firmly that if it is causing a problem, it’s too much!
As an alcoholic I had an endless supply of excuses and justification for the amount I was drinking. At the end of the day any amount of alcohol was too much because it was causing chaos for me and everyone around me.
Thank you, for a great article! I never was a drinker as I never wanted to have the feeling of not having control. However, my challenge is being Finished with cigarette smoking once and for all. I am working on that none with adopting the right mindset. I love how authentic you are. I appreciate you
Thanks Susan. Well done on giving up the cigarettes! Another tough one to beat but you’ve done it and you’ve the rind mindset to keep it that way
Another wonderful and informative article, Carolyn. I think it’s important to be mindful doing anything in excess whether it’s a substance like alcohol, using food to numb you or even overwork. Thanks!
You’re so right Lisa!
I hadn’t thought of work but being a workaholic is another way of avoiding the real issues in your life.