What Causes a Problem is a Problem Because it Causes a Problem

We are all familiar with the types of problems associated with AOD use, the type that make the headlines in the local paper or are related to the crime reported on News Radio. Although important, these are not typical of the issues we all face with unfortunate regularity.

Interestingly, most who choose to consume alcohol do so moderately and without problem. Beer, wine, and spirits are a regular part of many ethnic and cultural celebrations and observances and an integral part of many religious ceremonies, my own Christian faith being a ready example. As a matter of fact, in both the New and Old Testaments there are in excess of 300 references to alcohol...actually “wine” and “strong drink”...equally split between cautions against the use of such beverages—LEVITICUS 10:9 (King James): Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations—and exhortations regarding its use—1 TIMOTHY 5:23 (King James): Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. Alcohol is legal for those of age and a source of revenue in the form of taxes for local, state, and federal governments, and enjoyed by many.

So if alcohol is a drug and if it is used by many without problem, how do we recognize drinking as a problem before it becomes obvious to everyone? The answer is actually quite simple, but in its simplicity it escapes serious consideration by most who inadvertently step over the invisible line that separates “social” consumption from its more challenging counterpart, problem drinking. The simple “rule of thumb” is, What causes a problem is a problem, because it causes a problem. It is when my consumption is responsible, directly or indirectly, for a more obvious problem that I must consider the consumption of alcohol itself to be a problem as well. Allow me to illustrate with a couple metaphors.

Imagine you ordered the “Blue Plate Special” at the local diner and 30-minutes later you became ill. Would you ever eat at that diner again? Most of us would say yes as it was probably coincidence that we became ill after eating. Two weeks later you once again eat at the same dinner and become ill within an hour of eating...would you return? Chances are many of us would think twice before doing so. Yet how many of us might have “too much to drink” on a social occasion experience a hangover if not become ill only to dismiss this as part of the price paid for having a good time and drink in much the same way two-weeks later, experiencing similar consequences and think nothing of it, other than, "it is part of the price paid to have a good time?"

Those familiar with treating alcohol problems suggest that problems resulting from the consumption of alcohol, e.g., employment issues - attendance, job performance, productivity; health issues – hangover, vomiting, medical conditions caused by or exacerbated by drinking; family issues – arguments, verbal or physical violence, infidelity, inconsistent parenting; legal issues – DUI, assault, civil suits related to negligence, fraud; interpersonal relationships – estrangement from friends, arguments, embarrassment of self or significant others, suggest that the consumption itself is a problem if not the problem.

Here is a simple test to see if one’s drinking is becoming an issue in need of attention—and this does not necessarily mean alcoholism, but simply “something” I need to consider changing. It consists of two simple questions: (1) When was the last time I wondered if drinking milk was becoming a problem? Next: (2) When was the last time I wondered if alcohol, i.e., “my drinking,” was becoming a problem? Chances are most of us do not think twice about milk, at least beyond whether we care for it or not. I will bet at least one someone reading this has wondered about his or her drinking, however. The variation on these questions is, “When was the last time my (family, wife, girlfriend, son, etc.) wondered if my drinking was becoming a problem?"

There are other online and anonymous questionnaires that can shed light on the nature of one’s drinking and a couple are listed at the end, but suffice it to say that “what causes a problem is a problem when it causes problems." If you are not sure, find someone who understands alcohol related problems and discuss it.

Online Screening Resources:
http://www.alcoholscreening.org/Home.aspx
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=1860&cn=14

What to do if you want to change:
http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/ToolsResources/DrinkRefusalSkills.asp
http://helpguide.org/mental/alcohol_abuse_alcoholism_help_treatment_prevention.htm

What do you think?
Robert