Now that I have been doing this for a while, this being recovery coaching and interventions, there is one phrase that almost always comes up. By the title of this you can guess what that is. I can honestly say just about every client I have had has said those very words “I just want to be able to drink like a normal person.” I will usually have the follow up question of “what does that mean? How much does a normal person drink?” They will fumble around searching for words and come up “well you know go out and just have a couple of drinks with friends.”
So I got to thinking, How much does a normal person drink?
Now one would think this would be an easy thing to Google. Finding something remotely current within the last two years and from a impartial source proved to be challenge. We all have in our minds eye a picture of what an alcoholic looks like, or how they act, right. “Those people are easy to pick out of a crowd.” The common perception of an alcoholic is the person “down on his luck panhandling for change with a bottle in a brown paper bag.”
What if I said this more the exception than the rule. You see if you Google how much is too much, you will find just as many ideas on this as well.
Problem Drinking?
You know the saying “it’s not a problem till it’s a problem” doesn’t always work. Now you have to define “problem.” Is one DUI a problem? More than likely it was the only time you got caught, because it’s safe to say it wasn’t the first time you drove intoxicated. Is it only a problem when the divorce papers have been drawn? Or is it only a problem when you made a complete ass out yourself at the last family function? Is it only a problem if lose your job? Is it only a problem if you yell and scream and wife and kids, or let them down again because you had been drinking and couldn’t do something because you were drunk or hungover. Is the latest bout with pancreatitis enough of a problem?
Who gets to say when it’s a problem? Just ask any “problem” drinker and they will be the last one to tell you they have a problem. There is always somebody they know who drinks more than them and is in much worse shape. You see when we look in the mirror at ourselves, we often don’t like what we see, or have a hard time facing the truth. I know, I was one of those people. I didn’t have a problem, they did.
How much does a normal person drink?
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-alcohol and will not judge you for how much or little you may drink.
What I do ask and expect of people who drink is that you respect me and my family while your doing what you do. That means not driving drunk putting the public at risk, also that you respect your family. What I dislike is what problem drinking does to families, all the pain and heartache that comes along with it. The lost lives because of it, both the drinker and the innocent.
The alcohol industry is masterful at making alcohol look so very glamorous and that you get everything you could ever need from their product. After all if I use your product I get pretty women all around me, my friends will hang out with me, and I get to do fun things at the beach. This doesn’t even take into account how deeply lined the politicians pockets are both on the federal and state level from the alcohol industry as well the tavern leagues, and lobbyist.
What does a normal person drink
Now back to the original question. What does a normal person drink? The general consensus of “normal” is 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks for men. Keeping in mind what a drink is. The standard is 12 oz 5% beer, 5 oz of 12% wine and 1.5 oz of spirts (80 proof). The population for the most part breaks down like this. About 1/3 of the population don’t consume alcohol at all, about 1/3 will drink on occasion, however not daily, and last 1/3 would fall into the problem drinking category as defined when you look at drinking habits, binge drinking, 4 or more in one sitting, blackouts etc..
If you have ever asked yourself “Do I have drinking problem?” or have ever Googled it, chances are you do, sorry. Here are 11 criteria used in defining Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Alcohol use disorder criteria
- 1 Drinking more alcohol, or for longer than intended.
- 2 Trying to cut down or stop drinking but being unsuccessful.
- 3 Spending a lot of time drinking or feeling sick from a hangover or other aftereffects.
- 4 Experiencing interference in daily life and relationships because of drinking.
- 5 Having craving for alcohol.
- 6 Continuing to drink even though it hurt relations with friends and family
- 7 Cutting back on, or giving up hobbies to consume more alcohol
- 8 Repeatedly being in situations where alcohol put one at risk of harm.
- 9 Having to consume more alcohol to experience the desired effects.
- 10 Consuming alcohol even though is worsens a health condition, including anxiety or depression.
- 11 experiencing withdrawal symptoms when alcohol effects began to wear off.
These are all warning signs that should not taken lightly. But first you have to stop and be honest with yourself about how you use alcohol. If you have been told by someone they are concerned about your alcohol use, or it’s causing dare I say it “problems” in your life, please reach out.
As stated before seldom do these things correct them selves and will most often only create bigger issues. You know the saying “have to hit rock bottom” my hope is that you don’t have to find out what that is. I can personally tell you that rock bottom is NOT a place you want to find.
If you would like to schedule a free consult
Steve
