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In an era where substance use often goes unchecked, many people don’t realize when their drinking or drug use is escalating. They might find their daily alcohol consumption increasing, or that their regular cannabis use is affecting their job performance. Or they’re constantly thinking about how many Percocets they can take each day to take the edge off their stress without getting spacey while taking care of their kids. Despite having grown up in homes where substance abuse was present, few believe they will develop a similar problem.
I stopped drinking alcohol in 1994. Fortunately, in the years since, I haven’t experienced any cravings or desire to drink. By the time I finally quit, it was crystal clear to me that I had a different relationship to alcohol than most of my friends. I found it incredible that most could go out and have one glass of wine with dinner, while others would only cut loose on weekends. A couple would binge when struggling through painful situations, like the death of a family member, but I watched them pull back on their consumption once they got through their immediate grief.
The line between experimentation, casual use, heavy use, and full-blown addiction is often a slippery one. While not exhaustive, the following are nine red flags that signal it may be time for you to try a sober lifestyle.
1. Failed Attempts To Quit
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Failed attempts to stop using substances create a frustrating and repetitive cycle. You promise to quit drinking or cut back, and for a little while, you succeed. But eventually, stress piles up, cravings hit, and before you know it, you’re back to using. Each failure leaves you questioning why your willpower isn’t enough. “Normal” users don’t feel the need to make an effort to quit; they simply stop.
