Self-help program

Depression can lead a person to use more substances. Substance use itself also worsens mood and sustains depression. Heavy alcohol use can also act as a trigger for depression.

What are the signs of problematic alcohol use?

The harmful effects of alcohol begin to become clearly visible as alcohol use increases. Below are early signs of problematic alcohol use.

Read the following questions. Answer them while keeping the past three months in mind. Be honest with yourself.

1. When you’ve woken up in the morning, have you realized that you’ve been unable to remember some things you did while intoxicated the night before?
2. Have you argued with people close to you about your drinking?
3. Have you noticed your hands shaking after drinking the night before?
4. Have you felt guilty about your drinking?
5. Have you felt ashamed the next day about how you behaved while intoxicated?
6. Have you been late, or has your work otherwise suffered, because of your drinking?
7. Have you taken a drink immediately after waking up in the morning to calm your nerves or to ease a hangover?
8. Have you ever felt that you can’t stop drinking?
9. Do you use alcohol to cope with unpleasant emotions or stress?
10. Have you suspected that you may be becoming dependent on alcohol?

If you answered 'yes' to even one question, consider stopping to think about your alcohol use. Might cutting back be a good idea? The more questions you answered ‘yes’ to, the more important it is for you to change your drinking habits.

Even if your symptoms are still mild, consider considering the amount of alcohol you consume. Do you exceed the risk limit in a way that makes health problems likely?

Health problems often develop slowly and may not become noticeable until the damage has already occurred.