Many people who drink alcohol may be wrong about how much they are consuming. A new survey finds that drinkers could be off by as much as 40 percent. The health survey found that people regularly misjudged both how much and how often they drink. Additionally, studies reveal that the full 80 percent of those who are over-consuming alcohol know that drinking too much is risky. However, they fail to see themselves as heavy drinkers and do not think they have a problem. The majority judged themselves to be moderate drinkers and, as such, had no plans to reduce the amount they drink. It is important to realize that underestimating alcohol consumption can be risky for your health and for your lifestyle. Addiction is a long road, and the first step to recovery is recognizing that you have a problem.
Underestimating Alcohol Consumption Is Dangerous
A person must recognize that their habits are putting them in danger before they will take steps to avoid it. A new awareness campaign asked 19 participants to keep a 14-day drink diary. The diaries revealed that participants were consuming the alcoholic equivalent of a super-size serving of wine every day. That reality was 40 percent higher than the participants had imagined they were drinking.
By recognizing the appropriate levels of drinking and comparing our own habits to these amounts, we can begin to think about the amount we drink more accurately. Then, if we drink above these limits, we can start to recognize that we have a problem and begin to treat it.
Health Risks
Drinking more than the recommended amount (2 to 3 daily drinks for women and 3 to 4 daily drinks for men) can increase a person’s risk for high blood pressure, liver disease, and cancer. Most people seem to think that they are drinking in or under the safe range when, in actuality, they are exceeding it. Those who made changes in lowering their alcohol consumption reported improvements in their emotional and physical wellness. It is important that people understand the many health and lifestyle benefits of lowering alcohol consumption so they are more likely to seek treatment.
Tips To Decrease Alcohol Consumption
The subjects of the study said that replacing an alcoholic drink with a soft drink or adding in more mixers were their favorite methods of reducing their alcohol intake. People who have a drink at home before they go out for a drink with friends could eliminate the at-home cocktail as a painless way to lower their alcohol consumption.
There are many helpful internet apps available to help people who want to check just how much alcohol they are consuming. There are also sites that provide tips on how to lower alcohol intake. Because cutting down on anything is often perceived as a loss, reducing alcohol intake may sound like a losing proposition. However, there are many positive benefits of making the switch from alcohol to other healthier alternatives.
Benefits Of Reducing Alcohol Consumption
In fact, reducing the amount of alcohol consumed provides many positive benefits. For example, these include:
- Saving money
- Weight Loss
- Increasing sleep
- Increasing energy
People are probably drinking much more than they think and are robbing themselves of more benefits than they realize.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, The Right Step is here to help. Our professional treatment and staff are here to offer you the programs and therapy that can help you overcome addiction. Do not suffer from addiction your entire life. Let us help you get back on track. Call us at 17135283709 to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your alcohol addiction.
