PROBLEMATIC DRINKING

​• Do you ever need a drink to get you started in the morning or fall asleep at night?
• Do you feel guilty about your drinking?
• Do you or a family member think you need to cut back on how much you drink?
• Are you annoyed when other people comment on or criticize your drinking habits?

Definition: The way the term “Problematic Drinking” is used here is meant to cover a wide range of alcohol use and is not meant to just be designated for “alcoholics.” This tab can be used to help you identify if you may have an issue that could be addressed.

What constitutes a standard drink
• Beer- 12 ounces (355 milliliters) and about 5 percent alcohol content.
• Malt Liquor- 8 to 9 ounces (237 to 266 milliliters) and about 7 percent alcohol content.
• Wine- 5 ounces (148 milliliters) and about 12 percent alcohol content.
• Hard Liquor- 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) and about 40 percent alcohol content.

In men, five or more drinks a day, and in women, four or more drinks a day may be approaching an alcohol use issue. If you are consuming this many drinks a day, more days than not it may be time to consider contacting a peer supporter and/or a psychology professional. If you are not consuming this many drinks, do not stop reading as problematic drinking does not have to just be defined by the amount of drinks.

• Not remembering conversations or commitments.
• Making a ritual of having drinks at certain times and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned.
• Being irritable when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol is not available.
• Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work, or in your car.
• Gulping drinks, (i.e. ordering doubles or becoming drunk intentionally to feel good), or drinking to feel “normal”.
• Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment, or finances due to drinking.
• Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring you pleasure.

As defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual- Fifth Edition (DSM-5) used by psychology professionals 11 areas may be present if alcohol use is a concern. They are as follows: 

• Using alcohol in larger amounts (over time to feel the same effects) and/or for longer than you meant to.
• Wanting to cut down or stop using alcohol but are having a difficult time.
• Spending a great deal of time acquiring, using, or recovering (hangovers) from drinking alcohol.
• Experiencing cravings or urges to drink alcohol.
• Having difficulties at work/home or within your significant relationships due to your alcohol use.
• Continuing to use it regardless of these difficulties.
• Staying away from and/or not maintaining important commitments in your social, occupational, or recreational activities due to alcohol use.
• Having difficulty/inability to limit the amount of alcohol you drink even when it puts your health at risk.
• Continuing to use even when you are aware that a physical/psychological problem is being caused by or worsened by alcohol use.
• Develop a tolerance to alcohol so that you need more to feel its effects.
• Experience physical withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating, and shaking — when you don’t drink and are relieved by using alcohol.

Thought Goal

I drink because I think… (Insert problematic thought here)… I can stop or lessen my drinking by thinking… (i.e., About someone or something important to you that has been impacted, issues related to your overall wellness, changes you have wanted to make for yourself, etc.).

Feeling Goal

I drink because I feel… (Insert problematic feeling here)…. I can stop or lessen my drinking by feeling… (i.e., Do you remember what it felt like the last time you felt good sober? The importance of your family, friends, career, upcoming events, etc.).

Behavior Goal

I drink because my behavior is… (Insert problematic behavior here)….. I can stop or lessen my drinking by behaving… (Do you remember when you first were on the job…all the excitement and motivation? or when you were first in your marriage/relationship? Are there ways for you to engage parts of your life by being present and available, etc.). These goals are only examples; use them as a guide not an absolute. You know if there is a problem, let now be the time to fix it.

Lastly

Reaching out for help is never a sign of weakness, but rather one of strength. It may be intimidating, annoying, or frustrating to think about what do to and how to approach overcoming this, but it can be done. You do not have to do it alone. If you cannot reach or maintain all of these goals on your own, contact a peer supporter and/or a psychology professional.

​Written by Brad Carter FF/PM ILFFPS Coordinator and Cody Todd M.A., L.C.P.C. FPS Therapist

• Do you ever need to use it to get you started in the morning or fall asleep at night?
• Do you feel guilty about your substance/drug use?
• Do you or a family member think you need to cut back on how much you use?
• Are you annoyed when other people comment on or criticize your substance/drug habits?

Definition: The way the term “Problematic Substance Use” is used here is meant to cover a wide range of substance/drug use and is not meant to just be designated for “addicts.” This tab can be used to help you identify if you may have an issue that could be addressed.

• Feeling that you have or need to use the substance/drug regularly — this can be daily or even several times a day.
• Having cravings for the substance/drug of choice.
• Needing more of the substance/drug to get the same effect over a period of time.
• Keeping an unhealthy avenue open to get the supply you need.
• Spending money on the substance/drug, even though you can’t afford it.
• Pushing your obligations and work responsibilities off so that you have more time to use.
• Reducing social or recreational activities to use substances/drugs.
• Doing things to get the substance/drug that you normally would not do, such as stealing.
• Partaking in risky activities when you are under the influence of a substance/drug, such as driving.
• Inability to stop or reduce your substance/drug use on your own.
• Withdrawal symptoms when you reduce or stop the use of a substance/drug.

Problematic Substance Use can be called many names such as a drug addiction or a substance use disorder. These terms are used when there is dependence on a legal or illegal drug or medication. Keep in mind that alcohol and nicotine are legal substances, but are also considered drugs and have addictive qualities.

Substances/drugs impact the brain’s reward center in ways that mimic the natural effects of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. The mind/body wants to feel the influence of these “happy” chemicals and once a substitute form of these “feelings” is found through the use of substances/drugs the natural chemicals become suppressed. Withdrawal occurs once the substance/drug use is stopped or reduced and these natural brain chemicals have not yet returned to normal levels. Typically these effects can be reduced in 30 to 45 days provided no permanent damage has been sustained from the recreational substance/drug of choice.

Drug use and addiction can cause long-term physical and mental changes in the person using that can affect or destroy relationships, and careers, and even lead to legal problems. Ceasing drug use is sometimes difficult and may require help. Talk to your family or friends for support, contact the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Team for a peer referral, find a therapist, or make an appointment with your doctor. An additional option would be to contact an addiction treatment center such as Rosecrance which has a program specifically for firefighters.

Thought Goal

I use substances/drugs because I think (Insert problematic thought here)… I can stop or lessen my substance/drug use by thinking…. (i.e., Making a conscious thought not to dwell, on someone or something important to me that has been impacted, issues related to my overall wellness, Changes I have wanted to make for myself, etc.).

Feeling Goal

I use substances/drugs because I feel (Insert problematic feeling here)… I can stop or lessen my substance/drug use by feeling… (i.e., Spending less time alone, Do you remember what it felt like the last time you felt good sober?, The importance your family, friends, career, upcoming events, etc.).

Behavior Goal

I use substances/drugs because of my behavior… (Insert problematic behavior here)… I can stop or lessen my substance/drug use by behaving…. (i.e., Not spending time with your source or at the location where I obtain your drug of choice, Do you remember when you first were on the job…all the excitement and motivation?, or when you were first in your marriage/relationship?, are there ways for you to engage parts of your life by being present and available, etc.).

These goals are only examples; use them as a guide not an absolute. You know if there is a problem, let now be the time to fix it.

Lastly

Reaching out for help is never a sign of weakness, but rather one of strength. It may be intimidating, annoying, or frustrating to think about what to do and how to approach overcoming this, but it can be done. You do not have to do it alone. If you cannot reach or maintain all of these goals on your own, contact a peer supporter and/or a psychology professional.

Written by Brad Carter FF/PM ILFFPS Coordinator and Cody Todd M.A., L.C.P.C. FPS Therapist.