ABC of Mental Health

Hello! Welcome to another edition of the ABC of Mental Health, your partner in the journey to better mental health — one newsletter at a time. This week’s theme is All Things Alcohol on account of this being Alcohol Awareness Month. We bring it to your inbox this Thursday to make your Thursday a little therapeutic! 

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One relevant recommendation:

Score your alcohol usage: Do you sometimes feel you drink a lot or don’t know if you need to reduce it? Here are 4 questions to help you reflect on your drinking habits.

1. Have you felt the need to Cut down on your drinking?

2. Do you feel Annoyed by people complaining about your drinking?

3.  Do you ever feel Guilty about your drinking?

4. Do you ever drink an Eye-opener in the morning to relieve the shakes?

If you answer “yes” more than 2 times, we recommend you re-evaluate your relationship with alcohol [1].

Two quotes on Alcohol and Addiction:

Gilbert Keith Chesterton, English author, philosopher, and art critic gives a valuable advice on drinking:

“Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable.”

Johann Hari, a British-Swiss writer and journalist explains addiction:

“The opposite of addiction isn't sobriety – it's connection”

Three TherapyShorts from TST ^{(on understanding alcohol use)}

1. Social drinking versus addiction: Distinguishing between social drinking and addiction involves recognizing the patterns and consequences of alcohol consumption. It’s not that every person who drinks is an “aggressive addict” or “despicable drunk”. Social drinking typically involves moderate alcohol consumption in social settings, where individuals can enjoy alcohol without adverse effects on their daily functioning or relationships. In contrast, addiction is characterized by compulsive alcohol use despite negative consequences, such as impaired judgment, health issues, or strained relationships. For example, someone who enjoys a glass of wine with dinner occasionally would be considered a social drinker, while someone who experiences cravings, loss of control, and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to cut down on alcohol intake may be struggling with addiction.

2. Alcohol as a coping mechanism: Alcohol is often a coping mechanism developed in the absence of healthier ways of interacting or processing emotions or situations. Some people may use alcohol to manage stress, and emotions, or lower their social inhibition. Some people turn to alcohol as a way to temporarily alleviate negative emotions or numb psychological pain. For instance, someone experiencing anxiety or depression may use alcohol to self-medicate and temporarily escape from their symptoms. However, relying on alcohol as a primary coping mechanism can exacerbate mental health issues and lead to dependency over time, ultimately worsening overall well-being.

3. Embrace a holistic perspective to understand alcohol dependence: The biopsychosocial perspective considers the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding alcohol use and addiction. Biologically, genetic predispositions and neurochemical changes in the brain contribute to vulnerability to addiction. Psychologically, factors such as personality traits, coping strategies, and mental health conditions influence alcohol use patterns. Socially, cultural norms, peer influences, and socioeconomic factors shape drinking behaviours and addiction risk. This holistic approach recognises that alcohol use and possible dependence result from a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental influences. Thus, effective treatment requires addressing these multiple dimensions simultaneously and not just any one approach.

Love and light,

The Social Therapist