“I can stop drinking anytime I want to.”

Telling yourself you can quit makes you feel in control, despite all evidence to the contrary and no matter the damage it’s doing.

“My drinking is my problem. I’m the one it hurts, so no one has the right to tell me to stop.”

The decision to quit drinking is up to you, however it’s a rationalization that says you’re the only person it hurts. Alcoholism affects everyone around you—especially loved ones.

“I don’t drink every day, so I can’t be an alcoholic.”
—Or—
“I only drink wine or beer, so I can’t be an alcoholic.”

It’s not about what you drink, when you drink it, or how much you drink. It’s the effects of your drinking. If your drinking is causing problems in your home or work life, you have a drinking problem.

“I’m not an alcoholic because I have a job and I’m doing okay.”

It’s not just homeless people drinking out of paper bags, there are many ‘high functioning’ problem drinkers with prestigious jobs, like lawyers. But just because you’re a high-functioning alcoholic doesn’t mean you’re not putting yourself or others in danger.

“Drinking is not a ‘real’ addiction like drug abuse.”

Alcoholics go through physical withdrawal when they stop drinking, just like drug users do when they quit. Alcohol is a drug. It causes changes in the body and brain.