Alcohol Use

Many people use alcohol to cope with difficult feelings like stress, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, boredom and isolation. It’s a common response to trauma, grief, or other difficult experiences. However, alcohol can cause problems when people drink too much or too often.   

Here are some signs that you may need to think about making changes to the way you drink: 

• Drinking alcohol is the only way you manage stress, fear, uncertainty, and other uncomfortable feelings
• Drinking alcohol is the only way you can relax or unwind at the end of the day
• You often drink more than you intend
• Your relationships with family, friends, or coworkers are strained due to drinking
• You have a hard time stopping once you’ve started drinking
• You miss work or other obligations because of drinking
• You find yourself in unsafe situations, like driving after drinking

Not sure where you stand? Take the Alcohol Reality Check at www.alcoholreality.ca to help you understand your relationship with alcohol.

Resources and supports:

• Care to Speak: Confidential online peer support with healthcare workers who understand what you’re going through. Visit caretospeak.ca.
• PHSA’s Mobile Response Team: 24/7 support for healthcare workers. Call 1-888-686-3022 or email MRT@phsa.ca.
• Your Family/Employee Assistance Program: Contact your workplace F/EAP provider to see how they can help you.
• Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service: Free, confidential information and referrals to local service providers and support groups. Call 604-660-9382 in the Lower Mainland or 1-800-663-1441 toll-free.

For more on making healthier changes to your alcohol use, download the workbook You and Substance Use: Stuff to think about…and ways to make changes