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Quick thinking and intellectual capacity is a vital strength in the legal profession and can be significantly damaged by alcohol dependence.
Alcohol is a depressant which means than long-term use leads to poor concentration, difficulty in thinking clearly, challenges with problem-solving and short-term memory loss.
You might also ask yourself these questions;
- Do I always feel the ‘need’ to have a drink?
- Does my drinking frequently result in problems in life such as lateness, letting people down, inability to commit to promises made at work or personally?
- Do other people worry about or ‘nag’ me about my drinking, wishing I would cut down or stop?
If you can answer positively to two or more of these then it may be time to acknowledge and address your drinking habits.
How can I reduce my drinking at home?
There are some simple things you can do straightaway to reduce your drinking at home and in social situations;
At home:
- Have at least 2 dry days per week
- Change your routine. Drinking can become habitual, our brains quickly ‘re-wire’ with repeated learned behaviours. You could try changing your routine – if you usually have a drink when you get home, could you distract yourself with another activity?
- Pace yourself. Change4Life (the UK government health promotion service) advocate ‘pacing and spacing’ – sipping your drink slowly to appreciate the flavours and drinking a soft drink or water after each alcoholic drink
- Try lower alcohol drinks – there are plenty of low alcohol wines and beers on the market
- Include food in your drinking so you aren’t drinking on an empty stomach. Put the bottle away once you’ve filled your glass
- Go for a smaller bottle of beer or glass of wine than usual
- Buy a drinks measure so you are fully aware of the volume you are drinking
- Distract yourself. When you’re tempted to have a drink, try an active distraction technique – ring a friend, read a chapter of your book, or take a brisk walk
- Take part in a ‘dry’ month and raise money for your favourite charity. There are plenty of organised ones or kick-start your own with friends. Write down how you feel physically and mentally as a result. This record enables you to reflect on personal success.
How can I cut down on my drinking socially?
Socially in the UK it is both easy and socially acceptable to drink alcohol. It can be really hard to reduce your alcohol intake when so much of our daily lives are surrounded by opportunities to drink. However, here are some great tips from Change4Life.
- Can you meet your friends somewhere other than a pub or restaurant? Perhaps a coffee shop
- Be ready with your reason for not drinking when you’re offered ‘just another one’. The quicker you can respond the more likely people are to accept it and move on
- Tell your friends and family you are cutting down and enlist their support
- Sit down to drink. Apparently we drink more when we are standing up. Finding a seat in the pub may be all you need to encourage you to slow down
- Try a new hobby. Could you focus on that with a friend instead of going for your usual drink?
- Offer to be the designated driver in exchange for all your soft drinks being bought by your passengers. Many find this a great incentive to remain sober for the night
Where can I find out more?
Download information pack
If you would find it easier to read this content as a document, please download it here.
The information and resource packs on this website are designed to help you and your colleagues to work as a community for better wellbeing and professional resilience. If you want to provide feedback on these resources, or to get involved in promoting wellbeing please get in touch.
It can be difficult to make a living from law and it can be pressurised and demanding. Competition and an adversarial approach to everything can make collegiate relationships difficult. This website aims to provide you with the knowledge to manage these stressors, make emotionally informed, wise professional decisions and thrive in your chosen profession.
A simple expression that sums up wellbeing is ‘travelling well’
2 in 3 barristers feel that showing signs of stress equals weakness