Most people do not wake up one day and decide they have a problem with alcohol or other drugs. It is usually gradual. A drink that helps you unwind becomes a habit you rely on.
Something you use socially becomes something you use to cope. Over time, the line between choice and need can get blurry, and that is when many people start feeling worried, stuck, or ashamed.
If you are noticing changes in your behaviour, health, relationships, or mood, it may be time to consider AOD counselling services. Counselling is not only for “rock bottom” moments. It can help early, when things are starting to slide, and it can help later, when you are ready to rebuild. The most important thing is recognising the signs and getting support sooner rather than later.
You Are Using It More Often, Or Needing More To Feel The Same Effect
One of the clearest signs is when the frequency or amount increases. You may find that what used to feel like “enough” does not work anymore. That can show up as drinking more nights per week, taking larger amounts, or feeling restless if you cannot access a substance.
This is not about judging yourself. It is about noticing patterns that are changing. When tolerance increases, it can make it easier to slip into riskier use without realizing how far things have moved.
You Are Using To Cope With Emotions Rather Than To Enjoy A Moment
Many people begin using alcohol or other drugs to take the edge off stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, or loneliness. If your use is mainly about escaping feelings, switching off, sleeping, or getting through the day, it is worth paying attention.
Using as a coping tool can feel helpful in the short term, but it often makes emotions harder to manage over time. Counselling can support you to understand what is underneath the pattern and build safer ways to cope, without taking away your dignity or autonomy.
You Are Hiding It, Downplaying It, Or Feeling Ashamed
Secrecy is a sign that something does not feel aligned. You might be drinking or using alone, hiding bottles, deleting messages, or avoiding questions about your habits. You might also catch yourself minimising what happened, even to yourself.
Shame is heavy, and it often keeps people stuck. A good counselling service provides a confidential space where you can talk honestly without fear of being labelled. The goal is not to punish you. It is to help you understand what is happening and what you want to change.
Your Relationships Are Being Affected
Alcohol and other drug use can shift how we show up with people. You might be arguing more, withdrawing, missing family time, or becoming unreliable with plans. Sometimes the tension comes from broken trust. Sometimes it comes from mood changes or irritability. Sometimes it comes from loved ones feeling worried and not knowing how to talk about it.
If people close to you have raised concerns, or if you feel distance growing, it is a sign worth taking seriously. Counselling can help you explore the impact without turning it into blame, and it can also help families understand how to support change in a healthy way.
Work, Study, Or Daily Responsibilities Are Slipping
You do not need to lose a job for this to matter. It can be smaller things at first, like being late more often, struggling to focus, calling in sick, missing deadlines, or feeling constantly exhausted. At home, it might look like neglected chores, financial stress, or a general sense that life feels harder to manage.
When substance use begins to interfere with everyday functioning, it is a strong signal that support could help you stabilise and regain control.
Your Physical Or Mental Health Is Changing
Alcohol and other drugs can affect sleep, appetite, energy, digestion, skin, and immunity. They can also contribute to anxiety, low mood, panic symptoms, or emotional numbness. Some people notice memory issues, more frequent accidents, or increased risk-taking.
If you are seeing health changes, it is worth talking to a GP as well as a counsellor, especially if withdrawal symptoms are present. Counselling can still play a key role, but medical support may be important depending on the substance and the level of use.
You Have Tried To Cut Back, But It Does Not Stick
A common sign is making promises to yourself that do not last. You plan to cut down, take a break, or keep it to weekends, but something pulls you back into the same cycle. That can feel discouraging, and it often leads to harsh self-talk.
This is exactly where counselling can help. It gives you tools, accountability, and a clearer understanding of triggers. It also helps you build realistic strategies that fit your life, rather than relying on willpower alone.
You Are Worried, Even If Others Are Not
Sometimes the most important sign is your own gut feeling. If you are thinking about your drinking or drug use a lot, feeling uncertain, or wondering if it is becoming a problem, that matters. You do not need permission to seek help. Early support can prevent bigger harm later.
What Happens When You Reach Out
Many people avoid counselling because they imagine it will be confronting or judgmental. In reality, it often starts with a simple conversation about what has been happening, what you want to be different, and what support feels manageable. Some people want to reduce utheir se. Some want to stop. Some want to understand why they keep going back to it. All of those are valid goals.
Reaching out is not an admission of failure. It is a decision to take your well-being seriously.
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