Are You Driven To Drink?

Driven to drink 300x169 - Are You Driven To Drink?

Are you drinking because of your job? According to results published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (click here), yes you are. Mining, construction and hospitality are among the top ten industries most likely to make you drink unhealthy amounts of alcohol. And, therein lies the rub: they’re wrong.

It is not the job that makes you drink. Never was, never will be. Not according to rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT), at least.

REBT is a form of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) founded on a philosophy taught by the Ancient philosopher Epictetus, who said (in various forms) that it is not the events in life that disturb you, but what you tell yourself about those events that disturbs you.

So, if you are thinking, feeling, acting (and, in this case drinking) in a way that you don’t like, but don’t seem to be able to change, it’s not because of the thing (such as your job), it’s because of what you are telling yourself about the thing (or job).

Change what it is that you tell yourself and you can change how you think, how you feel and how you act (and here, we are back to the drinking).

It’s not to say that the events in life don’t have an influence over your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, because they do. If your job is all nice and calm, then you are more likely to be nice and calm. But, if your job’s all stress and pressure, then you are more likely to feel the effects of that stress and pressure.

But, how you deal with that stress and pressure is down to you.

Think about it. If it’s the job that makes you drink, then the only way to get your drinking under control is to change jobs. But, what if the next job is just as pressured? And, then the next one after that? And so on.

But, if you take ownership of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and examine what it is you are telling yourself about your job, and change those thoughts to something more rational and helpful, then you’ll be much more likely to control your drinking, no matter how difficult or trying work becomes.

However, if you do think you have a drink problem, or are looking to find a therapist to help you with your drinking, then look no further than your local CBT therapist.

CBT is an excellent and scientifically proven tool to help you regain the control you seek.

 

The most alcoholic industries

 

  • Mining
  • Construction
  • Hospitality
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
  • Utilities
  • Wholesale trade
  • Management
  • Manufacturing
  • Agriculture
  • Retail