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Do you have a problem with alcohol?

  • Writer: OceanHills
    OceanHills
  • Aug 17, 2023
  • 2 min read

Updated: Oct 24

Man in blue shirt sits on a sofa, holding a drink and his head in frustration. A plate with lemon slices is on the wooden table.
There is always a way through addiction.


Heavy drinking in the Kiwi culture is socially acceptable, so it can be hard to figure out if you've got a problem. After all, if everyone around you in also drinking a lot, it can seem normal to drink too much.


If you've ever asked yourself, 'Do I have a problem with alcohol?', it's worth checking out further. The questions below are a great place to start – they're compiled by the qualified team at Ocean Hills Detox & Rehab who have lived addiction experience and have helped many people into a life of sobriety and recovery.



two people with beer bottles
If you're wondering if you have a problem with alcohol, you probably do

Do you have a problem with alcohol?


  1. Do you always end up drinking more than you intend to?

  2. Do you sometimes forget what you did, where you were or who you were with when you were drinking?

  3. Do you regularly regret your actions while you were drinking?

  4. Does drinking adversely affect your finances, relationships or health?

  5. Do you have a pattern of missing work or personal appointments due to your drinking?

  6. Are the important people in your life – loved ones, friends and employers – worried about your drinking?

  7. Are you in a pattern of trying to stop drinking or at least cut down, and failing?

  8. Do you feel annoyed when you can't drink the amount you want to?

  9. Has alcohol stopped giving you a good buzz?

  10. Have you stopped spending time doing other things in your life because of your drinking?


If you answered yes to any of these questions, we recommend reaching out for a confidential chat with an addictions professional who can guide you further. Elaine is available on 027 573 7744 or you can email her on elaine@oceanhillsrehab.co.nz.



The most important thing to remember is that there is always a way through addiction, and we're here to help when you're ready.



*This award-winning podcast was made with the help of Radio Hawke's Bay.


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