Signs of a Drinking Problem: The Questions That Can Change Everything

When it comes to identifying the signs of a drinking problem, sometimes the most powerful tool isn’t a diagnosis or a checklist—it’s the ability to ask the right question at the right time.

It might sound simple, but when you’re navigating something as complex and personal as alcohol use, curiosity paired with compassion is a kind of superpower.

Here are 5 questions that can create clarity—for yourself or someone you love:

1. What Do You Need Right Now?
This question shifts the focus from shame or blame to support. If someone you care about may be drinking more than usual, this helps open a door instead of closing one.

2. Is This Helping or Hurting?
Whether it’s a nightly glass that’s turned into three, or weekend habits creeping into the workweek—this question invites honest reflection. Not everything that feels normal is healthy.

3. How Do You Feel About Your Drinking?
If you or someone close to you gets defensive, shuts down, or avoids the topic altogether, that in itself can be a sign of a drinking problem. This question is less about judgment and more about insight.

4. Is This Something I Can Help With, or Do You Just Need Me to Listen?
Alcohol use can be tied to stress, grief, anxiety, or disconnection. You don’t have to “fix it.” Sometimes the most powerful move is just being a safe space for someone to process.

5. Has Your Drinking Affected Your Relationships, Sleep, Work, or Mood?
This is where the signs often show up first. Irritability, withdrawal, missed deadlines, or changes in behavior might indicate that it’s time to talk to a professional.

Getting curious about drinking habits doesn’t mean assuming the worst—it means you care enough to notice when something seems off.

If you're asking these questions and unsure where to turn next, therapy can help. I work with men in California, Oregon, Texas, and in-person in Fayetteville, GA through Momentum Collection.

You don’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s talk.