It’s common to question your relationship with alcohol—especially if you’ve noticed changes in your mood, energy levels, sleep, or overall wellbeing. Perhaps you’ve started drinking more frequently, find it harder to stop once you’ve started, or you’re just not feeling like yourself lately. These quiet concerns are valid and worth exploring and it's worth doing before a crisis point is reached.
You don’t have to wait until things feel “serious enough” to take stock of your drinking habits. In fact, taking a moment to reflect now could be the most important step in protecting your long-term health and wellbeing.
One helpful place to begin is with a structured and confidential self-assessment. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a brief screening tool developed by the World Health Organization. It is used widely by healthcare professionals and alcohol support services across the UK and beyond.
The AUDIT is designed to help people identify whether their drinking habits may be putting their health at risk—and whether support or changes could be beneficial.
It consists of 10 short questions covering three key areas:
How much and how often you drink
Signs of dependence, such as difficulty stopping or morning drinking
The impact drinking may have on your health, relationships, and daily life
The test is quick and easy to complete, and your responses remain entirely private.
👉 Take the AUDIT – Check Your Drinking Here
Many people fall into what is sometimes called “grey area drinking” which is a space between social drinking and physical dependence. You might not identify as someone with a problem, but alcohol may still be affecting your life in subtle ways: disrupted sleep, lower mood, increased anxiety, tension in relationships, or reduced focus and productivity.
By pausing to reflect with a tool like the AUDIT, you can gain clarity on where you stand and make informed decisions about what to do next.
This is not about judgement, labels, or shame. It’s about tuning in to what’s truly working for you and what isn’t.
If your AUDIT results indicate that your drinking could be placing you at risk, or if you simply feel uneasy and would like to talk it through, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
I offer a free 45-minute phone consultation, where we can explore your current relationship with alcohol, your goals, and what the next steps might look like for you. My coaching is grounded in compassion, and is suitable for individuals who want to reduce or stop drinking, as well as for people supporting a loved one.
Whether you're sober-curious, already alcohol-free, or just beginning to ask questions, this space is for you.
📩 To book your free consultation, email me at:
hello@thenextchapterwiththivya.com
If you are physically dependent on alcohol, it can be dangerous to stop drinking suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, anxiety, nausea, seizures, or confusion can be severe and require medical attention. In some cases, alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening.
If you’re drinking heavily on a daily basis, or have experienced withdrawal symptoms before, it is vital that you speak with your GP or a local alcohol support service. Medical professionals can support you with a safe, supervised detox or gradual reduction plan, and help you begin your recovery with the right safeguards in place.
Your safety and wellbeing always come first.