Am I drinking more than I realise?
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
/the-sinclair-method
If you are not counting the number of standard drinks you are drinking, or strictly limiting your consumption, the answer is probably yes!
Many people underestimate how much they drink. It’s common to say “I only drink a bit in the evenings” and then be surprised when it’s added up over a week or a month.
Why We Underestimate Our Drinking
There are a few reasons people drink more than they realise:
- Home serves are bigger: A “glass” of wine at home is often 1.5–2 standard drinks.
- Topping up glasses: Makes it hard to track how much you’ve had.
- Busy lives: It’s easy to lose count after a long day or while socialising.
- Normalisation: If everyone around you drinks heavily, your own intake can feel “normal,” even if it’s high.
A Quick Self-Check
Consider these questions:
- Do you often finish the bottle when you only planned one or two glasses?
- Do you forget exactly how many drinks you had the night before?
- Do you regularly drink most days of the week?
- Is it unusual for you to have several alcohol-free days in a row?
- Do other people comment on how much or how often you drink?
If you answered yes to some of these, you may be drinking more than you intend.
Try a One-Week Tracking Exercise
For 7 days, write down every drink you have, including:
- Type of drink (beer, wine, spirits, premix)
- Approximate amount
- Time of day
Then convert them to standard drinks using an Australian standard drink guide. People often discover they’re drinking:
- More frequently than they thought
- Larger amounts per session
- More total drinks per week than they were aware of
It’s Not About Blame – It’s About Clarity
Recognising that you’re drinking more than you realised isn’t a failure; it’s useful information. It helps you decide what you’d like to change, if anything, and what kind of support might work best.
How The Sinclair Method Fits In
If you discover that you’re drinking more than you’d like, The Sinclair Method can help you:
- Take a structured, medical approach to cutting down
- Use a medication before drinking that reduces cravings over time
- Work towards a level of drinking that feels safe and manageable for you
- Or move toward abstinence if that’s your long-term goal
