President’s Weekly Bulletin – Recognizing When Drinking Becomes Too Much

Recently I had my brother-in-law over for dinner. He is a retired physician who worked in the area of addiction. The conversation started around anxiety and how this can at times lead to self-medication — particularly through alcohol consumption, which unfortunately, as well all know, has a higher prevalence in our community.

When we feel overwhelmed, restless, unable to sleep, or burdened by persistent worry, it is human nature to seek relief. A drink may seem to be the perfect cure, to “take the edge off.” It may quiet racing thoughts or make social situations feel easier. In the short term, alcohol can appear to reduce anxiety. However, over time, it often does the opposite.

Alcohol is a depressant. While it may initially create a sense of calm, it disrupts sleep, affects mood regulation, and can actually increase anxiety the following day. This cycle — anxiety, temporary relief, rebound anxiety — can quietly become a pattern. What begins as occasional coping can gradually shift into reliance.

At our last Wellness presentation Dr. Burley reminded us that anxiety can present as irritability, avoidance, difficulty concentrating, perfectionism, or even oversleeping. When those symptoms persist, turning to alcohol or other substances can feel like a manageable solution. But self-medicating often masks the root issue rather than addressing it.

As leaders and community members, it is important that we approach this topic without judgment. Substance misuse does not reflect weakness or moral failure. It is often an attempt to cope with emotional pain, stress, or unprocessed fear. Recognizing this helps us replace stigma with understanding.

For those wondering whether their drinking might be moving from social to problematic, one simple and widely used screening tool is the CAGE questionnaire. It is not a diagnosis, but it can be a helpful first step in self-reflection. The four questions are:

C – Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
A – Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
G – Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking?
E – Have you ever needed a drink first thing in the morning — an Eye-opener — to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

If you answer “yes” to two or more questions, it may be worth speaking with a healthcare professional.

The key word is “speak.” Anxiety and substance use both thrive in silence. Conversation is often the first and most courageous step toward change. Support may come from a physician, counselor, peer support group, or a trusted friend. Help is available, and recovery is possible.

As Rotarians, our commitment to service includes fostering healthy communities. That begins by acknowledging realities that affect many families, including our own. By continuing to educate ourselves and reduce stigma, we create space where people feel safe seeking help.

Let us continue this dialogue with compassion. If anxiety is inevitable in life, as Dr. Burley reminded us, then so too must be our willingness to support one another through it — not with quick fixes, but with understanding, connection, and care.

Thought for the week.. 

“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection.”– Johann Hari

This Week's Zoom Meeting Details:

Topic: Weekly Rotary Meeting
Time: Jan 20, 2026, 2025 07:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81827939082
Meeting ID: 818 2793 9082
Passcode: rotary