Licensed therapists and mental performance coaches can work with you to help recognize and modify behaviors that have a negative impact on your life and athletic performance. The transtheoretical model of change includes five stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Motivational interviewing techniques pair nicely with this model. Motivational interviewing strategies will allow you to build a quality relationship with your practitioner and they can help you build skills to help with focusing on what is important and how you can create a plan for positive change. 

(Johnson, Chapter 9, 2019; Mack et al., 2017; Prochaska & DiClemente, Chapter 1, 1986)

Recognizing that you are engaging in behaviors that are negatively affecting your ability to be successful is the first step. Without awareness, it is likely that you will continue to use alcohol and it can create greater challenges if drinking takes over your life. For these methods to work, you must be willing to make changes.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

Am I drinking alcohol two or more days a week?

Are my decisions while drinking putting me in risky situations?

Am I hurting others when I drink?

Am I falling behind in school?

Am I struggling to perform at my best potential in sport?

If you are answering yes to these, it might be time to find someone to help you learn about making a positive change in your life.  

(Johnson, Chapter 9, 2019; Mack et al., 2017; Prochaska & DiClemente, Chapter 1, 1986)

You can use the transtheoretical model of change to help with alcohol use. The precontemplation stage is when you are not considering change or don't recognize that you have a problem. Once you become aware of how your choices are affecting your life, you enter the contemplation stage. This is when you will start considering how your behavior is affecting you and those around you. The preparation stage is when you decide to seek help. This might take some time, but if you are truly interested in making a change, you will persist and find someone that can help you. As you move into the action stage, you will be creating a plan and work to follow through with positive changes. The maintenance stage will last the longest but is when you create new behaviors that will let you live your best life.