Singapore’s thriving economy has created a booming wine market. Will this drive casual drinkers to become problem drinkers and are you at risk?
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Singapore has a booming wine market that is forecasted to grow 5.2% and reach US $1.4 billion by 2021. The country’s thriving economy is producing high levels of disposable income and tremendous spending power. Consumers have an affinity for premium wine products from Australia, France and Chile, and global distributors are rushing to fill the need.
Justin Dry, co-founder of the Australian online wine retailer Vinomofo, recognises Singapore as its fastest growing market. Vinomofo’s average order from this small city-state is around $300 and Dry notes, “I think for the size of the population, it punches well above its weight in terms of wine spend”.
But will this enthusiasm for alcohol end up hitting Singaporeans below the belt? With more and better products flooding into the country, even casual drinkers are in danger of becoming dependent on alcohol. Are you at risk?
Alcohol Abuse in Singapore is Rising
Alcohol abuse is one of the three most common mental health disorders in Singapore. However, a 2010 Singapore Mental Health Study revealed that 96.2% of those affected by it did not seek help. Today, the growing popularity of alcohol as a status symbol is affecting those statistics.
Psychiatrist Thomas Lee estimates he has seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of alcohol abuse cases in the past three years. What is most troubling is the growing number of binge drinkers in their teens and 20s. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks for men, and four or more drinks for women, within a two-hour period.
From Casual to Problem Drinker
The fine line between casual and problem drinking can be crossed without you even noticing. You don’t have to be an alcoholic to have a drinking problem.
If you are a casual drinker, you consume alcohol infrequently, without an intent to become intoxicated. You drink socially and responsibly at work events or family celebrations. The average intake for casual drinkers is:
3 drinks in a single day and 7 drinks in a week (for women)
4 drinks in a single day and 14 drinks in a week (for men).
Problem drinkers drink frequently and use alcohol in ways that negatively impact their health and lives. It differs from alcoholism in that the body is not yet physically addicted to alcohol. It is crucial to note that problem drinking can easily turn into alcoholism over time.
Signs of Problem Drinking
- Experiencing hangovers that impede your productivity
- “Blacking out” or forgetting what you did while drinking
- Neglecting responsibilities at work, home or school
- Regularly drinking more than you wanted to
- Drinking to feel better, relax or de-stress
- Hiding your drinking from others
- Drinking alone
If you answered yes to at least 3 of these traits, you may be a problem drinker. The good news is that world-class quality care and support are available.
Alcohol Treatment at The Cabin Singapore
The Cabin Singapore is your best choice for alcohol treatment. We understand that each person has individual needs and treatment goals. Your initial assessment is strictly confidential and conducted by one of our addiction professionals who will support you throughout the process to provide the appropriate care.
We are an internationally recognised and highly respected leader in alcohol treatment and behavioural health. Addressing the psychological and behavioural symptoms of alcohol abuse is the key to recovery. As part of your treatment you will participate in therapies and activities to develop relapse prevention tools for lasting recovery. Singapore is rife with temptation, and we will teach you methods to change your behaviour and provide you with techniques to help cope with stressful situations that may lead to relapse.
The Cabin Singapore’s outpatient treatment centre is conveniently yet discreetly located within the Novena Medical Centre. Attending outpatient alcohol addiction treatment allows you the opportunity to continue your career, studies or home responsibilities while receiving effective treatment in the evenings.
Start now. The sooner you begin your recovery, the better your life will become. Contact us today.
The Urgency of Recovery
Alcohol can damage the body and brain, if you have been abusing alcohol for years, then time is not on your side. Over time, the damage from alcohol is compounded. Prolonged alcohol abuse is associated with more than 200 diseases and cause severe damage to the brain and liver. Links to several types of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, bowel and breast, have been observed meaning, the sooner you get into treatment, the higher your quality of life will be in the years to come.
The younger a person is when they begin to abuse alcohol, the greater the urgency for treatment. Young brains are still rapidly developing so drinking during adolescence and early adulthood can create negative and lasting effects. Regular binge drinking can damage the frontal cortex and areas of the brain involved in decision making. Those affected may have difficulties in making sound judgements or planning for their futures and setting life goals.
Get Help Today
You deserve a life free of alcohol. The Cabin Singapore provides experienced counsellors who will get to the root causes of a client’s alcohol abuse. We help to identify triggers and teach coping skills for life-long freedom from alcohol. Take the first step on the road to recovery, contact us today.
Is Your Drinking Putting You at Risk?
By this point, you may or may not honestly know if your drinking is considered ‘problematic’. You may enjoy drinking – and frequently at that – but has your drinking become something to worry about? We’ve put together the following two-minute quiz to help you assess your drinking habits and show you where you stand in your relationship with alcohol. There’s no need to second guess your habits. Take the quiz to find out.
