Do You Really Want To Change?

Before deciding whether you are ready to change, it is good to think about the costs and benefits of each choice. Filling in the boxes below will help you see the costs and benefits of your drinking:

Here's an example:

Benefits of not drinking:	Benefits of drinking:
I would do a better job at work I would have more time to spend time with people I care about	I have fun when I drink Drinking is how I relax after a long day at work
Costs of not drinking:	Costs of drinking:
I will have to face responsibility I will have to find another way of dealing with my problems	I am not able to support my family I am depressed and anxious

Now you try filling in your own answers:

Which box has the most answers?

Benefits of Not Drinking Benefits of Drinking Costs of Not Drinking Costs of Drinking

What does this mean to you?

Do the benefits of continuing to drink outweigh the costs?

Yes No

If you think the costs of continuing to drink are greater than the benefits, you may want to consider changing your drinking behavior. This is your decision.

Your strategy for change depends on your view of the problem and how much you would like to change. Motivation to change has been shown to be a very important factor in changing a person’s relationship to alcohol, and in one study (Project MATCH) it was the strongest predictor of whether a person would change his/her drinking behavior. ³¹

Are you planning to change your drinking in the next 6 months?

Yes No

What moment/thought/experience prompted you to seek out this resource today?

Why are you thinking about change now or within the next 6 months?

Benefits of Not Drinking	Benefits of Drinking

Costs of Not Drinking	Costs of Drinking