Forty-one-year-old Samu says his alcohol use has become a problem because once he starts drinking, he tends to drink too much. His case highlights how difficult it can be to judge one’s own consumption when everyday life still appears to function from the outside.

Samu says he initially denied there was an issue, pointing out that he goes to work and takes care of his responsibilities. He also believed he could keep drinking under control by having only a little at a time, but in practice that limit has not held.

An expert warns that these kinds of explanations can hide warning signs that drinkers should respond to early. When a person’s own view no longer matches actual use, the situation can escalate quickly.