Am I an Alcoholic? How To Tell if You're Addicted to Booze
How to tell if you have a drinking problem
Most of us love to wind down with a glass of wine after work, a beer at a social, or a gin and tonic in the sunshine. That's just one of the basic enjoyments of life. I mean, who doesn't love a drink, right?Over 60% of the United Kingdom consumes alcohol, however much, every single week. That might seem high, but the real question is, how many of that 60% abuses alcohol, and how many drink well within their limits?
Whatever the statistics, we're not here to judge. But have you ever wondered if you are over reliant on the booze? We look at some common alcoholic traits, and if you match any of these, then you may want to re-evaluate your alcohol intake...
You drink more than you intended
Having a couple of drinks isn't so bad - it's harmless enough, right? Well, do you ever get into the habit of drinking a whole lot more than you set out to do? It's easy how two drinks can turn to three, then quickly to six, and all of a sudden you've lost count and ended up on an all night binge!You Try to cut down but keep failing
Most people who suspect they are drinking too much try to cut down, and to be fair, a lot of people succeed. But if you're always struggling to cut down the amount of alcohol you are drinking, then it's likely you could have a problem on your hands.The drink is affecting relationships
Alcohol is a subtle drug that can have devastating effects on one's personal life. You may think you are in a happy family life, but the reality is often so different. If you wife, parents, siblings or kids suspect there is a problem or are unhappy with the amount you drink, then you should listen to them, because they're probably right to suspect you could be more addicted to the booze than you may think.You have constant cravings for alcohol
If, after a long day at work, the first thing you think about is a drink, then that's a problem in itself. This is where the habit starts, and if not controlled, it can get out of hand. If you're drinking more than five times a week, then step back and ask yourself: is it really necessary?It DOESN'T affect your work life
There is a common perception that all alcoholics drink at work, and therefore lose their jobs, but this isn't always the case. Some alcoholics don't drink at work at all, and it is actually more common for people who are reliable on the booze to not touch a drop until they are out of the workplace. This is commonly know as the 'functional alcoholic'. As long as they get their daily 'hit', it really doesn't matter what time of day it is.Drinking alcohol is your hobby
If you refer drinking alcohol as a hobby, then you are probably in a lot more trouble than you may think. Many alcoholics use this label to disguise the truth about their drinking pattern. The most common trend for an alcoholic is denial, and if you find you don't have any other hobbies than drinking, then you could have a serious problem.You need to consume more to experience desired effects
It's easy to go down the path of being an alcoholic, and this can be clearly shown by how you drink, and what patterns you fall into. If you are getting into the habit of needing to drink large quantities to enjoy the booze, then you're abusing it, and therefore could be on your way to some serious issues.You struggle to go without alcohol
Well, this might seem like the most obvious one, but if you struggle to go a few days without a drink, and experience withdrawal symptoms, then you've definitely got an addiction problem.Alcohol addiction is a serious issue, and one that should not be overlooked. If you are concerned about your drinking habits, then visit the NHS Alcohol Support website.
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