17 Signs You May Be a Functioning Alcoholic

These are the warning signs to watch out for

People are being urged to watch their drinking habits over the Christmas period and in New York, as experts reveal the warning signs of a functioning alcoholic. Christmas is the time of year when people like to have a drink or two. With friends and family gathered to enjoy the festive season, the New Year is also just around the corner.

However, for some, their drinking habits may seem out of control. There are a few signs you can look out for to know if someone is a functioning alcoholic.

The ECHO has previously reported on the illnesses you can get from drinking alcohol, both short and long term problems. From the dreaded hangover and alcohol poisoning to heart and liver disease, the NHS warns against regularly drinking more than 14 units a week.

According to the NHS, there are also dangers of drinking too quickly on a single occasion, which can increase the risk of accidents and lead to poor assessment of risky situations. To reduce health risks, it is advisable to limit the amount you drink and drink slowly as well as drink with food.

In addition to increasing blood pressure and being harmful to every organ in our body, excessive alcohol consumption damages the liver in two major ways: by leaving scars (called cirrhosis) and by causing fat accumulation. . It can also cause major changes in our brains.

Signs and symptoms of a functioning alcoholic include:

• Frequent intoxication and smell of alcohol
• Loss of control around alcohol consumption
• Hiding alcohol in strange places like your garage, at the office, in the bushes or in your car
• Drinking between work hours or appointments, or drinking just enough to keep your alcohol level high if you are dependent on alcohol
• Frequent binge drinking once daily responsibilities have been taken care of
• Justify your alcohol consumption to relax after work, a busy day with the children or as a reward
• Becoming irritable, anxious, restless and unable to sleep if unable to drink
• Drink regularly in the morning before going about your business, or at unusual times of the day, such as at lunchtime, to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• Always drink at social events and “pre-load” before attending a social event
• Avoiding social events or activities that do not involve alcohol
• Alcohol has become a problem at home, they either drink excessively alone at home or disappear to a pub or bar straight after work for hours on end.
• Becoming defensive or flippant when criticized for drinking
• Denying that they are alcoholics, believing that they still hold a job or take the children to school on time
• Alternate alcohol and prescription medications so they can work
• They may become unpredictable, spontaneous, angry, or completely change their character when drunk.
• Difficulty remembering events that occurred while heavily intoxicated and suffering from an alcohol blackout.
• Taking risks, they may well go to work or drive their children to school while they are still over the limit from the night before or after having a drink in the morning.

According to the NHS, alcohol abuse occurs when you drink in a way that is harmful or when you are dependent on alcohol. The full list of short- and long-term risks as well as advice on alcohol abuse can be found here.