People are being asked to be aware of the warning signs of being a functioning alcoholic this festive period, as drinking habits change. While most people tend to drink more than they usually would throughout Christmas and New Year, a new study has shown that over 60% of people think they over-indulge on the booze at this time of year.
According to the Manchester Evening News, research done by Private Rehab Clinic Delamere has looking into how much people spend on alcohol during each week of the Christmas period. They found that those who binge drink during Christmas and the New Year consume 22 units or more of alcohol a week while spending an eye-watering £62.55 on wine or £41.20 on beer. For cocktail and spirit drinkers this rises to over £50.
But its not just the finances to consider, experts have highlighted some warning signs to be aware of if they feel they, or someone they know, may be drinking too much at this time of year.
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Overindulgence or overreliance on alcohol can have some serious consequences, according to experts at the NHS, most prominently on your health. Here are the signs and symptoms of a functioning alcoholic:
Frequent intoxication and smelling of alcohol
Loss of control around alcohol use
Hiding alcohol in strange places such as their garage, at the office, in bushes or in their car
Drinking between work times or appointments, or drinking just enough to keep their alcohol levels topped up if they are alcohol dependent
Frequent binge drinking after daily responsibilities are taken care of
Justifying their drinking as a way of unwinding after work, a busy day with the kids or as a reward
Becoming irritable, anxious, restless and unable to sleep if they are unable to drink
Regularly drinking in the morning before going about their day, or at odd times of the day such as lunchtime in order to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Always drinking at social events and ‘preloading’ prior to attending a social event
Avoiding social events or activities that do not involve alcohol
Alcohol has become a problem at home, with them either drinking excessively alone at home or disappearing to a pub or bar straight after work for hours
Becoming defensive or flippant when challenged over their drinking
Denying they are an alcoholic, reasoning that they still hold down a job or take the kids to school on time
Alternating alcohol and prescription pills in order that they can function
They may become erratic, spontaneous, angry or change their character completely whilst intoxicated
Difficulty in recalling events that took place whilst heavily intoxicated – experiencing an alcoholic blackout
Risk-taking, they may well drive to work or drive children to school whilst still over the limit from the previous night or from taking a morning drink
The NHS says that alcohol misuse is defined as when someone drinks in a way that is either harmful, or when someone becomes dependent on alcohol.
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