Signs you could be a ‘borderline alcoholic’ as Adele admitted she quit drinking because of it
Sometimes, it can be difficult to recognise that your relationship with alcohol is teetering on the edge of unhealthy.
In fact, people who appear as 'functional' - but still drink excessively - can sometimes struggle to realise they might have a problem in the first place.
Even celebrities are starting to speak out on their relationship with alcohol including Adele, who revealed she was becoming 'a borderline alcoholic' before she stopped drinking.
Speaking to her audience at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace as her Vegas residency was coming to an end, the singer confessed: "I stopped drinking maybe like three and a half months ago.
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"It’s boring. I mean, I was literally borderline alcoholic for quite a lot of my 20s, but I miss it so much."
So what are the signs of being 'borderline alcoholic'? And what can you do if you recognise this kind of behaviour in yourself?
Dr. Dave Nichols, who is a medical adviser at MyHealthChecked, has explained the types of behaviour that could indicate you're on the edge of becoming dependant on alcohol.
He told The Sun: “A lot of people know that they sometimes drink too much, but many don’t know where the line is when it comes to problematic alcohol consumption.
“It describes a pattern of harmful drinking where you may have a drink, or several drinks, every day or regularly binge drink.”
Dr. Nichols shared some of the biggest signs that you could be a 'borderline alcoholic'.
He explained that those 'borderlining' on alcoholism are likely to do one or all of the following:
Drinking every day
If you drink alcohol every day of the week without even thinking about it, this could be a sign that you're becoming dependant on booze.
Binge drinking
Regularly binge drinking could also be a clue that your relationship with alcohol is becoming unhealthy.
Socialising only if alcohol is involved
Many people like a drink while at a social event. But, it could be a warning sign if you only socialise if there's a chance that booze is involved.
Day drinking
Do you drink regularly during the day? Dr. Nichols says this could be a sign.
Irritation
It's also concerning if you find it annoying when other people decide they're not drinking on a particular social occasion.
Drinking excessively
Excessive drinking is essentially consuming more than the NHS guidelines every month. If you regularly do this, it's worth assessing your relationship with booze and seeking help if necessary.
If you are worried about how much you're drinking and need support, please visit your GP.
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.
Lucy Devine