The medical adviser at MyHealthChecked, Dr Nichols said: “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.”
Dr Nichols explained that problematic alcohol consumption “describes a pattern of harmful drinking”.
Harmful drinking could include having a drink, or several drinks, every day – or binge drinking.
If a person is a borderline alcoholic, there are six signs to watch out for, said Dr Nichols.
Six signs of a borderline alcoholic
- Drink alcohol every day without realising
- Binge-drink often
- Only socialise if drink is involved
- Drink frequently during the day
- Find it irritating when others are not drinking
- Drink more than the NHS guidelines on a monthly basis.
The NHS guidelines are that people should not drink more than 14 units weekly, which amounts to 56 units weekly.
For clarification, one unit of alcohol is equivalent to one shot of a 25ml spirit, such as vodka.
A bottle of wine, for example, can contain nine or more units, which will be printed on the label.
Dr Nichols not only pointed out the risk of alcohol dependence if you drink more than the NHS guidelines; there can be physical symptoms of drinking too much.
A person who consumes too much alcohol might suffer from abdominal pain, stress, anxiety, bad skin, and higher blood pressure.
Additional signs could include trouble sleeping and feeling irritable.
How to cut down on drinking
Dr Nichols, who spoke to The Mirror, suggested kick-starting a break from alcohol by participating in a sober event, such as Dry January.
Sober social gatherings are encouraged, whereby drinking alcohol would seem out of place.
Examples include going out with a friend to grab coffee, or to do a new exercise class.
If you find you are struggling with abstaining from alcohol, support is available.
Drinkline provides advice for anyone who is worried about their own or someone else’s drinking.
Phone 0800 731 4314, available Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
