A lot of people are partial to a drink or two every now and then, but how do you know when it's becoming a problem?

Particularly with the weather getting nicer, going out for a drink can be a nice way to spend an evening after work or at the weekend.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that! However, alcohol can be a slippery slope, and what is a fun night out for some can turn into a devastating illness for others.

Addiction specialists at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere have shared what to look out for if you’re worried about your own drinking or that of a loved one.

A functioning alcoholic is someone who appears to have it together on the outside, holding down a job and fulfilling family obligations, while secretly struggling with an alcohol addiction.

They may believe they don’t have a problem because their life hasn’t fallen apart, but alcohol addiction can escalate, and early intervention is key.

A key warning sign is if you are relying on drinking when home alone, or if you frequently vanish to bars for hours on end after work.

Of course, there are many signs and symptoms of a functioning alcoholic you should be aware of, and here are some red flags that you need to know:

• 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.

If you know someone whom you suspect may be an alcoholic, there are ways to help.

The best time to approach someone with such a sensitive subject could be when they are sober and have no other obligations.

It's important to be open and empathetic and ensure they do not feel ashamed of this mental and physical disease.

Mind recommends pointing them in the direction of services that can help, and even attending appointments with them.

If you would like to speak to somebody about alcohol dependency, help is out there.In the UK, you can contact the Drinkline national alcohol helpline on 0300 123 1110, or visit Alcohol Change UK, Alcoholics Anonymous (helpline on 0800 9177 650), or Al-Anon Family Groups (helpline on 0800 0086 811).

In the US, you can visit National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (helpline on 301–443–3860), NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator®—How to Find Quality Alcohol Treatment, or contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Featured image credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty

A sobriety expert has shared health details of the major red flags that could indicate that you or someone you know is an ‘intermediate alcoholic’. Plus, these symptoms are far more common than you might expect.

If you’re wondering what an ‘intermediate alcoholic’ is, well, you’re not alone. According to websites like Addiction Centre, it's a title given to a subsection of alcoholics - one that constitutes around 18.8% of the people with drinking dependency issues.

It's a subgroup that's typically defined by individuals who have other immediate family members who also battle with alcohol addiction. That said, this factor isn't always present in all 'Intermediate alcoholics'.

A deeper analysis of this description - full name 'Intermediate Familial Subtype' - reveals that those who fit into this category may also have an "antisocial personality", "generalised anxiety" or "bipolar" disorders. They might also smoke cigarettes, weed or use cocaine at a high rate.

A video published by the YouTube account Sobriety Made Simple delves deeper into this label while also revealing the red flag indicator that's way more common than you might think.

What are ‘Intermediate alcoholic’ red flags to look out for?

The major 'Intimidate alcoholic' warning signs that are worth looking out for are highlighted in a new Sobriety Made Simple video hosted by Dr. Timothy Martin.

Here, he explains that some individuals who fall into this category "tend to restrict their use or abuse of alcohol to specific situations or times." In doing so, Dr. Martin suggests that this method presents "the illusion that they are in control of their use."

Of course, those of us who only tend to drink during nights out or whilst attending live gigs or sporting events may fall into this category without even realising it.

Dr. Martin continues to explain some other more obvious 'Intermediate alcoholics' red flags. These include people who "isolate themselves" in order to "spend time drinking".

Click the video above and skip to the 3.50 mark to hear Martin’s detailed advice on this particular area of addiction.

Other surprising 'Intermediate Alcoholic' indicators

While choosing our moments to drink is one obvious red flag highlighted in the video above, Martin also shares some other eyebrow-raising insight.

Specifically, he touches on how ‘Intermediate Familial Alcoholics’ may not fit the bill visually when it comes to our preconceived notions of those struggling with alcohol abuse.

"They have a high employment rate" adds Martin, "60% are employed full time, 20% have college degrees" and "38% are married."

Other useful online resources help shed further light on this demographic. Alcohol.org explains that 66% of 'Intermediate Familial Alcoholics' are male and a high portion of them likely began drinking "in their teen years."

While the same resource readily admits that there's no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem, it does suggest some advice that people can follow if they're worried about their own alcohol intake.

Firstly, they should seek help from mental health professionals - specifically those who specialise in treating addictive behaviours.

If you or someone you know is battling addiction, please reach out for help and contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) or go to https://findtreatment.gov/

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A doctor has explained the four red flag signs that could mean you are a functioning alcoholic.

Many people picture an alcoholic as someone whose life is visibly falling apart, but according to experts, the number of “functioning alcoholics” is on the rise, and the warning signs are often more subtle than you might think.

The NHS defines alcohol misuse as drinking in a way that’s harmful or being dependent on alcohol. Both men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week to keep health risks low.

Dr Iqbal Mohiuddi - one of the consultant psychiatrists at 25 Harley Street Day Clinic - has said that a third to a half of the clients he treats for alcohol addiction don’t fit the typical image of an addict.

“They’re working in high-powered jobs, in the City or the media, and drinking heavily is accepted, almost expected,” he told Healthista. “They have carried on for years in this way, but suddenly they’re getting physical symptoms such as feeling sick in the mornings and needing a drink, and perhaps a partner has said they have had enough and it’s the drink or them.”

He explains that as more companies become aware of alcohol issues in the workplace, they may send employees for detox treatment to protect their health. Many of these individuals continue managing their daily responsibilities while hiding the extent of their drinking and denying the seriousness of their alcohol intake.

Travis Chenoweth, a social worker at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital in Arizona, adds that people with mild or moderate alcohol use disorder may pay their bills, maintain relationships, and hold down good jobs while continuing to drink.

“They may be quite skilled at hiding their alcohol use and not fit ‘alcoholic’ stereotypes,” he said, cited by Banner Health.

To help identify functioning alcoholism, experts often use the four-point acronym CAGE:

• C – Cutting down: Have you ever thought you should probably drink less?
• A – Annoyance: Do you get annoyed when people nag you about your drinking?
• G – Guilt: Do you feel guilty about your drinking or what you do as a result?
• E – Eye-opener: Do you need a drink in the morning to relax or steady your nerves?

According to Dr Mohiuddi, answering yes to even a couple of these questions could indicate a problem with alcohol.

“During a binge, your body is literally saturated with alcohol, and even though you think you can tolerate it, your body isn’t breaking it down any quicker,” he explained. “A good mantra to keep in mind is that human beings can only tolerate one unit of alcohol in an hour, so try and stick to that.”

The NHS adds that someone may be misusing alcohol if they regularly drink more than 14 units a week, sometimes can’t remember what happened the night before, or fail to meet responsibilities because of drinking, such as missing work or appointments.

Heavy drinking can also look like having more than five drinks on any day or more than 14 in a week for men, and more than four drinks on any day or more than seven in a week for women, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Marcia Giannotti, a social worker at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, notes that “‘high-functioning alcoholism’ is an oxymoron,” explaining that alcohol is neurotoxic and inflammatory and can damage your body in many ways over time.

Even those who appear to function normally are at risk for health issues, including high blood pressure, certain cancers, liver problems, memory loss, and, eventually, alcohol-related death.

If you are concerned about your drinking, Dr Mohiuddi suggests using the Alcohol Change drinking quiz to understand if your habits might be impacting your health.

For those seeking help, treatment can include therapy, medication to reduce cravings, and inpatient programs. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Smart Recovery, or Celebrate Recovery can also provide structured support.

For people with alcohol use disorder, Chenoweth says, “it is not possible to drink moderately. The safest option is not to drink at all.”

If you would like to speak to somebody about alcohol dependency, help is out there.

In the UK, you can contact the Drinkline national alcohol helpline on 0300 123 1110, or visit Alcohol Change UK, Alcoholics Anonymous (helpline on 0800 9177 650), or Al-Anon Family Groups (helpline on 0800 0086 811).

In the US, you can visit National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (helpline on 301–443–3860), NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator®—How to Find Quality Alcohol Treatment, or contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Featured image credit: Kinga Krzeminska / Getty

A former high-performing alcoholic has revealed the subtle (and sometimes socially accepted) signs that could indicate you're quietly struggling with alcohol dependence, even while holding down a full-time job.

The ex-drinker, Erik, who once earned $50,000 a month as a general manager and juggled meetings, deadlines, and client calls while hiding a heavy drinking habit, now wants others to recognise the early red flags that they may be slipping into the same pattern.

"I'm a recovering cocaine/alcoholic addict. I don't share this to diagnose, I just share this to help anyone out there, maybe, understand," he said in a video posted to YouTube Shorts.

He points to five key signs that you might be a functioning alcoholic, even if it doesn’t feel like one.

1. Alcohol becomes a part of your daily routine, morning and night

You might joke about a “shower beer” or a mimosa on the weekends, but if you find yourself drinking before work or reaching for a drink the second you're off the clock, that’s a red flag.

2. You choose restaurants or lunch spots that serve alcohol, even during the workday

For many functioning alcoholics, drinking during the day becomes normalised. Often, alcoholics make excuses to eat at bars or places with drink specials, and no one really bats an eye because of how normal it seems. It can be easy to hide, especially if others seem to be doing it.

3. You smell like booze at work, and make light of it

Showing up to work with bloodshot eyes or the lingering scent of alcohol on your breath becomes easy to brush off with a joke about a “big night” or “celebrating something.” But the ex-drinker says that’s a major warning sign, especially if it isn't just once in a while.

4. Drinking is your main way of coping with stress, and it’s never just one

If your first thought after a long day is heading to the pub or cracking open a cold one (and one quickly turns into three or more) that’s cause for concern.

5. You dodge questions, even from close friends

When loved ones start asking about your drinking habits, the knee-jerk response is to change the subject, laugh it off, or get defensive. Alcoholics generally don't want to admit they have a problem, so they often avoid any conversations that might force them to confront it.

Now sober, Erik says: "There's no right or wrong way of getting sober, it's your way of getting sober. So, don't forget that, don't give up, and keep going at it."

If you or someone you know is battling addiction, please reach out for help and contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) or go to https://findtreatment.gov/ 

Featured image credit: ZzzVuk / Getty Images.

Leon Sylvester, who goes by Sober Leon on YouTube, has become a trusted voice for people looking to regain control over their drinking habits. In his recent video, he highlighted a crucial warning sign that may indicate someone is a high-functioning problem drinker — and it could be lurking in your relationship.

Sylvester, who shares personal insights and practical advice on how to break free from problematic drinking without relying on Alcoholics Anonymous or sheer willpower, explains that one of the clearest signs of a high-functioning problem drinker is the tendency to lie about alcohol consumption.

“You would be surprised how common this is,” he said. “When you drink alcohol, you know what you're doing is wrong. You know it hurts the people that you love. But rather than address the issue directly, we just think that they’re never going to notice. We can sneak those drinks in.”

Hiding alcohol from loved ones

Many high-functioning problem drinkers go to great lengths to hide their drinking, often from those closest to them. It’s not just about sneaking a few drinks here and there — some individuals go so far as to mask the smell of alcohol on their breath.

“I know people who’ll drink vodka because there’s less smell, and maybe their partner won’t notice,” Sylvester shared.

This behavior is often an attempt to avoid facing the reality of their drinking. In fact, Sylvester points out that the person most affected by these lies isn't the partner or family members — it’s the person doing the hiding.

A wake-up call for change

Sylvester also emphasizes that lying about your drinking is a red flag that shouldn’t be ignored. In his own experience, it’s a sign that change is necessary.

“The person who gets hurt the most from this lie isn’t your family or your children, it’s you,” he explained. “Lying and hiding your drinking is a sign that it might be time to change.”

Having personally struggled with these behaviors for years, Sylvester has a deep understanding of the internal struggle involved. He shared that he lived with this feeling for over a decade before he began to address it.

If you find yourself hiding alcohol or lying about your consumption, Sylvester’s advice is clear: it’s time to take an honest look at your relationship with alcohol and consider making a change — not just for the sake of your loved ones, but for yourself.

Featured image credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty