Sign you may be a functioning alcoholic can be spotted when drinking in a bar

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?

Drinking is often a social event. Credit: Klaus Vedfelt / Getty

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.

There is help available for alcoholics. Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty

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