How to know when a hangover might be something more sinister as work Christmas parties approach

Asked the big bosses for a pay rise, snogged that colleague you’re supposed to sit opposite in a meeting next week or decided to perform a full tuneless ballad at the karaoke - just some of the things many Brits are likely regretting this month.

That’s because with the festive season now in full swing, so are the work Christmas parties.

And of course, with that, for those who like to take full advantage of the free bar - or moneybag managers feeling generous - the hangovers and the hangxiety are here too.

With the fear you’re going to be hearing from HR or just be bullied by your co-workers for a few weeks, you might wake up from your do muttering ‘I’m never drinking again’.

But unfortunately, it’s important to know when a hangover might be something more sinister for your health than a dramatic ‘my life is over’ day.

The morning after isn't so merry (Getty Stock Image)

What actually is a hangover?

If you drink alcohol and you’ve never had a hangover, then good for you. Or should I say, stop kidding yourself.

Of course, a hangover kicks in when you drink a large amount of alcohol. Dehydration is a key cause of many symptoms that come with this as well as the likes of tiredness, having a headache, experiencing stomach pain, dizziness and nausea.

Plus, there’s also that irritability with everyone and everything around you, possible anxiety and sensitivity to light and sound.

And the real kicker is, there’s no real official cure for a hangover - even if many of us have our own ones. The best thing you really can do though is just drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and get some rest.

Sometimes the office parties go a bit too far (Getty Stock Image)

Five specific warning signs it could be more serious

Unfortunately, what you might think is a hangover from taking things too far at the work Christmas do this season could potentially be something more sinister.

American Addiction Centres Medical Editor, Scott Thomas, MD, spoke about spotting the difference between this.

With a hangover, symptoms tend to subside with time, eating and rehydration - typically over a day or so.

However, if someone is finding it hard to bounce back from it and it goes on for several days then they could be experiencing alcohol withdrawal. And this could be a sign of alcohol use disorder.

Dr Thomas’s signs it could be more serious:

· The symptoms experienced are severe

· Symptoms last longer than a day

· The symptoms get worse

· Each episode of drinking leads to a hangover

· Drinking more makes you feel better

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.