Four warning signs that suggest you are in the alcoholic 'danger zone' as Christmas approaches

Here are four warning signs which could suggest you are falling into the alcoholic danger zone as Christmas approaches.

The festive season often goes hand-in-hand with excess and indulgence. In order to make up for the cold, wet and windy weather outside, most of us will spend our time enjoying tasty food and getting merry.

Chances are that most of us will likely drink more than usual during the holiday season, but are you worried you could be taking your drinking habits a little too far?

We all enjoy a drink at Christmas - but could you be at risk of falling to alcoholism? (Getty Stock Images)

Here are four warning signs which could mean you're falling into the alcoholic 'danger zone'.

Lack of routine

Lifestyle changes such as retirement or extended periods of time off can also leave people vulnerable to alcohol issues, as they seek to fill their time.

"In my experience as a therapist, I’ve seen unhealthy drinking habits accelerate after retirement," councillor Andrew Harvey explained to The Telegraph.

"Lifestyle change is hard for most of us. Giving up a routine that’s been in place for decades can really shake people up."

Habitual drinking

Another sign which could indicate that you're sliding into an unhealthy relationship with alcohol is habitual drinking, which is were knocking back the booze finds itself entwined in your day-to-day activities.

"You get into a pattern of drinking the same way every day: a glass of wine while cooking dinner, a nightcap before bed," The Priory's Dr Niall Campbell told the outlet. "It can soon build."

You prefer situations which involve drinking

As we've already mentioned, the Christmas holidays are seen by many as a time to drink a little bit too much and brush it off as enjoying themselves or letting their hair down.

EIGHT WARNING SIGNS YOU COULD BE A HIGH-FUNCTIONING ALCOHOLIC

However, this also means the endless roster of work parties, meet-ups at the pub and family gatherings can make it much harder to distinguish whether how dependant you are on the booze.

"Alcohol is often a bigger struggle in winter, partly because it’s so accessible and seen as a “warming” comfort on cold days, which can lead to more frequent drinking," Jamie Giles, Director of Outpatient Services at Castle Health told LADbible.

"There’s also the social side of alcohol, with winter gatherings, parties, and pub outings making it easy to drink heavily."

Using alcohol as an emotional crutch

One of the tell-tale signs that you're drinking is moving into the danger zone is when you begin to use alcohol as a release rather than something to enjoy.

Here are four warning signs which indicate you could be falling into the alcohol 'danger zone' (Getty Stock Images)

People often find that reaching a stage of intoxication can help with stress and loosening their inhibitions, hence the phrase 'drowning our sorrows'. However, the UK Addiction Treatment Centres states that once alcohol becomes a 'key coping strategy' you're at a greater risk of developing alcoholism.

"When days are short, dark, and cold, people naturally start feeling lower, and for some, this season brings more anxiety or even depression," Giles added.

"Alcohol often becomes a go-to for a quick warmth or mood boost."