Sign you may be functioning alcoholic can be seen in pub during St Patrick's Day

If you're planning on sinking a few stouts down at the local boozer this St Patrick's Day, there's one thing to be mindful of.

Ahead of the Guinness-dripping event, which commemorates the death date of Ireland's patron saint and takes place every 17 March, an expert has revealed there's one telltale sign of a high-functioning alcoholic that can be identified throughout pubs next week.

Even without Irish nationality, the drinker in all of us might be tempted to get supping on this emerald-tinted occasion, but if you're finding yourself to be on the sauce a bit too regularly, there could be an issue swimming under the surface.

St Patrick's Day falls on 17 March each year (Getty Stock Image)

What is a functioning alcoholic?

Per the UK Addiction Treatment Centres' official guidelines, a functioning alcoholic is a 'person with an addiction to alcohol, but manages to go about their daily routine, therefore their drinking problem goes unseen'.

Key sign of someone being a functioning alcoholic

If you're concerned that your drinking habits could be becoming unhealthy, here is one simple sign you should be wary of.

As for the aforementioned identifier, expert Lee Spinks claims it takes the form of being unable to call it quits after one drink and finding excuses to stay out all night long.

"Initially, they intend that they will just have one or possibly two, and they may sincerely wish to believe this and tell others in your company to reaffirm this belief," he wrote.

"But one will always turn into more as they will inevitably find an excuse to continue drinking, whether it be another round, chatting to a new person, or an offer on beverages such as 'happy hour'. Whatever the reason, they are likely to find excuses to continue drinking."

The sign can be seen in the pub (Getty Stock Image)

Spinks continued to add that as a high-functioning alcoholic, you might be aware of the problems in your relationship with booze but could potentially make excuses to avoid talking about it due to 'deep-rooted anxiety'.

Justifications often made by sufferers include phrases such as 'I work so hard. I am entitled to have fun' or 'I pay the bills, take my kids to school, and get to work on time. Alcoholics can't do those things'.

As for the Baby Guinness chuggers out there, here's something else you'll want to watch out for this Paddy's Day.

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.