By now, we are all aware that drinking excessively can't be a good a thing.
As a non-drinker, I have no issue with my friends knocking down a few cold ones after work and I will often join them - with a very exciting Diet Coke.
However, I can't help but notice that when the weather gets nicer, life gets better, particularly in the UK.
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But with the Sun beaming and the drinks flowing, without realising, you might possibly be on the edge of consuming a little too much.
That's why it's probably worth keeping a look out for these six signs in the lead-up to summer, as advised by an NHS doctor.
What is an alcoholic?
According to the NHS, 'alcohol misuse is when you drink in a way that's harmful, or when you're dependent on alcohol'.
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The health service advises people to not regularly drink more than 14 units a week.
One unit of alcohol is 8g or 10ml of pure alcohol, which is about half a pint of lower to normal-strength lager/beer/cider (ABV 3.6 percent), a single small shot measure (25ml) of spirits (25ml, ABV 40 percent), or a small glass (125ml, ABV 12 percent) of wine containing about 1.5 units of alcohol.
Six signs you're a borderline alcoholic and need to cut back
1) You drink alcohol every day without thinking about it
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 'people like to drink alcohol because of its ability to alter emotional states'.
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They say that alcohol 'induces euphoria, relaxation, and disinhibition while reducing stress and anxiety'.
2) You binge-drink regularly
Dr Dave Nichols, an NHS GP, told The Sun that alcoholism is when a person has an uncontrollable desire to drink.
"Their body is dependent on alcohol," he said.
3) You only socialise where drink is involved
If the only reason you're going to the staff party is for the free booze, then perhaps you need to find more interesting colleagues.
4) You drink regularly during the day
"Alcoholics will usually develop physical and psychological symptoms if they stop drinking," Dr Nichols explained.
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"Borderline alcoholics might experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, stress, anxiety, bad skin, trouble sleeping, irritability and higher blood pressure."
5) You find it annoying when others are not drinking
Often, if I go on a night out, 99 percent of the people aren't at all bothered with the fact that I don't drink.
But occasionally, there will always be that one person who has a slight issue with it.
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Perhaps a look at one's self would be more appropriate.
6) You drink more than the NHS guidelines every month.
As mentioned, the NHS guidelines advise not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week.
Dr Nichols warned: "The most common long-term physical impacts of borderline alcoholism are abnormal liver function, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental health problems, but these are often hidden diseases and patients are unaware of them until they progress."
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.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock ImagesTopics: Food And Drink, Health, UK News, Weather, Alcohol