Former alcoholic shares three signs you could have a drinking addiction without realising

Warning: This article contains discussion of alcoholism which some readers may find distressing.

A former alcoholic has revealed three signs which might suggest you have an addiction to drinking.

While younger people are seemingly moving away from alcohol, with drunken nights out a distant memory for more reasons than one, others continue to enjoy a tipple or two.

Of course, the reasons for avoiding alcohol have long been discussed but in such a health-focused generation, going sober is becoming more popular than ever, although the price of a pint might also be a contributing factor.

We've all got mates that love a drink or two on a night out but as you get a bit older and leave the university days behind, it's important to recognise when that visit to the pub starts to become dangerous, with one former alcoholic suggesting that one event is a sign that things are no longer casual.

There are a number of signs you might be reliant on alcohol (Getty stock)

Naturally, any drinkers would want to avoid a hangover by any means necessary, even if that means drinking McDonald's coca-cola far too early in the morning, but regularly feeling the after effects of the night before is just another sign of potential alcohol abuse, according to one former alcoholic, Katie Lain.

What are the three signs you might have an alcohol addiction?

In her first of three signs, she said: "Hangovers and recovering from them are becoming a regular part of your life, maybe you've even developed a ritual and a routine with how you personally overcome hangovers and maybe you've learned to function in life; go to work take care of your kids and family, while you're hungover."

It certainly does sound like hell to turn up to work hungover and if that's happened to your more than a few times, then it might be time to change your ways.

Katie suggests that she would often drink more than her friends on a night out and identified that as a second potential sign of addiction.

She explained: "You begin to notice that you're drinking more than others around you. If you're anything like me I would be at a party and I'd be on my second third or fourth drink while people are still sipping their first. I would also start to get anxious wondering is there enough alcohol here?"

Finally, she pointed out that those who might be addicted will want to seek out social gatherings where alcohol is involved and perhaps miss events where you know people won't be drinking.

She concludes: "You prefer alcohol to be at every social function and maybe you're not really drawn to social gatherings if you know people won't be drinking there or if you know that they won't be drinking as much as you want to drink."

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.