• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
'Red flag’ signs you’re a functioning alcoholic as NHS sends warning to festive drinkers

Home> News> Health

Published 12:39 27 Dec 2023 GMT

'Red flag’ signs you’re a functioning alcoholic as NHS sends warning to festive drinkers

The NHS warns about the signs of being a functioning alcoholic

Britt Jones

Britt Jones

Most people like a tipple every now and then - especially during the festive season.

But how much is too much?

Of course, drinking over Christmas and New Years is typically normal in our society, but it’s when you exceed the celebratory drinks cycle and it drifts into everyday life where it can become an issue.

Advert

According to a study by Private Rehab Clinic Delamere, 61 percent of the UK drink too much during the holidays.

The experts at the clinic found that those who take part in binge drinking between Christmas and New Year will end up drinking 22 units or more of alcohol per week, spending around £62.55 on wine, £41.20 on beer, and £50 a week on cocktail drinks.

The holidays can mask real alcohol-related signs.
Pixabay

This has led the NHS to step in and provide UK citizens with a list of ‘red flags’ to watch out for when considering how much they drink.

With dangers such as being prone to accidents and health risks when overindulging during the holidays, the NHS warns that drinking more can ‘raise blood pressure’ and also damage your organs.

Advert

According to the NHS, signs of a functioning alcoholic may include being frequently intoxicated and smelling of booze, hiding alcohol in unusual places and losing control around alcohol use.

If you find yourself drinking between work, appointments, or topping yourself up to stay tipsy, this could be a sign of alcohol dependency.

And if you reward yourself after taking care of daily responsibilities or after a busy day at work or with the kids, this is also a red flag.

Mood changes are also something to be wary of, as if you become anxious, restless, irritable and unable to sleep if you cannot drink, it could show signs of dependency.

There are also a lot of people who like to start of the day with a drop of alcohol or after lunch in order to stave off alcohol withdrawal symptoms, drinking at social events and pre-drinking beforehand, and avoiding events that don’t revolve around drinking.

Advert

'Functional Alcoholics' can use booze to get through the day.
Pixabay

However, these are all dangerous things to participate in and indicate an underlying problem.

Other red flags to look out for include:

1) Drinking excessively alone at home or going to a car straight after work

2) Being defensive or flippant when confronted over their drinking

Advert

3) Denying they are an alcoholic and providing reasons

4) Using prescription pills and alcohol to function

5) Becoming erratic, spontaneous, angry whilst intoxicated

6) Experiencing an alcoholic blackout

7) Taking risks while drunk, such as driving or working

Advert

It was recently announced that new regulations will be coming into place, such as the introduction of ‘pint’ size wine.

If you or anyone you know has any issues with alcohol, don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional, friends and family.

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 Photos

Topics: News, Food And Drink, NHS, Health, Christmas

Britt Jones
Britt Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • 9 hours ago

    Worrying simulation shows how nuclear bomb really works as global tensions continue to rise

    A simulation of an atomic bomb has highlighted the alarming effects it can cause

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    Explicit 'freak off' text messages between Diddy and ex-girlfriend revealed in court for first time

    Messages between Diddy and his ex-girlfriend Jane after 'freak-offs' were shown to the court

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    Donald Trump shares private message with NATO chief with worrying threat to Europe

    Donald Trump shared a screenshot of a recent conversation with NATO chief Mark Rutte

    News
  • 11 hours ago

    Everything we know about Iran-Israel ceasefire following confusion over it actually being agreed

    The Iran-Israel ceasefire has already been broken, according to Israel's defence minister

    News
  • Six signs you could be a borderline alcoholic and need to cut back as heavy festive period approaches
  • 'Dry alcoholic’ explained as woman reveals major signs on how to tell whether you suffer from issue
  • Red flag signs you're a functioning alcoholic if you're still drinking in January
  • Woman’s £20 Pret coffee subscription ‘saved her life’ by providing ‘red flag’ cancer sign