07 November 2023 , 09:30
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A doctor has shared the six warning signs that you're a borderline alcoholic - and offered advice on how to cut back ahead of the new year.
Dr Dave Nichols, an NHS GP and medical adviser at MyHealthChecked, described the term 'borderline alcoholic' as being "dangerously close to the line." Sometimes it could be a glass of wine or a pint of beer after work which soon increases over time, with many of us not knowing "where the line is." It has been reported that more than half of us indulge in booze each week and one in ten drinks on five or more days, according to NHS figures from 2021.
Dr Nichols explained: "A lot of people know that they sometimes drink too much, but many don’t know where the line is when it comes to problematic alcohol consumption. It describes a pattern of harmful drinking where you may have a drink, or several drinks, every day or regularly binge drink." The expert said borderline alcoholics can experience more subtle symptoms and come in "many forms" because it is more difficult to define the term. He shared some signs of being a borderline alcoholic.
- Drink alcohol every day without realising
- Binge-drink often
- Only socialise if drink is involved
- Drink frequently during the day
- Find it irritating when others are not drinking
- Drink more than the NHS guidelines on a monthly basis
The NHS suggests drinking no more than 14 units across three days or more, reports The Sun. This looks like six medium (175ml) glasses of wine, or six pints of four per cent beer. Dr Nichols warned being borderline alcoholic can put you at "high risk of developing alcohol dependence.” He added: “Borderline alcoholics might experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, stress, anxiety, bad skin, trouble sleeping, irritability and higher blood pressure. "The doctor went on to say that long-term issues could be abnormal liver function, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental health problems. The doctor offered four tips to begin your journey to quitting.
Kickstart it: Dr Nichols suggested to try kickstart quitting by participating in a sober event such as Dry January.
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Sober socialising: The GP said you should try and arrange social gatherings which don't include drinking such as the cinema, a new exercise class or a trip to the coffee shop.
You’re not alone: He advised searching for people who are taking part in similar journeys to you. This can be in the form of social media or looking for a local group.
Get inspired: The doctor said it might help you to listen to someone else as it can help you become more accepting of your journey. He recommended The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women.