The six signs you’re a borderline alcoholic and should cut back

These are the main signs you may have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol

The NHS recommends that adults don’t drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week, which is the equivalent of about seven or eight pints of normal strength (around 4 per cent) beer or cider.

But in recent years, it’s safe to say that drinking has become less popular and has certainly lost the ‘cool’ image it had in the 2000s.

More and more under-35s are choosing not to drink, and several famous faces have spoken about how they’ve decided to give up the booze.

According to the NHS, alcohol misuse is “when you drink in a way that’s harmful, or when you’re dependent on alcohol.”

But what are the main signs that you may be developing, or have developed, an unhealthy relationship with alcohol?

Dr Dave Nichols, an NHS GP and medical adviser at website MyHealthChecked, has revealed the six signs you should watch out for:

1) You drink alcohol every day without thinking about it

2) You binge-drink regularly

3) You only socialise where drink is involved

4) You drink regularly during the day

5) You find it annoying when others are not drinking

6) You drink more than the NHS guidelines every month

Speaking to the Sun, Dr Nichols explained that alcoholism is when a person has an uncontrollable desire to drink.

“Their body is dependent on alcohol,” he said.

“Alcoholics will usually develop physical and psychological symptoms if they stop drinking.

“Borderline alcoholics might experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, stress, anxiety, bad skin, trouble sleeping, irritability and higher blood pressure.

“They are early indicators that you need to significantly reduce your alcohol consumption.”

He added: “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.”

If you are struggling with alcoholism, or know someone who is, you can find free help and advice at the following places:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.

• The HSE Drugs and Alcohol helpline offers free and confidential support via freephone at 1800 459 459, or email at [email protected]