Are You ‘Almost Alchoholic’? Here Are The Danger Signs!

One of the biggest – and most dangerous – myths about alcoholism, is that some people suffer from it, and other people don’t. Defining alcohol problems in this way is not a good tactic, however, as it misses out a whole bunch of people – the ‘almost alcoholics’ – who drink way too much but don’t quite fall into the criteria for full-blown alcoholism.

Let’s face it, we all enjoy a drink every now and again – regular readers of my blog will know that I love the occasional Mexican Margarita! But it doesn’t take long for a once-in-a-while activity to become something more habitual. And the truth is that for anyone who drinks heavily, there are many health and life consequences that can occur, regardless of whether a doctor confirms you are an alcoholic or not.
With this in mind, I thought I would reveal some of the danger signs that might show you are in that ‘almost’ category. If any of these sound familiar, I urge you to find some help and take more notice of the alcohol you are consuming. It will be tough – but also far easier to do now than it will be if you become an actual alcoholic.

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The solo drinker

There is nothing wrong with having an occasional glass of wine while home alone. But if you find yourself doing it on a regular basis, there is genuine cause for concern. If you do have worries in this area, try avoiding alcohol altogether when you are alone, and only drink a small amount on social occasions.

The binge drinker

Some people can happily live without a drop of alcohol for weeks – maybe even months. But the second they have a drink, they aren’t able to stop themselves from drinking more, and more, and more. Binge drinkers can cause an incredible amount of damage to their bodies in just one session, and the impact can be as harmful as it is for those who drink on a more regular basis.

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The drunk driver

If you have no qualms about driving under the influence, there is a high chance that you also have problems with alcohol. As the team at Scheiner Law for DWI defense point out, even a first offense could lead to jail time, prison sentences, and the loss of your license. If you rely on a car for getting to work, it can have a significant impact on your ability to make a living. The simple solution is never to drink alcohol and drive, but obviously, this can be difficult when you are addicted, so focus on dealing with that addiction – and always hand over your car keys to someone responsible to remove the temptation.

The bored drinker

Finally, drinking should be a fun experience, that complements your current surroundings. But if you are drinking because you are bored, there is a good chance you are an almost alcoholic. In essence, you are relying on the alcohol to give you the good time you crave – it doesn’t quite make you an alcoholic, but it does tell you there are serious problems to deal with. Try finding interesting things to do that inspire you, or maybe branch out into a wider social circle and hang out with those that excite you.