Are your summer boozing habits a problem? The 17 signs you’re a functioning alcoholic revealed

AS the evenings get lighter, and weather warmer, there is always a temptation to unwind with a tipple in the garden.

Summer favourites, like holidays, festivals and BBQ parties all bring with them ample time to socialise with a drink in the sun.

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One in two Brits up their drinking when the weather is warm[/caption]

With all this extra exposure to booze, it can be easy to drink too much in the summer months.

But a group of addiction specialists said you should reflect on how much you’re drinking, in case you happen to be a functioning alcoholic.

A functioning alcoholic is defined as someone who suffers from alcoholism but is still able to carry on with day-to-day life.

They can hold down a job, play a role within a family and to most people, appear to be coping.

That’s why it’s so easy for the condition to go missed, as those with it do not look like the stereotypical alcoholic. 

Adults generally consuming more units of alcohol in an average week than in the winter – over half (57 per cent) of Brits up their drinking when the weather is warm, according to a recent survey.

With this in mind, addiction specialists at Delamere compiled a list of common signs of a functioning alcoholic to look out for in yourself, or a friend.

1. Frequent binge drinking after daily responsibilities are taken care of
2. Justifying drinking as a way of unwinding after work, a busy day with the kids, or as a reward
3. Frequent intoxication and smelling of alcohol
4. Loss of control around alcohol use
5. Hiding alcohol in strange places such as the garage, at the office, in bushes or in the car
6. Drinking between work times or appointments, or drinking just enough to keep their alcohol levels topped up
7. Becoming irritable, anxious, restless and unable to sleep if unable to drink
8. Regularly drinking in the morning or at odd times of the day such as lunchtime in order to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms
9. Always drinking at social events and ‘preloading’ prior to attending a social event
10. Avoiding social events or activities that do not involve alcohol
11. Alcohol has become a problem at home, with either drinking excessively alone at home or disappearing to a pub or bar straight after work for hours
12. Becoming defensive or flippant when challenged over drinking
13. Denial, and reasoning that you/they can still hold down a job or take the kids to school on time
14. Alternating alcohol and prescription pills
15. Becoming erratic, spontaneous, angry or changing character completely while intoxicated
16. Difficulty in recalling events that took place whilst heavily intoxicated, or an ‘alcoholic blackout’
17. Risk-taking, such as driving to work or the school run whilst still over the limit from the previous night or from taking a morning drink

It’s recommended to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week – with a unit being different depending on the strength of booze you’re having.

For example, a 750ml bottle of red, white or rosé wine (ABV 13.5 per cent) contains 10 units.