Doctor explains the four key signs you're in the alcoholic danger zone

A doctor laid out the four signs to look out for in identifying the 'alcoholic danger zone', the point when excessive drinking becomes a serious and chronic habit.

People who have suffered from alcoholism have identified the signs to be aware of that you've become a bona fide alcoholic, as well as the kinds of people who should avoid drinking excessively at all costs.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Dr Niall Campbell of The Priory identified four warning signs, suggesting that since the end of the coronavirus pandemic he's noticed people's drinking habits have changed.

The doctor warned more people were working from home and drinking throughout the day, which was a problem because drinking without anyone else around to notice it was a risky business.

He said there were many questions to be asked, but had four main areas people could look at.

Getting into the habit of drinking alcohol can be a warning sign of alcoholism (Getty Stock Photo)

Habitual drinking

The doctor said that being alcoholic wasn't restricted to people who related alcohol consumption with trauma, it could also develop from alcohol becoming an all too regular part of the routine.

"It can be habitual," he warned.

"You get into a pattern of drinking the same way every day: a glass of wine while cooking dinner, finishing off the bottle with the meal, a nightcap before bed. It can soon build."

He mentioned treating a patient who drank often between 10am and 3pm, and said the routine made things worse.

The alcoholic danger zone has a number of warning signs (Getty Stock Photo)

Alcohol is an emotional crutch

It's a stressful life, and a lot of people end up reaching for the bottle to relax them a bit now and then.

Only as Dr Campbell pointed out alcohol won't help you navigate the tough times, so it's not really going to help with stress anyway.

Counsellor and psychotherapist Andrew Harvey said he asked people who came to him: "When did you start using alcohol rather than enjoying alcohol?"

He said that alcohol was being used as 'medicine for a lot of peoples’ pain', but it just makes them numb for a bit and solves nothing.

People with more time on their hands such as the retired risk drinking more simply because they have more free time (Getty Stock Photo)

More time on your hands

Something else the counsellor noticed was the rate of alcoholism increasing in people once they'd hit retirement age.

If you're going through a time in life where you've got more spare time and are filling it with drink then it's another possible warning sign of being in the alcoholic danger zone.

Filling the free moments with drink risked establishing a routine of drinking that could lead to alcoholism.

Drinking every day didn't even need to be part of it, there was a misconception that it was a required factor but people who didn't drink every day and then went out and binged still had a problem.

"So why are you at this party?" "To drink." (Getty Stock Photo)

Finding situations where it's acceptable to drink

There are many opportunities to drink to excess where it's not seen as weird.

We've mentioned going out and binge drinking, but this fourth thing to look out for is being on the hunt for events where you could drink a lot and nobody would expect less.

You can go to these places and just not drink, but the temptation is there and so is the ready-made excuse that you drank a lot because you were somewhere that you wouldn't look out of place.