Signs and symptoms of Problem Drinking:

1.       Occasional, frequent or persistent inability to stop after a couple of drinks.

2.       An urgent need for the first drink after a brief period of abstinence.

3.       Thinking about drinking or often planning drinking events.

4.       Ensuring that there is always a good supply of alcohol around.

5.       Drinking before attending social situations to ensure a good level of alcohol.

6.       Change in personality for the worse when drinking.

7.       Behaviour becoming more unpredictable when drinking.

8.       Drinking with people of lesser socio economic status.

9.       Promises and resolutions to cut down or quit fail.

10.   Drinking bolstered with excuses.

11.   Onset of memory blackouts when drinking.

12.   Drink driving offenses.

13.   Days off work due to drinking.

14.   Serious consequences to one or more major area of life (work, social, marriage, mental, psychological, physical, legal, financial, family, friendships, reputation.)

15.   Minimising or lying about drinking.

16.   Blaming drinking on people, situations and events.

If you can answer yes to one or two of these questions for your partner or yourself then you may be experiencing the early stages of an alcohol problem. If you answer more than two or three then you would be advised to seek medical advice as soon as possible before things get worse.

If you are abusing alcohol, even admitting that you may have a problem is the first step. Nobody plans to develop a drinking problem and admitting it is undoubtedly an act of courage. The second essential step is to get help. My advice to you is do not try to quit on your own. This is not advisable since you may need medical assistance. Sobriety is achievable but make sure that you have guidance from an experienced and qualified Alcohol Addiction specialist.

Call us for help or advice 0800 612 2197