While alcohol might be legal, it doesn’t mean that it’s good for you. It’s easy to surpass the recommended limit and start depending on it for more than just an occasional beverage.

With alcohol being present in so many places, it’s not hard to see why so many people end up developing a dependence on alcohol. So, what are the warning signs that it’s starting to creep up on you?

Take a look at some of the telltale signs that you may be pushing it too much with drinking. 

Blackouts

Heavy drinking usually leads to lapses in memory known as blackouts. When you can’t remember what happened after a session of drinking, then it’s an indication that you had an excessive amount of alcohol.

When your brain blocks out an entire chunk of time, it’s frightening. When you’re in a blackout, you’re not making intelligent decisions. You may drive drunk or put yourself in a vulnerable position. You may experience a blackout or two during your life after a big holiday, or an exceptional occasion. However, if blackouts are starting to happen regularly, then you should reevaluate your relationship with alcohol,

Lying About Your Drinking

Alcoholics don’t want to admit that they’re alcoholics until they decide to get treatment.  The last thing they want is to be held accountable for all of the drinking they’re doing because that would mean they have to stop.

Therefore, people who have a dependency on alcohol tend to lie about how much they had to drink, or if they were drinking at all. If you’re afraid that people will judge how much you drink and as a result, you lie, then it’s time to ask yourself whether you may be headed in a bad direction. 

Associating Relaxing With Drinking

A glass of wine in the bath or a cocktail after work is a socially acceptable form of relaxing after a long day.  However, it’s not the only way to relax.

If you start to turn to an alcoholic drink every time that you feel the slightest amount of stress or emotional upset, then you’re using alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Relaxation comes in many forms, and alcohol shouldn’t be seen as the gateway to relief. 

Inability To Stop Drinking Once You Start

There are some people that can have one glass of wine with dinner and stop. However, there are even more people that can’t seem to stop drinking once they start.

You may be one of those people that’s convinced yourself you’re not an alcoholic because you don’t drink every day. But when you do drink it’s non stop all night long, then it’s a sign that alcohol has taken control of you.