Alcohol abuse goes way beyond unwinding with an occasional glass of wine after work. It can steer your decisions, relationships, and health. Often, people who are addicted to alcohol do not even realize that they have a problem. But it can be a one-way ticket to harming not just your body but also your bond with others.

Therefore, if you enjoy drinking alcohol regularly, you need to ensure you do not cross the line from connoisseur to addict. Here are five early warning signs of alcohol abuse that you should watch out for.

1. You Have a Lack of Self-Control

Picture this: you are chilling with your buddies, vowing to yourself that it is going to be just a two-drink night. Cut to a few hours later and whoops – there goes the drink tally you totally lost track of.

Sound familiar? If that self-imposed drink limit seems more like a vague suggestion than an actual personal policy, it is a red flag waving in the booze-infused breeze.

Losing grip on how many drinks you knock back can sneak up faster than that unexpected hangover after what was supposed to be ‘just the one beer’. It is kind of like when your internet browser has too many tabs open – sooner or later, things are going to crash.

2. Happy Hour Becomes the Norm

When boozy beverages become the go-to method for unwinding on a regular – and maybe even essential – basis, it could be a warning sign that you are heading toward alcohol abuse.

It is one thing to enjoy an occasional cold one after work, but if alcohol becomes your primary decompression tool over other activities (like hitting the gym or reading), then it is time to reassess your life.

3. You Are Tempted to Drive After Drinking

Here is a real talk moment: if there is ever a nudge in your mind saying, “Hey, I can totally drive right now” after you have been guzzling down drinks, that is not okay. Not even sort of.

Considering getting behind the wheel while feeling buzzed is like playing Russian roulette — it is as reckless and something is bound to go wrong. Safe driving needs sharp reflexes and clear thinking – two things alcohol tosses out faster than last year’s meme trends.

So, when your confidence is tanked up but sobriety checks out early, hand those keys over to someone else or just call a cab.

If you drive under the influence of alcohol, you are not only putting yourself in danger, you are also risking the lives of others. Furthermore, if you cause an accident, you could even end up in jail. You might be surprised at just how many cases involving driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs an experienced Albuquerque DUI accident law firm like Curiel & Runion handles each year. Make sure you are not the one they are prosecuting.

4. You Get Morning-after Amnesia

Ever had those mornings where last night’s events are fuzzier than that weird sweater your aunt handmade for you? Yeah, blackout moments – they are not the latest party trick to brag about. They are actually your brain waving a huge “I’m not okay” banner.

If you find yourself often struggling to piece together the night before or friends are filling in the blanks of your own story, it is a glaring neon sign that alcohol is calling too many shots (pun slightly intended).

5. Your Social Circle Is Shrinking

Noticing your social circle getting smaller than a studio apartment? If friends start RSVPing ‘nope’ to hangouts because they equate your meetups with excessive drinking, it is time for a vibe check. It starts small — maybe someone avoids the bar scene you love — but before you know it, invites dry up faster than January resolutions.

When alcohol becomes the main event rather than the side entertainment, folks might back away slowly.

If that is happening to you, it is a clear sign that you are drinking too much – so, reach out for professional help.