"Moderation in all things", is a common phrase to describe a generalised approach to creating a healthy lifestyle and well-being. However, because it is a generalisation, it is left to the individual to decide their own level, and this is where the problem lies. People tend to under-estimate their intake, or use words like "slightly too much", or "maybe once in a while", thereby avoiding complete denial, but playing down the effects they may be having.

Where drinking alcohol is concerned, it is only by being brutally honest with yourself, and listing when and how much you drink, that you can start to make an objective assessment to the level of dependency you may have.

If you are concerned, or worried, or just plain curious about how your drinking habits compare to those medically diagnosed as an alcoholic, then the following 5 Signs may help to you to decide. However, only an honest answer, or judgment, will lead to an accurate assessment. Consulting a professionally qualified medical practitioner is also imperative. They will give you further advice, guidance, and links to treatment should you need it. This is only a guideline, but could be the most important first step you have made.

Sign1: Scheduling. Do you plan you daily schedule around the availability of alcohol? Do you "clock-watch", counting the hours or minutes to when you can take the first drink of the day. If your daily routine is no longer just "wake up - get dressed - at work - lunch - more work - home - rest", but involves deciding in advance when to involve drinking, then alcohol is starting to become the ruler of you thoughts. Habits are behaviours that become self-consciously locked into our minds. They are not "spontaneous", or random. If you are starting to think about when to drink, the moment you open your eyes in the morning, or rearranging other normal activities, to ensure that the drinking isn't neglected, then you are starting to push "alcohol" to the one of your key priorities. If your realisation from recognising this, is that that is what has already happened, then it has already progressed to the "habit" stage and is an integral process of your daily life. Recognition is an important milestone.

Sign2: Self Doubt: Does some small part of you worry slightly that you are dependent? and shudder at what the consequences could be? If you watch the TV and immediately feel like switching over when the Government health commercials appear regarding drinking, or drink driving, then part of you is crying to know the truth, but another part is unwilling to accept the answer. It doesn't happen when commercials regarding smoking appear, or healthier eating. But then again those issues have no relevance to you, so self-doubt is not triggered. If the internal voice that tells you that "everyone's different" or "they can't generalise" drowns out, or constantly interrupts the enquiring or curious mind, then complete denial is not too far away.

Sign3: Secrecy: Everyone has a secret, don't they? Something that is best kept unsaid, or locked away. People can be just too inquisitive at times, and draw the wrong conclusion... Unfortunately this attitude is well known amongst alcoholics. It is this philosophy that leads to hiding evidence or, trying to cover up the tracks. This can be in the form of actions, such as hiding empty bottles or cans until rubbish-collection day. Or destroying receipts from the corner shop, showing regular purchases of drink. Other activities include keeping a bottle "on-show", in the cupboard that remains half full as if not being used. When in actual fact it is being topped up after emptying, with another one hidden in a secret location. Trying to deceive loved ones, or partners, becomes justifiable. Emotional secrecy can also manifest itself in the form of lying; about where you have been, or how many you have had. Soon, the lying itself becomes an art, and an accepted behaviour. Lying to yourself is is already well established.

Sign4: Health: Do you ever find that you hands tremble in the mornings? That even trying to hold a cup, or glass, becomes a two handed operation? That your memory is not what it used to be? particularly your short-term recall? Are you gaining weight, despite in-fact actually eating less, and even skipping meals as your appetite isn't what it used to be? That you are feeling tired and listless, even though you sleep is extremely deep? Has anyone else commented on your change of skin colour, shape, or mood? Obviously peoples bodies are different, and also peoples lifestyles and eating habits are different. Physical shapes, and changes in weight, mood, mental agility etc. are all affected by numerous conditions or behaviours. However, cause for concern should be observed, if a combination of some, or all of these physical problems start to become apparent.

Sign5: Quantity: Do you drink "stronger" drinks than you used to? Are you more concerned about the price, rather than the brand; favouring the cheap unknown, that has the same ABV% content, as the expensive well known product? Has the effect of the drink, become more important than the taste? If you have found that in order to counter-act some the "denied" side effects, such as trembling, you need to consume that bit more, or that bit often, then the chemical reactions are becoming gradually sensitized by your own body. It is becoming an essential addition to the function, and greater amounts are required to overcome the "norm". You may be balancing the justification of the same quantity of liquid, by increasing the alcoholic percentage of the drink.

Not every alcoholic is the same. The stereotype is an unkempt, unshaven, dirty, tramp, sleeping rough in a doorway, or bench, clasping a brown bag with todays drink of choice. They do exist and they probably know and accept they are alcoholics. But are not the majority. The majority of alcoholics live in denial, or in secret, with respectable jobs, and respectable families, having had probably respectable upbringings. The external impression is not as obvious as the stereotype, however, the internal damage is just as destructive.

The chronicle of an alcoholic, can be found at

://rehab-drinking-problem.blogspot.com