By: Lauren McRae

At times it may seem that drinking alcohol is embedded into our daily lives. We clink glasses to celebrate milestones and happy times while watching sporting events and at social gatherings.

Although moderate consumption of alcohol — according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans this means no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men—may not directly impact your health, when do you know if you or someone you know has a problem?

Laura Parise, MD, Psychiatrist at NorthShore, lists some of the common signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse:

1. Need to drink alcohol to have a good time, relax or feel better.
2. Forget on a frequent basis what you were doing when drinking, which may include blacking out.
3. Encounter relationship problems with partners, family members, friends and coworkers. These problems are often fueled by drinking.
4. Loss of interest in hobbies, past times and your personal life.
5. Family history of alcoholism or alcohol abuse.
6. Think about consuming alcohol throughout the day. This may include drinking before lunch, on the job or while driving.
7. Feel guilty or ashamed about drinking habits. This commonly includes hiding bottles, drinking alone, lying about your consumption or sneaking drinks away from others.
8. Increased tolerance for alcohol consumption. More drinks need to be consumed in order for you to feel the effects of alcohol.
9. Become irritable when alcohol isn’t available or your daily drinking schedule is interrupted.

If you or someone you know relates to the above statement, it is recommended you seek assistance from your physician.