Are you a grey zone drinker? 6 questions determine if you have a problem with alcohol & what to do before it gets worse

FIND out if you’re a grey zone drinker by answering six questions to determine if you have a problem with alcohol.

The questions are designed to tell you about your drinking habits and help you find out if you need help before it gets worse and could lead to addiction.

GettyAn expert has revealed the six questions you need to answer to determine if you’re a grey zone drinker[/caption]

A staggering 80 per cent of Brits aged 18 to 25 have at least one drink every day and just under half (49 per cent) of those aged 55 to 64 do as well.

Even more shockingly, two thirds of beer drinkers admit to glugging at least one bottle every night, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) drinking more than five beers every day. 

The six-question test was designed by Grey Area Drinking Coach Sarah Rusbatch.

She said: “Grey area drinking describes people who consume more than a moderate amount of alcohol but don’t meet the criteria for actual dependence.

“Most don’t view themselves as in need of help, but they do acknowledge their alcohol use is having a negative impact on their life in some way: physically, mentally or both. 

“Grey area drinkers have passed the point of ‘take it or leave it’ drinking and are using alcohol for something else – reward, a relaxant, confidence, to switch off or to numb themselves from their emotion.”

PROBLEM WITH EXCESS DRINKING

Research has shown cutting out or reducing alcohol can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and liver disease.

And a new study shows it could help reduce your risk of up to five types of cancer.

Stopping or limiting booze slashes the chances of developing mouth or oesophageal cancer, researchers found.

There is “limited evidence” that it can also decrease the risks of laryngeal, bowel and breast cancers as well, they said.

Study author Dr Susan Gapstur, of the Winship Cancer Institute, said: “Alcohol reduction or cessation decreases the risk of oral cancer and esophageal cancer.

“The review also revealed scientific gaps on some or all alcohol-related cancers, including the duration of cessation necessary to observe a reduced risk.

“Addressing these gaps would further support alcohol-control measures to reduce consumption.”

Previous research has suggested alcohol can increase the risk of cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and breast.

In total, around 81,000 Brits are diagnosed with the diseases every year.

The latest study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at how cutting back on booze can reduce the risk.

Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer looked at data from 91 studies.

They found “sufficient” evidence that reducing or cutting back on booze cut the risk of oral cavity or oesophageal cancers.

There was “inadequate” evidence it helped reduce the risk of pharyngeal or liver cancer, researchers said.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE IT GETS WORSE

According to Dr Suneel Kamath, of Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute, there are four tips for cutting out booze this year:

Don’t keep alcohol in the house

Stop drinking alongside a friend

Drink mocktails or alcohol free beer or wine instead

Pick up a hobby that doesn’t revolve around booze