Former alcoholic reveals a warning sign your drinking is ‘no longer casual’

Ever caught yourself saying, “Just one drink?” It may seem harmless, but you never know when the line between casual drinking and alcohol addiction blurs. Former alcoholic Corey Warren recently shared a warning sign that suggests your drinking is well past ‘casual’.

Do not ignore this wake-up call

Warren has made it his life’s mission to educate people on the dangers of drinking. He explains the risks of ‘casual drinking’ and why it is similar to being an alcoholic. In a recent Instagram video, Warren spoke about one sign that suggests your drinking is ‘no longer casual’. This should be a wake-up call for all those who claim to drink occasionally. What’s the sign? Experiencing blackouts. Even one is worrisome.


‘If you've ever blacked out, you probably think it's because you drank too much. But this is what you don't understand,’ he said in the video.

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He recalled the time when he used to drink only at weekends and thought it was casual; however, the blackouts still occurred. ‘I used to think that blacking out was just a part of drinking, a part of having fun, a part of the story I'd tell the next day. What I didn't realise is blacking out is not what happens when I drink too much one time. Blacking out is what happens when my tolerance is so high that I drink past my body's limit, and I don't even realise it. And that's not normal. That's not fun. That's my brain shutting down,’ he said.

‘So if you've ever blacked out even one time, that means your relationship with alcohol is way past casual. Blacking out is not fun. It's a warning. You want to better your life? Start by getting this alcohol out of it,’ Warren added.

The science behind alcohol-induced blackouts

Corey isn't far wrong in his explanation, because repeated blackouts or episodes of drunkenness are a strong indication of an alcohol-use disorder.

Blackouts are characterised by a sense of lost time. During these episodes, a person may appear relatively functional to others; however, they later have no recollection of events that occurred while intoxicated. These episodes occur when the alcohol levels in your body are extremely high. It impairs your ability to form new memories while intoxicated. A 2006 study published in J Forensic Science found that the odds of experiencing a blackout are about 50% when blood alcohol content reaches 0.22 per cent. During this time, a person may experience difficulty walking, talking, or standing, along with impaired judgement and vision.

A 2016 study published in Wiley found that alcohol-induced blackouts aren’t caused only by how much someone drinks; individual differences also play a major role. Blackouts can lead to more than just the immediate effects of heavy drinking; they can also contribute to psychiatric symptoms and changes in the brain.

Warning signs of alcohol overdose

What you think is casual drinking could be too much for your body. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the signs of alcohol overdose include:

• Mental confusion, stupor
• Difficulty remaining conscious, or inability to wake up
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
• Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
• Slow heart rate
• Clammy skin
• Dulled responses, such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking)
• Extremely low body temperature, bluish skin colour, or paleness

No level of alcohol is safe

One crucial fact many people tend to ignore is that there is no safe level when it comes to alcohol consumption. The World Health Organization has confirmed the same. In fact, alcohol was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago. Your risk from drinking alcohol starts from the first drop. ‘We cannot talk about a so-called safe level of alcohol use. It doesn’t matter how much you drink; the risk to the drinker’s health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage. The only thing that we can say for sure is that the more you drink, the more harmful it is – or, in other words, the less you drink, the safer it is,’ Dr Carina Ferreira-Borges, Acting Unit Lead for Noncommunicable Disease Management and Regional Adviser for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs in the WHO Regional Office for Europe, said in a release.

How to cut down on alcohol

Your best bet to reduce the risk of alcohol-related health impacts is to stop drinking. You can follow these steps suggested by NHS UK to cut down on drinking.

1. Have a game plan: use the NHS Drink Free Days app to set a limit.
2. Switch from stronger stuff: to cut back on alcohol, the NHS suggests choosing drinks with lower alcohol levels, such as lighter beers under 4% ABV.
3. Stick to the plan: it is going to be difficult, but remember these small efforts move you towards a happier and healthier life.
4. Shake up your social plans: you can still have fun with your friends. Instead of booze, go to a movie, meet for breakfast, grab a coffee, or head to the gym.
5. Set a booze budget: the ideal way to motivate yourself and drink less is to limit your booze budget.
6. Write off the rounds: avoid being part of a round (where everyone takes turns buying drinks for the group), as it encourages you to have one too many drinks.
7. Only wine and dine: wait for your evening meal before you drink.
8. Beat boredom: if you drink to beat boredom or stress, find a habit that helps — DIY projects, cleaning, or perhaps yoga.

Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.