Addicted to that one for the road; How sensible drinking can turn you into a functional alcoholic.

FANCY a drink after work tonight? After all, you've had a hard day, achieved a lot and you deserve it.

It's not as if you're going to go crazy. It'll just be two or three, chatting over the day's frustrations with a few workmates and then home for dinner.

Okay, so you'll probably have a few glasses of wine with your evening meal, but wine is actually good for you, isn't it? In terms of alcohol consumption it doesn't add up to much - right?

Wrong.

More and more of us are drinking in excess of the recommended 21 male units and 14 female units each week - six million men and 3.3 million women to be precise.

Significantly, the proportion of women drinking over the limit rose steadily from nine per cent in 1984 to 14 per cent in 1996 - and it is likely to be climbing still.

With more women at work and alcohol more widely available to them than a generation ago, we are creating a culture of casual alcoholism. Drinking every day is common.

The latest research shows that as many as 1.3 million men and half-a million women are drinking more than 50 and 35 units respectively - a harmful level, both short-term and long-term.

Few of us who regularly drink at these levels would consider we should be concerned. No shakes, no early morning cravings, no work absence - no problem. But it is not as simple as that.

Most official health advice focuses on how our drinking habits affect our behaviour - even suggesting the amount is not so significant as the way in which the alcohol actually influences us.

The argument about functional alcoholics is that although they do drink large quantities, most do not display any of the physical or psychological damage associated with alcoholism.

Often, many argue the reverse - many in the media-related professions say that social drinking was part of the process when they clinched a contract or impressed a client. They might be shocked to discover that they are considered to be alcoholics.

Lorraine McKinven, 27, is a production manager with Barkers Advertising Agency in Glasgow. She does most of her drinking at the weekend, with a unit total of 'probably' more than the recommended limit.

She doesn't usually drink at lunchtime, but may have the occasional glass of wine with a client once every few weeks.

She said: "I used to drink a few times a week after work, too, but at the moment I'm training, running and doing martial arts, so I've cut that out. Sometimes you'd go for a quick drink and, before you knew it, the clock was at 9pm and you'd had five."

Her colleague Mary Millson, 36, who is traffic manager at the same agency, agrees that the one-turning-into-five scenario can happen a few times a week.

If she doesn't meet friends or colleagues after work, she may go home and have a couple of gin and tonics. She said: "I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

"Maybe once a month I'll have some wine with a meal at lunch if I'm taken out by a client, but other than that I don't drink during the day.

"I will probably eat out most weekends, when I will have wine with the meal.

"I don't count my units, but I know they are likely to be over the limit.

"I'm not hung up about it, though. I don't have any work or health concerns - if I feel like a drink I will, if I don't, I simply won't. Nevertheless, both Lorraine and Mary should be alert to the long-term dangers of "working alcoholism".

For a start, we all underestimate our alcohol intake when we are asked to calculate it - doctors say we do so by as much as 50 per cent - and regular drinking will also lead to an increase in our tolerance levels.

Quite apart from liver damage, too much alcohol affects our body's abilities to absorb many minerals and vitamins, and increases our susceptibility to osteoporosis, as well as contributing to weight gain.

Jack Law, chief executive of the Scottish Council on Alcoholism, said: "What we want people to do is practice sensible drinking."

One way of acting sensibly is to start being honest. Count how many units of alcohol you consume each week. By honestly answering our key questions, you'll soon discover just how far off limits you are prepared to drift.

Drinkline - 0800 9178282.

Scottish Council On Alcoholism - 0141 572 6700.

KEY QUESTIONS THAT TELL YOU THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR DRINKING

GOVERNMENT advice is for men to drink no more than 21 units, and women no more than 14 units a week.

One unit is half a pint of beer (approx 250ml) or a glass of wine (125ml) or a pub measure of spirits/ fortified wine (25ml))

1 Do you often find yourself drinking more than you had originally planned?

2 Are you frequently ready for another drink before your friends?

3 Do you think a lot about your next drink?

4 Does your first drink go down quickly?

5 Do you regularly drink more than the recommended limit?

6 Has drinking got you into trouble - such as fighting with your partner or drink-driving?

7 Have you done something you regretted thanks to drink?

8 Do you feel you might underachieve when at work after a night out?

9 Have other people ever told you they are concerned about your drinking?

10 Do you ever secretly feel uncomfortable about your drinking?

11 Does your social life centre mostly on places where you can have a drink?

12 Do you avoid situations if you can't have a drink - say if you have to drive?

13 Do you regularly drink to excess without suffering any hangover?

14 Do you never go more than four days without a drink?

IF you answered yes to four or more of these questions then you should try the measures below for a week.

Keep a note of how much you drink, and the circumstances, and try to reduce that week on week.

Try going out a bit later or having that first drink later.

Intersperse some of your drinks with non-alcoholic or low alcohol alternatives.

Avoid the usual quick drinks occasions (lunch time/after work).

Have at least two alcohol free days - this could be your opportunity to take up a new interest or sport, or simply opt for the cinema rather than the pub.

If you notice an increased craving, or find difficulty changing your behaviour, you should consider getting help.

After a week, do the quiz again and if you are still answering yes to four or more questions, then you need to take serious steps to cut down your drinking. Contact one of the organisations below for support and advice.