Common Signs Of A High-Functioning-Alcoholic
While alcoholism is a disastrous illness that can ruin lives, a number of people who battle with it manage to keep big responsibilities and stressful jobs. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in good neighborhoods, and make a substantial income.
Simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker managing large sums of money are each at-risk of triggering horrendous disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.
Here are a few warning signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating.
Alcoholics will regularly remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as justification to start drinking.
2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after several drinks.
Consuming alcohol routinely over an extended period of time can induce the physical body to become dependent on alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a great deal without the same hangover that torments the not habitual drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them grouchy, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to avoid drinking, his or her physical body regularly reacts negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can induce tension and anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns change dramatically while under the influence of alcohol.
When they drink, alcoholics may transform significantly. For example, a typically mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Periods of amnesia or "blacking out" are typical.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the time, but they're unable to recall events that occurred.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with aggression and denial.
When faced with problems surrounding their drinking, alcoholics will typically regress to denial or hostility, making conversation hard.
8. They always have a good reason for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their actions if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of avoidance. Stress and anxiety at work, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social activities are typical reasons to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
abuse will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their car. This type of hidden drinking is a tremendous red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcohol addiction .
Let's try to keep our world productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for problematic behavior to get these troubled colleagues, family, and neighbors the assistance they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial income.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're invulnerable to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
Simply because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still in danger of hurting themselves and others around them. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with trembling hands, or a banker managing large sums of money are each at-risk of triggering horrendous disasters if they stay on their dysfunctional path.
Here are a few warning signs that can really help in identifying these time bombs:
1. They drink instead of eating.
Alcoholics will regularly remove and replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as justification to start drinking.
2. They can get out of bed without having a hangover, even after several drinks.
Consuming alcohol routinely over an extended period of time can induce the physical body to become dependent on alcohol. Regularly high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a great deal without the same hangover that torments the not habitual drinker.
3. Not drinking makes them grouchy, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is forced to avoid drinking, his or her physical body regularly reacts negatively, as they depend on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Sudden quitting can induce tension and anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a quickened heart rate, and even seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns change dramatically while under the influence of alcohol.
When they drink, alcoholics may transform significantly. For example, a typically mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make impulsive choices.
5. They cannot have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. Alcohol will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Periods of amnesia or "blacking out" are typical.
Many alcoholics will participate in activities that they have no recollection of the following day. They may not appear extremely intoxicated at the time, but they're unable to recall events that occurred.
7. Attempts to talk about drinking behavior are met with aggression and denial.
When faced with problems surrounding their drinking, alcoholics will typically regress to denial or hostility, making conversation hard.
8. They always have a good reason for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their actions if flat denial or hostility is not the chosen mode of avoidance. Stress and anxiety at work, troubles in the home, or an abundance of social activities are typical reasons to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
abuse will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a desk or in their car. This type of hidden drinking is a tremendous red flag and there is no other explanation for this behavior aside from alcohol addiction .
Let's try to keep our world productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for problematic behavior to get these troubled colleagues, family, and neighbors the assistance they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics seem to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, and make a substantial income.
Just because they're high-functioning doesn't mean that they're invulnerable to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing substantial amounts of money are each at-risk of inducing horrendous disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
