A Few Clues Of A High-Functioning-Alcoholic
While alcohol dependence is a disastrous illness that can destroy lives, a few people who battle with it manage to keep stressful jobs and big responsibilities. From the outside, these so-called high-functioning problem drinkers seem to have it all together. They can drive great cars, live in great neighborhoods, and make a significant income.
But unfortunately, simply because they are high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still in danger of harming themselves and others around them. As an example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a banker handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they continue on their dysfunctional course.
Below are some clues that can help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Problem drinkers will commonly replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as justification to start drinking.
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over a substantial period of time can trigger the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a good deal without the same hangover that torments the not habitual drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them grouchy, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her body regularly responds negatively, as they are dependent on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns change noticeably while under the influence of alcohol.
When they drink, problem drinkers may alter noticeably. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make careless decisions.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. alcoholism will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are prevalent.
Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not seem extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're unable to remember events that occurred.
7. Efforts to discuss drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with problems involving their drinking, alcohol abusers will typically retreat to denial or aggression, making a dialogue difficult.
8. They typically have a good explanation for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their actions if flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of evasion. Anxiety and stress at work, problems in the home, or an abundance of social events are typical excuses to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their vehicle. This kind of hidden alcohol consumption is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior other than alcoholism .htm"> alcohol addict ion .
Let's try to keep our world productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for problematic actions to get these troubled colleagues, family members, and friends the assistance they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, and make a significant income.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
But unfortunately, simply because they are high-functioning doesn't mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. They are still in danger of harming themselves and others around them. As an example, a pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with shaky hands, or a banker handling large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing horrible disasters if they continue on their dysfunctional course.
Below are some clues that can help in recognizing these time bombs:
1. They consume alcohol instead of eating.
Problem drinkers will commonly replace meals with a couple of drinks, lose interest in food completely, or use mealtime as justification to start drinking.
2. They can wake up without a hangover, even after a number of drinks.
Consuming alcohol regularly over a substantial period of time can trigger the physical body to become addicted to alcohol. Often high-functioning alcoholics are able to drink a good deal without the same hangover that torments the not habitual drinker.
3. Abstaining makes them grouchy, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If an alcoholic is required to abstain from consuming alcohol, his or her body regularly responds negatively, as they are dependent on the tranquillizing effects of alcohol. Abrupt quitting can induce anxiety, nervousness, sweating, a rapid heart rate, as well as seizures.
4. Their behavior patterns change noticeably while under the influence of alcohol.
When they drink, problem drinkers may alter noticeably. A generally mild-mannered person may become aggressive, or make careless decisions.
5. They can't have just two drinks.
An alcoholic has trouble quiting, and may even finish others' drinks. alcoholism will certainly never be left on the table, and there is always a pretext for one more round.
6. Time spans of amnesia or "blacking out" are prevalent.
Many problem drinkers will participate in activities that they have no memory of the following day. They may not seem extremely intoxicated at the moment, but they're unable to remember events that occurred.
7. Efforts to discuss drinking behavior are met with hostility and denial.
When confronted with problems involving their drinking, alcohol abusers will typically retreat to denial or aggression, making a dialogue difficult.
8. They typically have a good explanation for why they drink.
Most alcoholics will have a relatively rational explanation for their actions if flat denial or aggression is not the chosen method of evasion. Anxiety and stress at work, problems in the home, or an abundance of social events are typical excuses to explain their damaging behavior.
9. They hide their alcohol.
Many alcoholics will drink alone, or sneak drinks from a bottle in a workspace or in their vehicle. This kind of hidden alcohol consumption is a tremendous warning and there is no other explanation for this behavior other than alcoholism .htm"> alcohol addict ion .
Let's try to keep our world productive, safe, and sober by keeping our eyes open for problematic actions to get these troubled colleagues, family members, and friends the assistance they need.
Indications of a High Functioning Alcoholic
From the outside, these supposed high-functioning alcoholics appear to have it all together. They can drive nice cars, live in great communities, and make a significant income.
Simply because they're high-functioning does not mean that they're immune to the effects of alcohol. A pilot nursing a hangover, a surgeon with unsteady hands, or a financier managing large amounts of money are each at-risk of causing terrible disasters if they stay on their destructive path.
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